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    Fleet Science Center

    3.6 (536 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    Joy L.

    Looking for a museum that covers all levels of kids. Fleet Science Center is a perfect fit. Inspire your children's steam skills. The building is broken up into various rooms and it is multi levels. Each area is different and equally fun. From the under 5 yr old play area to the builder area designed for older kids, this museum is a must. Oh and did I mention there is a giant ball pit! Pro tip buy the San Diego museum card if you plan to visit more than one museum will save your in the long run as the museum admission fees can add up

    Sallie R.

    The Fleet Science Center is a perfect spot for families with kids. Lots of hand on activities and interactive exhibits to experience while learning at the same time. Part of the museum were undergoing renovations, therefore didn't get a chance to explore the whole place. We love the illusion area where it fascinated us very entertaining made our jaws dropped. There's a ball pit area for little ones which I thought was so cool. I wanted to jump in. The museum does have a small cafe inside offering snacks, cocktail drinks, ice creams, and more delicious items on the menu. I ordered nachos, a can of beer, and ice creams for the kids. All at affordable prices. I really enjoyed my nachos with pickled jalapeños and beer. You can walk around the museum with a drink in your hand. Absolutely, a good museum to spend a couple of hours at. The kids and I really had a great time at the museum.

    Lynn R.

    I have a membership at the science center, and I wanted to see the latest movie about the Yellowstone wolves. I am so glad I did. If you haven't seen it, I would recommend it. It's the most heartwarming story and restore your faith in the goodness of human beings. You will learn a lot about these amazing animals. We need to take care of all of God's creatures and all of his creation. I'm always amazed at how few people are in the IMAX theater as compared to the movie theaters. The IMAX documentary are such a great value and exceptional learning experience. I wish more people were aware of the quality of the films that they show here. I saw the sea otters a few weeks ago and that was amazing as well . I will be renewing my membership soon because this place is worth every penny.

    Electromagnetic Spectrum
    Winston L.

    I've been to this science museum at least four times in the last five years. I believe two hours is a good amount of time to go through the exhibits. Favorite exhibits from my family: Optical illusions Sending messages via Morse code A labyrinth style marble game where you can adjust the bounciness of the ball Different light displays- delayed silhouettes, spinning images, infrared, funhouse mirrors My main issue is that the museum is not very big and they don't do much updating of exhibits or rotating in new ones. That means that the exhibits have a lot of wear, some parts aren't working, and there's not much reason for a repeat visit. I think it's still worth a visit if you've never been though.

    Jennifer T.

    We had such a fun day at the Fleet Science Center in San Diego! Location: Right in Balboa Park, which is already such a beautiful area to walk around with tons of things to see and do. There's also a really pretty water fountain right in front that the kids loved running around and playing near--it made the whole experience feel extra special and "vacationy." Prices: Adults are $24.99 and kids are $19.99, and kids 2 and under are free! Honestly, totally worth it for how much there is to do--so many hands-on exhibits that kept the kids entertained the whole time. Ball Pool: Hands down the BEST part for the kids! They could have stayed there forever--super fun, interactive, and just pure joy watching them play. Parking: Parking was $16 for all day. We were able to park right in front, which was super convenient. It can get busy, but it worked out great for us. Pay at the kiosk!! They are super strict with parking so beware! Dome Theater: This was definitely the highlight! The dome theater is AMAZING--such an immersive experience that both kids and adults will enjoy. It really feels like you're inside the movie. Don't skip this! Kid City: The only downside was that Kid City was closed when we visited, which was a bit of a bummer since we were really looking forward to it. But even without it, there was still plenty to explore and enjoy. Overall, we had a great time and would definitely recommend bringing kids here. It's educational, interactive, and just plain fun. We'll definitely be back--hopefully next time Kid City is open!

    Ball maze
    Sarah S.

    Went here for the San Diego free resident and there is so much for kids to do and see ! I was impressed! Yes there is a bit of a wait on resident free Tuesday but get in that line and be prepared to wait ! From just walking inside there are activities for the kids to immerse themselves in. From the tornado machine , to the giant ball maze, this is the place to be ! Make sure you head upstairs and QR code the ball pit wait so you can look around while you're waiting for your time . Also upstairs there is a tool area . If you want your child to experience playing with a drill there's a counter behind it and you can ask one of the employees for a drill . ( took us a minute to figure that out as there aren't any signs that we noticed ). This is one of the true " free" museums that had everything operational and nothing closed down or " extra" for residents ! I highly , highly recommend you take your children here ! So much fun !

    Jessenia R.

    The Fleet Science Center is awesome. This was the second museum we visited on our San Diego trip, and it ended up being our favorite. Located in Balboa Park, it's super fun and much more interactive for adults compared to the New Children's Museum. What I loved most is that everyone had fun, Daddy, Mommy, and Asher, not just our son. The exhibits are engaging and hands-on for all ages. The price is very reasonable, and since it participates in Museums for All, we were able to get in for $3 per person, which was amazing. Parking is free, which is a bonus, though it can be a bit tricky to find a spot. Even so, it was totally worth it. We had a great time, loved the experience, and would definitely come back.

    dome theater
    Aurora W.

    Located in Balboa park near the fountain, parking was in the back lot in Space theater lot. Parking was rather busy so it took us a little bit to find a spot. Parking was free, but there were signs posted that there will be new parking fees starting in January 2026. Admission here is kind of pricey at $25 per adult and $20 per kid over 2. I do like that they give discounts for educators and military. It also participates in Museums for All program, so SNAP/EBT card holders can enter for $3. But I think for the family that doesn't have any of these benefits, it can unfortunately add up quickly. The tickets include a movie showing in their theater. We watched a documentary about Superdogs which was entertaining. The dome theater is also neat, cool, and an immersive experience- but you can get a little dizzy in there if you're prone to motion sickness. There is a lot of variety of STEM activities, but I will say that the captions/descriptions are not very captivating and can be difficult for little kids to fully understand. I would say that many of the exhibits are geared towards 4th graders and up. There are other areas for smaller kids (under 5) which was cool; however, I felt like these areas were rather dirty and have seen better days (eg big Legos were stained and brown). Some of the exhibits/ machines were also broken and outdated. Overall my kids had a lot of fun (and didn't want to leave) but I think this place could use a makeover. I think they are currently under some type of construction because there were signs saying so. The snack lab was also open but on and off, so definitely bring some food/snacks for your kids.

    Laura M.

    From my childhood days, this science museum was one of my favs. Such a fun and interactive exhibits throughout the museum. My last visit at the fleet science center was for Candlelight concert for ABBA & Queen. My friend and I were so enthralled with the concert. Entirely of the room lit up with flashing LED candles that were spread across the floor. My friend Jenie & I gazed at the projection screen, and at times it felt as though I was lying underneath the night sky and being surroinded by fireflies as the violin quartet was playing! A romantic ambiance atmosphere helped us to relax and just take in compelling music.

    Tashara H.

    I grew up visiting the Fleet Science Center regularly as a kid--both through class field trips and family outings. This summer, I had the chance to take both my kids and my parents to the Fleet to enjoy some cool AC and science, take in a film and enjoy some quality family time. Before this summer, it has been decades since my last visit. The Fleet, located near the San Diego Zoo and Natural History Museum in San Diego's historic Balboa Park, continues to be one of the highlights of San Diego's museum community. The gem of the Fleet is probably the spherical IMAX screen on which they show mostly nature and science themed films. At this visit, we watched an amazing film about blue whales. The spherical property of the screen really made us feel as if we were immersed in the water with the whales. Please note that if you or your companions are sensitive to loud noise, or if motion makes you disoriented, please take precautions, such as sitting higher up--so you're looking down at the film, or wearing ear protection. I was glad I brought headphones for my kids. Along with the IMAX theater, the rest of the center has interactive science exhibits for the whole family to enjoy. Some of the exhibits are staples that I remember from my childhood. Many others are new or are out on a rotating basis. It is easy to get lost if you become separated from your family, so please think of selecting a meeting spot in case you do get lost. There is a cafe at the entrance with breakfast, lunch, and snack options. They have a delicious soft-serve ice cream with a variety of flavor syrups, and also pretty good coffee. As you exit, there is a charming gift shop that will likely entice you to give a little bit of money over in exchange for a trinket. It is hard for me to walk through without purchasing something. Overall, this museum/theater/science center is well worth the visit...and as a former local and a long time visitor, I can say that the Fleet Science Center is definitely part of what makes San Diego Classy.

    Kandy F.

    We have a yearly pass to Balboa Park Museums. We were intrigued by Fleet Science Center even though it seemed more like a kid's fun place. We enjoyed reminiscing being back in school and learning how things were invented. There's always volunteers helping out and showing how some things work. We absolutely loved the gentleman with the magnetic field stuff. We all had a great conversation. We had a blast with all of his magic show!! We felt like a kid again. We probably spent about forty five minutes reading and playing with everything. You could probably spend longer if you have kids to entertain.

    Brianne R.

    Definitely geared towards younger children! If you're planning on visiting check the website beforehand to see if there is a traveling exhibit stationed in! In the few times I've been here over the years, these were always the most interesting parts of the museum. It seems like the home exhibit are just leftover activities scattered throughout the show floor kind of lacking cohesion or planning. They play various documentaries on the IMAX dome theatre and that continues to be a highlight of this museum. There's a snack stand and plenty of seats in the theatre and the films they show are educational but still very interesting!

    Aaron D.

    Once again they have updated their collection and it seems they are on the right path. It is back to being the best science center for children in the county.

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    My favorite museum as a kid and I'm glad they have free Tuesdays for residents. I like the new upgrade

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    Fleet Science Center Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Fleet Science Center

    Is it good for teenagers?

    Yes an 11 yr old would love it. I'm not sure about 19 yr old though.

    Are masks required?

    Yes for adults and children older than 2

    For kid city, is there a line of people for every session and what time should we show up to try and get in?

    There is absolutely no one regulating Kid City. We just went & there was wayyy more people than 12 in there. Kids over 5 just running over the younger kids. It doesn't close for 20 min every hour for cleaning/sanitizing like the website states.

    Do they allow strollers?

    We do allow strollers in our facilities and we also have a stroller parking space if you'd like to leave it somewhere while you go about exploring our galleries.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Fleet Science Center

    We checked out The Turtle Odyssey for about 15 minutes, but we left because my son wanted to play at The Kid City.

    Mentioned in 46 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    San Diego has so many great family spots, but this place has become extra special to our family…read more We first visited after the pandemic reopening because a friend recommended it, and somehow those simple play dates slowly turned into a huge part of our lives. My older son discovered his love for art here through Paint + Clay Studios, summer camps, and Artopia workshops with the incredible Teaching Artists. My younger one is basically in his dream world every time he runs through the immersive exhibitions and explores every corner. It's one of those rare places where kids can just fully be curious, creative, and themselves.

    This children's museum is only impressive because of its size. Being a local, I have brought my…read morechildren here about 7-8 times over the last three years. While there, I have never encountered an employee who actually acts like they enjoy children. All of the women I've interacted with in the art room have been so rude and unhelpful...especially the lady with the pixie haircut. Safety issues: There have been times upstairs where the Whammock display has had around 20 kids in it. Not an employee in sight to mitigate the chaos and allow a safe number of kids in at a time. There are also never any employees at the different displays to make sure that the recommended ages are the only ones using that attraction. Solely based on the price of tickets and the amount of donations that are received, I don't see where any funding is put back into the museum. The same tired displays have been in place for years. Also, there are never supplemental events that are hosted by the museum.

    Children's Museum of Discovery

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    Been to a lot of children's museum and one of my favorite things about this one is they offer time…read moreslots for crafting. My daughter got to make a planter pot for a flower. It is on the cozy smaller size but the play activities are all nicely spaced out. I went here on a weekday and it wasn't too packed. The children museum provides indoor and outdoor play options. They have a small section for kids under two where they get to crawl, climb and play with balls. *shoes off* For indoor they have the magna-tiles table, chalk board, reading area, pretend grocery store and ranger lookout, For outdoor they have a big water table; soft foam building blocks, a garden and a dirt excavation section. They do have a handwashing station outside so I appreciate that after the messy play. I also love the art installation, it's big colorful bugs and insects. Would recommend you checking it out.

    We hosted our daughter's 3rd birthday party at the Children's Museum of Discovery this past…read moreweekend, and it was such a fantastic experience from start to finish. A huge shoutout to Michele, our party planner, who was incredibly communicative, organized, and thoughtful throughout the entire process. She made everything feel easy and seamless, and truly helped create such a special, memorable day for my daughter and her friends. The setup and decor were beautiful, and everything was ready to go when we arrived, which made a big difference when hosting a group of excited kids! The space itself is amazing, with so many engaging, hands-on activities for a wide range of ages (definitely up to around 10). The kids were entertained the entire time. Even better, so many of the parents were raving about the experience and how much their kids loved it, which says a lot. Highly recommend hosting a party here if you're looking for something fun, interactive, and well-organized. We had the best time!

    San Diego Air & Space Museum

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    On February 28, 2026 we visited the Air and Space museum in Balboa Park…read more We definitely enjoyed the museum and all of the exhibits. One of the volunteers showed us how to start the messerschmitt jet engine. This was fascinating. While there, we also had the pleasure of visiting the flight path grill. The hamburgers were fantastic! We wanted to thank the person that grilled them but they are behind closed doors. We couldn't believe the hamburgers cost only $8. The hamburgers were far better than the $22 hamburgers we got at our hotel! We really appreciated having such an enjoyable experience and hope you will give the person that grilled those hamburgers something special.

    Whenever we visit a new city, we always try to check three things off our list: visit a museum, do…read moresomething on the water (if applicable) & catch a sports game. The San Diego Air & Space Museum was our museum pick for this trip & it was a fun, educational morning! My husband is a retired Army veteran & enjoys planes, aviation history & anything military-related, so this museum was right up his alley. We could have spent hours exploring all of the exhibits, aircraft, artifacts & historical displays. One of the highlights of our visit was meeting a super outgoing docent shortly after we walked in. Somehow, he kept magically popping up throughout the museum during our visit, sharing fascinating tidbits & fun facts about whatever exhibit we happened to be looking at. You could tell he genuinely loved being there & his enthusiasm made the entire experience even more engaging & personal. (My apologies for not remembering his name. He was an Air Force B-52 pilot & bonded with hubby over their shared military service.) Another really cool aspect of the museum is its location directly in the flight path of the airport. Planes were flying overhead every couple of minutes, which honestly added so much atmosphere to the visit. Hearing & seeing aircraft constantly overhead while walking through the exhibits made the whole experience feel extra immersive. The vintage Pacific Southwest Airlines stewardess uniforms on display were awesome! The museum does a great job balancing serious aviation history with quirky, interesting pieces of airline culture & design history. This was definitely a worthwhile visit - whether you are an aviation buff or just looking for an interesting & interactive museum experience. We both had a great time!

    San Diego Natural History Museum

    San Diego Natural History Museum

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    We stumbled upon the San Diego Natural History Museum after noticing their rooftop dining, and it…read moreturned out to be a fantastic spur-of-the-moment decision. Across four full stories, the museum is packed with impressive exhibits featuring prehistoric bones, wildlife displays, and regional art. We caught an informative film on San Diego's natural environment in the theater and thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on interactive stations--matching bugs and identifying animal scat was surprisingly fun! The true highlight, however, was the rooftop Sunday brunch. The food was excellent, the views were wonderful, and the cashier serving us was exceptionally warm and welcoming. I highly recommend a visit, and definitely make sure to take advantage of the rooftop brunch!

    We visited during The Nat at Night when the tickets were half price, then there is access to the…read morerooftop; and the 5 floors of the museum. This experience is during the summer, and starts at 5pm on Fridays/ We arrived just before 5pm, entered and then headed to the rooftop. There were food and beverages offered and the views were amazing. Getting there right at 5 and going to the rooftop first was the best decision becuase the area is limited occupacy and once it's full there is a line waiting for some people to leave before you can then access the rooftop. There were so many people in attendance, it was great to see. It was a warm evening and the rooftop got pretty warm, then once we went into the museum it took a while to cool down. Not sure how that could be remedied, but the AC seemed to be a little inefficient for the number of people. Even if you aren't interested in going to the rooftop, the discounted price for 5pm to 11pm was a great option to explore the museum. I do recommend it! Lots to see and I was most interested in the Washed Ashore exhibit; art created with trash that has washed up on the beaches.

    Maritime Museum

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    There are 7 total ships, including the Star of India, and a submarine. You can purchase your ticket…read moreat any of the main booths/boat entrances, then show your receipt to visit the others on the same day. The flexibility of a self-guided tour was great. One ship was away on a sail in the afternoon this past Saturday, but there was more than enough to explore on the various vessels during our visit. Plenty to see and experience on each of the boats. We stepped onto the swift boat where staff educated us about its machine gun. And we walked through and checked out the different sections of the USS Dolphin submarine too. The HMS Surprise was a lovely ship with plenty of references to its use in films. The Star of India was like a museum all on its own, so many areas to explore and a ton of history to learn. The Californian was pretty basic, not very different from many other ships we've visited in the past. Steam Ferry Berkeley was the largest, with displays showcasing scientific instruments, model boats, artwork, the riverboats in Vietnam, the engine room, a torpedo caught by a fisherman, and a special exhibit featuring the "histories of the black pacific". There's a gift shop on site as well. Altogether, the variety of ships at the Maritime Museum made for an interesting adventure, a bit touristy, but worth the cost if you're into history or simply like boats.

    Ok so I will split this into two reviews:…read more 1: the ships and actual adventure 2: the reservation process and customer service 1: booked a trip for the Spanish replica ship adventure the San Salvador and really loved it. The ticket also got you access to the other ships to walk around which was cool. But the coolest part was that San Salvador was sailed like they would have sailed it waaay back when. We got to see real rigging masts sails steering all being done by a crew and it was a totally amazing experience and such a perfect day. Bonus: we saw dolphins and it was a perfect day. Drawback: the gentlemen speaking throughout didn't talk into his mic often so missed a lot but oh well - who's really going for history?! such a good time!!. 2. I had a good with my tickets and called and tried to talk to folks in person and could never get someone. The tickets were cancelled but not refunded which was a bummer and staff in the kiosk even said they phone lines were messed up. A bummer. :(

    Fleet Science Center - nonprofit - Updated August 2026

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