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! read more

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The Fleet Science Center is a nice science museum with a handful of exhibits that spindle children would enjoy. We were attending a Girl Scout sleepover, and the Fleet staff was horrid to us. The man in charge was not amicable in any way and was continously rude to us throughout the night and following morning. They gave us a set schedule and constantly deviated from it - to the point that they told my 4th graders if they didn't stop eating breakfast they would be barred from attending the movie that was included in our paid program. He was attempting to be intimidating and one of my girls was extremely uncomfortable. For context, breakfast was scheduled for 8am and the movie scheduled for 845am per our written schedule. The man was forcing us to the theater or to miss the movie - at 824am. We had been so mistreated from arrival through the night that when a morning shift employee offered to open the door and help me carry something, I became overwhelmed with appreciation and thanked him for being kind. I let him know he was the first employee to show us any kindness and that we appreciated him. The experience we have had has left us completely floored, and we do not plan to return to a business that chooses to employ such a rude, non-inclusive, unprofessional staff with zero customer service skills. read more

I remember going to the Fleet Science center a couple times as a child and I remember it being a really fun, hands-on experience. Because of that, I suggested it to my family visiting from Oregon who had kids. We did end up spending a good amount of time here, especially in the ball pit area, which was definitely a highlight and kept the kids entertained. However, outside of that, a lot of exhibits fell a bit flat compared to what I remembered. Some of them seemed outdated and others just didn't feel very interacting or engaging for the kids. Overall, it was a decent visit and there were moments of fun, but the price felt a bit high for what was offered inside. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Fleet Science Center - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - San Diego, California

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. read more

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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. read more

Fleet Science Center - dome theater - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - San Diego, California

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The fleet science is undergoing some construction but this museum always has a spot in my heart. It doesn't matter how old you are, but I feel I always learn something new when I go here. There are many interactive exhibits and things to do here. I'm also excited that they have the candlelight concerts here once in a while. Minus the parking situation, the science center is a good place to bring your family and friends. Never a dull moment. read more

There's just something magical about this place. I've been twice .. once with my little one and once as a chaperone for a school field trip -- and both times, I left grinning ear to ear. Kids ages 3-9 will absolutely light up here! Everything is hands-on from the weather and electricity exhibits to space exploration. The Dome Theater is pure delight as it feels like stepping into a cozy, mini Las Vegas Sphere. You just lean back, look up, and let the world swirl around you. There's even a special play zone for littles under 5, and a ball pit for the older ones (which is basically the definition of "fun meets learning"). It's the kind of place that reminds you science is, at its heart, a grand adventure and that curiosity is contagious. read more

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. read more

Fleet Science Center - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - San Diego, California

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. read more

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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. read more

Fleet Science Center - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - San Diego, California

Its free for San Diego residents! Lots to do for kiddos with hands on experiments. Learn about the Solar System, cause and effect, world terrains are form...how tornadoes form as well. They can spin, build and watch things work....great for learning and inspiring young minds on Science and Physics. Your entry comes with a free Imax showing in the Planetarium! Today we watched the Blue Angels Soar! Last time we watched Deep Sky ...about space shuttles, planets and galaxies. Gorgeous Imax presentations! You can stroll Balboa park afterwards, parking is no longer free, but if you have a SD Zoo membership itll be Free! Customer service very friendly and inviting.... fun for the whole family! read more

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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! read more

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This place is fun, even as a adult, especially if you're into the sciences. Although, I do think the kids get the most out of this, it's still worth a visit to freshen up your basics about science and how it effects our current world. They also do documentaries here too! read more

We visited expecting hands-on science, curiosity, and age-appropriate exploration. Instead, we were stunned to find an exhibit filled with adult sexual-identity ideology placed directly next to the children's play area. This panel does not teach science. It does not explain experiments, discovery, or even historical contributions in a concrete way children can understand. Instead, it uses explicitly adult academic language ("queer," "intersectional identities," "gender minorities") that has no place in a space designed for young children to play and learn. Children come to science museums to build, touch, imagine, and wonder, not to be confronted with politicized social theory they are developmentally incapable of understanding. Whatever one's personal views, this is not age-appropriate, and parents are given no warning, no context, and no option to avoid it. Placing this content beside a play area feels careless at best and deliberately provocative at worst. Families deserve spaces where childhood is respected, and science is allowed to stand on its own without being repackaged as a social manifesto. read more

Fleet Science Center - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - San Diego, California

Review for Astronomica the Dome show. ****** Disappointed Highly disappointed! Thought it would be real celestial views of the universe with an informative narrative. It was NOT. It was an artistic light show of a kaleidoscope with a meditative "love narrative. Only had maybe 5 minutes of space images that were rushed by. I actually apologized to the family for taking them. Hate to write this but I have to. read more

My Grandkids have the Balboa yearly pass. I jumped in on their latest adventure. Hadn't been in years. Was fun to experience all the science things. The ball pit was a hit, and we finished it off with the Under the sea IMAX film. Definitely a fun place to take the family. But I loved how many senior groups were there and watched the movie together, really spanning all ages. Fun thing for an afternoon and wasn't crowded at all. Not sure it would be worth the amount of money if you were taking your whole family and didn't have the pass, but the past seemed pretty reasonable. read more

We regularly come to the fleet and my toddler absolutely loves it! There's so many interactive exhibits and the kids town is her favorite. If you haven't been I def recommend they also have movie showings and concession stand we grab popcorn every time we visit. Love balboa park and the area. read more

Fleet Science Center - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - San Diego, California

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I have been here multiple times but haven't been here in a while. I was very excited because I remember how fun this place is. It is located in Balboa Park next to the fountain. This is such a great spot to learn and explore. I learned and got hands on experience. Lots of people said it's a kids museum but I think it is for everyone. Such an awesome spot. The museum is constantly changing. When I went they had animals and got to see some cool and cute animals including a sloth! I had a lot of fun here. They had a place you can make things I'm not sure if it's just for children but it looked like alot of fun. The projects people have made look amazing. read more

Fleet Science Center - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - San Diego, California

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I've been here a couple times. Once for a candle light concert and another for free resident day. Both experiences were great. The candle light concert was held inside the dome where you can watch films. There was no bad seat in the house. Employees are friendly and helpful. If you ever get a chance to go to a candle light concert -- I totally recommend it! My husband and I went to the Coldplay edition for date night. It was so cool and worth every penny. The fleet and science center is such a fun space for kids and adults! There's so much to do, learn and experience. You can't beat free entry either. See balboa park's website for resident free days. read more

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I came here over 20 years ago. It has changed a bit but for the better! Only sad part is the gift shop is smaller than I remember. My son and I came in even for just 30 minutes but it's ok cause we got the year pass. I love going out with my boy and spending time with him. Stuff like this makes it so wonderful. We went towards the end then saw the Blue Angle IMAX documentary. It was so worth it. I love how they added they added that to the place. Made me want to become one. It looked so fun & glorious. Even though our time was cut short this time, I eagerly await to take my boy next week. I'm all about value now. They do have a sufficient amount of workers. Cleaning the place. Manning each station with moving parts, snack bar and cashier. The IMAX experience was awesome. Super job well done everyone! read more

The ball pit was fun. There were a handful of cool things. Very outdated and not worth the price overall.

Is there a bad science center out there anywhere? No, no there is not. All science centers are good. A center to inspire and stir the imagination of what is and what is possible. The Fleet Science Center accomplishes this and more. The staff is excellent and many will appear out of nowhere at the exact moment you have a question, like how does this contraption work? Poof! There's someone right there to answer and maybe give you more information than you hoped for. This visit is a good value especially if you get the Balboa Park multi-museum visit package. The IMAX dome is excellent as well. read more

Fleet Science Center - Lego Surfer - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - San Diego, California

We had a day with no activities planned when we were at San Diego. Our kids love science and thought this would be a good place to take them. It's located close to balboa park in front of a huge fountain. The tickets are expensive and when u are done with the experience you will it's not worth it. The amphitheater domed show is great and is a good one for entire family. There are some fun activities for the kids but not something over the top which will take them by surprise. Overall it was a nice place to take the kids but wasn't the best, we have experienced better science centers. read more

Fleet Science Center - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - San Diego, California

I haven't been here in yearssssss... When I say years, I mean at least over a decade. The last time I've been here was for an elementary school field trip that I was attending as a student! Time flies. I have been wanting to come here with my kiddo for quite some time. But in all honesty, I held off for so long because from what I remembered as a kid - it just didn't seem appealing to me. We spontaneously came here on a random Friday. There was a field trip scheduled that day so there were a lot of kids. But once the kids from the school left, everything was calm. We were able to enjoy our time freely without needing to wait or without someone waiting on us. We were able to explore every level & each exhibit. We spent 3hrs there total. & honestly, we could've gone on longer. But I was tired. Although my son wanted to stay longer, he was also in need of a nap. There was so much to do & so much to see. If you had doubts like me, I would definitely urge you to go! PARKING - I was able to find parking in the back lot. I just walked through the side of the building & voila. PRICE - It is a little bit on the pricier side, but I would definitely go again. ACTIVITIES - So many exhibits that you can spend an endless amount of time on. Very kid/family friendly. For reference, I have a 4yr old. I really enjoyed spending time there with my son. In fact, I want to take my husband with us the second time around! Lol. read more

Fleet Science Center - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - San Diego, California

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This museum spans two floors and features a Tesla coil demonstration, an electricity exhibit, an illusion room, historical flashbacks, a children's playroom on the upper level, theaters, and more. I visited on the first Tuesday, which offers free admission for San Diego residents. As an adult, I found the experience a bit overwhelming, with many children running around and some activities causing sensory overload. However, it seems like a fantastic place for kids, as the space was lively and filled with young visitors. read more

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Pretty awesome place for children and adults alike! So much learning to be had for children's growing brains. We went with a group of kids and they all learned so much, they were able to create things and they all definitely enjoyed the giant ball pit. Parking can be challenging but worth it. They have an imax theater inside and a gift store as well. read more

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A fun little place in Balboa park for kids of all ages! Our cruise got delayed in San Diego and we got to wander around Balboa park and stumbled upon this place! Lots of fun and hands on activities for the kids! Fair price and helped kill time! read more

Science museum in Balboa Park. Free parking in nearby lot. We were able to enter the Science Center for free with our ASTC reciprocal membership, but given the dated and limited exhibits, I would have been disappointed if we paid full price ($25 adults/$20 children) for admission. While there were some interesting exhibits...but not to justify the addmission price(s). If you are looking into visiting a few museums in Balboa Park, the Explorer Pass may be a good option for you. We completed the visit in about 1.5 hours while completed most (if not all) of the exhibits. read more

Fleet Science Center - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - San Diego, California

This museum has changed since my last visit. It's now more kid oriented and lacks the observatory feeling that I remember. It would have been great for a family with elementary school age kids. Not great for adults. I might return with grandchildren some day. read more

I took my 13 and 10 year old to this museum. The prices seemed fair. The tickets allow you in and out access all day if you'd like to leave and return. The ticket also included one IMAX showing. There were a couple summer camps at the same time we were there so some of the exhibits got crowded, but it wasn't too bad overall. The whole museum isn't super big, but we spent almost 3 hours there. Everything is hands on and the kids can explore. Even my 13 year old didn't seem to get bored. She was engaged the full time. The live animals exhibit was a pleasant surprise and seeing a sloth (even though it was sleeping) made it completely worthwhile for me! I also appreciated the concessions stand they have for the movie. We had been at the museum awhile and my kids were ready for a snack, so it was perfect to be able to get something for the show! We didn't have time to explore anything else in Balboa park, but this was worth the visit! My kids had a lot of fun! read more

Astronomica presentation is terrible! A drugged out ...Ai genereated nonsense. Nothing to do with outer space and the universe. We left after 20 minutes Avoid read more

The Fleet Science Center is located in Balboa Park, right across from the Natural History Museum. It has many interactive exhibits, and a dedicated toddler play area (under age 5 maybe) in the upper level. A great place for kids and adults who live, breathe and love STEM like myself. During our visit, not all of the exhibits were active, so they offered deals like discounted fares or free future tickets with 1-yr expiration. Our 3yo son had a blast here, and he seemed more engaged than the science museums in the Bay Area (California Academy of Sciences, Lawrence Hall of Science). Favorite areas: * The Kid Play City on the second floor. Computer stations and a play grocery/mercado with giant plastic fruits and vegetables to sort, place in shopping carts, and even conveyor belts. They even have signs with parenting tips. Kids don't develop strong empathy and learn to share toys until age 7 for example, LOL! * I enjoyed the section on Energy, Climate Change, and Water treatment. It's basically describes my job for the past 23 years and the exhibits do a fine job of explaining the facts of the complex issues. * The indoor tornado was cool - I'm sure you can get some selfies here. The museum also offers in and out privileges, which was awesome since we took a lunch break offsite. They have a small cafe onsite with limited food options. read more

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Twas actually a pretty fun & engaging place. It's kind of small but you could spend hours here. List one star because I wasn't aware the kids area had a age limit & the ball out Exhibit closes before the entire place shuts down. I'd be comfortable stating that if traveling here this place is a must for families with small children read more

Fleet Science Center - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - San Diego, California

Toddler moms- this is a great place to bring your child! They have a play area for kids 5 and younger, as well as lots of child-friendly learning activities throughout the museum. Kids are free under 3 read more

Fun trip to the Reuben H Fleet Science Center. We spend the time checking out all the fun science type exhibits and the Hubble Pictures! How exciting it was to see all the cool pictures the pin-ultimate space telescope. We are in hopes to see an updated exhibit with JWST! A comparison at RHF would be cool. The different light exhibits were really cool to see. We played with the different types of lights and how they affect visual stimulation. I really do recommend people to go and check out this place! Oh come and go check out the cool IMAX theatre within! We watched Caves and how scientists can collect climate change information from past to present! read more

Fleet Science Center - Light fun - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - San Diego, California

Love this place so much used to go a ton as a kid and recently went to the imax dome theatre which is truly an incredible experience!

We went to see Astronoica recently and was a disappointment. Wasn't worth the money. Poor music, too loud, poor graphics, commentary was odd. read more