It's sad that this planetarium was closed for renovations and then Covid happened and ever since…read more2020 they never re-opened. When you go to their website it says "temporarily closed" however being closed for going on 6 years does not seem like it's temporary - which is unfortunate!

Found this on Yelp and so happy to have gone tonight! I've gone to the planetarium at Mt. SAC, but…read moreit's really far to me now in Long Beach. This is close and convenient to the 22. The show we went to tonight was really cool and interesting. Patricia Sullivan hosted and she was fun, welcoming and made things easy to understand. Loved seeing the constellations projected onto the planetarium dome and then there was an awesome presentation about the solar system afterward. I'll definitely be back! I only gave four stars because I was hoping/looking forward to a Night Sky Live that was included in the program notes, but it didn't happen. I would also love to look through telescopes, so not sure if that's a different program altogether.

Affordable So Cal experience. Multiple shows and showtimes. Clean inside and out and plenty of…read moreparking. We watched "Explore". Would like to see other shows.

I've been to Sphere Las Vegas and Universal studios...Kungfu Panda with vibrating seats insink to…read moresound system and 3d and sharp colored shows....This Beautifica 360 is soooo boring and dull screen. Sound system is very weak and no sound effects to the show. Totally waste of money. Good thing we just wanted to try it out and didn't waste money on vip tickets. We're so disappointed! Please don't waste your time and money on this!!!

5 years later, we returned for another show. Hands down, one of my favorite things to do with my…read morekids. Prices have slightly increased, but show me one place that hasn't raised prices...am I right? This time, we opted for the later show which was a 'full dome movie'. I'd never experienced one before and it was really cool. There are different themes each month so check the schedule. The movie was about extraterrestrial life. There are two powerful telescopes outside. You definitely don't want to miss it. Free parking right across from the planetarium. Mom approved! 5 stars!

Great place for a field trip! The show was very entertaining and educating for my kids. Everything…read moreseemed very organized and clean and I love that questions get answered by a scientist at the end. Parking was easy but costs a couple of $. Plan to be back sometime.

We had such a fun day at the Fleet Science Center in San Diego!…read more 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!

The Fleet Science Center is a nice science museum with a handful of exhibits that spindle children…read morewould 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.

Absolutely loved this place. We came here for a homeschool field trip. There were two parts to the…read morefield trip. The viewing of the informational star session in the dome. The second part the kids and parents build mini rockets. Then they launched the rockets into the air and tried to catch them. The staff was so nice and helpful. They answered all of our questions and took their time with out groups. So much fun for the entire family.

We attended with our homeschool group and it was an amazing experience! Our host, Alex, was great…read morewith the kids! We built our rockets and then they got to launch it and try and catch it. Super fun and exciting for the kids. The planetarium show was great too. I've only ever seen the Griffith Observatory show and this was on par with that show without the drive or the high price. This is a lesser known gem and if your on the fence do not hesitate to check it out!

Tickets for the planetarium shows cannot be purchased online or in advance. They must be purchased…read moreabout 30-45 mins before each show starts. Usually the lines are long if you try to purchase the tickets near the front entrance. But there are a few kiosks and other box offices available inside the observatory. Kiosks are the easiest way to purchase the tickets and avoid the frustratingly long lines. It is advised to go inside the planetarium at least 20 mins before the show starts. For some shows, the entrance to the planetarium is from the West terrace. On a cold night, it can get very chilly and the lines and wait times could be long. So, make sure to wear warm clothing. Coming to the planetarium shows, I viewed the 'Signs of life' and 'Centered in the universe'. Both of them are well made, perfectly timed and very informative. I enjoyed them thoroughly.

first of all, the ticket line was way too long, I had o wait under the sun forever just to buy them…read moreand honestly that already killed my vibe. On top of that, parking was $10 per hour -- I mean, come on, that's crazy. I was already a little in a bad mood, so maybe that didn't help, but still they should really fix how they do the ticket distribution. It felt super disorganized. Now, the good part, the dome is beautiful, the projections look amazing, and the whole vibe inside is actually pretty cool. But I just couldn't fully enjoy it with all the stress before the show.

History Machine A…read moremuseum that traces its origins back to 1916 when a group of people got together to try and preserve some of the history of the area. They've been in their current location since 1923, and the location itself, to me anyway, is part of the draw. Not only is it a museum, but it's also a nature preserve, rescue aviary, and dinosaur theme park. :) The Good: * Fairly inexpensive to visit at $20/adult and $15/child * If you buy a membership ($115-450) to the museum, it also includes a membership to their sister aquarium (also in Santa Barbara), the Sea Center. * Wonderful little area in the back with some short trails, a creek, and dinosaurs for kids to explore. * If you love geology, then you'll love their geology exhibit; they have so many amazing rocks and gems on display. * Aviary with injured and rehabbing raptors * Nature art gallery was beautiful * Friendly staff * Tours available * Lots of info on animals and insects of the area The Meh: * Some of the exhibit rooms are a bit cramped, so they can get full fast even without many visitors. The Ugly: * They have a butterfly garden, but it's closed during the winter months, which just happened to coincide with our visit. :( Conclusion: Terrific museum for both young and old.

We love visiting here since it's so close to the Mission also. The entire museum is beautiful with…read moreSpanish tile, arches, with a Prehistoric Forest for big and little kids to enjoy. The Prehistoric Forest is a must-see- the life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs are hidden in the woods and were a massive hit with the kids. It feels like a mini Jurassic Park but perfectly toddler-friendly. The Best Parts: - Chad the Whale: The massive skeleton at the entrance is breathtaking. - Nature Backyard: Great hands-on outdoor play area for kids to explore. - Atmosphere: Beautiful, shaded grounds that are easy to navigate with or without a stroller. Don't really need a stroller here :) - Membership here gets you reciprocal membership to La Habra Children's Museum if you live in LA. There's a reciprocity list with the ASTC Travel Passport Program. Free parking and a great mix of science and outdoor fun. If you're in SB with a family, don't skip the dino trail.

It was great except I would rather go when it's not spring break, too crowded. Overall it was good.read more

I love the observatory! I come here almost every day to…read morerelax and enjoy the views! It's an educational exercise;)

If you're in this area definitely worth it to check out this amazing Historical Mission. This was…read moremy second time and I enjoyed it. Lots of couples taking pre-wedding photos. Must be the place. I got a new experienced each time love the vibe.

Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded on November 1, 1776 by Junipero Serra and Spanish…read moreCatholics. Its nickname is "Jewel of the Missions" and is one of 21 Spanish missions in California. We purchased tickets ($18/adult) on-site although you can book them online to perhaps get a discount. We got an audio device where we could take an audio tour through the grounds and learn more about each individual aspect of the mission. We even saw the remnants of the stone church that was once the largest structure in California but was destroyed in the 1812 earthquake. While the inhabitants' primary goal was to promote Catholicism, the mission also served as an agricultural and economic center. The founding priests of the mission were told they had to be self-sufficient; when we visited the area there was a garden to grow food and a kitchen area. This mission was even the first one in California to make their own wine. Overall it took us an hour to walk around and explore. We didn't read or listen to everything in-depth but you can easily spend 2-3 hours here. We went early in the morning and there was no one around so it was peaceful exploring the grounds.

I spotted this tree that spoke to me while riding on the way to breakfast at Hash House. After…read moreleaving breakfast, we came back to Balboa Park it was a peaceful and grounding experience before heading to the airport to return home. That moment honestly made me decide the park was a must-visit. I ended up stopping by afterward just to walk around, release some stress, and enjoy the calm energy. I even found myself just sitting in a tree, hugging two or a few, and taking in the quiet; especially in the Trees for Health Garden, which felt fitting for the whole experience. It was a simple but meaningful stop that added a peaceful pause to the end of the trip before heading back to the airport. I even met a squirrel that I chat with; I named him James. While I was chatting with him, he even place his paw on his chest as if he was asking me "are you speaking to me?" It felt great speaking to my own little grandma Willow tree moment.

Yes - park and museums are lovely, but for me, I just didn't love Balboa Park…read more Didn't hate it but if you are someone with just a weekend in town, I think there are better options for afternoon activities in the zillions of things there are to do in SD. All I'm saying is don't get fooled making this a top of your list, must do-thing. Go if you REALLY want to, but don't feel like you missed out if you made a different selection.