Museum sights in San Diego
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A
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum, with dinosaur skeletons, an impressive rattlesnake collection, an earthquake exhibit and nature-themed movies in a giant-screen cinema.
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B
Museum of Photographic Arts
East along El Prado, the Museum of Photographic Arts exhibits fine-art photography and hosts an ongoing film series.
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Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - Downtown
As of January 2007, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - Downtown completed work on its ambitious expansion, with renovation of the existing building - which used to be the train station's baggage building, plus a three-story contemporary art space, which adds a modern counterpoint to the museum's Mission-style architecture. MCASD is the downtown branch of the La Jolla-based institution that has brought groundbreaking art to San Diegans since the 1960s.
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D
Centro Cultural De La Raza
Devoted primarily to Mexican and Native American art, the Centro Cultural De La Raza, sits on the fringe of the main museum area (easiest access is via Park Blvd). The round, steel building is actually a converted water tank decked out by Chicano muralists. Inside, exhibits can run the gamut from contemporary Chicano and indigenous artwork to photographs documenting San Francisco's first gay marriage ceremonies in 2004.
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Old Town State Historic Park
Downhill, Old Town State Historic Park preserves five original adobe buildings and several re-created structures from the first pueblo, including a schoolhouse and a newspaper office. Most now contain museums, shops or restaurants, and there are more restaurants along San Diego Ave. The visitor center operates free tours.
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World Beat Cultural Center
Housed in a converted water tank, the nonprofit World Beat Cultural Center presents performances and exhibits on the African and indigenous cultures of the world, but perhaps the most fun for visitors is dropping in on one of their classes (free to around US$15), from West African drumming for children to capoeira and qi gong.
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G
San Diego Air & Space Museum
The San Diego Air & Space Museum offers a fun-filled look at the history and mystique of flight. Highlights include an original Blackbird SR-71 spy plane and a replica of Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St Louis, as well as simulators that require an extra charge.
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H
Museum of Man
The scenic park approach from the west across Cabrillo Bridge drops you at Plaza de California, dominated by the flamboyant California Building. Inside, the Museum of Man exhibits world-class pottery, jewelry, baskets and other artifacts.
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Museum of San Diego History
The previously blah-ish Museum of San Diego History has sexed itself up a bit, most notably with a cool interactive walk-on map of San Diego. The city's history is also displayed through thousands of historical costumes.
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San Diego Museum of Art
Further east, a trio of museums rings Plaza de Panama, including the San Diego Museum of Art, which gets accolades for its European old masters and good collections of American and Asian art.
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K
Timken Museum of Art
The small but exquisite Timken Museum of Art showcases European and American heavyweights, from Rembrandt to Cézanne and John Singleton Copley.
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Maritime Museum
Other salty Embarcadero sights include the historic sailing vessels of the Maritime Museum, most notably the 1863 Star of India.
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Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art emphasizes minimalist and pop art, as well as conceptual works and cross-border art.
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San Diego Model Railroad Museum
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is one of the largest of its kind with brilliantly 'landscaped' train sets.
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