Hours, Tickets + Parking

Open Days + Hours

We’re open 6 days a week, Monday + Wednesday-Sunday (closed Tuesdays) from 9am-4pm. 

Visitors have access to art installations on all three levels of the Museum and experiences in the Museum Park.

View Museum Map

For more information, visit our General Museum FAQ page and Membership FAQ page.

Tickets

Advance reservations or tickets are not required. Tickets can be purchased as a walk-up or online for any day we are open. Note: online tickets are available for downtown location only.

BUY TICKETS

To redeem guest passes or discounted tickets, please see the “Guest Passes + Discounts” section below.

Safer Play Policy

The Museum is adhering to the following Safer Play health and safety guidelines:   

• Masks are recommended for ages 2+ 
• Social distancing of 6 feet
• Activity capacity limits  
• Hand washing + sanitizer stations 

We kindly ask that you stay home if you or anyone in your group is feeling sick or has a fever.

Please read our Safer Play Policy and general rules/code of conduct before visiting the Museum.

It’s Spring Break, and the Museum will be busy now through April 16th. Here are some tips to help you plan for and enjoy your visit!

• Museum entry is first-come, first-served. High attendance is expected.

• To maintain safety and comfort inside the building, please wait in line before beginning your visit. We may also hold lines in our higher energy play spaces.

• All visitors must check in at the Welcome Desk, including members and those who pre-purchased admission online.

• Members, have your member card and ID ready for check-in.

• The museum garage fills up quickly! Paid parking is also available at the ABM lot on Island Avenue and Second Avenue. Discount code 8972 gets you 2 hours of parking for $5.

• While we are fans of snacks, we ask that food be consumed in our café area and outdoor park only.

• Please actively supervise and support children in your group. Adults can play in our spaces, too! In fact, we encourage it.

Guest Passes + Discounts

Free admission via guest passes including member guest passes and other guest pass programs or through Blue Star Museums is provided on a first-come, first-serve walk-up basis at the downtown location only. Admission is dependent on Museum capacity and is not guaranteed.

Reduced admission is provided through Museums For All ($2 per person with EBT, SNAP or WIC card) or the ACM Reciprocity Program (50% off admission). Please provide proof for discounted admission.

Parking

Limited parking is available in the Museum garage for $16/car (members $8). Garage opens 15 minutes before we open (8:45am) and 15 minutes after we close (4:15pm). Please see Plaza attendance before entering garage.

There are public parking lots and parking meters nearby. ABM Parking at 450 2nd Ave. offers a 2-hour discount with code 8792 (not valid during Padres games and other times at ABM’s discretion).

Getting Here

We are located at 200 W. Island Avenue, in between Front and Union. Public transportation is available on the MTS Trolley Green Line and on the MTS Bus.

Starting May 1, children under 18 are eligible to ride MTS and NCTD services for free. Learn more about the Youth Opportunity Pass here. 

Closest MTS Bus Stops:
1st Ave. + Broadway (Routes 2, 7, 11, 30, 50, 110, 150, 215, 235, 280, 290, 901)
4th Ave. + G St. (Route 3)
1st Ave. + G St. (Routes 11)

Click here for information on our Del Mar location.

VOLUNTEER

Learn more about the Museum’s volunteer opportunities.

CAREERS

Learn more about the Museum’s job openings.