February is Museum Month in San Diego County, with half off 70-plus museums | KPBS Public Media


February is Museum Month in San Diego County, with half off 70-plus museums | KPBS Public Media

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

San Diego County's 37th annual Museum Month begins February 1, 2026, offering half-price admission for up to four people at more than 70 museums and cultural institutions throughout the region. Free passes are available at approximately 90 libraries countywide or can be downloaded digitally at sandiegomuseumcouncil.org. The program runs through February 28, 2026, and is supported by San Diego Foundation, Prebys Foundation, First 5 San Diego, Serra Cooperative Library System, the City and County of San Diego, and the California Arts Council.

San Diego County Museum Month Returns for 37th Year, Offering Half-Price Cultural Access Across Region

SAN DIEGO— For the 37th consecutive year, San Diego County residents and visitors will have expanded access to the region's cultural institutions through Museum Month, a February-long promotion offering 50 percent discounts to more than 70 participating venues across the county.

The program, administered by the San Diego Museum Council, begins Sunday, February 1, and continues through Saturday, February 28, 2026, according to Tom Felkner, the council's interim executive director.

"This is where we offer a half-off admission to all of our museums," Felkner told KPBS. "We really encourage people to come out, have fun, bring your friends and family, and enjoy the day visiting as many museums as you can."

How the Program Works

Participants can obtain free Museum Month passes from approximately 90 library locations throughout San Diego County and five locations in Imperial County, including city libraries, county libraries, and the Geisel Library and Sally T. WongAvery Library at the University of California, San Diego. Each pass admits up to four people at half the regular admission price and can be reused at multiple venues throughout the month.

Digital passes are available online at: https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/download-your-san-diego-museum-month-pass-here/

While most participating institutions accept digital passes downloaded to mobile devices, certain venues—including the San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Natural History Museum, Museum of Photographic Arts, and Maritime Museum of San Diego—require printed passes only, according to program organizers. The San Diego Natural History Museum offers an alternative option: online ticket purchases in February using offer code MusMon26. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps requires advance reservations and use of code MuseumMonth26 for online purchases.

Sponsorship and Support

The 2026 Museum Month is presented by title sponsor San Diego Foundation as part of its Fifty & Forward Campaign to strengthen San Diego nonprofits. Additional major funding comes from Prebys Foundation, California Arts Council, First 5 San Diego, Serra Cooperative Library System, the City of San Diego Department of Cultural Affairs, and San Diego County Arts & Culture Commission.

"As we celebrate San Diego Foundation's 50th anniversary, we're proud to sponsor local events that bring our community together," said Mark Stuart, president and CEO of San Diego Foundation, in announcing the 36th annual Museum Month last year. "These gatherings allow us to connect directly with our neighbors and support efforts that align with our vision of just, equitable and resilient communities."

Economic and Cultural Impact

Museum Month has demonstrated significant economic impact for the region. After just the first week of Museum Month 2025, the program generated $5.65 million in earned media for the region's museum community—nearly triple the previous year's total of $2.1 million, according to the San Diego Museum Council.

Museums and the arts generate $1.1 billion annually in economic activity within San Diego County and support over 35,000 jobs and volunteer opportunities, according to council data. The institutions attract millions of visitors who spend at local restaurants, hotels, and businesses. Last year, more than 110,000 people participated in the program across the region.

The program was created in 1989 to promote the region's diverse range of cultural offerings during a traditionally slow period for most local museums. Since then, participation has grown from 40 museums in 2020 to more than 70 locations in 2026, ranging from North County coastal communities to Tijuana, Mexico.

Centennial Celebration at Museum of Art

The San Diego Museum of Art marks a significant milestone during this year's Museum Month, celebrating 100 years since opening its doors on February 28, 1926.

"We are at a pivotal moment for the San Diego Museum of Art," said Erika Ulring, the museum's associate director of marketing and communications.

The museum has grown substantially from its origins as a showcase for modern and contemporary art supported by local collectors. The permanent collection now comprises more than 35,000 works, and the institution regularly hosts traveling exhibitions from international venues while lending its own collection to museums worldwide.

To commemorate the centennial, the museum has mounted a photographic retrospective in its always-free south hallway gallery, displaying archival images documenting the institution's first century.

Additionally, the museum is presenting "Local Visions," an exhibition featuring works by 10 artists selected from nearly 100 submissions. The exhibition challenges participants to reimagine the museum's iconic Spanish Renaissance Revival façade, though museum officials emphasize these artistic visions will remain conceptual—the historic exterior will not be altered.

Geographic Scope and Access

The participating institutions span the entire San Diego County region, from coastal North County communities to East County, South Bay, and international locations in Tijuana, Mexico. For the third consecutive year, UC San Diego Library serves as a pickup location partner, with passes available at the Front Desks in Geisel Library and Sally T. WongAvery Library during open hours.

Balboa Park, home to 18 museums and cultural institutions, serves as the program's epicenter. The concentration of museums in the park—which includes 17 participating venues—provides visitors the opportunity to experience multiple museums in a single day.

Complete List of Participating Museums and Cultural Institutions

Balboa Park Museums (17 participating venues)

  • Balboa Park Botanical Building
  • Centro Cultural de la Raza
  • Comic-Con Museum (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, Feb. 1-15 only)
  • Fleet Science Center
  • ICA Central
  • Japanese Friendship Garden
  • Marston House Museum & Gardens
  • Mingei International Museum
  • Museum of Photographic Arts at San Diego Museum of Art (printed pass only)
  • Museum of Us
  • San Diego Air & Space Museum
  • San Diego Automotive Museum
  • San Diego History Center
  • San Diego Model Railroad Museum
  • San Diego Museum of Art (printed pass only)
  • San Diego Natural History Museum (printed pass only; online code: MusMon26)
  • WorldBeat Cultural Center

Downtown San Diego Museums (8 venues)

  • Brain Observatory (advance online purchase required)
  • Chicano Park Museum & Cultural Center
  • Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House
  • Maritime Museum of San Diego (printed pass only)
  • Navy SEAL Museum San Diego
  • New Children's Museum (Monday-Thursday only; excludes Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Presidents' Day)
  • San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
  • USS Midway Museum

Arts District Liberty Station (5 venues)

  • MCRD Command Museum (visitor pass required from Visitor Center, M-F 7:30 AM-3:00 PM)
  • Nautical History Gallery & Museum
  • New Americans Museum
  • San Diego Watercolor Society
  • Visions Museum of Textile Art

North County Museums (15 venues)

  • California Center for the Arts Museum, Escondido
  • California Surf Museum (Oceanside)
  • Children's Discovery Museum (Escondido)
  • Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum
  • Encinitas Historical Society 1883 Schoolhouse
  • GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Museum (advance tour reservation required: 760-603-4116 or museumtours@gia.edu)
  • Green Dragon Tavern & Museum (Museum Only)
  • ICA North
  • LEGOLAND California & SEA LIFE Aquarium (advance reservations required; tickets valid through Dec. 31, 2026)
  • Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum
  • Mission San Luis Rey
  • Museum of Making Music (Carlsbad)
  • San Diego Archaeological Center
  • San Diego Botanic Garden (Encinitas; walk-up admission only)
  • Warner-Carrillo Ranch House

East County Museums (8 venues)

  • Barona Cultural Center and Museum
  • Heritage of the Americas Museum (El Cajon)
  • Ilan-Lael Foundation (docent-led tours; advance reservation required)
  • La Mesa Depot Museum
  • Lemon Grove Parsonage Museum
  • Olaf Wieghorst Museum & Western Heritage Center
  • Pacific Southwest Railway Museum (Campo Depot walk-up only; museum admission and train rides)
  • The Water Conservation Garden

La Jolla Museums (5 venues)

  • Birch Aquarium at Scripps (advance reservations required; online code: MuseumMonth26)
  • La Jolla Historical Society
  • Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
  • Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD)
  • RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust

South Bay Museums (3 venues)

  • Bonita Museum & Cultural Center
  • Living Coast Discovery Center
  • Tijuana Estuary

Coronado

  • Coronado Historical Association

Other San Diego Neighborhoods (4 venues)

  • JA Cooley Museum (University Heights)
  • Junípero Serra Museum (Midtown)
  • Old Town San Diego State Historic Park (Midtown)
  • Whaley House Museum (Midtown; daytime self-guided tour only)

Museums Without Walls (3 venues)

  • San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art
  • Vanguard Culture
  • We The People

Tijuana, Mexico Museums (9 venues)

  • Tijuana Cultural Center (CECUT) (students and educators only)
  • Tijuana Aquarium/Acuario Centro Cultural Tijuana (students and educators only)
  • El Cubo (The Cube) (students and educators only)
  • Museum of the Californias/Museo de las Californias (students and educators only)
  • Tijuana History Museum/Museo de Historia de Tijuana
  • Municipal Institute of Art and Culture (IMAC)
  • El Museo del Taco (Museum Only)
  • El Trompo – Museo Interactivo Tijuana
  • Museo de La Lucha Libre Mexicana (MULLME)

Additional Free-Access Venue

  • San Diego International Airport Arts Program (always free; some areas for ticketed passengers only)

Note: The San Diego Police Museum (College Area) also participates in Museum Month.

Library Locations for Printed Passes

San Diego City & County Libraries:

  • San Diego County Library (33 locations)
  • San Diego Public Library (36 locations)
  • Carlsbad City Library (3 locations)
  • Chula Vista Public Library
  • Coronado Public Library
  • Escondido Public Library
  • National City Public Library
  • Oceanside Public Library

Imperial County Libraries:

  • Brawley Public Library
  • Enrique S. "Kiki" Camarena Memorial Library
  • El Centro Public Library
  • Imperial County Free Library
  • Imperial Public Library

Educational Libraries:

  • Geisel Library/UC San Diego
  • Sally T. WongAvery/UC San Diego
  • San Diego City College Library
  • San Diego Law Library

Program Restrictions

According to the San Diego Museum Council, the following restrictions apply:

  • No purchase necessary to receive a free pass
  • Cannot be combined with other offers, coupons, or discounts including the Balboa Explorer Pass
  • Limit one pass per person
  • Not valid for groups larger than four people
  • Half-price based on full general admission prices
  • May not be valid for specially ticketed exhibits, events, or films
  • Some museums require advance reservations or have specific operational restrictions

Visitors are advised to check individual museum websites or call ahead before visiting to confirm current hours, reservation requirements, and specific pass acceptance policies.

Verified Sources and Citations

  1. Carroll, John. "February is Museum Month in San Diego County, with half off 70-plus museums." KPBS, January 30, 2026. https://www.kpbs.org/news/local/2026/01/30/february-museum-month-san-diego-county-half-off-70-plus-museums

  2. San Diego Museum Council. "San Diego Museum Month | February 2026." Official website. https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/museum-month/

  3. San Diego Museum Council. "Download Your San Diego Museum Month Pass Here." Official website. https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/download-your-san-diego-museum-month-pass-here/

  4. "San Diego Museum Council Announces 36th Annual Museum Month in February." San Diego County Office of Education, 2025. https://www.sdcoe.net/about-sdcoe/news/post/san-diego-museum-council-announces-36th-annual-museum-month-in-february

  5. San Diego Museum Council. "$5.65 Million in Earned Media for Museum Month 2025!" February 7, 2025. https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/5-65-million-in-earned-media-for-museum-month-2025/

  6. "Get half-price museum tickets during San Diego Museum Month." FOX 5 San Diego, January 24, 2026. https://fox5sandiego.com/san-diego-guide/arts-culture/san-diego-museum-month-2026/

  7. "San Diego Museum Month 2026: Discover, Explore & Save." San Diego Family Travel. https://sandiegofamilytravel.com/san-diego-museum-month/

  8. "Museum Month 2026." UC San Diego Events Calendar. https://calendar.ucsd.edu/event/museum-month-2026

  9. Clark, Kelly. "San Diego Museum Month to Run in February." San Diego.com, January 14, 2026. https://www.sandiego.com/blog/post/san-diego-museum-month-to-run-in-february/

  10. "San Diego Museum Month | Feb 1-28, 2026." San Diego Tourism Authority. https://www.sandiego.org/events-festivals/san-diego-museum-month/

  11. San Diego Museum of Art. "About." Official website. https://www.sdmart.org

  12. California Arts Council. "San Diego Museum Council Inc." Grantee profile. https://arts.ca.gov/grantee/san-diego-museum-council-inc-3/

  13. USS Midway Museum. "San Diego Museum Month 2026." https://www.midway.org/event/san-diego-museum-month-2026

 

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