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    Fleet Science Center

    3.6 (539 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

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    Sunset
    Heather H.

    Came here to see the Alan Watts show and it was a great experience. I'd love to come back and check out the rest of the center. Staff seemed friendly and there was food and beverages for purchase inside. The area is beautiful and worth giving yourself some extra time to explore. I saw some things at the store I wanted to buy, but it was closed, I tried to order online but couldn't find a way to do that.

    Joy L.

    Looking for a museum that covers all levels of kids. Fleet Science Center is a perfect fit. Inspire your children's steam skills. The building is broken up into various rooms and it is multi levels. Each area is different and equally fun. From the under 5 yr old play area to the builder area designed for older kids, this museum is a must. Oh and did I mention there is a giant ball pit! Pro tip buy the San Diego museum card if you plan to visit more than one museum will save your in the long run as the museum admission fees can add up

    Sallie R.

    The Fleet Science Center is a perfect spot for families with kids. Lots of hand on activities and interactive exhibits to experience while learning at the same time. Part of the museum were undergoing renovations, therefore didn't get a chance to explore the whole place. We love the illusion area where it fascinated us very entertaining made our jaws dropped. There's a ball pit area for little ones which I thought was so cool. I wanted to jump in. The museum does have a small cafe inside offering snacks, cocktail drinks, ice creams, and more delicious items on the menu. I ordered nachos, a can of beer, and ice creams for the kids. All at affordable prices. I really enjoyed my nachos with pickled jalapeños and beer. You can walk around the museum with a drink in your hand. Absolutely, a good museum to spend a couple of hours at. The kids and I really had a great time at the museum.

    Lynn R.

    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.

    Electromagnetic Spectrum
    Winston L.

    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.

    Jennifer T.

    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!

    Jessenia R.

    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.

    dome theater
    Aurora W.

    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.

    Ball maze
    Sarah S.

    Went here for the San Diego free resident and there is so much for kids to do and see ! I was impressed! Yes there is a bit of a wait on resident free Tuesday but get in that line and be prepared to wait ! From just walking inside there are activities for the kids to immerse themselves in. From the tornado machine , to the giant ball maze, this is the place to be ! Make sure you head upstairs and QR code the ball pit wait so you can look around while you're waiting for your time . Also upstairs there is a tool area . If you want your child to experience playing with a drill there's a counter behind it and you can ask one of the employees for a drill . ( took us a minute to figure that out as there aren't any signs that we noticed ). This is one of the true " free" museums that had everything operational and nothing closed down or " extra" for residents ! I highly , highly recommend you take your children here ! So much fun !

    Laura M.

    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.

    Tashara H.

    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.

    Kandy F.

    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.

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    My favorite museum as a kid and I'm glad they have free Tuesdays for residents. I like the new upgrade

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    Fleet Science Center Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Fleet Science Center

    Is it good for teenagers?

    Yes an 11 yr old would love it. I'm not sure about 19 yr old though.

    Are masks required?

    Yes for adults and children older than 2

    For kid city, is there a line of people for every session and what time should we show up to try and get in?

    There is absolutely no one regulating Kid City. We just went & there was wayyy more people than 12 in there. Kids over 5 just running over the younger kids. It doesn't close for 20 min every hour for cleaning/sanitizing like the website states.

    Do they allow strollers?

    We do allow strollers in our facilities and we also have a stroller parking space if you'd like to leave it somewhere while you go about exploring our galleries.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Fleet Science Center

    We checked out The Turtle Odyssey for about 15 minutes, but we left because my son wanted to play at The Kid City.

    Mentioned in 46 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    San Diego Natural History Museum - Washed Ashore exhibition using what washes ashore as a medium for art. This is a jellyfish.

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    Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum - Bonsai trees

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    (722 reviews)

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    The Japanese Friendship Garden was easily one of the prettiest and most peaceful stops during my…read moretime in San Diego. If you enjoy walking around, taking in beautiful scenery, and getting some great photos along the way, this place is absolutely worth visiting. The garden is very walkable, and there are gorgeous views around seemingly every corner. As someone who loves photography, I had my camera working overtime. Between the landscaping, bridges, waterfalls, plants, and all of the little details throughout the garden, there are so many great opportunities for photos. The koi pond was probably my favorite part. The koi were BEAUTIFUL, and I could have stood there watching them swim around forever. It was easily one of the most relaxing parts of my visit. A fun fact I learned is that the garden opened in 1991 and was created as an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. The garden continued to expand over the years, including the addition of a grove with around 200 cherry trees in 2015. So there is actually quite a bit of history and meaning behind all of the beauty. Definitely a 5 star experience for me. Peaceful, gorgeous, easy to explore, and an absolute dream if you enjoy photography. I would gladly come back, especially during cherry blossom season!

    We visited during our trip to San Diego & oh my goodness, it was absolutely amazing…read more This is such a peaceful place to sit and enjoy the beauty of nature. Located inside Balboa Park, you can tour the museums in the area, but don't forget to stop and take a moment to smell the flowers at the Japanese Friendship Garden... There were so many beautiful birds, butterflies, koi, and plants I've never seen before. The grounds were very clean and well manicured. Pricing to get in was about $60 for a family of 4 (including student pricing for our children) which may be a bit steep if you have young children with thin patience.. however, if you are able to come in and find your Zen for a couple hours, this is the spot to do so. They offer free crafts for visitors- when we were there they were doing an origami workshop, which seemed very fun. However, our kids weren't up For it- so we did not participate. Would definitely visit again in the future!

    Fleet Science Center - nonprofit - Updated September 2026

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