Operated by the San Diego History Center, the Junípero Serra Museum is an iconic regional landmark.Located just above Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, the Serra sits on one of the most significant historical sites on the West Coast, the site of the first permanent European settlement in what is today the State of California.
The Junipero Serra Museum in Presidio Park Fall hours are:
Saturday, September 11: 11am – 4pm
Sunday, September 12: 11am – 4pm
Saturday, September 18: 11am – 2pm*
Sunday, September 19: 11am – 4pm
Saturday, September 25: 11am – 4pm
Sunday, September 26: 11am – 4pm
Saturday, October 2: 11am – 4pm
Sunday, October 3: 11am – 4pm
Saturday, October 9: 11am – 2pm*
Sunday, October 10: 11am – 4pm
Saturday, October 16: 11am – 2pm*
Sunday, October 17: 11am – 4pm
Saturday, October 23: 11am – 2pm*
Sunday, October 24: 11am – 4pm
Saturday, November 6: 11am – 2pm*
Sunday, November 7: 11am – 4pm
Saturday, November 13: 11am – 4pm
Sunday, November 14: 11am – 4pm
Saturday, November 20: 11am – 2pm*
Sunday, November 21: 11am – 4pm
*Adjusted to accommodate private event.
For Museum Public Visitors:
Effective June 15, 2021: The State of California and County of San Diego have modified the COVID-19 Guidance as follows:
- Occupancy levels are restored.
- Social Distancing is not required but recommended.
- Masks are recommended for all individuals entering the museum.
- Masks ARE REQUIRED for guests who are not fully vaccinated. NOTE: The San Diego History Center will not require guests to attest or verify vaccine status. By entering the museum without a mask, you are attesting that you are fully vaccinated and are not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.
- If you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 OR do not feel well and healthy, please do not enter.
- The History Center will maintain sneeze guard barriers on Welcome Desk as well as hand sanitizing stations.
We hope to see you soon!
The Junípero Serra Museum in Presidio Park
2727 Presidio Drive, San Diego, CA 92103
Give Forward is our donation-based admission policy. We don’t charge a fixed admission fee but look to your generosity to help make history accessible to all in our community, including those who otherwise may not be able to experience it. Suggested minimum donation: $5.
Public access to the Research Archives is now managed through a new model of public access. Details on program specifics as well as links to online resources can be found at:
sandiegohistory.org/research services/
For more information: info@sandiegohistory.org or 619-232-6203
The Junípero Serra Museum, the historic home of the San Diego History Center, has begun a much-anticipated renovation.
This new core exhibition explores the earliest history of San Diego—the stories of the people that lived along the river’s edge since time immemorial—as well as those that came to settle the area and changed and used the river in order to adapt to San Diego’s arid climate.
The new exhibit also focuses on the Presidio as the site of San Diego’s and California’s original European settlement, one that was an active military garrison from 1769 to 1835. The Presidio and its church complex housed soldiers, their families, craftsmen, Indian workers, prisoners, and others who settled in San Diego prior to the establishment of the Pueblo San Diego (now Old Town) at the foot of Presidio Hill. Historical accounts combined with archaeological data tell of the presence of diverse people from many different social and ethnic backgrounds, surviving in an often harsh environment. Visitors will also be able to step back in time to view the Presidio and the Kumeyaay settlement of Kosaii.
This renovation, eight years in the making, preserves and restores the original architectural splendor of the interior spaces of the museum, and provides visitors with breathtaking views from the Serra’s iconic tower.
This exhibition would not be possible with the support of our presenting partners – the San Diego River Conservancy and State Coastal Conservancy. The San Diego History Center is also indebted to our group of grant matching donors as well the Kumeyaay Diegueño Land Conservancy, and a group of dedicated advisors and subject matter experts who are, with this writing, working to complete this new exhibition.
GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR
Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for Natural Resources
With additional contributions to the San Diego History Center by:
Mae M. and Edward C. Hall Family Fund
Iris H. W. Engstrand, Ph.D
Ray & Sue Carpenter
Charles Marston
Jane & Thompson Fetter
Robert & Tommi Adelizzi
Ann & Dr. John Hill
Ann Navarra
Laura & Jose Castillo
Connie C. Golden
Robert & Luanne Kittle
Sharon & Parley LeeMaster
Mitchell Lynn
Peggy Matthews
Frank & Madeleine Pavel
Sandy Randel
Matthew Schiff & Kerri Abrams
Nell Waltz
Helga & John Warner
Ann Zahner
Craig & Christine Andrews
Christine Baltuth
Joseph & Janet Bartel
Elaine Bradbury
Richard & Rosalie Bregante
Steve Cain
Jeff & Cindy Cavignac
Linda Cipriani
August Felando
Cindy & Thomas Goodman
Steve & Cathy Gustafson
Karen & Robert Hansen
Cynthia & Roger Hedgecock
Marie & Michael Huff
David Huffman & Elise Streicher
Thomas & Lucy Jackson
Charles King
Helen & Webster Kinnaird
Alyce & Mitch Lynn
Tom McGibney & Ginny Ollis
Jim & Ellen Moxham
William Newbern & Nora Hom
John & Mercedes Pederson
Sandra Perlatti
Shane Rose
Ellen Sweet
Deborah Szekely
Bob Vinton
Mary L. Walshok
Thomas & Nell Waltz
Margie & John Warner
Bob Watkins
John Weightmon & Nadine Corrigan
Laura Wile