Open Tuesday to Sunday
10am - 5pm
Last admission at 4:30pm
CLOSED on most Mondays; View our Calendar for special occasions and early closures.
In an effort to ensure the best guest experience possible, all-non family groups of 6 or more must schedule their visit a minimum of two (2) weeks in advance with Brandi Wilson, Deputy Director of Guest Experience. Groups that come to the museum without an advance appointment, including on "Residents Free Tuesdays," will be turned away.
"Residents Free Tuesday" Hours
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Last Admission 3:30 pm
"Residents Free Tuesday" entry is for San Diego County residents only; entrants must show proof of residence and/or ID.
Due to an exhibit change, we will not be having a Free Tuesday in September. The following Free Tuesday is October 25th. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Per County of San Diego guidelines, masks are no longer required for vaccinated guests inside the museum. Guests must self-attest to vaccination upon entering. Updated 2/15/2022
The San Diego Automotive Museum is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
SDAM also closes early the days before these holidays and has varying hours before and during December Nights. See Calendar for details.
Buy tickets / Check museum hours / Check the calendar
Located just minutes from downtown San Diego, the San Diego Automotive Museum can be accessed from most major freeways.
Getting to the Museum by Car, Taxi, or Rideshare
The San Diego Automotive Museum is located at 2080 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101. Parking can be found in the Pan American Plaza Parking Lot.
Southbound from I-5
Take the 10th Avenue Exit off I-5. Turn left on "A" Street and left again on Park Blvd. Turn left on Presidents Way and continue straight through the intersection with Pan American Rd E to enter the Pan American Plaza Parking Lot.
Northbound from I-5
Take the Pershing Drive/B Street exit off I-5 to Pershing Drive. Take Pershing and then turn left on Florida Drive. Turn left on Zoo Place to Park Blvd. Turn left on Park Blvd. Turn right on Presidents Way and continue straight through the intersection with Pan American Rd E to enter the Pan American Plaza Parking Lot.
Southbound from Hwy 163
Take the Park Blvd. exit off Hwy 163. Turn left on Park Blvd. Turn left on Presidents Way and continue straight through the intersection with Pan American Rd E to enter the Pan American Plaza Parking Lot.
Getting to the Museum using Public Transportation
Visit Balboa Park using the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), with easy access from the downtown and Mission Valley areas.
- Print out a handy map of the bus and trolley systems servicing downtown, the airport, and Balboa Park.
- Review the times for route Routes 120 (Fashion Valley), Route 7 (Smart Corner) and Rapid 215 are the main bus routes through Balboa Park
- For information and custom transportation routes to Balboa Park, visit the MTS website or dial 511. You'll be given the option of selecting transit routes that are: the fastest; have the fewest transfers; or have the least amount of walking.
