Art buffs andarchitecture enthusiasts alike will enjoy the most famous of Balboa Park’s culturalicons.
The San Diego Museumof Art is touted as the oldest and largest of the museums located in BalboaPark and boasts artworks more than 7,000 years old.
The museum is anornately decorated building in keeping with the Spanish Colonial influences ofBalboa Park. Inside is an impressive collection of fine art from all over theworld that has been steadily building since the museum opened in 1926. As mightbe expected from the surroundings, the Spanish collections are particularlystrong, and you can feast your eyes on the classical works of greats such asMurillo, Ribero and El Greco. There is a good collection of Italian painterstoo, and a comprehensive range of works from Asia. Margaret Bourke-White andHenri Cartier-Bresson are some of the famous names you’ll see in the museum’sphotography collection.
Goto the Balboa Park Visitor Center or the museum information desk for details ofcurrent exhibitions. The museum always has at least two temporary shows onoffer, and lectures, workshops and educational events often run in conjunctionwith these. If you are visiting in April, you will also be able to take in “ArtAlive,” an annual exhibit of blooms that replicate some of the works inside.
Dependingon your interests you could spend an entire day at the San Diego Museum of Art,but two or three hours is usually enough. There are strict rules around whatcan and can’t be photographed here so check up on these at the informationdesk. Larger bags are also not permitted inside. The museum is open every dayexcept Wednesday.
