Enjoy your museum in South Bay San Diego, The Bonita Museum contains two large galleries for visitors to view history, art, and cultural exhibits. The front gallery presents a portion of the museum’s permanent collection which depicts the history of the region including Rancho de la Nacion ranchos and the Sweetwater Valley. The larger second gallery presents changing exhibits such as local contemporary art, history and cultural exhibitions.
The Bonita Historical Society is dedicated to preserve, for public education and enjoyment, the culture, history, art, crafts, and aesthetic facets of the region, specifically El Rancho de la Nacion in South San Diego County. Entry is free to the museum
Highlights:
Proctor Valley Monster Footprint
Paleontology of the Sweetwater Valley and San Diego
Sculpture of San Diego Symphony conductor Mastro Jahja Ling
Mehl Lawson, Cowboy Artists of America sculpture
Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
Richard C. Ybarra (January 4 – February 6, 2024)
Reception: Saturday, January 18, 2pm – 5pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, January 18, 3:30pm
Symbolizing Americana delves into the visual language of “Americana” and the feelings associated with living in rural environments around the United States.
…what ‘animates’ us is what lies beyond the photographic frame in our imaginations.
– Roland Gérard Barthes (1915 – 1980)
Ybarra’s photography lets the viewer linger and respond to their personal feelings about the images he records. His works invite storytelling into the museum space.
Audi Lawson It’s the 60s, Man!
Bonita artist Audi Lawson documented the region through photography, sculpture, installation, and digital drawings from the 1950s through the 1990s.
Friendship Park, Take Amistad on the Road (February 8 – March 28)
Artists: Nanzi Muro, Maria Teresa Fernandez, natalia ventura
Reception: Sat. February 8, 2025
Exhibition visitors will encounter sculptures, photography, paintings, performance art, and participatory installations about the past, present, and future of Friendship Park. Each of the three exhibitions communicates a shared message of cross-border friendship (amistad) that is the essence of Friendship Park.
Visit Bonita Museum & Cultural Center
Address:
4355 Bonita Road
Bonita, CA
91902
Phone:
(619) 267-5141
Hours:
Open Wednesday through Saturday
10 am. to 4 p.m.
4355 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA
