Bonita Museum & Cultural Center

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

Filmmakers Benito Bautista and Emma With Tela Nobela community art Installation

Green And Orange Native American Event Poster

Current & Upcoming Exhibitions

Audi Lawson, Bonita Legacy
Every January the museum exhibits artwork by the Bonita artist Audi Lawson. Audi’s artwork documents Bonita from the 1950’s through the 1990’s including mediums such as photography, sculpture, collage and drawing. Read More.

Student Exhibitions
2023 Student Exhibition Dates: February 10 – 25, 2023 Opening Reception: Friday, Feb. 10 4:30PM – 6:30PM Install dates: Feb. 8, 9, 10

Join us for the annual exhibition highlighting the work of local students. Includes 2 & 3 dimensional works as well as video. On the Student wall find finalists in the Sweetwater Authority High School Photo Competition. Read More.

50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration Exhibition March 9 – April 29. March 25,
11am Vietnam Veteran pin ceremony with DAR

The Bonita Museum & Cultural Center (BMCC) is located in South Bay San Diego along the Sweetwater River. From the mountains to the bay, the Sweetwater valley has been an ideal historic location for plein air painting.