San Diego History Center

The San Diego History Center is located in the heart of Balboa Park. Here you will not only find a collection of intriguing exhibitions that chronicle San Diego’s diverse history, but also our Library. This is home to over 45 million pieces of paper and 2.5 million images that document the people, places and events of San Diego’s past.

In addition to the exhibitions at The San Diego History Center, the museum also presents a number of public programs including lectures, workshops and educational programs.

TASTE SAN DIEGO FILIPINO CULINARY JOURNEYS

Current & Upcoming Exhibitions

The San Diego History Center invites visitors to explore a vibrant lineup of its latest exhibits:

San Diego STEM Women: Featuring remarkable stories of local women making strides in science, technology, engineering, and math, this exhibit celebrates trailblazers whose innovations are shaping the future
San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods: This immersive exhibition uses augmented reality, oral histories, and archival materials to explore communities—including Julian, City Heights, the Gaslamp Quarter, La Jolla, Chollas View, Southcrest, and MLK Way—that were displaced by redlining, freeway construction, and other discriminatory policies.
TASTE SAN DIEGO: Filipino Culinary Journeys: This immersive exhibit delves into Filipino-American identity through food. It explores heritage—backyard gardens, Navy steward histories, local entrepreneurs, regional flavors—and offers live tastings on Fridays and Saturdays
Fashion Redux: Cocktail Hour: Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the San Diego History Center and Mesa College Fashion Program present Fashion Redux 2026: Cocktail Hour. This collaboration brings together the evolution of the cocktail dress, pairing historical archives with the talent of San Diego’s emerging fashion designers.

The 2026 theme, cocktail hour, will explore how social rebellion and Prohibition-era legislation influenced the American wardrobe. From Victorian roots to mid-century glamour, this exhibition features historic textiles owned or worn by women in San Diego, as well as the unique material culture and archives specific to our binational region.

Together, these exhibit selections underscore the History Center’s mission to tell dynamic and diverse stories—from fashion and food to social progress and empowerment.