The San Diego Aerospace Museum is on the list of California attractions that are recommended to visit. It is a cultural and educational center where you can immerse yourself in the world of space research and aviation. It is recommended to set aside at least 2 hours to visit the key exhibits.
History of creation
The founding year of the San Diego Aerospace Museum was 1961, and the opening ceremony took place 2 years later. He first worked in the food and beverage building, which was built in 1915. In 1965, the non-profit organization moved into an electrical facility. In 1978, a fire broke out, as a result of arson, archives and collections were damaged, including unique aircraft: among them was the Beecraft Wee Bee, recognized as the lightest aircraft in the world, and the Queen Bee, which was nicknamed his "sister". It was also not possible to save the replica of the "Spirit of St. Louis", built in 1967 by the same craftsmen who created the original version. Experts estimated the damage at $4 million.
The San Diego Aerospace Museum began assembling new planes, and they were stored in a warehouse, so they were not damaged by fire at the facility. The collection began to be replenished with new exhibits again. It is noteworthy that collectors voluntarily donated their valuable items to help the center recover. The landmark was moved to Balboa Park, where it remains today. It opened in the former Ford building. In 2005, the San Diego Aerospace Museum became one of the branches of the Smithsonian Institution.
Short description
An alternative name is the San Diego Aviation and Space Research Museum. He works daily from 10.00 to 17.30, but before leaving, you should specify the opening hours, as they may change. The exhibition items cover different eras, so it is possible to trace the development of aeronautics and astronautics. Among the main exhibits of the San Diego Aerospace Museum are:
- The Apollo 9 module;
- flying vehicles;
- flying reproductions;
- airborne vehicles and their replicas;
- portraits of aircraft designers and pilots.
Visitors to the San Diego Aerospace Museum can explore history through authentic artifacts and interactive displays. The library contains a large number of books, old photographs of various aircraft, and the process of their manufacture. The institution also has 2 restoration workshops, and public events, including educational ones, are regularly held.
How to get
The San Diego Aerospace Museum is located in the famous Balboa City Park. He works in the former Ford Building, which was specially built for the automotive company's exhibition center.
Buses MTS Bus 7, Rapid 215, MTS Routes 3, and No. 120 pass nearby. You can call a taxi through the mobile app or get into an empty car, rent a car. The carsharing service is popular in California, and it can be used at least from the age of 21. A prerequisite for foreigners in most companies renting cars is the availability of an international driver's license (IDP).
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