Serra Museum

Junípero Serra Museum, in Presidio Park

2727 Presidio Drive
San Diego, CA 92103
Click here for Google Map
Phone: (619) 297-3258

The Junipero Serra Museum will be closed temporarily for building maintenance.

Scaffolding will soon envelope much of the Serra Museum, located high atop Presidio Hill in Mission Valley, and the roof will be replaced. The City of San Diego is using new custom roof tiles to complement architect William Templeton Johnson’s original 1929 design. Due to the construction, the Serra will be closed and school programs will be restricted.

The Serra Museum will reopen in early October 2008. Thank you for your patience.

The Junípero Serra Museum, in Presidio Park, is one of the most familiar landmarks in San Diego. As a major symbol of the city, it stands atop the hill recognized as the site where California began. It was here in 1769 that a Spanish Franciscan missionary, Father Junípero Serra, with a group of soldiers led by Gaspar de Portolá, established Alta California’s first mission and presidio (fort).

On July 16, 1769, near the site where the museum now stands, Fr. Serra founded the Mission San Diego de Alcalá. Often confused for the Mission, the Serra Museum was built between 1928-1929 for the purpose of housing and showcasing the collection of the San Diego Historical Society, which was founded in 1928. The structure was designed by architect, William Templeton Johnson, using Spanish Revival architecture, to resemble the early missions that once dominated the landscape of Southern California.

Open:
Winter Hours, Labor Day through May 31
Monday - Friday, 11am - 3pm
Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 4:30pm
 
Summer Hours, June 1 – day before Labor Day
Daily 10am – 4:30pm

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

*Please Note:  November through May, the museum may be closed until 12noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for our school education programming.  Please call 619-297-3258 for opening hours during these months.

Admission:
$5 Adults, $4 Seniors (65+), Students and Military (I.D. required), $2 children ages 6-17, Free children under 6. San Diego Historical Society members receive unlimited free admission.