The Center Museum has changing exhibits and hands-on activities that explore 10,000 years of history of the San Diego region through the archaeological record. Learn about the life-ways of early Native American hunter-gatherers who lived in our region and the many groups and immigrants who have contributed to our region's archaeological record.
Learn the basics of archaeology, explore our hands-on research area or view our new curatorial vaults and research area through the viewing portal. The Center actively curates archaeological collections and you may have a unique opportunity to see staff and interns cataloging and researching artifacts during your visit.
There are activities for children including an artifact matching game, archaeological related crafts and equipment and games and exploration materials for budding archaeologists to expand their knowledge. Click here to view our Virtual Museum with past and present exhibit panels.
The Center has a Gift Shop with unique gifts, books and items related to the Center's Mission. There are restrooms with a baby changing station. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the scenic views of San Pasqual Valley and the many local and migratory birds that visit the new outdoor watering stations raptor perches and birdfeeders. Hummingbirds, finches, mourning doves, hawks and kestrels are a few of the regular visitors to the Center.
Special Saturday Offerings
The Center offers Second Saturday Events each month. Topics presented in the past have included: Digital Archaeological Photography and Archiving, Native American Basketry, Forensic Science, Flintknapping, Arborglyphs, Adobe Brick Making, History and Geology Along the Gold Rush Trail, Shell in the Archaeological Record, The Museum of Man and the Malcolm Rogers Collections, and The Story of the Ranchería of San Pasqual. Suggestions for new topics are always welcomed.
The third Saturday of each month the Center offers a video/film series that is free with admission. Click the CALENDAR tab at the top of the page for upcoming Second Saturday and Visiting Scholar Events.
Membership
Become a member and enjoy special invitations to events including our Member Appreciation Day and our Business Roundtables. Members also receive discounts on lectures and workshops.
Field Trips
The Center is the regional administrator for Project Archaeology - a national heritage preservation program. Project Archaeology classes utilize local artifacts excavated by professional archaeologists and students are provided a rare opporunity to learn from actual artifacts. Click here for more information on our educational programs.
Life Learners/Senior Programs
The Center has many opportunities for visiting groups for in-depth learning about the processes of archaeology. Click here for more information.
Merit Badges
Brownies, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts can earn Archaeology Merit Badges or fulfill portions of other Merit Badges at the Center. Click here for more information.
