2nd Saturday Lecture Screenings
2025-01-11 10:30 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
Join us every 2nd Saturday of the month for two screenings of our Living Room Lectures by archaeologists, experts, and authors. Lecture screenings start at 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM and are included with museum admission. No reservations needed. Seating is first come, first served.

Living Room Lecture - Beyond Bones: How Human Osteology Can Facilitate Wellbeing, Healing, and Inclusion
2025-01-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
In this lecture, Giselle Király will discuss the power of human osteoarchaeology, and how, with the right facilitation, it has the ability to promote wellbeing, healing and inclusion. This has been most notable in archaeological sites with military service people, but also seen on sites with people with low mental health, neurodivergence, ADHD, or autism. Giselle will look at sites ranging from Sutton Hoo to World War II, where archaeology, and specifically human remains, have changed peoples lives. Note: This lecture will contain images of human remains.
This lecture will be held on Zoom.
Cost: Pay what you wish
Registration is closed.

About the Speaker
Giselle Király is a commercial fieldwork project officer and human osteoarchaeologist for PCAS Archaeology in England, conducting excavations and analysing skeletal assemblages ranging from the peaty Mesolithic to WWII plane crashes. She also collaborates with Operation Nightingale, of the Ministry of Defence, helping veterans on their path to recovery through archaeology. She has led fieldwork in Europe, Georgia, and across the UK, teaching osteology and field techniques to students, veterans, volunteers, and police forces. She can be seen on History Hit TV, Digging for Britain, and most notably, the revived Time Team.

Museum Month
2025-02-01 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
The San Diego Archaeological Center is proud to participate in San Diego Museum Month during the month of February. Presented by the San Diego Museum Council and the San Diego Foundation, this month-long promotion offers fifty percent off admission for up to four people at over sixty museums and attractions throughout San Diego County.
San Diego Museum Month passes can be picked up for free at public libraries throughout the County or downloaded from the San Diego Museum Council website.

Historic Archery Day
2025-02-15 09:00 - 13:00 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
We’re stringing our bows for a spot of archery right here at the San Diego Archaeological Center! Shoot some rounds and learn about how different cultures around the world crafted, hunted, and fought with bows and arrows. Register now to save your spot.
This event is family friendly. Kids will enjoy a supervised range at the front of the museum all to themselves, with an adults-only range for more powerful bows in the back.
No previous experience required. Please bring your own gear if possible. A limited amount of gear will be available to borrow – first come, first served.
Cost: $15; GSUSA $10; SDAC Members Free
Tickets include museum admission. No registration needed for SDAC Members.
Registration is closed. Please pay at door.

MUSEUM CLOSED for Private Event
2025-02-26 10:00 - 2025-02-27 16:00 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States

Flintknapping Basics: The Ancient Art of Stone Tool Making
2025-04-05 10:00 - 12:00 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
Step back in time and discover the fascinating craft of flintknapping in this hands-on class! Flintknapping is the ancient technique of shaping stone into tools through the application of controlled force, a skill that has been used by humans for hundreds of thousands of years.
In this class, you’ll learn the basics of flintknapping, including how to create cutting tools, points, and other useful implements by striking and shaping raw stone. Guided by an experienced instructor, you’ll gain insight into the historical and cultural significance of flint tools and understand the precision involved in the process.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a survival skills aficionado, or simply curious about ancient craftsmanship, this class offers a unique opportunity to connect with a time-honored tradition. You’ll leave with not only new skills but also a deeper appreciation for how early humans created the tools that helped shape civilization.
All materials are provided, and no prior experience is necessary. Ages 12 and up. Participants under the age of 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult participant.
Cost: $45; SDAC Members $35; Scouts (GSUSA & Scouting America): $25
Registration is full.

Member Exclusive: Bayside Trail Guided Walk at Cabrillo National Monument
2025-04-11 17:30 - 19:30 | Cabrillo National Monument, 1800 Cabrillo Monument Dr, San Diego, CA, 92106, United States
SDAC Members are invited to join the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation for an exclusive, guided moonlight walk along Cabrillo National Monument’s Bayside Trail against the backdrop of the night sky, downtown, the bay, Coronado Island and the Pacific Ocean. Witness the majestic Old Point Loma Lighthouse illuminated at night, enjoy a complimentary cup of hot cocoa, and take a stroll under the moonlit sky after hours in this exclusive member experience.
Current SDAC membership and RSVP are required. Must RSVP by April 9. Space is limited to 30 members. No pets permitted. Wear walking shoes and warm clothes. Bring water and a flashlight.

Annual BBQ
2025-04-26 15:00 - 18:00 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
Join us for an afternoon of food, lively entertainment, and a gathering of San Diego’s archaeological community.
Back by popular demand, we’re serving up all-you-can-eat carne asada, pollo asada, carnitas, and jackfruit adovada tacos from Frida’s Taqueria. Sip colorful agua frescas from Frida’s, craft beer from Pizza Port, and local wine from Rancho Guejito Vineyard at our open bar while you enjoy live music from Probable Caws.
Test your aim at our archery and atlatl range for all ages, enter our opportunity drawing for a chance to win cool prizes, and meet our newest staff and board members. Students can connect with professional archaeologists from local CRM firms.
Proceeds from this event provide funding for the Center’s programming and preservation efforts. We hope to see you there!
Cost: $50; SDAC Members $40 (pre-sale only); Students $20; Tribal Members $20; Kids 12 & under: $15
Pre-sale has ended. Please purchase tickets at door.

The Center is looking for generous individuals and businesses to support the BBQ. For more information, see our BBQ Sponsorship page.
Thank You to Our Corporate Sponsors!

The Big Exchange
2025-05-01 - 2025-05-18 | Multiple Locations
Every spring, San Diego’s museums come together for something truly special: The Big Exchange, happening this year from May 1–18. During this limited-time event, your membership at the San Diego Archaeological Center gives you FREE general admission to more than 60 museums all across San Diego County! You can find more about The Big Exchange, including a listing of participating museums, on the San Diego Museum Council website.
Not a member or need to renew? Purchase SDAC Membership

Open Archery Range
2025-05-31 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-06-07 09:00 - 13:00 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
We’re stringing our bows for a spot of archery featuring fresh hay bale targets right here at the San Diego Archaeological Center! Shoot some rounds and learn about how different cultures around the world crafted, hunted, and fought with bows and arrows.
This event is family friendly. Kids will enjoy a supervised range at the front of the museum all to themselves, with an adults-only range for more powerful bows in the back.
No previous experience required. Please bring your own gear if possible. A limited amount of gear will be available to borrow – first come, first served.
Cost: $15; SDAC Members Free

Archaeology Summer Camp
2025-06-16 10:00 - 14:30 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
We are excited to announce our summer day camp for elementary school students! Whether your child or grandchild is a budding archaeologist or just eager to experience the past in a whole new way, our camp offers something for everyone. Get ready for a week filled with adventure, discovery, and endless fun! With our a la carte style day camp, you can choose individual days or choose them all! Space is limited to 20 campers.
Grades: K-5
Dates: June 16-20, 2025
Schedule:
Monday: Welcome to the Ice Age
Tuesday: Fun with the Ancient Maya
Wednesday: Ancient Egypt
Thursday: The Roman Empire
Friday: Kumeyaay Day
Hours: 10 AM to 2:30 PM
Extended care hours: Early drop-off (starting at 8:30 AM) and late pickup (ending at 4 PM) are available for an additional fee.
Pricing:
Full Session (Monday-Friday): $425 $395
Daily Rate: $85 per day
Extended Care Hours: $20 per camper per day
A late charge of $1 a minute begins accruing after scheduled pick-up time.
Enroll Your Child in Archaeology Summer Day Camp
Registrations are non-refundable. Enrollment information will be sent within 7 business days of registration. Please note that registration is not confirmed until SDAC staff send a confirmation email with enrollment information.
Many of our activities are outside in the San Pasqual Valley. All campers MUST wear close toed shoes, and bring a hat, water bottle, and sunscreen. Campers must provide their own snacks and a lunch brought in a clearly labelled brown paper bag. All lunches are stored in our communal fridge, so we ask that no peanut products be brought to the San Diego Archaeological Center for the safety of those who may have a severe allergy.

Lecture: Modeling Mesoamerican Masks
2025-06-28 10:30 - 12:00 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
Discover how a 3D modeling project at San Diego State University is bringing a historic collection of Mesoamerican masks into the digital age. This in-person lecture will explore how these digital models are enhancing teaching and public interpretation while tracing the deep history of masks as ritual, funerary, and ceremonial objects in ancient societies like Teotihuacan. The presentation will also examine how these traditions endure today in community practices such as danzas, offering a look at the ongoing cultural significance of masks across centuries of change.
Cost: Pay what you wish
Registration is closed. Please pay at door.

About the Presenters:
Keith Chan is a local anthropology instructor at Grossmont College, MiraCosta College, and SDSU. He is especially interested in using immersive technology in his teaching to bring students face-to-face with culture and biology. He created the virtual anthropology museum AnVRopomotron, which won the first Poly Award for Best Educational Experience, and is working on PaleoCalifornia, which turns the Pleistocene into a virtual reality theme park ride. He was also a recent research fellow at SDSU’s Virtual Immersive Learning and Teaching center, in which he launched the current project on masks.
Irene Gonzalez received her M.A. in Latin American Studies from SDSU, where her research focused on cultural preservation. Her work has explored the importance of community museums, specifically in Mexico, where she conducted field research in Oaxaca. She is currently the Collections Coordinator for the Mesoamerican Mask Collection at SDSU’s Center for Latin American Studies. Irene is passionate about bridging technology and cultural heritage in ways that are equitable and grounded in deep respect for Indigenous knowledge systems.

Art with an Archaeologist: Mesoamerican Masks
2025-06-28 12:00 - 13:30 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
Following our lecture on Modeling Mesoamerican Masks, join us for a special Art with an Archaeologist workshop and make your own tissue paper mask. All ages (including adults) are welcome.
Pro Tip: Attend our lecture on Modeling Mesoamerican Masks: Using Photogrammetry to Bring Cultural Heritage to Life to get inspired!

MUSEUM CLOSED for Independence Day
2025-07-04 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States

Historic Archery Day
2025-07-05 09:00 - 13:00 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States

Museum Temporarily Closed for Construction
2025-07-09 - 2025-07-12 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
Join us for pop-up programming throughout San Diego County this summer.

Clay Pinch Pots & Free Summer Lunch at College-Rolando Library
2025-07-10 12:00 - 13:00 | College-Rolando Library, 6600 Montezuma Road, San Diego, 92115, United States
Join us at the College-Rolando Library to Create air-dry clay pinch pots while learning about ceramic as the first synthetic material and why it is appreciated by both artists and archaeologists.
Free Summer Lunch at San Diego Public Library is offered Monday-Friday from 12-1 PM. Lunch can only be served to youth ages 0-18. In addition to providing summer lunch for youth, San Diego Public Library aims to bridge the summer learning gap by hosting enrichment programs, provide access to community resources and inform families of opportunities. For more information, please contact the College-Rolando Library.

Kid's Crafts: Pinch Pots at Mountain View/Beckwourth Library
2025-07-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Mountain View/Beckwourth Library, 721 San Pasqual St, San Diego, CA, 92113, United States
Join us as we make clay pinch pots at the Mountain View/Beckwourth Library. Everything will be provided free of charge. For more information, contact the Mountain View/Beckwourth Library.

Science & Engineering Night at the Children's Museum of Discovery
2025-07-19 17:00 - 19:30 | Children’s Museum of Discovery, 320 North Broadway, Escondido, CA, 92025, United States
Join us for family-friendly archaeological activities at the Children’s Museum of Discovery’s Science & Engineering Night in Escondido. Step into a world of hands-on exploration and discovery during a special evening packed with interactive activity booths, live science demos, and fun for the whole family!
Through hands-on activity booths and an endless amount of fun, children will learn about:

Science of fires with the Escondido Fire Department
Robotics and coding with Magikid Robotics Lab
​Physics of soccer with Soccer Shots​​
Archaeology with San Diego Archaeological Center
Biomedicine with ACROBiosystems
Artifact discovery with San Diego History Center
​Dry ice sublimation
​Electrical engineering circuit art​
Coding
+ more!

Plus, you won’t want to miss learning about kinesiology through dance with Lovely Leaps Dance Studio. Fill up with a quick bite from The Go Go Truck and Ice World Frozen Desserts for hand-crafted ice cream.
For more information and tickets, please contact the Children’s Museum of Discovery.

Clay Pinch Pots at Scripps/Miramar Ranch Library
2025-07-24 15:00 - 17:30 | Scripps/Miramar Ranch Library, 10301 Scripps Lake Drive, San Diego, CA, 92131, United States
Discover the art and resiliency of pottery with our Clay Pinch Pot activity at the Scripps/Miramar Ranch Library! Learners of all ages will see how archaeologists study ceramics, then get hands-on by shaping and decorating their own mini clay creation to take home. Registration required. For more information, please contact the Scripps/Miramar Ranch Library.

Archaeology Pinch Pots at Encinitas Library
2025-07-31 10:30 - 11:30 | Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas, CA, 92024, United States
Join us at the Encinitas Library for pinch pots with clay impressions. Families will learn about archeologists, how they love to study pottery, and make their very own pinch pot! Limit one per child. While supplies lasts! For more information, please contact the Encinitas Library.

Archaeology Storytime at the San Marcos Library
2025-08-14 10:30 - 11:00 | San Marcos Library, 2 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos, CA, 92067, United States
Join us at the San Marcos Library to learn all about archaeology. For more information, please contact the San Marcos Library.

Soapstone Beads at Scripps/Miramar Ranch Library
2025-08-20 16:00 - 17:00 | Scripps/Miramar Ranch Library, 10301 Scripps Lake Drive, San Diego, CA, 92131, United States
Join us at the Scripps/Miramar Ranch Library to try your hand at stone craftsmanship with Soapstone Bead Carving. Using tools like a chert drill and granite file, participants of all ages will shape and polish their own bead while exploring the world of experimental archaeology. For more information and registration, please contact the Scripps/Miramar Ranch Library.

Reed Basketweaving at Scripps/Miramar Ranch Library
2025-08-27 16:00 - 17:00 | Scripps/Miramar Ranch Library, 10301 Scripps Lake Drive, San Diego, CA, 92131, United States
Join us at the Scripps/Miramar Ranch Library to explore the connection between plants and traditional crafts. Designed for ages 12 and up, this hands-on activity introduces participants to the way local plant materials shape basket styles across cultures, then guides them in creating their own small reed wicker basket to take home. For more information and registration, please contact the Scripps/Miramar Ranch Library.

Grape Day Festival
2025-09-13 12:00 - 18:00 | Grape Day Park, 321 N Broadway, Escondido, CA, 92025, United States
Join us at the Escondido Grape Day Festival, presented by the Escondido History Center, The Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians, and Brothers of 6 Charities. This year’s event features activities for all ages including grape stomping, live music, children’s activities and games, antique farm equipment, food vendors, local arts and crafts, wine and beer garden, and more.
Visit the SDAC’s booth to step into the fascinating world of archaeology. Conduct a mini excavation, assemble plate puzzles, and explore artifacts from the region.
This event is hosted by the Escondido History Center and the Brothers of 6. For more information, visit the Escondido Grape Day Festival website.

Arch in the Park
2025-10-18 10:00 - 15:00 | Los Penasquitos Ranch House, 12122 Canyonside Park Drive, San Diego, CA, 92129, United States
Join us at the San Diego County Archaeological Society’s annual Arch in the Park event. Their goal is to educate the public about archaeology, and to provide information on various career and volunteer opportunities with local archaeological companies, museums, universities, and organizations. Typically, more than 30 vendors take part in Arch in the Park. Arch in the Park is ideal for students and budding archaeologists to network, as well as family fun.
This event is hosted by the San Diego County Archaeological Society. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

2025 Southern Data Sharing Meeting
2025-10-18 15:00 - 18:00 | Los Penasquitos Ranch House, 12122 Canyonside Park Drive, San Diego, CA, 92129, United States
Join the Society for California Archaeology at Los Peñasquitos Ranch House in San Diego for the 2025 Southern Data Sharing Meeting.
The meeting will be an informal event with a relaxed and supportive atmosphere—perfect for students to practice presenting as well as an opportunity to meet and talk with professionals in California Archaeology in a fun and casual setting. Students are not required to be current SCA members.
Data Sharing: The official data sharing meeting begins around 3:00 pm, following the annual Arch in the Park, with presentations in the meeting room at Los Peñasquitos Ranch House and refreshments served at the break.
This event is hosted by the Society for California Archaeology and the San Diego County Archaeological Society. For more information, registration, and schedule, please contact the event organizer.

Archaeology Day at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
2025-11-08 09:00 - 15:30 | Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center, 200 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Join us at the Colorado Desert Archaeological Society’s Archaeology Day at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center. Events include Cahuilla Birdsingers and Dancers, basket weaving demonstrations, storytelling, tours of the Begole Archaeology Research Lab, exhibits, and in-person field trips to Mine Wash Village and Blair Valley cultural sites.
View Archaeology Day Flyer
This event is hosted by the Colorado Desert Archaeological Society. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

Museum Closed
2025-11-12 - 2025-11-14 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
