From Vine to Vessel: The Culture and Commerce of Roman Wine
2026-04-18 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
Wine was more than a drink in the ancient Roman world; it was a symbol of culture, commerce, and daily life across the empire.
Join us for an engaging lecture and wine tasting that explores the role of wine in Roman society, from vineyard cultivation to the amphorae that carried it across vast trade networks. Discover how viticulture shaped Roman identity, economy, and social customs while helping connect distant regions of the Mediterranean world.
As you learn about the archaeological and historical evidence behind Roman wine production and trade, you’ll also enjoy a guided tasting that draws connections between ancient practices and the wines we enjoy today.
This program is perfect for history enthusiasts and wine lovers alike. Participants must be 21+.
Register for Lecture

Stories in the Landscape: A Cultural Walk and Talk at Sikes Adobe with the San Dieguito River Park
2026-04-19 09:00 - 12:00 | Sikes Adobe Historic Farmhouse, 12655 Sunset Dr, Escondido, CA, 92025, United States
Join our partners at the San Dieguito River Park for a unique experience that blends history, culture, and ecology through the stories of plants.
Set within the scenic Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, the program invites participants to explore the cultural and medicinal significance of both native and introduced plant species. Senior Interpretive Ranger Leana Bulay will lead an engaging exploration of the historic gardens, sharing knowledge of medicinal plants and their uses in tea making. As part of this workshop, participants will be able to make their own herbal tea blends. This immersive experience offers a meaningful opportunity to connect with the landscape while discovering the deep relationships between people, plants, and place.
Register for Workshop

MUSEUM CLOSED & NO North County Archery Club - Join us for Archery & Atlatl at the BBQ
2026-04-25 10:00 - 14:00 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States

Annual BBQ
2026-04-25 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. We’re serving up carne asada, pollo asada, carnitas, and jackfruit adovada tacos from Frida’s Taqueria and delicious dessert from Cravery Cookies. Sip colorful agua frescas from Frida’s, wine from Rancho Guejito Vineyard, and craft beer at our open bar while you enjoy live Latin Jazz from the Sophisticados. Test your aim at our archery and atlatl range for all ages, enter our opportunity drawing for a chance to win cool prizes (one opportunity drawing ticket included with each BBQ ticket (except youth tickets), and connect with professional archaeologists from local CRM firms. Every dollar raised supports educational programs, museum exhibits, and the preservation of cultural resources all year long.
Cost: $55; SDAC Members $45 (pre-sale only); Tribal Members $25; Students $25; Youth (12 & under): $15; Kids 5 & under: Free. Not a member? Purchase SDAC Membership
Registration is closed. Please purchase tickets at the door.

Thank you to our Premier Sponsor, Wollman Wealth Designs!
Interested in sponsoring the BBQ? To make this event as fun and accessible as possible, we rely on sponsorships from generous individuals and businesses like you. Your support helps us keep ticket prices affordable while ensuring an amazing experience for all. For more information, please visit our BBQ Sponsorship page.

Thank You to our CRM Booth Sponsors!

MUSEUM CLOSED
2026-05-01 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States

Kumeyaay Cosmology Talk
2026-05-09 11:00 - 12:30 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
Join us for an illuminating talk with Kumeyaay author Michael Connolly Miskwish, who will explore the traditions and ancient knowledge of Kumeyaay Cosmology. This lecture immerses you into a world of cultural stories, stars, and the deep-rooted sky wisdom of San Diego’s original people. Through Connolly’s book, Maay Uuyow: Kumeyaay Cosmology, we invite you to explore the Kumeyaay people’s understanding of the universe’s origins and their enduring connection to the land.
Cost: $15; SDAC Members & Tribal Members $5
Register for Kumeyaay Cosmology Talk

About the Presenter
Michael Connolly Miskwish is a member of the Campo Kumeyaay Nation. In 1990, he helped establish and directed one of the first tribal Environmental Protection Agencies in the U.S. Michael researched and implemented traditional environmental practices in contemporary land and resource management. He worked on environmental policy for the National Congress of American Indians, National Tribal Environmental Council, the Good Neighbor Environmental Board and several US EPA advisory committees. His work on issues of taxation policy and impediments to sustainable tribal economies is nationally recognized. He has authored many papers on tribal economics, Kumeyaay history and resource management. He has three published books on Kumeyaay history and cosmology. He has curated exhibits on Kumeyaay culture and history for the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and the Museum of Us in San Diego, California. In 2006 he was the recipient of the John Montgomery Education Award by the Congress of History of San Diego and Imperial Counties and, in 2017, was inducted into the Kumeyaay Kuseyaay Association. Michael’s formal education includes a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering and a Master of Arts in Economics. He is an adjunct faculty in American Indian Studies at San Diego State University. He served 17 years in elected office for the Campo Kumeyaay Nation. He currently consults with tribal governments and governmental agencies on topics of economics, resource management, taxation and education. He works directly with the Kumeyaay Diegueno Land Conservancy and Kumeyaay Community College. He continues to write and lecture on Kumeyaay history and culture.

Blue Star Museums
2026-05-16 10:00 - 16:00 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
As part of the Blue Star Museums program, the San Diego Archaeological Center offers free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day. The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military–Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard–including Reservists, National Guardsman (regardless of status), U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members.
The military ID holder can be either active duty service member or other dependent family member with the appropriate ID card. The active duty member does not have to be present for family members to use the program. Just bring your DD Form 1173 ID Card, or DD Form 1173-1 ID Card, for active duty military family members.
About Blue Star Museums: Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of War, and museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families each summer. The program begins on Armed Forces Day in mid-May and ends on Labor Day at the beginning of September. For more information, including a full list of participating museums, visit the Blue Star Families website.

Archaeology Summer Camp
2026-06-15 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! 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 as we explore the pyramids, the Ice Age, and the early California landscape. With our a la carte style day camp, you can choose individual days or choose them all! Space is limited to 30 campers. To help make camp accessible, a limited number of partial scholarships are available.
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