Science comes to life at The Fleet Science Center, San Diego, a paradise for kids and adults alike.
Since 1973, this science museum has been a wonder for science enthusiasts, throwing exploration, learning, and fun into the mix.
Boasting hands-on exhibits, interactive displays, and mind-bending experiments, the Fleet Science Center leaves you amazed, irrespective of age.
This article shares everything you must know before booking your Fleet Science Center tickets.
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# Fleet Science Center tickets
# San Diego City PassBook your Fleet Science Center tickets early to skip the queues and guarantee your spot on this unforgettable experience.
What’s ahead
Where to book Fleet Science Center tickets
Tickets for the Fleet Science Center are available online or at the venue.
Buying tickets online is often more affordable and allows you to skip the long lines at the attraction’s ticket counters.
Tickets are limited, especially during peak times, so booking in advance ensures you secure your spot.
Fleet Science Center ticket
Science exhibitions, experiments, and programs have never been more exciting than at the Fleet Science Center.
Dive into celestial bliss with the IMAX Heikoff Giant Dome Theater.
Channelize the inner scientist of your child through fun and games.
Tickets are available on-site for active-duty military members and groups of over 15 people at discounted prices.
Additionally, the first Tuesday of each month is the Fleet’s Residents’ Free Day.
Grab your tickets quickly, as admission to the museum is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (13 to 64 years): $25
Child Ticket (3 to 12 years): $20
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Senior Ticket (65+ years): $23
Buy a San Diego City Pass and get access to 55+ San Diego activities, tours, cruises, and attractions. Visit SeaWorld, Belmont Park, Hollywood Museum, and many more famous sites, or go for a whale-watching cruise or hiking tour.
Opening hours of the Fleet Science Center
The Fleet Science Center in San Diego opens at 10 am on all days of the week.
The museum stays open till 5 pm daily, except on Wednesday, when the science museum closes at 8.15 pm.
Visitors can enjoy a quieter setting at the exhibit galleries an hour before the museum opens to the public on the third Saturday of every month from 9 to 10 am.
How long does the Fleet Science Center take
Visitors can spend two to four hours exploring the Fleet Science Center in San Diego.
If you enjoy a stroll, remember also to check out the gardens.
Best time to visit the Fleet Science Center
The best time to visit the Fleet Science Center in San Diego is when they opens at 10 am.
The crowd is smaller, and there are plenty of parking spaces in Balboa Park.
Tuesdays tend to be the most crowded as this is a popular day for school field trips, and the museums and other attractions in Balboa Park offer free entry to San Diego residents rotating.
To make the most of the iconic San Diego weather, it’s best to visit in spring and autumn.
What to expect at the Fleet Science Center
Contrary to your typical stuffy museums where you’re silenced for making noise, you can let loose at the Fleet Science Center and navigate the scientific world in an engaging, exciting, and memorable way.
Everything from learning about the human body to exploring the mysteries of the universe, the Fleet Science Center in San Diego has it all.
Prepare to be bedazzled by the grandest planetarium shows in an immersive 360° experience of the world’s first IMAX Dome Theater.
You cannot help but be bowled over by permanent, temporary, and rotating exhibitions, live science shows, and demonstrations.
For example, Flashback takes you through the nostalgic and most iconic aspects of the 1980s and 1990s pop culture, like technology, music, movies, and video games.
Another example is the Illusions, which unravels the science behind perception, optical illusions, and how the brain interprets the world around us with the help of an infinity mirror, mirror maze, a rotating cylinder that creates the illusion of motion, and much more.
The Tinkering Studio exhibit encourages visitors to experiment with tools and materials to create their inventions.
It is a valuable opportunity to learn about the engineering design process and see how ideas can become a reality.
Other live demonstrations include Design Zone, It’s Electric, Kid City, New Science, Power Play San Diego, San Diego’s Water, So Watt, Space Gallery, and Studio X.
While such technology-rapt, phenomenal live demonstrations and exhibits amount to over 100, the San Diego Fleet Science Center also hosts special events throughout the year that delight and inspire you simultaneously.
FAQs about the Fleet Science Center, San Diego
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Fleet Science Center in San Diego.
Are there any discounts available for admission to the Fleet Science Center?
The museum offers discounts to military personnel, college students, and groups of 15 or more.
Is the Fleet Science Center wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the Fleet Science Center is completely wheelchair accessible.
Does the Fleet Science Center allow outside food and drinks?
Food or drinks are not allowed inside the museum.
What are some of the exhibits on display at the Fleet Science Center?
Some prominent exhibits include The Art of the Brick, BlockBusters, Game Masters: The Exhibition, and Don’t Try This at Home.
Where can I park when visiting the Fleet Science Center?
Many parking options are available near the museum, including a parking garage on the corner of Park Boulevard and Space Theater Way.
Are strollers allowed inside the Fleet Science Center?
Yes, the museum allows strollers.
Is there an age limit for visitors to the Fleet Science Center?
Even though some exhibits may have age recommendations or restrictions, the museum invites visitors of all ages.
