Lovers of fine art and period architecture will get a lot of pleasure from one of San Diego's premier arts institutions.
The San Diego Museum of Art is the biggest and longest-established museum in the city. It plays host to an excellent collection which has been growing since its 1926 opening. You'll find art from the four corners of the globe housed within this decorous Spanish colonial building.California's past as a part of the Spanish Empire is reflected in the building's ornate design, and also in its exhibitions – gaze on works by Murillo, Goya and El Greco in the high-quality Spanish collection. Italian and Asian works are also particularly strongly represented in the museum, along with a number of French masters, while stellar names like Margaret Bourke-White and Henri Cartier-Bresson grace the photography collection.Alongside the permanent displays, there are a minimum of two temporary exhibits at all times, and sometimes more. These are often run in concert with talks, workshops or other informative events. Ask at the information desk for details on what's happening while you’re in town, or check out the website before your visit. April sees one of the year’s more spectacular shows, when “Art Alive” reproduces images from some of the most prominent artwork on show here in a beautiful floral display.It generally takes two to three hours to get around the San Diego Museum of Art, but art enthusiasts can easily find themselves strolling around the galleries for most of a day. Restrictions on photography mean that you can't take pictures of many items, and you are not permitted to bring big bags onto the premises. The museum is open year-round but is closed on Wednesdays.
