San Diego Natural History Museum

10/17/2026

👻 Less than two weeks until the nerdiest Halloween party in San Diego! 👻

On Friday, October 30, the Secret Society of Adultologists takes over the Museum for a 21+ night through life, death, and everything in between. Skip the crowded bars and haunt the Museum instead.

Here’s a peek at what’s waiting for you:

🎧 DJ Chino in the Atrium and DJ Stonefish on the rooftop
🌸 Talk to Nat scientists about co**se flowers, venomous reptile myths, and more
🔮 Tarot readings, paranormal detection with Whaley House, and a ghost story swap in the Board Room Bar
🎭 Costume contest, Pixster photobooth, and caricatures from Coloring Book Factory
🔍 A building-wide scavenger hunt
🍸 Cocktails, mocktails, and bioluminescent drink creations, plus bites from The Craft Taco and Wolf in the Woods (all available for purchase)

Want the full experience? Go VIP for priority entry, a welcome drink, and a one-hour behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum’s hidden corners.

🎟️ General admission: $55 ($45 members)
🎟️ VIP: $100 ($85 members)

Wear a costume that’ll impress in this world and beyond (just no face coverings or weapons, please). Parking is free after 6 PM, and there’s a bus stop right outside our door.

Get your tickets here: https://buff.ly/DXAj1uE 🔗 Bring your 21+ ID and your favorite mortals!

10/13/2026

Storytime goes outside! We’re launching Trail Buds, a new (and free) program for our tiniest explorers and their families, made possible through a grant from the Dr. Seuss Foundation.

These toddler-friendly events combine nature walks with playful group activities, hands-on sensory experiences, sing-alongs, and more. As we stroll along a local trail, every observation builds early reading and language skills.

This one-hour program takes place one morning a month. Join us this Sunday, October 18 at the Nature Trail outside The Nat or on Sunday, November 15 at Chollas Lake Park. Future dates to be announced soon. Register for the October 18 Trail Buds program here: https://buff.ly/0rQhVga

10/10/2026

National Fossil Day is coming up on Wednesday, October 14, and we've got tens of thousands of years of history to celebrate. This year, the National Park Service is placing the ancient animals of the Pleistocene, aka the Ice Age, into the spotlight.

Think less animated squirrels chasing an acorn across glaciers and more megafauna roaming across ever-changing lands.

During the Ice Age, which began roughly 2.6 million years ago and ended just 11,700 years ago, Southern California was a cooler, wetter, and greener landscape. Creatures like mastodons, sabertoothed cats, and dire wolves called this region home.

Want to learn about San Diego's former fauna? Come spend the day exploring the fossils on display and participating in Fossil Day activities with our staff and docents throughout the Museum.

Maybe you'll leave with a new favorite prehistoric creature. 🦣

10/07/2026

We are thrilled to announce Ryan Terrill as The Nat's new curator of ornithology! Originally from Santa Cruz, Ryan has spent his life studying the birds of the West Coast of the U.S. and South and Central America.

He's curious about the understudied aspects of ornithology, such as feather molting strategies and spring montane migration in Southern California and Baja California. Alongside his research, Ryan has a love for birds and birding, which he's excited to share with communities in our region.

SAN DIEGO—Not every ornithologist starts out loving birds. Ryan Terrill did. A lifelong birder and the San Diego Natural History Museum's new curator of ornithology, Terrill’s appreciation for the feathered animals has been at the foundation of his career. It's also something he is eager to shar...

10/05/2026

The Nat is putting out its first-ever call for papers! 📣 We're revamping the Proceedings of the San Diego Society of Natural History with multiple articles per issue, abstracts in English and Spanish, and short species notes.

If you or someone you know has research, observations, or discoveries that belong in the scientific record, we want to hear from you. Professional researchers, grad students, collections specialists, and experienced community scientists are all welcome. We're looking for articles on all aspects of natural history, from birds and bees to everything in between.

Submit your suggestions by November 15 to be considered for our 2027 issue: https://buff.ly/DISx2ix

10/04/2026

Museums. Movies. Theme parks. Why can't we get enough of dinosaurs? Find out at a special screening of Why Dinosaurs?—followed by a talk with the filmmakers themselves.

Over the past decade, dino-obsessed teen James and his dad Tony have traveled the globe chasing the answer: interviewing top paleontologists, digging up 150-million-year-old bones, tracking down the minds behind Jurassic Park and Jurassic World, and visiting the world's largest dinosaur toy collection.

Catch the screening and talk on Wednesday, November 18 at 7 PM. Tickets are $15 for non-members and $12 for members: https://buff.ly/6DxLttG

10/01/2026

🚨Plot twist: Nat at Night is staying weekly!

You asked, and we listened. Nat at Night is continuing weekly by popular demand. We were about to head into our monthly era, but you had other plans. Thanks to your Friday-night loyalty, we're staying open until 11 PM most Fridays* through December 18.

✨ Starting tomorrow
✨ Half-price admission after 5 PM
✨ Members and Explorers always free

Two special nights to note: October 30 is the 21+ Secret Society of Adultologists (separate ticket), and December 4 is December Nights, when the whole museum is free.

Tix available online or at the door. See you tomorrow! 🌙 https://buff.ly/UvVCVtY

09/30/2026

Calling all kids! October is Kids Free San Diego. That means starting tomorrow, little explorers (ages 12 and under) get in free with one paid adult when offer is presented.

Dive into Washed Ashore to see beach debris repurposed as art, head to the top floor to check out recently reopened Nat classics, Expedition Baja and Hidden Gems, or say hello to our animal neighbors in Living Lab. Films in the giant screen theater are not included in the Kids Free offer but may be added for $5 per child.

Get the coupon: https://buff.ly/QhyrS4p

09/29/2026

Spending time in nature has huge benefits. It can reduce stress, boost creativity, and improve sleep. But not everyone has the same access to nature.

The newly launched San Diego Healing Through Nature Coalition is working toward a San Diego where everyone can access and benefit from the healing powers of nature.

Last month, The Nat welcomed environmentalists, Tribal leaders, healthcare professionals, educators, and advocates to come together to explore community-led ways to break down barriers and expand equitable access to nature through community programs, policy, research, and collaboration.

We are honored to lead this countywide network, funded by the Prebys Foundation, that aims to bring more members of our community to our favorite place: outside.

Whether you represent a local organization, public agency, school, or are an advocate for greater access to nature, we are always welcoming more voices to the conversation.

Find more information about the Healing Through Nature initiative and ways to get involved at this link here: https://buff.ly/SKmyfuj

09/24/2026

Heads up: The Nat will be closed this Friday, September 25 for a private event. This applies to both daytime hours AND evening hours (Nat at Night).

We'll reopen Saturday, September 26 at 10 AM. And all you night owls can join us for Nat at Night NEXT week on Friday, October 2 from 6-11 PM.