San Diego History Center

06/22/2026

Proudly We Served: Latino Veterans Stories Preview Screening

Join the San Diego History Center on Sunday, June 28, for a special preview of Proudly We Served, San Diego’s first digital collection dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Latino veterans through recorded video interviews.

Produced by the Latino Legacy Foundation (LLF) in association with the San Diego History Center, this groundbreaking digital initiative honors the service, sacrifice, and leadership of Latino veterans whose contributions have helped shape both San Diego and the nation.

Visitors are invited to attend one of three free screenings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., or 3 p.m. in the Thornton Theatre at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park. The program will feature a preview of the collection, including interviews with 18 veterans who participated in this inaugural project, along with a display of veteran portraits.

Several featured veterans will be in attendance, as well as San Diego History Center Trustee and Latino Legacy Foundation President Maria Velasquez, whose vision helped inspire the creation of Proudly We Served.

Funded by the State of California and the California Public Library, the collection will be permanently housed on the Latino Legacy Foundation website and made freely accessible to the public. As a living archive, Proudly We Served will continue to grow, preserving additional veteran stories for future generations.

Date: Sunday, June 28
Times: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Location: Thornton Theatre, San Diego History Center, Balboa Park
Admission: Free and open to the public

RSVP Today: https://bit.ly/SDHC_FilmScreening

06/22/2026

See our newest exhibition "America at 250: San Diego 1776 -2026" which explores 250 years of our region's history through 100 compelling objects that reveal the people, places, and moments that shaped San Diego.
Inspired by the nation's 250th anniversary, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on our shared past, engage with the present, and imagine the future together.

In celebration of the United States' semiquincentennial, the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park has launched a landmark exhibition showcasing 250 years of

06/19/2026

☀️ Looking for a summer history adventure? Visit the Junípero Serra Museum in Presidio Park, now open on Fridays throughout the summer!

Explore the site overlooking the birthplace of California, discover stories from San Diego’s earliest days, and take in some of the city’s most breathtaking views.

🕙 Summer Hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

We look forward to welcoming you this summer!

06/19/2026

San Diego History Center is excited to take part in the Cooper Family Foundation’s Juneteenth Celebration on June 20 at Memorial Park.

Visit our table to explore local history, learn how to share your story, and enjoy a kids’ craft celebrating African American heritage in San Diego.

06/18/2026

🎉 NOW OPEN! 🎉

Step into 250 years of San Diego history at America at 250: San Diego 1776–2026, now open at the San Diego History Center in the heart of Balboa Park.

Featuring 100 remarkable objects from museum collections and private lenders, this new exhibition explores the people, places, innovations, and moments that have shaped our region—from the enduring legacy of the Kumeyaay people to iconic artifacts, historic treasures, and stories that continue to define San Diego today.

Designed for all ages, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on our shared past, explore the present, and imagine the future together. Visitors are also invited to add their voice to our interactive Wish Wall, sharing hopes and aspirations for the nation as America approaches its 250th anniversary.

📍 San Diego History Center, Balboa Park
🎟️ Open now

Come experience San Diego's story—and discover your place in it.

06/17/2026

06/16/2026

📣 “Jack will speak to you now!”

Long before digital menus and drive-thru apps, San Diegans placed their orders through this iconic Jack in the Box clown head. Used as the "voice" of the drive-thru from the late 1950s through the 1970s, this playful piece of roadside Americana helped define one of San Diego’s most recognizable homegrown brands.

Jack in the Box opened its first restaurant on El Cajon Boulevard in 1951, and the clown quickly became the face—and voice—of the company. By 1980, the character was retired as the brand shifted toward a more adult image, but for generations of customers, the talking clown remains a memorable symbol of San Diego history.

As communities across the nation reflect on 250 years of American history, this unique artifact helps tell San Diego’s local story as part of "America at 250: San Diego 1776–2026," a major new exhibition opening June 18 at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park.

Through 100 objects drawn from museum collections and private loans, the exhibition explores the people, places, innovations, and cultural touchstones that have shaped our region across generations.

Do you remember ordering from a Jack in the Box drive-thru when the clown spoke back? Share your memories in the comments!

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Jack in the Box Intercom Clown Head || Plastic, circa 1950s–1970s || Gift of Foodmaker Inc., SDHC 90.79

06/15/2026

We're honored that the San Diego History Center is the featured museum in this month's KPBS Museum A Month series—just in time for the opening of our newest exhibition, America at 250: San Diego 1776–2026.

As communities across the country reflect on the 250th anniversary of the United States, this new exhibition invites visitors to explore the story through a distinctly local lens. Opening June 18, America at 250 examines 250 years of San Diego history through 100 objects that reveal the people, places, and moments that shaped our region.

From the enduring influence of the Kumeyaay people to stories of migration, innovation, military service, civic participation, and cultural change, the exhibition explores how local experiences connect to larger national conversations. Featuring artifacts from the History Center's collections and exclusive private loans, visitors will encounter remarkable objects, artwork, photographs, clothing, and architectural models that offer fresh perspectives on San Diego's past.

If you're looking for a meaningful way to engage with this historic national milestone, make plans to visit America at 250: San Diego 1776–2026. We can't wait to share these stories with you.

📅 Opens June 18
📍 San Diego History Center, Balboa Park



Thank you San Diego Museum Council.

06/12/2026

Discover the women whose vision, determination, and leadership helped shape Balboa Park and San Diego’s history. 🌿✨

Join the San Diego History Center’s Center for Women’s History and Forever Balboa Park on June 20 for a guided walking tour celebrating the trailblazing women whose contributions continue to inspire our community today.

Beginning at the San Diego History Center in the Casa de Balboa, this engaging tour will take you through the park while sharing stories of remarkable women who helped create the cultural landmark we know and love. After the tour, continue your exploration inside the museum galleries at no additional cost.

🚶‍♀️ Tour begins at the San Diego History Center
📅 June 20
⏰ 10:30 a.m.
🎟️ Tickets: $5

Step into their stories and experience Balboa Park through a new lens.

RSVP: https://bit.ly/SDHC_WT_June

06/12/2026

Join us for A Slice of History: Wish, Create, Celebrate 250, a free community event inspired by our newest exhibition, America at 250: San Diego 1776–2026.

Create a collage, add your voice to our Wish Wall, and share your hopes for the future while exploring 250 years of San Diego history. This drop-in experience is open to all ages, and all art supplies are provided—just bring your creativity.

And yes—there will be free pizza from Pizza to the Polls while supplies last! 🍕

📅 June 20
⏰ Drop in anytime from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
📍 San Diego History Center

Part of Civic Season, a nationwide movement connecting history and civic engagement between Juneteenth and the Fourth of July.

Admission is free, but registration is required due to limited capacity. Reserve your spot today: https://bit.ly/SDHC_SliceOfHistory