Thoughtfully designed items from local and international artists and craftspeople.
Shop MingeiMake your museum trip a breeze! Purchase tickets ahead of time and download our free Digital Guide.
Museum & Shop Hours
The Museum is closed on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, & Sunday | 10am - 5pm |
| Friday | 10am - 8pm |
Admission
The Entry Level is free for all, always. The Exhibitions Level requires admission for those 18 years and older. A ticket is required for all visitors to access the Exhibitions Level.
| Adults (18 years and older) | $15 |
| Educators, Seniors, Students with ID, and Military | $10 |
| Youth (17 and Under) | Free |
| Museums for All (EBT) | Free |
| Blue Star Museum | Free |
Plan Ahead
Need to book a tour? Learn more about school tours here and schedule a group tour here.
Entry Level
CRAFT CAFÉ is a destination for coffee, tea and treats.
CRAFT CAFÉ
A restaurant expressing Mingei's mission by merging worldly spices with local ingredients.
ARTIFACT at Mingei
CRAFT CAFÉ Hours
| Monday - Sunday | 8:30am - 5pm |
ARTIFACT at Mingei
Modified ARTIFACT hours for private museum events and rentals: No happy hour on October 5, 12, 26, and November 2
| Lunch: Tuesday - Sunday | 11:30am - 2:30pm |
| Dinner: Friday | 5 - 8:00pm |
| Happy Hour: Thursday - Saturday | 3 - 5pm |
Exhibitions Level
Explore over 12,000 books, 200 videos and art journals in Mingei's Art Library.
Frances Hamilton White Art Library
An ode to innovative craftsman, George Nakashima.
Founders Gallery
For the first time in decades, visitors can have views of Balboa Park from two upper-level terraces.
Terraces
FAQs
Purchasing Tickets
Admission to the Museum's Exhibitions Level requires a ticket for both members and non-members. Tickets can be purchased or picked up at the front desk located near the Alcazar Garden entrance and elevators.
Visitor Guidelines
At all events, visitors are asked to follow a few simple guidelines to ensure a positive experience for all. Guidelines are based on safety, common sense and courtesy. Please be sure to review our guidelines before visiting the Museum.
Directions & Parking
We are located in Balboa Park at 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101. See Balboa Park Map for available parking, tram and museum locations with the park.
Valet Parking
Valet parking is available Thursday - Sunday. The valet stand is located between the Japanese Friendship Garden and the House of Hospitality. It’s open to anyone who visits the park
Thursday & Friday: $20 for up to 3 hours, $5/hour thereafter
Saturday & Sunday: $25 for up to 4 hours, $5/hour thereafter
Hours of Operation:
- Thursday and Friday: 4:30 - 11pm
- Saturday: 10:30 am - 11pm
- Sunday: 11 am - 9pm
Accessibility
The west entrance to the Museum (in Alcazar Garden) is HP accessible. There are accessible parking spaces in the Alcazar Garden parking lot located on the west side of the Museum.
Museum Map
View and download a map of the Museum here.
Free Tuesdays
Every Balboa Park museum offers free general admission on a rotating basis each month to residents of the City and County of San Diego. As part of this program, Mingei offers free admission to everyone every third Tuesday of the month. No ID verification is required.
Museums for All
As part of the nationwide program, Museums for All, Mingei offers free admission for those who present an EBT, SNAP, or WIC card.
Blue Star Museum
Mingei is a Blue Star Museum, providing free museum admission to active-duty military personnel and their families from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day.
Free Digital Guide
Take a self-guided tour, hear artists talk about their work, and enjoy expanded exhibition content with our digital guide on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app. Learn more here.