San Diego Automotive Museum Ticket
Instant Confirmation
E-tickets accepted
Flexible Tickets
USD 19.02
Key Highlights
- Explore over 75 vehicles and motorcycles across a 17,000-square-foot exhibit space — from vintage roadsters and American muscle to Italian supercars, hypercars, and iconic racing machines
- Discover Louie Mattar's Fabulous Car — the legendary vehicle that still holds the 1952 distance endurance record, complete with a washing machine, stove, refrigerator, shower, and the ability to change tyres while moving
- Explore four current racing exhibitions — Street to Track: The Evolution of Speed, NASCAR: Design and Innovation, Formula One Stories, and Numinous Hypercars: Titans of Speed
- Marvel at one of the finest Indian Motorcycle collections on the West Coast
- Enjoy three rotating major exhibitions per year alongside the permanent collection
About San Diego Automotive Museum Ticket
The permanent collection anchors the museum with its most celebrated individual piece — Louie Mattar's Fabulous Car, the extraordinary 1952 Cadillac that still holds the distance endurance record set during Mattar's epic road journey. Mattar's remarkable adaptations to this car — a washing machine, stove, refrigerator, shower on the running board, and a mechanism to change the tyres while the car was still moving — make it one of the most genuinely jaw-dropping automotive artifacts anywhere in California. The Indian Motorcycle display alongside the permanent collection is equally impressive — one of the finest dedicated Indian collections on the West Coast, tracing the legendary brand's history through beautifully restored examples across multiple eras.
The rotating exhibition programme brings fresh excitement to the museum three times a year, and the current racing-themed exhibition suite is among the most compelling the museum has presented. Numinous Hypercars: Titans of Speed is an immersive exhibition exploring the world's most extraordinary automobiles as objects of art, emotion, and innovation. Formula One Stories delves into F1's most thrilling races and storied racers including Fangio, Ascari, Senna, Schumacher, and Verstappen. NASCAR: Design and Innovation puts visitors inches from legendary vehicles and the technology that transformed stock car racing. Street to Track: The Evolution of Speed ties the whole racing story together. Kids can also have fun sitting in a stripped-down real car and climbing onto a full-sized motorcycle — making the museum a genuinely family-friendly stop in Balboa Park. Book your San Diego Automotive Museum ticket now on Thrillark and save up to 14%.
Inclusions
- Full admission to the San Diego Automotive Museum
- Access to all vehicle and motorcycle displays, interactive elements, and exhibit videos
- Access to the museum gift shop
Exclusions
- Food and beverages
Insiders' Tips
Arrive at opening time at 10:00 AM for the quietest and most unhurried experience — the museum is compact enough to absorb quickly but rewarding enough to linger in for several hours if you are a serious enthusiast. Do not miss Louie Mattar's Fabulous Car near the entrance — read the full story of the 1952 distance record drive before moving through the collection and it puts every other exhibit in a fascinating context. Check the museum website before visiting for any special events — the monthly Cars and Coffee morning from 7:30 AM is a particularly popular community gathering for automotive enthusiasts.
Additional Information
Open daily 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM — last admission at 4:30 PM
Accessibility & Facilities
- Fully wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchairs available for museum guests on a first-come, first-served basis
- Service animals welcome with proper identification
- Museum gift shop selling automotive books, models, memorabilia, cold drinks, ice cream, and snacks
- Shaded outdoor plaza tables available for eating and drinking
Restrictions
- No food or drinks permitted inside the museum
- No touching of exhibits
- Photography is permitted for personal use throughout
- No running inside the museum
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations are non-refundable
Frequently Asked Questions
Ratings & Reviews
There's a lovely selection of classic, vintage and muscle cars on display. It's on the small side for the price,...
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The historic Ford Building, from the 1935 exposition, is a highlight in itself. There are race cars and custom hot rods alongside the classics....
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There's a lovely selection of classic, vintage and muscle cars on display. It's on the small side for the price,...
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The themed exhibits, from movie cars to lowriders, are a fun touch. It's a single-floor museum,...
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A worthwhile hour for car fans. Most visitors spend around 60 to 90 minutes here. It's on the small side for the price,...
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The restoration and presentation of the vehicles were excellent. The unique and unusual models are a draw for car fans....
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Combine it with the Air & Space Museum right next door. It's a single-floor museum with a rotating collection of cars and motorcycles....
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The vignettes gave great background on each car. It's a single-floor museum, so it doesn't take long....
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Combine it with the Air & Space Museum right next door. Parking and admission together add up for a short visit....
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The Art Deco Ford Building is a fitting home for the collection. The staff were friendly and happy to answer questions....
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They change the cars every few months, so there's always something new. There are race cars and custom hot rods alongside the classics....
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The round Ford Building, an Art Deco gem, is a lovely setting for the cars. A balcony runs around the inside,...
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It's great for car-mad kids and grown-ups alike. Some expected more famous or exotic cars....
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The rotating exhibits mean it's worth returning; last time there was a movie-car display....
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There's one amazing car you have to see; you'll know it when you spot it. Most visitors spend around 60 to 90 minutes here....
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The Balboa Park setting means there's plenty more to see nearby. It can feel pricey once you add park parking....
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We'd read to get a park pass, and it was better value. It's an easy, car-focused hour in the park....
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The restoration and presentation of the vehicles were excellent. It's a quick stop rather than a main attraction....
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Worth a look if you like classic cars. They change the cars every few months, so there's often something new....
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The restoration and presentation of the vehicles were excellent. Fair value for a car enthusiast....
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