Junipero Serra Museum, San Diego

The Junípero Serra Museum, situated in Presidio Park, stands as one of San Diego's most recognizable landmarks. It holds great significance as a prominent symbol of the city, perched atop a hill that marks the birthplace of California. Constructed between 1928 and 1929, the Serra Museum was designed by architect William Templeton Johnson in the Spanish Revival style. Its purpose was to serve as a home for the collection of The San Diego History Center, which was founded in 1928.

The Junípero Serra Museum, home to the San Diego History Center, is undergoing an exciting renovation. The new exhibition explores San Diego's earliest history, from indigenous inhabitants to settlers who adapted to the arid climate by transforming the river.

The updated exhibit showcases the Presidio as San Diego and California's original European settlement. It functioned as a military garrison from 1769 to 1835, providing shelter for soldiers, families, craftsmen, Indian workers, prisoners, and other settlers. The exhibit sheds light on the diverse groups who faced the challenges of the environment, and visitors can observe the Presidio and the Kumeyaay settlement of Kosaii.

The Junípero Serra Museum offers weekend walking tours exploring the buried remains of the Presidio de San Diego. Learn about its historical significance, from ancient times to the present, and discover its unique environment's allure. Archaeologists and historians provide insights into the structures and buildings that once stood.