Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla
Contemporary art on a bluff above the Pacific
⏱ 1-1.5 hours👤 All ages$$
Get Tickets
Get MCASD La Jolla Tickets
Skip the line · mobile tickets accepted at the door
The La Jolla building is built around the original house designed by the architect Irving Gill for Ellen Browning Scripps in 1916, extended and updated over the years. Exhibitions change regularly, so a return visit often feels new, and the museum offers tours and programs. The galleries are manageable in size, and the ocean view from the terrace and the dining room gives you a break from the art.
Opening hours are Thursday to Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm, with the museum closed Monday to Wednesday and on holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. General admission is charged with reduced rates for residents, students, educators and seniors, and free entry for visitors 25 and under, members, military, SNAP/EBT cardholders and others, plus free days on the second Sunday and third Thursday of the month. Free lockers, a calm room and wheelchairs on request are available.
Plan to pair the visit with La Jolla village, the cove and the sea lions, which are within walking distance. Parking in La Jolla is tight, so arrive early or use a garage a short walk away. Contemporary art is not to every taste, but the museum is welcoming to newcomers and the staff are happy to explain exhibits. Allow about ninety minutes, with extra time for the cafe if the weather is clear and the Pacific is putting on a show.
What to Expect
Format
Self-guided galleries of contemporary art with tours and programs, plus an ocean-view dining room and shop.
Best Time
Thursday to Saturday the museum stays open until 7 pm, and Thursday and Friday afternoons are usually quieter than weekends. Free days draw bigger crowds.
Duration
About ninety minutes.
Tips
Note the Thursday-to-Sunday schedule, check free-day dates, use the lockers and park early in La Jolla. Pair with the cove and village.
⚡ Quick Picks
Best For
Contemporary art fans and visitors spending a day in La Jolla.
Families
Works for older children and teens interested in art; the free admission for visitors 25 and under helps.
Couples
A stylish outing with ocean views and a stroll through the village.
Pair With
La Jolla Cove and Birch Aquarium are close by.
Time Needed
About ninety minutes.
Ready to book MCASD La Jolla?
Get Tickets →Frequently Asked Questions
Which days is it open?
Thursday to Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm; it is closed Monday to Wednesday.
Is there a free day?
Yes, admission is free on the second Sunday and third Thursday of each month, and for visitors 25 and under.
Where is it?
At 700 Prospect Street in La Jolla, on a bluff above the Pacific.
Is there somewhere to eat?
Yes, an ocean-view dining room called The Kitchen and a museum shop.
Is it accessible?
Wheelchairs are available on request and free lockers and a calm room are provided.
More San Diego Attractions
Browse all →
La Jolla Cove & Coast
A stunning pocket cove in upscale La Jolla — sea lions and seals lounging on the rocks, clear water for snorkeling and kayaking among sea caves, tide pools, coastal bluff trails, and a walkable village. Free to enjoy.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The public aquarium of the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography, perched on a bluff above La Jolla — ocean exhibits, a kelp-forest tank, seahorses, tide-pool touch experiences, and sweeping Pacific views.
Belmont Park
The 1925 boardwalk amusement park on Mission Beach — the wooden Giant Dipper coaster running since the Coolidge administration, free entry, ride-and-play passes, mini golf, laser tag, and the beach one boardwalk step away.