Visiting MOPA


Located within Balboa Park at
1649 El Prado in San Diego, California


619.232.7931        INFO@SDMART.ORG

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Admission

Every visitor may visit the Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art (MOPA@SDMA) located in historic Balboa Park without paying a general admission fee through July 31, 2025, and can instead make a contribution to help support our mission to serve the broadest possible audience. Our suggested contribution is $10.

Admission price changes, including a new option to visit both our Balboa Park locations within seven days at a single, reduced cost, go into effect August 1, 2025.

    • MOPA@SDMA only: Adults $10 | Seniors $7
    • SDMA only: Adults $25 | Seniors $15
    • Bundled ticket (MOPA@SDMA + SDMA)**: Adults $30 | Seniors $20

Free general admission remains available at both locations for youth 17 & under, current students with ID, and military (active, retired, and dependents) with ID, plus one guest. Free admission to both museums is also available to all on the second Thursday of each month. Free admission to MOPA@SDMA is also available to Bank of America cardholders and over 225 museums and cultural centers around the U.S. on the first Saturday & Sunday of each month through their Museums on Us program. MOPA@SDMA is also proud to participate in the following programs: Blue Star Museums, San Diego Public Library’s Discover & Go, and Museums for All.

Information & Directions

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MOPA Guide

Women in Focus (On view through July 13, 2025)

Women in Focus (On view through July 13, 2025)

Women in Focus (On view through July 13, 2025)

Young Art (On view through May 18, 2025)

Young Art (On view through May 18, 2025)

Young Art (On view through May 18, 2025)

Young Art (On view through May 18, 2025)

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MOPA's mission is to inspire, educate and engage through the presentation and preservation of photography, film and video.

Parking                Things to Know

Parking lots are available along Space Theater Way and street parking is available along Park Blvd. Since parking may be difficult during peak times or during events, additional parking lots are located throughout Balboa Park.

A free tram service is available from the parking lots to various points throughout Balboa Park from 8:30AM - 6:00PM, with extended hours during summer months.

Service animals are welcome inside the museum in accordance with the ADA guidelines. Service animals must be on a non-retractable leash, less than six feet in length. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed.

Pencil and Sketchbook. You are welcome to sketch in the museum. We do ask that you use pencils rather than pens. Pencils and clipboards are available for loan for your convenience at the front desk.

Coat and Accessories Check: For your comfort, a Coat Check is available at the front desk to stow backpacks, oversized items, umbrellas and other objects not allowed in the galleries as space permits. We ask that you finish any food or beverages before entering.

The Whole Family. We want children to enjoy the galleries, and strollers are welcome throughout the museum. We invite them to talk, laugh and move around freely. However, running and other physical activity in which they can hurt themselves or damage the works of art are not permitted. Children must always be accompanied by an adult.

The Museum of Photographic Arts recognizes that we sit on the ancestral homeland of the Kumeyaay Nation, past and present. The Museum extends its respect and gratitude to the Kumeyaay peoples who call these lands home.

MOPA is now MOPA@SDMA!Learn More

MOPA is now MOPA@SDMA!

Welcome to the Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art!

As of July 1, 2023, the Museum of Photographic Arts and The San Diego Museum of Art have merged to become one unified institution. The Museum of Photographic Arts is now the Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art (MOPA@SDMA).

MOPA@SDMA remains a pay-what-you wish museum open Thursdays through Sundays 11:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you soon!