Museum of Photographic Arts

Business hours

Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The mission of the Museum of Photographic Arts is to inspire, educate and engage the broadest possible audience through the presentation, collection, and preservation of photography, film and video.

Since its founding in 1983, the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) has been devoted to collecting, conserving and exhibiting the entire spectrum of the photographic medium. The museum’s endeavors consistently address cultural, historical and social issues through its exhibitions and public tours.

The Museum of Photographic Arts is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member-supported, private, non-profit institution. Additional support for museum programs is provided in part by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation, the Weingart-Price Fund, the San Diego Foundation, Patrons of the Prado and the National Endowment for the Arts.

MOPA is located in Balboa Park in the Casa De Balboa building, east of the main traffic circle and central fountain.

Gallery Admissions:
$8 adults
$6 seniors and retired military
$5 students
FREE to members, active military & dependants, and children 12 & under
FREE to school groups with advanced reservation

San Diego Residents' Free Tuesdays
San Diego City and County residents and all active military members get in FREE, every 2nd TUESDAY of the month. Please bring your ID.

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Closed: Mondays, Martin Luther King Day, Thanksgiving Day, December 4 & 5, Christmas Day, New Year's Day

Holiday Hours: 10:00 am - 3:00 p.m.
(Inlcudes: President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve)

Heated smoking area No
Smoking porch No
Wi-fi No

Upcoming events at Museum of Photographic Arts

May POP Thursday At MOPA

Date Tomorrow, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Cost Free - $8 buy tickets
Age limit All ages
Event Cost Category

Picture Of The Year International Awards Ceremony

Saturday, Jun. 1
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. $10 - $15 Arts

Ongoing events at Museum of Photographic Arts

Event Cost Category

MOPA's 30th Birthday Celebration!

Every Sunday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. $1 Arts

MOPA's 30th Birthday Celebration!

Every Tuesday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. $1 Arts

MOPA's 30th Birthday Celebration!

Every Wednesday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. $1 Arts

MOPA's 30th Birthday Celebration!

Every Thursday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. $1 Arts

MOPA's 30th Birthday Celebration!

Every Friday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. $1 Arts

MOPA's 30th Birthday Celebration!

Every Saturday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. $1 Arts

Past events

Forgot your password?