Museums & Galleries in Fountain Valley

The Science of…Aliens exhibit has crash-landed at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, offering thrilling glimpses into humanity's long-held belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life forms. The exhibit is split into four star-gazing sections, each offering different POVs on ETs. "Alien Fiction" celebrates sci-fi classics, with movie props and other items detailing our fascination with silver-screen space-dwellers and its connection to ancient mythology, while "Alien Science" covers alien-looking creatures living on planet Earth, such as deep-sea fish and Lady Gaga. Explore two fictional but scientifically credible alien planets—Aurelia and Blue Moon—in the "Alien Worlds" section of the exhibit, or pen a personal love note or jury summons to residents of neighboring galaxies with "Alien Communication."

Among its four facilities in La Jolla and downtown San Diego, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego houses more than 4,000 works made since 1950. Head here and you can explore everything from Pop Art and minimalism of the 1960s and 1970s to conceptual pieces from the last half-century, headlined by contemporary-art luminaries such as Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei.

Major figures aside, the MCASD strives to spotlight mid-career artists still looking for their big break, as well as pieces by Latin American artists and emergent talent. Between the museum's collection and rotating exhibitions, there are galleries that accommodate paintings, photographs, films, and multimedia installations. Outside both locations, there are more site-specific installations and sculptures by artists such as Richard Serra and Marcos Ramírez ERRE, whose father created the Caps Lock on the day his son was born.

There’s more to the place than its exhibits: the museum engages visitors with events and programs such as art-making sessions and artist lectures. Held three evenings a year, the Thursday Night Thing series includes talks, hands-on activities, live music, and cocktails, all based on the latest museum exhibits.

The membership includes the following:

The Gamble House was constructed between 1908 and 1909, an astonishing achievement designed by the brother-architects Greene & Greene for Mr. and Mrs. David and Mary Gamble of the Midwest. Built as a retirement sanctuary, the estate exemplifies architecture's Arts and Crafts movement through its incorporation of natural materials, handcrafted detail, bold aesthetics, and ample googly eyes. One-hour guided group tours lead keen-eyed spectators through the inspired views of the exquisite abode. Knowledgeable guides illuminate the natural beauty of the spacious yards and gardens and describe the cultural and architectural context of the stunning interior.

Pacific Asia Museum, which first opened its doors in 1971, is one of four U.S. institutions dedicated to the multilayered arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Immerse yourself in the multihued surroundings during the Fusion Fridays premiere, taking in more than 15,000 pieces of historical art dating back more than 4,000 years while sipping on a cocktail, nibbling gourmet nosh, and celebrating the museum's 40th birthday with complimentary cupcakes. Boogie-worthy tunes and lessons in Bollywood and belly dance abound as partygoers and ancient statues try their hips at shimmying moves. Don snazzy cocktail attire or your best museum hat while mingling among permanent collections, which include more than 800 Japanese, Chinese, and Pacific Island graphic-art prints inspired by culture, politics, religion, and scenes from Ghostbusters.

Chula Vista Nature Center provides guests with dozens of ways to encounter the birds, marine life, and other organisms that call the refuge home. Visitors can pet gentle rays or admire preening sea turtles before visiting the underwater discovery center to spy on majestic sea horses, spotted octopi, and exploding ants. Outside, 1.5 miles of walking trails lead out to the shore of San Diego Bay, offering convenient stops at native-plant gardens, Raptor Row, Eagle Mesa (home to majestic bald and golden eagles), and a shorebird aviary. Among the many native water birds and shorebirds housed by the aviary are light-footed clapper rails, one of California's most endangered bird species.