Our Mission

The San Diego Chinese Historical Museum is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to collect, preserve and share the Chinese American experience and Chinese history, culture and art to educate the community and visitors. The museum was founded in 1996, by the San Diego Chinese Historical Society under the leadership of its first three presidents: Sally Wong, Tom Hom, and Dr. Alexander Chuang. Charles Tyson donated the museum's current building, originally a Chinese mission located at 645 First Avenue, and in 1991, the City of San Diego graciously provided a piece of land in the original Chinatown area where the museum now resides.

Since opening, the museum has presented more than 39 exhibits highlighting the rich tradition of Chinese culture and history in San Diego and the world. The Museum also features a library of books on Chinese culture and a tranquil garden with koi pond.

Annual and life-time memberships are available to the Society and Museum. As a privately funded, nonprofit organization, the Museum depends upon the generosity of its members. See our members page for more information on becoming a member.

Check out our Surf n' Share program. It highlights articles and sites on the internet that we think will be of interest to our members. If you'd like to add to the list please contact the museum.

Awards

Multicultural Heritage Award (1999)
Award for Historic Preservation from the U.S. Congress of History (1997)
Orchids Award for Historic Preservation (1996)
People in Preservation Award (1996)

Driving Directions


Map of 404 3rd Ave
San Diego, CA 92101-6803

From The North Coastal
South on 5 to Front St. EXIT
Front St. to Market
Left on Market to Third Ave.
Right on Third Ave.
Go two blocks to J St.

From The North Inland And The East Via The 8 FWY
South on 15 to 163
Continue south on 163 to Park Blvd/Fourth Ave. EXIT
Turn left on Fourth Ave. to Market
Right on Market for one block to Third Ave.
Left on 3rd Ave.
Go two blocks to J St.

From The SD International Airport
Exit Airport to Downtown
Harbor Drive to First Ave.
Left on First Ave. to Island
Right on Island to Third Ave.
Right on Third Ave. for one block to J St.

From The South
North on 5 to J St. EXIT
West on J St. to 3rd Ave.

From The East Via The 94 FWY
West on 94 towards downtown,
which becomes F St.
Continue on F to Fourth Ave.
Left on Fourth Ave. to Market
Right on Market to Third Ave.
Left on Third to J St.

Parking & Trolley

Two-hour metered parking is available in front of the museum. Parking lots are located nearby:

2nd and J Street

6th and Island

6th and Market

The Convention Center Station (the orange line) is two blocks southwest of the museum.

Asian Restaurants Near By

Chinese Food:
Panda Inn: Fine Mandarin Cuisine
Horton Panda Inn
506 Horton Plaza (on the top floor)
(619) 233-7800

Blue Ginger: Fine Chinese Cuisine
715 4th Ave San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 888-0007

Gen Lai Sen - Kakar Style
1065 12th Avenue (8 blocks from the museum)
(619) 239-5478

Other Asian Cuisine:
Sushi Bar Nippon
532 Fourth Avenue

Taka Sushi
555 Fifth Avenue

Royal Thai Restaurant
461 5th Avenue

Octopus Garden
314 5th Avenue