About
What's better than a contemporary art museum at a bustling downtown trolley intersection?
A bigger contemporary art museum at a bustling downtown trolley and train intersection.
The museum of Contemporary Art just keeps getting bigger and better. Already a city favorite, particularly to young bohemians and the culturally rich, MCASD opened a third museum space across the street from its downtown building on Kettner Blvd.
Adding 30,000 square feet to its previous gallery space, the new site consists of the renovated 1915 Santa Fe Depot baggage building by Richard Gluckman and a brand new three-story structure. Check out Richard Wright's wall and glass drawings and Richard Serra?s giant steel blocks on the outside patio specially commissioned for the museum.
Amenities
Both museum locations have great gift shops. From '60s-style, colored plastic doll houses to lamp shades, frames, art, books, prints and frames to jewelry, journals and cards, these museum stores are great places to stock up on gifts and artsy, inspirational treats for your homestead.
Getting there
The museum of Contemporary Art San Diego actually consists of two sites: MCASD Downtown and MCASD La Jolla.
MCASD Downtown
The original downtown museum is located at 1001 Kettner and Broadway and is part of the Helmut Jahn-designed America Plaza, where the San Diego trolley makes a central stop. The cool, open and bright urban architecture of the downtown space is an appropriate change from the tourist-driven streets in the Gaslamp District.
Directions to the downtown museum:
Take I-15 S to 163 S. Then take the I-5 N exit toward 4th Avenue. Turn left on 4th Avenue, right on Broadway, and another right on to Kettner Blv.
MCASD La Jolla
MCASD La Jolla is located at the south end of coastal La Jolla, at Prospect and Silverado streets, and occupies the landmark Ellen Browning Scripps house, California architect Irving Gill's 1916 triumph. A late 1990s renovation resulted in open spaces and stunning ocean views.
Directions to the La Jolla museum:
From I-5, exit La Jolla Village Drive. Stay on La Jolla Village drive. Make a left on Torrey Pines rd., and than a right on Prospect Pl. Stay on Prospect Pl which turns in to Prospect St. The museum will be on the right hand side of Prospect St.
Tips & Suggestions:
Parking at MCASD Downtown is safely and conveniently located at the Five Star Columbia Garage, located at 501 West C Street, at Columbia. From I-5, head south on Kettner Blvd., to B Street. Turn left on B Street then turn right on Columbia. Drive one block, crossing C Street. The Five Star Columbia Garage entrance is on the right. Be sure to get your ticket validated at either the Jacobs Building front desk or 1001 Kettner front desk for discounted parking. Metered street parking is also available.
Try the Cafe at the La Jolla museum for lunch or an early supper before a film or performance. Reservations are not required.
Museum Cafe Hours:
Monday - Friday 11 AM - 3 PM
Saturday and Sunday 9 AM - 3 PM
More info
Admission is $10 and is good at all three sites for seven days. Free admission for ages 25 and under and $5 for Seniors/Military (w/ ID).
MCASD La Jolla
700 Prospect Street La Jolla, CA 92037-4291
858 454 3541 (24-hour recorded information)
Fully handicapped-accessible
Hours
11 AM - 5 PM Weekdays
11 AM - 7 PM Thursdays
11 AM - 5 PM Weekends
Closed Wednesday
MCASD Downtown
Jacobs & Copley Buildings and 1001 Kettner
1100 & 1001 Kettner Blvd. (between Broadway and B Street)
858 454 3541
San Diego, CA 92101
Fully handicapped-accessible
Hours
11 AM to 6 PM Saturday through Tuesday
11 AM to 9 PM Thursday and Friday
Closed Wednesday
Free public tours are available at all MCASD locations every Thursday at 6PM and Weekends at 2PM.To book a private guided tour, please contact the Education Department at 858 454 3541 x151 or e-mail education@mcasd.org. (Please remember to book your tour at least three weeks in advance.)
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