This is a small museum with free admission. The artwork is very good, and audio tours are available for $3, or $5 for 2. These are always very helpful in explaining painters and paintings, as well as pointing out small details which can be missed when you just gloss over a painting. It's up to you whether you wish to... More

The first thing I love about the Timkin is its free.The second is huge display of Fine Art. It's amazing to see a collection like this so close to home.The people are super friendly and helpful. More

I was totally looked at like a vagabond when I walked in with my backpack. The museum was SMALL, had good pieces but just wasn't very inviting. No pics allowed, have to drop off your bags, just FYI. More

Free Art Museum in Balboa Park, Can't beat the price. More

Get out of the hot sun and crowds and see some very nice art here. Very helpful staff who explained the art and about the artists. No gift store, so asks the docents questions about the art. You can get real close and see the brushwork, strange how not everything is behind a rope. More

Small, and an older selection of religious art, not varying exhibits often enough. More

I love this museum. It is free and located next to the SD Museum of Art. Small and intimate, but they have interesting impressionist pieces and usually a good exhibit. They have a beautiful tree during the Christmas season. More

This is one of the few venues in Balboa Park that doesn't charge admission. I'm not sure I'd be a great fan if it did charge, but I go periodically and enjoy myself. The collection is small, but reasonably interesting. And it's such a treat to sit outside on the lawn and bask in the sunshine. More

There are wonderful expansive museums, like the Louvre. I enjoyed my visit, but it felt like "oh, another 16th century French work." That scale is challenging. The Timken, on the other hand, is constrained. There are just five rooms, each with about a dozen offerings: Russian icons, Italian, Dutch, French, and American. You could see everything in 1 hour, or... More