San Diego Automotive Museum

Guests visiting this car-enthusiast's haven can marvel at timeless automotive memorabilia and the 90 incredible vehicles on display, while enjoying rotating exhibits and shows like "Lowriders of Southern California", "Law Enforcement Vehicles", and "Cadillacs". Bring the whole family along, because the Automotive Museum is child-friendly!

Younger motor enthusiasts can experience sitting in a real racecar and climbing on a full-sized motorcycle, immersing themselves in authentic Americana.

Perhaps the most talked-about attraction of the San Diego Automotive Museum is the Fabulous $75,000 Car, a truly unique Cadillac containing everything one could possibly need for a cross-country road trip...including a toilet, a refrigeration, and yes...the kitchen sink. Learn about Louis Mattar, the entrepreneur behind this awe-inspiring car, who established a cross-country endurance record in 1947 by driving the car from San Diego to New York and back without stopping. His incredible trip totaled 6,320 miles and required him to refuel from a moving gas truck, even though his gas tank held 230 gallons. Still don't believe he could have done it without stopping? The car also featured a mechanism that allowed the tires to be inflated while in motion, hydraulic jacks that allowed the wheels to be changed while driving, and a movable platform that allowed for on-road maintenance. This incredible, albeit cramped automobile, is every car-lover's fantasy and is so worth the trip!

The San Diego Automotive Museum, dreamt up by renowned collector and racer, Briggs Cunningham, first opened its doors in 1988. Since then, it has become a world-class attraction for millions of local automotive buffs and tourists. Housed in a building constructed in 1935 as part of the California Pacific International Expo, this structure was only meant to be temporary. It still stands over 70 years later, and has been used for an array of purposes, from a Naval barracks to a dance hall. Its current purpose is by far the most unique, and the staff of the museum wouldn't have it any other way. Cars on display are lovingly restored and preserved by a dedicated team of visionary volunteer technicians, who work hard to make this a must-see attraction for anyone passing through the San Diego area.

Find out how the automobile has come to symbolize American progress and determinism as you meander through a maze of metal and horsepower at the San Diego Automotive Museum. Get yourself in gear for a visit to this one-of-a-kind museum that gives visitors a rare look into the world of automotive history and ingenuity.