Museum of History and Art

Located in the little town of Coronado is
the Museum of History and Art. This museum, almost as tiny as this town is small, has some wonderful information about Coronado’s history.
In the midst of the shops and restaurants, we stumbled upon this gem. For a $ 5 entrance fee (children are free), we spent a bit more the an hour looking at the exhibits. Information about the town’s naval history, the resort The Del, and the main exhibit about James Stockdale (Medal of Honor Recipient) can be seen here.
The best part of our visit was the displays about the 1969 Navy Medal of Honor recipient, Admiral Stockdale. Besides seeing all the great information about his childhood and family, there’s also details about how he received his medal. The Admiral, who received this honor for his bravery during the 7 years he was held captive as a POW in Hao Lo prison in Vietnam, was truly a man of integrity.
While looking at the exhibits, a young man started talking to us about his hero, Admiral Stockdale. He gave us a brief history about this «great man» and told us how he had earned his Medal of Honor. He also mentioned that his hero’s statue was located right out in front of the Naval Academy in Coronado. Although we may not have had a tour guide, this was even better! It was nice to see someone so young who was so proud of his Naval heritage.
This is a fun way to see a bit about Coronado’s history. The old clothing, especially the Naval uniforms, the history about The Del, and seeing the actual 1969 Naval Medal of Honor, is a great way to learn about the history of Coronado!

Living in the D.C. area most of my life, they have spoiled me with the Smithsonian Museums. I guess, technically this is a museum, but I really like to spend more than just a few minutes. It should be free because there is really nothing to see.

The museum is small, but this is a small town. I think they did a good job of putting together a collection of artifacts, news reals, etc. on the Coronado Island history.
It’s a great place to cool just before lunch or dinner. Besides it’s FREE, and what can you find is southern CA that is free these days?
ans — not as much as we use to.

FURIOUS! When someone walks in to a business at 4:46 pm & you tell them it’s five o’clock, you don’t care about customer service or making money.
I have been trying to get over here to make a purchase before they close for a week. I finally make it inside & they tell me it’s five o’clock! It is NOT. If it was five o’clock, and the business was in fact closed, I would hope the doors would be locked!
This is the visitor’s center. The employees are the face of Coronado. Common courtesy should come first regardless.

Not sure I’d call this place a museum since the exhibits only take up enough space to fill two rooms. The museum’s main focus is the US Naval influence on Coronado and how Coronado came to be.
I particularly enjoyed the overview of «Tent City» and the history behind the design of the Coronado Bridge. Did you know that the bridge is curved in order to allow passage to commercial freighters and naval ships?
There is no entrance fee but donations are suggested.
It’s a neat place to spend a couple of minutes if you’re digesting a big meal or a bit early for an event at the Hotel Del Coronado. The gift shop is small and many of the items pertain to naval history.
At least they have a museum…

Coronado Historical Association. part visitors center (brochures + a lady to answer questions). part museum ($ 2 suggested, you put in a donation box). part gift shop (mostly trinkets– more fancy than touristy. i opted to get my touristy things at the drug store down the street.) shares the Big/​Old building with a restaurant. MUCH more History than Art. Small but Growing! Thorough & covers alot of diff. facets of the city. This is in the HEART of town! near everything! inc. all sorts of shops & the world famous Hotel Del Coronado which i learned (upon browsing the museum) is like thee place (the lady seemed unpleasantly surprised i didn’t know where it was, but anyway I didn’t know cuz I didn’t know much of anything about Coronado, but, now I know alot– thanks to this interesting collection! :)