Welcome

The San Dieguito Heritage Museum was founded in 1988 to collect, preserve and interpret the local history of the San Dieguito river area, including Leucadia, Encinitas, Olivenhain, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and Rancho Santa Fe.

The founders had deep roots in the local communities and cherished the uniqueness of the history in the area.

LIKE DEEP PIT BBQ?? COME TO THE 24TH ANNUAL DEEP PIT BBQ — BUY TICKETS NOW! ALSO ATTEND THE POETRY SLAM UNDER THE BIG TOP!

Come one, come all! On Saturday, May 19th from Noon to 4pm, at 450 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas, taste our delicious deep pit BBQ and engage in loads of other activities!

Click Here to Read More and Buy Tickets

On Friday, May 18th at 7pm, don't miss the Poetry Slam Under the Big Top at our museum property at 450 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas.

LEARN HOW PIONEER CHILDREN MADE THEIR OWN RAG DOLLS - AND YOU CAN MAKE ONE TOO! — FREE FAMILY ACTIVITIES AT THE SAN DIEGUITO HERITAGE MUSEUM!

Kids with Sign - History Rocks! Pioneer Rag Dolls The San Dieguito Heritage Museum now offers free hands-on history activities for families on Saturdays and Sundays, through June 2012.

Imagine yourself as a pioneer child and create your own rag doll!

The promise of a new life in the west led many pioneer families to brave the elements and risks of a treacherous journey. The experience was long and scary but children still did find ways to play and enjoy themselves. Without computers or video games, pioneer children had to use their imaginations to stitch their own dolls . . . Read More

classes

We offer a variety of San Dieguito History educational programs, including school field trips and girl and boy scout activities.

Read more for more details and about making a reservation...

Events

This year the Museum returns to its roots with the 24th Annual BBQ prepared in the traditional way, in a deep pit in the ground. Come to this delicious event on Saturday, May 19th from noon to 4pm on the museum grounds at 450 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas.

Also, attend the Poetry Slam Under the Big Top on Friday evening at 7pm on our museum grounds . . .

Encinitas rotary Wine Festival 2012

Save the date! It's the Encinitas Rotary 2012 Wine Festival on Saturday, June 12, 2012 at the Hamilton Children's Garden at San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas. . .

WOW! On Saturday, October 1st, thousands of people attended the 25th Birthday Celebration of Encinitas and our museum's 3rd Annual Lima Bean Cook-Off held on the museum grounds ...

Did you know that the museum has expanded its business hours. they are now Thursday through Sunday, from 12 noon to 4pm.

get involved

Share your love of local history and the heritage of the area and enjoy contributing to its celebration and preservation. Join the Creator's Club . . ..

There is a membership option that provides unique benefits. To learn about the Gold Key Program just click on DONATE on the Menu Bar.

Also, you have an opportunity to help the museum's Mainstreet project, which will provide much needed additional exhibit space.

Click here for Information about Mainstreet

history

Check out our latest Wendy Haskett story about Lola and our new page of links to interesting history articles relating to the San Dieguito area. . .

We have a new exhibit at the museum - Al's Barbershop, dedicated to what was once an Encinitas institution. Come see the exhibit and click below to read about its history . . .

The Roaring Twenties, Al Capone, the Valentine’s Day Massacre, Chicago, speakeasies and the Great Depression. What about Southern California . . .

If you are a surfer, ever wondered how surfing got started and how it developed in Encinitas? Click the link below to see a video ...