San Diego County Sheriff’s Museum

Location: Old Town (4 Miles North of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: 10AM – 4PM (Closed on Sundays and Mondays)

Cost: Free

Features: Historic Relics from Early Lawmen dating back to 1850; Behind the Scenes Look at the Sheriff’s Department, including the Police Academy and SWAT

San Diego County Sheriff’s Museum Highlights: The San Diego Sheriff’s Department originated in 1850, the year California became a state. Since that time, many artifacts of police enforcement have been collected and are now on display in this Museum. Relics include an 1861 Colt Navy revolver, 1877 Smith & Wesson, 1886 Winchester, and a sub-machine gun. In addition, there are exhibits honoring fallen heros and the history of over 150 years of San Diego law enforcement.

You will also get a behind the scenes look at a variety of law enforcement activities. You can start by watching a video of an actual sheriff’s department morning briefing. This is followed by exhibits about the Police Academy, SWAT, Search & Rescue, Bomb Disposal Unit, equipment used in police cars and helicopters, a crime scene mock-up, and a model courtroom.

Plan on spending an hour in the Sheriff’s Museum. There are two floors of exhibit space. The first video monitor you see will provide an overview of the Museum. You will also find a knowledgeable volunteer to answer questions as well as a souvenir shop with a number of police department collectibles, hats, and shirts.

Information on Visiting The San Diego County Sheriff’s Museum

Admission Prices / Sheriff’s Museum:

Parking is Free
Entrance to the Museum is Free

Directions from Google Maps to 2384 San Diego Avenue in San Diego, CA 92110. (Four Blocks Southeast of Old Town San Diego Historic State Park.)

Parking – There is no parking lot for the Sheriff’s Museum but there is free street parking. It is also an easy walk from the Old Town State Park.

Traffic – It is relatively easy to reach Old Town since it is close to both the I-5 and I-8 freeways. Traffic on the I-5 is not bad in this area. You will have some heavy delays if you need to head east on I-8 during the evening rush hour. There will also be a slight delay if you need to head west on I-8 to the end of the freeway during the evening rush hour. (Learn how to get the latest traffic updates.)

Transit – The Sheriff Museum is six blocks southeast of the San Diego Trolley stop at the Old Town Station. It is served by the Blue and Green Trolley lines. (See San Diego Transit Information for information on using an online Transit Planner that will plan your route to Old Town or to print out a Trolley Schedule.)