While I love going to the beach and the pool in the summer, sometimes I just want to stay clean and cool and embark on an indoor museum adventure. There are some exciting exhibitions currently on view, or that will be opening soon, at a variety of San Diego Museum Council member museums that I highly recommend visiting with your family this summer. Make a bucket list and try to visit at least half of these memorable and educational exhibitions, your kids will love you for it.

The list below is organized according to geographical region and closing date. If you are looking for a whole-day experience, then scroll to the end of the blog where you will find a list of curated day-trips that include a museum, restaurant for lunch, and a play destination. Have fun exploring museums this summer!

While a typical date might include dinner and drinks, why not opt for a more creative and playful day at one of the engaging museums San Diego has to offer? February is the perfect month to explore museums since it is Museum Month. All month long, over 40 museums offer half-off admission with a Macy’s Museum Month pass. Pick up your Museum Month pass at any San Diego county Macy’s store and let your adventure begin! Enjoy this list I compiled featuring 10 museums that have a romantic edge, location or host a Valentine’s Day event.

Museum Gift Shops are the perfect place to find that one-of-a-kind gift for someone special. Instead of fighting crowds at the mall this holiday season head to a museum to explore their enlightening exhibitions and unique items in their museum gift store. Each year I discover beautiful handmade scarves, jewelry, interesting books and educational children’s toys at a variety of museums. I have compiled a list of 10 museums that feature engaging exhibitions and have a well-stocked museum gift store.

You don’t have to be in Balboa Park to feel the buzz of the Balboa Park Centennial celebration. 2015 marks the 100 year anniversary of the Panama-California Exposition of 1915-1916, an international fair presented in one of the nation’s largest urban parks, San Diego’s Balboa Park. Museums and cultural centers all around San Diego are presenting exhibitions throughout the year honoring not only Balboa Park but also, the people that helped develop the city, and the artifacts that provide tangible evidence to our collective history. Enjoy learning about the cultural and artistic heritage of San Diego through these exhibitions. For additional information on Centennial celebration happenings and more details on the following listings visit http://celebratebalboapark.org/.

Museum Summer Camps provide a wonderful opportunity for kids looking to learn something new or to deepen their appreciation for and understanding of art, science, nature, history and more. If you are looking for the best age-appropriate summer camp for your little one then read below to learn more about what San Diego museums have to offer. From science and nature camps to art and discovery camps, these engaging programs will spark your child's imagination.

With 14 different San Diego museums offering summer camp in 2015 it may be challenging to decide which camp to select. The camps are listed according to geographic region from the earliest to the latest dates: Balboa Park; Downtown San Diego; South County; La Jolla; North County

California has one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world from the beaches to the desert. Second best to traveling around the state to experience these various habitats is a new permanent exhibition at the San Diego Natural History Museum (theNAT). Coast to Cactus in Southern California highlights how humans share space with nature through a dynamic array of native plants and animals, interactive play spaces and learning tools for all ages.

San Diego Museum Month is back this February and with it comes half-off admission to 45 diverse museums across the county. I am really excited to take advantage of this amazing promotion and experience as many museums as possible. From art and history museums to children's museums, here are some of the exhibitions I can't wait to explore with my family.

Blockbuster exhibitions recently opened at The San Diego Museum of Art and San Diego History Center (SDHC) in Balboa Park that provides the perfect balance of engaging art and interactive experiences perfect for the whole family. You are not going to want to miss Gauguin to Warhol: 20th Century Icons from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery at The San Diego Museum of Art, an exhibition that tells the story of Modern art through a survey of important works, and Ingenious! The World of Dr. Seuss at SDHC, an exhibit that features original works by San Diego native Dr. Seuss in a whimsical installation that kids will love. Gauguin to Warhol will be on view through January 27, 2015 and Ingenious! The World of Dr. Seuss will be on view through December 31, 2015.

Experience a world of wonders with hands-on activities for the entire family. Set sail on our Explore Discovery sailboat, experiment at our Magnification Station, and discover nature in our Children's Discovery Garden.

The Fleet Science Center connects people of all ages to the possibilities and power of science to create a better future. Explore interactive exhibits and an Diego's only IMAX® Dome Theater featuring fantastic films and stimulating planetarium shows.