The San Diego Natural History Museum is about to give us access to something we’ve never seen before—the hidden world of scientific discovery happening right beneath our feet. The new Tom Deméré Paleontology Center is opening soon and we’re already planning our visit to see what goes on behind the scenes at one of our favorite Balboa Park destinations.

What’s Waiting in the Basement

Amazement in the Basement isn’t just a clever name—it perfectly captures what awaits us in The Nat’s newly opened lower level. We’re talking about a state-of-the-art collections space and active fossil processing lab where we can watch scientists cleaning and preparing fossils in real time.

The paleontology collection room houses more than 1.5 million specimens from our region, giving us a peek into the incredible diversity of life that once called San Diego home.

But fossils are just the beginning. The exhibition features eye-catching taxidermy, drawers filled with colorful insects, preserved snakes, interesting skulls and shells, plant pressings from the museum’s herbarium, and specimens of all kinds.

It’s like getting VIP access to the museum’s treasure vault, complete with stories about medical discoveries and conservation projects that started right here in these collections.

Five Floors of Wonder

With this new addition, The Nat now offers five full floors of exhibits, making it an even better destination for those weekend Balboa Park adventures. What we love most is how the space invites us to think like scientists as we navigate the galleries.

It’s not just about looking at specimens—it’s about understanding the process of scientific discovery and connecting with the researchers who make it happen.

Summer of Wonder Perks

The Paleontology Center opening kicks off The Nat’s Summer of Wonder, and the additional programming makes this the perfect time to rediscover the museum.

Friday nights just got more interesting with Nat at Night—half-price admission after 5 PM, plus rooftop access where we can enjoy sunset views, TGIF cocktails, and small bites from Wolf in the Woods.

New this year, that rooftop access extends to weekends, too. Saturday and Sunday visitors can head up for fresh air and sunny views of Balboa Park, though the food and drinks are Friday exclusives.

Animal encounters on Saturdays include birds of prey alongside the usual Living Lab favorites, and two new films—Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope and Animal Kingdom—are now screening in the Giant Screen Theater.

More Than Just Exhibits

The museum’s reimagined atrium houses some exciting new additions that enhance the whole experience. The Craft Taco brings authentic San Diego flavors with their fusion approach, while Gold Leaf offers a curated selection of nature-focused home goods and unique gifts.

These aren’t just afterthoughts—they’re thoughtful additions that make The Nat feel like a complete destination rather than just a museum visit.

The hands-on activities throughout summer include nature studio sessions, gallery sketching, and Nature and Me Storytime for families. Museum-trained naturalists lead interactive learning sessions that bring the collections to life in ways that lectures never could.

See you there!

Five floors of natural wonder await, with scientists working behind glass and fossils telling ancient stories.

📆 Tom Deméré Paleontology Center opens Friday, June 6
📍 1788 El Prado, San Diego
🎟️ Included with museum admission | Nat at Night: Half-price Fridays after 5 PM | Get your tickets here
ℹ️ More info here

See you there, San Diego!