The Firehouse Museum
The Firehouse Museum
4.5
Thursday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Little Italy
How to get there
- Santa Fe Depot • 8 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
31 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
11
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
traveltheworld012
Rochester, MN13,849 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
While in San Diego, as my wife was attending a conference, I found this museum online. It was a short walk from the harbor area hotel in the Little Italy area. On Saturday, November 18, 2023, I walked on over. It did not open until 10AM, so I hung around. A young guy drove up exactly at 10AM and unlocked the place. I was the first customer. $3 admission it was very well worth it. I would have paid $10. This museum is chock full of everything associated with city firefighting in an original old firehouse. Old firetrucks and equipment dating back to before 1900. This is a small place, but there is so much to see, one could spend 2 or 3 hours easily to see it all. Some people came and went, spending maybe 15-20 minutes. I was here over 2 hours. There is also a room with little kids toys (firehouse related) to keep them occupied. A restroom also available. I highly recommend this museum if you have a firefighting interest.. take a look at my photos.
Written January 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pioneer37274
San Diego, CA1 contribution
This place is simply amazing! Along with the wonderul exhibits, they have moving photographs and fabulous employees! I am never going to forget Pete! He is the most adorable man! He knew everything and is just so sweet! This place is a must see for everyone!
Written September 3, 2002
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BosleyJay
Sugar Land, TX98 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
As members of a Fire Department support association in our home town, we always look for Firehouses/museums to visit. This one is very conveniently located to Little Italy. Manned by volunteers who are ready to talk and help, there are trucks and many pictures of San Diego history. Small admission fee is worth it and take your time to wander around.
After the museum,it is a short walk to the main fire house if you want to seethe “working” part of the fire department.
After the museum,it is a short walk to the main fire house if you want to seethe “working” part of the fire department.
Written February 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SanDiegoNick
San Diego, California225 contributions
The San Diego Firehouse Museum is located in the Little Italy section of downtown San Diego. There are firefighting memorabilia dating back 100 years inside this small, compact museum. The museum is open only a few hours each week, and the entrance fee is only a few dollars per person. Best check its website for additional details before heading over there.
Written September 6, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bucketlist698
Canberra, Australia165 contributions
Apr 2017
Saw this and decided to check it out. This does have a range of equipment dating back years with old fire engines, extinguishers and large number of helmets. It is well kept and is good for a visit without needing a firemans background. There is a place for children to dress up as a fireman.
Written June 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TraveledViking
San Diego, CA932 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
This museum is a fantastic place to discover some of San Diego's history and the story of the fire department. The vintage fire trucks and memorabilia do a great job paying tribute to the history and to the 9-11 attacks. You will NOT find any museum or attraction in San Diego that charges just $3 like this!!! The staff are retired Firefighters who volunteer and have TONS of stories of the fire department and the history of the city.
It's a great setting with the historic fire station, and a nice break if your at the Little Italy Farmers Market. It's right on the corner in the middle of the market and is a good opportunity to change gears and get out of the sun (and find a bathroom) while learning some great history!
A San Diego and Little Italy must do!
It's a great setting with the historic fire station, and a nice break if your at the Little Italy Farmers Market. It's right on the corner in the middle of the market and is a good opportunity to change gears and get out of the sun (and find a bathroom) while learning some great history!
A San Diego and Little Italy must do!
Written June 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RG O
SANIBEL77 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
The Firehouse Museum is not huge and will not take all day. I spent about an hour there and I was the only tourist at the time. The volunteer attendant did an excellent job. He went about his business after welcoming me but he was also very attentive to me each time I diverted him from his work to ask questions. One of the enjoyable things for me was I saw items that I've never seen before in a fire museum.
Very enjoyable to me, I'd be happy to go back again.
Very enjoyable to me, I'd be happy to go back again.
Written July 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
claireleefl
Winter Springs, FL1,318 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
Wonderful museum to visit with children. Vehicles and equipment from earliest eras of fire fighting are displayed along with many vintage photos and other memorabilia. The children loved being able to climb on a couple of the newer trucks and ring some of the bells. Their imaginations were in high gear as they pretended to be en route to a fire. A small room in the back has kid-size fire hats, outer pants and jackets they can try on, a vintage phone where they can "call in" the fire, a simple structure they can pretend to fight a fire in as well as posters and information on fire safety.
Written July 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great-Flying-Owl
Pawleys Island, SC265 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
I've been coming to the San Diego Firehouse Museum once in a while since the late 1960's. It is a gem of a museum located inside what was once San Diego's Engine 6 quarters and Repair Facility. When my children were young is was easily worth a visit once or twice a year. As an adult I still visit from time to time when I have a bit of free time and am in the area.
Written January 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SDHydro
San Diego60 contributions
May 2014 • Family
If you are like me and have the greatest respect for firefighters (if not you should) the next time you are in Little Italy in San Diego you should stop by for a visit. They have great displays of the history of the fire service in San Diego with several vintage trucks engines as well as uniforms, and sliding poles. The memorial to the firefighters who we lost in 9/11 is respectful and touching.
They have limited hours so check the website. There is a small fee but it is well worth it. So, if you are in San Diego next Saturday go to the Little Italy Farmer's Market and when you are there stop at the museum.
They have limited hours so check the website. There is a small fee but it is well worth it. So, if you are in San Diego next Saturday go to the Little Italy Farmer's Market and when you are there stop at the museum.
Written May 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingThe Firehouse Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Firehouse Museum
- The Firehouse Museum is open:
- Thu - Fri 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Sat - Sun 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near The Firehouse Museum:
- (0.08 mi) Urban Boutique Hotel
- (0.14 mi) Carte Hotel San Diego Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton
- (0.10 mi) Sonder The State
- (0.13 mi) Best Western Plus Bayside Inn
- (0.13 mi) La Pensione Hotel
- Restaurants near The Firehouse Museum:
- (0.01 mi) Cafe Guadalajara
- (0.03 mi) Queenstown Public House
- (0.03 mi) Breakfast at Stephanie's
- (0.10 mi) Salt & Straw
- (0.07 mi) Pappalecco