San Diego Sheriff's Museum

Location: 2384 San Diego Avenue
Old Town Village, Old Town San Diego, CA (map)
Phone: (619) 260-1850
More info: : Website

Museum Highlights

The San Diego Sheriff’s Museum traces the history and evolution of our current police force in San Diego.

Visitors will get both a historic and present day view of San Diego’s finest as they view the museum’s numerous informative exhibits.

Even before California was a state, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department was keeping the peace and protecting the city’s citizens. The museum honors all of the men and women who have served in the Sheriff’s Department throughout its history.

The museum contains an 1850’s cobblestone sheriff’s office complete with an original jail cell that can be compared to the modern day equivalent in the next room.

From the path, visitors can catch up to the present of law enforcement in San Diego by listening to live police radio calls, viewing a real sheriff’s motorcycle, robot, patrol car and even a bomb detection robot. A weapons gallery features a display of over 200 confiscated weapons.  Other galleries review other related areas of police work like exhibits on the courtroom, drugs and gangs and a special gallery that honors the special deputies who were killed in the line of duty. 

Every year, thousands of tourists visit the San Diego’s Sheriff’s Museum. Many of them are local students who come as part of the Old Town Cultural Historical Program. Students learn about the role of law enforcement in the San Diego community and crime prevention tips they can use to keep themselves safe. Each student is given Sheriff stickers and a child identi-kit to bring home to their parents.

A gift shop carried souvenirs and gifts to remember the trip by. The courtyard can be used for special events and has been used to host several law enforcement conferences.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free. The San Diego Sheriff’s Museum is supported by donations from the community.