The Mingei International Museum presents folk art, craft and design. The museum is large, clean, and beautiful with really well presented exhibits. It offers a variety of incredible works that are a testament to culture and the local community. The exhibits can evoke a beautiful feeling while providing education. Visitors can see an amazing, cute exhibit with diverse materials, a furniture exhibit, a very beautiful library, and a section for local kid artists. There is also an outdoor patio upstairs. The museum has a cool gift shop with interesting items and books, and a fantastic restaurant downstairs. The staff and docents are friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, and lovely, which can turn a good experience into a great one. It is recommended to check what exhibits are on before visiting, as sometimes they are changing over. One should definitely put aside one to two hours to see what the museum has to offer.
Had the best time visiting Minghei for the To Catch a Fish exhibit. The staff was lovely, the gift shop wonderfully curated and well priced, and the exhibit was stunning. Had a glass of wine next door and a trip to the botanical garden afterwards and it was the perfect day!
September 2026
Fantastic museum with unique folk art from around the globe. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated and very educational. Only knocked a star off because parking in Balboa Park is a hassle, but the museum itself is excellent.
August 2026
I always enjoy the art displayed at Mengei. No matter the content there is always wonder, education and new items to stir my interest into a new direction.
