History of Balboa Park
Thursday, September 4 | 9–10:30 AM
Take a relaxed stroll through Balboa Park with Ariel Hammond, Director of Research Library and Archives, and discover its rich past—from the 1915 Exposition to its role in WWII and Hollywood. Meet at the Organ Pavilion. Coffee and tea provided. Reserve your spot: rsvp@sdnhm.org or 619.255.0273.
Baja California Wine Country Tour with a Nat Scientist
Friday, October 24 | 8 AM-6 PM
Explore Baja’s biodiversity with a Nat scientist while enjoying wine tastings at three wineries and a delicious lunch. Discover Mexico’s wine country as you sample and compare wines from small, family-owned vineyards to large-scale producers, gaining insight into their distinct flavors and production methods. Cost: $450 per person (includes transport, lunch, tastings, and guided experience). Meet at The Nat. Reserve your spot: rsvp@sdnhm.org or 619.255.0273.
Birdwatching at San Dieguito Lagoon
Thursday, November 13 | 10-11 AM
Bring your binoculars and join Curator of Birds and Mammals Phil Unitt as we explore this protected ecological reserve, home to a diverse array of sensitive bird species. We will visit areas typically off-limits to the public. Meet at the Lagoon Viewpoint at Old Grand Avenue Bridge. Reserve your spot: rsvp@sdnhm.org or 619.255.0273.
Java with Judy
Wednesday, August 13, 2025, 9–10 AM
Please join us for an exclusive Leadership Circles event with The Nat’s President and CEO Judy Gradwohl and take a behind-the-scenes tour of our newest space, the Tom Deméré Paleontology Center, with Tom himself. You will have the opportunity to learn more about our paleontology collection, which spans millions of years and has the power to tell us about change over time in our region. As the oldest natural history collection in the southwest, it is an invaluable and irreplaceable resource for understanding our past, present, and future.
Java with Judy
Thursday, February 13, 2025, 9–10:30 AM
Join us for a special Java with Judy— Valentiens for Valentine’s! You will learn about A.R. Valentien’s beautiful paintings, celebrated for their accuracy, elegance and contribution to both art and botanical science. Join The Nat’s President and CEO, Judy Gradwohl, and Library Director, Ariel Hammond, for a special viewing of his work.
Explore San Diego with Museum Curators
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Join us for an exclusive day of hiking with two star curators from The Nat. Join Curator of Paleontology and Director of PaleoServices Dr. Tom Deméré for a morning walk at Torrey Pines Natural Reserve. Alternately, Curator of Botany Dr. Jon Rebman will be leading an afternoon hike at Mission Trails Regional Park.
Choose your adventure based on your availability, activity level, or desired scenery. You will have the opportunity to learn more about what makes our region so unique—from the cliffs along the shore that hold 48 million years of history in their strata, to the floristic biodiversity of the largest city park in California.
Invitations and more information will be sent to current Leadership Circles members. For more information on joining the Leadership Circles, please contact Alejandra Saavedra at asaavedra@sdnhm.org or 619.255.0273.