Balboa Park – San Diego Air & Space Museum

Science, space and aviation history all unfold at the San Diego Air & Space Museum - California’s Official Air and Space Museum. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum houses a collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft from all over the world, including a working flying replica of Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, the actual Apollo 9 Command Module spacecraft and the only real GPS satellite on display in the world. View artifacts from the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and other aviation and space pioneers! The Museum also offers interactive exhibits including MaxFlight® and F-35 simulators, a fun kid-zone, 3D/4D movie theater plus dynamic, hands-on and ever-changing traveling exhibitions.

I talked to one of the employees at the front counter and said that I would be willing to buy two of every penny if he would let me into the museum to get them. He found me a visitors badge so I could go in.

Machine 2 located at the gift shop exit right across from the Admissions desk. Admission not required to access this machine. Cost per penny is 51 cents and you use your own coin. Designs are:
1) Bell Cobra helicopter,
2) Blue Angel F-18 Hornet fighter jet,
3) Apollo 9 Command Module,
4) Museum building with the SR-71 Blackbird that graces the entrance.

Machine 3 located in the last gallery room (G: Jet Age and Beyond) before entering the gift shop. This machine is only accessible if you buy admission to the museum. Cost per penny is 51 cents and you use your own coin. Designs are:
1) 'US Navy Blue Angles', Jet,
2) Lockheed a-12 Blackbird'.
3) Apollo IX, Capsule,
4) Museum round Logo.

Token Machine 1:(2017) is located in Hall D: Golden Age. It is against the wall that leads to the outdoor courtyard in the middle of the museum. Admission to the museum is required to access this machine. Designs all have Museum Logo on the back.
1) Straight out of Space'. two astronauts,
2) 'Failure is Not an Option!, NASA', NASA logo with saying.
3) 'P-51 Mustang', WW2 Fighter,
4) 'SR-71', Very fast spy plane.

Retired 1: The Spirit of St. Louis Machine has been removed.
Retired 4: 'San Diego Air & Space Museum; Leonardo Da Vinci'

8/17: Token Machine 1 added.

2/13/26: Machine 2 is by the entrance to the gift shop. Rolled great on copper.
Machine 3 is out of order and I was told it's in the back right now.
It now costs to park at Balboa park. $16 for the day, $10 for 4 hrs. JLT

10/15/26: Both penny machines in working order. Admission required to access Penny Machine 3 and Token Machine 1. BTF