AMAZING! I highly recommend this museum. It might be small but its jam packed with so many artifacts. Not only one of a kind cars, but so much more! We literally spent a couple of hours looking at all the displays and cars and Im sure that we only noticed 10 percent of the things available to see. A return visit is definitely in order, not only to see what we might have missed but to see the awesome family that runs it! I left feeling like a part of their family. J.A. Cooley himself reached his eternal reward a year ago, but his faithful daughter Carmen, her husband and her mom, the matriarch of the family keep things running. Carmens knowledge and enthusiasm is unmatched. She told us the story of each car and gave us hands on demonstrations of the old Edison Phonographs, compete with the vintage, crackly sound of technology 100+ years old.Everything in this museum has a story and theres more everythings than you can shake a stick at. Finally, a word about the train store located on the premises. Secretly its been my dream to have a model railroad layout. Looking at all the vintage trains and accessories available for purchase made me feel like a 56 year old kid in a toy store. I couldnt resist buying a few things just to display on a shelf.I hope you go and let the stories unfold before you. Cue up the old soundtrack to the Twilight Zone, youll be transported to a different time and a different place.

When in San Diego make sure to visit J.A. Cooley Museum. We had a blast yesterday with Carmen who has a wealth of information about the cars to a multitude of other collections not to be forgotten! This family owned treasure should be your next fun day out! Looking forward to our next visit! You’ll easily pass a few hours without knowing it!Thank you Carmen for all the 21st Bday special’s

I had a great time at this museum. They have 1 of 1 vehicles that you cant see anywhere else. If you take interest in old music, photography, or model trains, the J.A. Cooley museum is the place for you. you will find walls filled with old cameras. display cases full of old model trains. Dozens of old phonographs, most of which work. I was fortunate enough to hear a few of them and it was amazing. For $5 you cant go wrong. although Mr Cooley isnt around anymore, his wife and daughter still are and they know the history of everything in their museum, able to retell the history of various vehicles and notable moments in the vehicles life up to the day it was parked on the museum floor. I highly recommend going to this museum.

You must come here, what an amazing place!

The best car museum in San Diego, and they have way more than just cars! Cameras, toy trains, phonographs and other turn of the century technology. I love visiting here!

Amazing, a time capsule, must visit! rest in peace my friend.

The J A Cooley Museum is an amazing collection of automobiles, appliances, cameras, phonographs, photos and memorabilia gathered by its late founder Jim Cooley. Admission is a tiny $5.00. Located in the same space is the historic San Diego landmark store, Frank the Trainman. Rolling stock, track, accessories from model and toy railroading is, of itself, worth the stop. TIP: DONT DELAY! The Museum will be adjusting to Mr. Cooleys passing, at a time when land values in metropolitan San Diego keep skyrocketing.

We were surprised to find that this little place had such a nice and large collection of classic cars (and classic everything, model trains, music players, cameras). We were the only ones there and it seemed like it doesnt get a lot of traffic. The old couple there are the collectors and owners of the place. They sell books that theyve published on the various collections. The books have nice pictures and facts on the artifacts. Its definitely worth visiting this hidden gem.

What an amazing collection of classic and one of kind cars. Also includes an impressive collection of cameras, model trains, spittoons, typewriters, plus a band organ. Everything in the museum works. Incredible to experience.

My family and I had a wonderful time looking at the amazing collections of Mr. J.A. Cooley. It was so nice to meet the owner at the entrance, and greeted us and welcomed us in his museum...It is by far my favorite museum!

Awesome small Museum, well worth the visit

Mr Cooleys museum is one-of-a-kind. Private collections this impressive are rare: antique automobiles (the kind Jay Leno would love to own), toy trains, phonographs, lamps, telephones, spitoons, clocks, and you name it! The best part is, a visit costs only $5 per person, and the museum is lovingly attended daily by Mr Cooley himself and his wife, who will both regale you with stories about each item and how they acquired it. The highlight for me was an Edison prototype wax cylinder player, or maybe even the phonograph that once belonged to JP Morgan himself. But for many, the highlight will be the 1885 Benz Patent Motor Car, which the owner brags is original. Its what might simply be called the first ever automobile, and its hiding in plain sight right here at an unassuming strip mall in San Diego. Go for the history, and stay for the cool stories. A great place for kids to learn, but make sure they look and dont touch. Theres lots of fragile on display. If youre nice, Mr Cooley will probably play one of the phonographs for you. Do remember to bring quarters to feed the meters out front for parking.

Its kinda cool. Run by Older Guy

MUST SEE!!!The collection of rarities and 1-of-a kind cars is remarkable. The collection encompasses much more than antique cars.Take the time to talk to the owner and ask him questions!

For car, model train and camera buffs

A must go place for the history of all things technical before TV and computers when visiting San Diego. Near many great restaurants in Hillcrest and Balboa Park, too. Dont miss this gem of a museum!

Very interesting collection, and Mr. Cooley has a story about everything in the museum, so set aside some time to ask questions!

A Unique Museum that gives you History! An undiscovered Gem!

This is a fun place to see when in San Diego.

Nice to visit

Must see

Visiting San Diego? YOU GOTTA SEE THIS PLACE!