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Balboa Park Gardens are cultivated areas of Balboa Park in San Diego, California.
There are multiple individual gardens throughout the park, including Alcazar Gardens, the Botanical Building and Reflecting Pool, the Cactus Garden, the Casa del Rey Moro Garden, the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden, the Japanese Friendship Garden, the Marston House Garden, Palm Canyon, and Zoro Garden. In addition, the San Diego Zoo includes a noteworthy collection of plants.
A beautiful, sprawling landmark for our beautiful city. Built for the World Fair in the early 1900's, it boasts gorgeous architecture, amazing horticulture, delicious food and stunning artwork, both old and new. On the weekends, it's a great place for a stroll to see buskers and vendors. Tuesdays all have local-days for each museum, which allow to enter the chosen museum free of charge of you have an ID with a San Diego address. It's also home to the historic Old Globe theater, the World Beat center and seems to host all sorts of cool events. Just check their calendar. Whether you're a local or just visiting, Balboa Park is a must-see.
Nicolee WeaverMar 1, 2018
If you want a fun day that doesn’t cost much (or anything if you choose), this is the place to go. A lot of visual and audio stimulation. A lot of beauty and education. On a beautiful California day, this is such a wonderful place to go. A lot to do, a lot to see, wonderful shops, museums, gardens, places to enjoy a meal. Mariachi bands pop up out of nowhere and fill the air with a fiesta! The architecture of the buildings is amazing! A wonderful place for camera buffs. If you have young children, it’s an affordable way to spend an entire day and feel you’ve done something good with them. If you love the outdoors and exercise, there are many wonderful places to walk around. (There are also amenities available for those who have difficulty walking/moving around). There are bikes for rent if you prefer a bike ride through the acres of park area. If you enjoy learning, there are multiple museums. It really is a great afternoon for varying tastes.
Barbara KennedyFeb 25, 2018
A beautiful park filled with natural and man made wonders. I only spent about 3 hours there, but it seems like you could and should spend several days there in order to be able to appreciate all this park has to offer. And even after experiencing it all, it is a place worth going back time and again. I don't think you could ever get tired or bored with it. Meeting people, observing nature, enjoying the gardens and museums... something for everyone
Robert NiemeyerFeb 17, 2018
Add this park to your San Diego itinerary and plan to spend all day here! There are so many incredible things to do. We could spend more time here. We bought coffee at the local shops, explored the Spanish Art and international Village. We watched the international dance festival and heard the music on the gorgeous out door organ. Explored the botanical garden in the bird cage, meet Shakespeare, and spoke to many great people. Enjoyed lunch in the park from cafe in the park, which was both delicious and inexpensive! Plan a day here, those were just the free events.
Ashley IrvineFeb 13, 2018
Excellent! So many interesting options of places to see and interact with! It's beautifully maintained. Just the walking around is fantastic. Or you can visit the museums or check out any live events that are going on. It's a must visit place. Be prepared to spend a few minutes getting parking, otherwise it's a great time!
Zac RandazzoFeb 18, 2018
Simply beautiful! I love the International Village, where on the weekends you can visit tiny little museums of different countries of the world and sometimes try their food! I highly recommend the House of Ukraine (right next to the House of the U.S). It was recently redecorated and it is gorgeous! There are many places (museums, little botanical garden, etc) with free admission. Balboa Park is a gorgeous place even to simply take a walk in.
Masha FinleyMar 8, 2018
As a resident, I've always been proud of our gorgeous Balboa Park! We have amazing museums, a world famous zoo, and lots of cultural "houses" you can visit, all of which have lectures and/or workshops often. I love it here so much, I've worked at the San Diego Zoo, and now I volunteer at the Nat (the San Diego Natural History Museum). Whether you are a resident or just visiting, you miss out on a huge chunk of what makes San Diego great if you don't hit up Balboa Park for a minimum of a day (at least 2 if you hit up the Zoo as that takes a day by itself).
Jennifer CootwareMar 28, 2018
This is San Diego Smithsonian. So many incredible museums, International cottages ( very unique collection of cultural representation anywhere) and even Japanese and cactus gardens. If you are visiting San Diego and want to spend a wonderful Saturday or Sunday afternoon without spending any money take a stroll down Prado and visit houses of the Pacific relations. If you're there on Sunday afternoon between 2 and 3 p.m. you may even get lucky and get to see a free concert organized by one of the 36 International cottages represented there. And if you are around Labor Day weekend don't miss out on House of Ukraine's Festival on Sunday afternoon.
Mira RubinMar 10, 2018
I wish every city had a Balboa Park. I’ve lived many places and I can truly say it’s an experience you simply cannot get anywhere else. I love Balboa Park and everyone I know does as well. From the breadth and scope of this “park” to the million things to do to the incredible mix of international visitors, etc. It’s a truly unique place worth a visit and a great review.
Wes PimentelMar 29, 2018
This 1,200-acre park is the city's cultural hub. Balboa Park is a great place for a stroll, bike ride or picnic. Wander around the park's many gardens while admiring the intricate Spanish-Renaissance architecture that permeates the grounds. The Botanical Building is a great starting point in Balboa Park. The building is one of the most photographed places in Balboa Park and is one of the largest lath structures in the world. The famous botanical building features more than 2,100 permanent plants, including striking collections of tropical plants and orchids. The park also features a cactus garden, rose garden, a Japanese-style garden as well as a palm tree canyon, among many others.
drwaqar anwerApr 17, 2018
I absolutely love Balboa Park. It has plenty of beautiful sights to see from the architecture and plants to the birds and the fish. There is something for everyone at Balboa Park. Its is very family friendly and has plenty of things time keep the kids busy. The museums are world class and have tons of unique and interesting. The San Diego Zoo is world famous and located literally just to the right of the museums. I highly recommend you to to Balboa Park whether it be with friends and family, a run down its several walking trails, to workout, or just for lunch I highly recommend you go soon.
Sammy SepulvedaMay 1, 2018
This is a very great place. One must visit this place. Two of the restaurants here have absolutely classic and gorgeous lighting with ambiance. Wish to meet more socially active people, you can do that here. Museums and cultural house are really nice. Best place to have yourself photographer. For photograph, the best time is 5-7 pm.
Anantha KrishnanMay 4, 2018
Balboa park is a world class park. It has the greatest zoo in the world which is also a world class botanical garden with over 1 million species of plants. But that's not all...there are several museums more gardens including a fabulous Japanese garden that I highly recommend you take the free guided tour of so that you can understand it better and not just say oh yes it's beautiful. There is so much more to appreciate. You could easily spend a week exploring this park and still miss out on the treasures it holds it is that special.
James HendrixApr 8, 2018
Tuesday's you can get into a lot of places for free here and I really like that. I always throw a couple of bucks in the donation box because I do not mind supporting the park, that being said I am on a modest income so being able to see so much more is a wonderful opportunity. Also just walking around the park and appreciating the architecture and beauty is also a wonderful way to spend the day.
Joe JacobsenApr 24, 2018
Such a wonderful treasure! So many things to do! We love it for our little one, though. Fountains, play structures, paths to meander through! So many museums, endless things to do! Can't wait to come back again! Ample parking, lots of places to pick up a small bite to eat. Check out the Balboa Park Hopper pass (vs the city pass) esp. If you aren't planning on Sea world or Lego Land. Much better deal & you can buy one that includes the Zoo!
Angela VineMay 25, 2018
I was so happy that I brought my friends to visit the park we did not finish seeing the whole park but they had a great time many photo ops and unique buildings and statues and flowers. Wish that they had more water fountains and more places to stop and get directions other than the gift shop. I love the cactus garden and the Japanese tree should be a little bit more affordable. We still got to see a lot and the fountains we're awesome the day that we went the photo History Museum I think was free so that was a plus
Stephanie's ShenanigansJun 5, 2018
Take the 7 or 7a bus from downtown and get off at the pedestrian bridge for easy access. The rose garden is small, but very lovely and we'll maintained. They have some interesting varieties and hybrids. The botanical garden building is gorgeous! The interior was filled with a lot of plants, but it would have been nice if there were more flowers in bloom. It was very busy at 4pm (right at closing!), so the atmosphere was pretty hectic. I'd recommend trying to get in earlier in the day. I recommend that you visit the Panama 66 Cafe at the Timkin art museum next to the botanical gardens. You can borrow a blanket and enjoy your drink while sitting on the lawn of the sculpture park!
Melanie VartanianMay 12, 2018
Balboa park is such a great place. Definitely a must visit whether you're a local or just visiting. It's a beautiful and large park with lots of things to do, places to sit, cafes, and museums. There's events here from time to time, in the Fall there's the Zine fest where local artists all come together to showcase their art and sell it. My favorite part of the park is the museums, and it's nice they have Free Tuesdays for locals. The museums also have student and military discounts. There are lots of places to sit and spend time alone or with loved ones and it's very clean too for such a large area. Parking isn't too hard to find if you're not impatient.
Aly SMJul 1, 2018
It was my first time to Park after Dark on Fridays and it was great! Lots of groups relaxing on picnic blankets in the cooler evening weather and enjoying the huge variety of food available. Many people brought their the dogs out with their families, so it was fun for people and dog watching. Museums and restaurants are open so there's something for everyone. Great place to take visitors!
Melissa MoraJul 7, 2018
Amazing place. Definitely will go there when I visit SD again. There are 16 museums in total. You can get a multi pass fir all the museums or a daily pass for 5 museums for a cheaper price. After visiting the park we had a drink in a very nice restaurant and saw people dancing there with a live jazz band. It was phenomenal. I would recommend this place for everyone.
Özgen Sümer LacinJun 21, 2018
We visit Balboa Park every year, one of our favorite places in all of SD. The rose garden is beautiful as is the giant greenhouse. Museums are all fun, the museum across from the museum of my man changes exhibit every so often so we always check that. We even rented one of those shaded tandem bikes once. Hilarious. It was so fun. Definitely a SD staple when traveling.
Chloe WeeksJul 4, 2018
There's so much to enjoy here. First of all, the actual park with the playground is lovely. My children loved it so much more than other parks. There are also many adventures in the built out part of the park. The plant room (I forgot what it's called) is just stunning, although it can get slightly crowded in the summer. The bathrooms are clean enough to use, but they have a lot of room for improvement. Parking can be a pain, but it really depends on when you go. The food sold is very overpriced. I'm actually disappointed about that, because it's free to be there, and foot traffic is amazing, so I really wish snacks and drinks could be reasonably priced instead of theme park priced. Every time I visited a local musician was playing by the water, and it set a really nice mood. You might also catch a concert on the actual stage if you're lucky. Overall, I love spending the day here with the family. Just the free parts make it worth the trip.
Shalimar CaceresJul 14, 2018
You cant go wrong visiting Balboa, its got a ton going on. If your on a tight budget, there are gorgeous gardens and an amphitheater to enjoy to your heart content. Museums are numerous and all within walking distance. The best museum in the Air and Space Museum, a ton of cool artifacts. Balboa is also a very short drive to the USS Midway and the Gas Lamp District.
Erika BAug 6, 2018
I've been to San Diego many times and this weekend was my first visit to Balboa Park. It was absolutely beautiful. The ambiance of the architecture, the acreage of open fields and arboretums, as well as the musicians and artist that entertain the many guest from all walks of life. One must earmark at least a day if not two to take in the out side area, but also to tour the fantastic museums and theaters. This place is rich in history and a place for shear relaxation.
Thomas BrunhartJul 19, 2018
Loved this place! My mom took us here and we thought it was so beautiful! It looks like an old college campus! The architecture is gorgeous and the flower room is breathtaking. Very romantic. It's fine to walk by the coi pond and watch all the water color students paint. Loved it!
Katie HenryAug 5, 2018
One of the nicer city parks I have been to. There's an outdoor theater area, a museum and even a coupe of exhibits in the museum that kids can touch and climb on. I saw kids playing around on and in the "Nikkigator". There was a Subaru Ascent being shown to the public, good walking spaces, water fountains and overall a really nice vibe. The restrooms leave a lot to be desired but what are you gonna do. Not bad for public spaces. Parking seemed plentiful for the number of cars I saw plus it seemed just the right distance from the city.
Dinesh K. MadaanJul 30, 2018
A beautiful, sprawling landmark for our beautiful city. Built for the World Fair in the early 1900's, it boasts gorgeous architecture, amazing horticulture, delicious food and stunning artwork, both old and new. On the weekends, it's a great place for a stroll to see buskers and vendors. Tuesdays all have local-days for each museum, which allow to enter the chosen museum free of charge of you have an ID with a San Diego address. It's also home to the historic Old Globe theater, the World Beat center and seems to host all sorts of cool events. Just check their calendar. Whether you're a local or just visiting, Balboa Park is a must-see.
Nicolee WeaverMar 1, 2018
If you want a fun day that doesn’t cost much (or anything if you choose), this is the place to go. A lot of visual and audio stimulation. A lot of beauty and education. On a beautiful California day, this is such a wonderful place to go. A lot to do, a lot to see, wonderful shops, museums, gardens, places to enjoy a meal. Mariachi bands pop up out of nowhere and fill the air with a fiesta! The architecture of the buildings is amazing! A wonderful place for camera buffs. If you have young children, it’s an affordable way to spend an entire day and feel you’ve done something good with them. If you love the outdoors and exercise, there are many wonderful places to walk around. (There are also amenities available for those who have difficulty walking/moving around). There are bikes for rent if you prefer a bike ride through the acres of park area. If you enjoy learning, there are multiple museums. It really is a great afternoon for varying tastes.
Barbara KennedyFeb 25, 2018
A beautiful park filled with natural and man made wonders. I only spent about 3 hours there, but it seems like you could and should spend several days there in order to be able to appreciate all this park has to offer. And even after experiencing it all, it is a place worth going back time and again. I don't think you could ever get tired or bored with it. Meeting people, observing nature, enjoying the gardens and museums... something for everyone
Robert NiemeyerFeb 17, 2018
Add this park to your San Diego itinerary and plan to spend all day here! There are so many incredible things to do. We could spend more time here. We bought coffee at the local shops, explored the Spanish Art and international Village. We watched the international dance festival and heard the music on the gorgeous out door organ. Explored the botanical garden in the bird cage, meet Shakespeare, and spoke to many great people. Enjoyed lunch in the park from cafe in the park, which was both delicious and inexpensive! Plan a day here, those were just the free events.
Ashley IrvineFeb 13, 2018
Excellent! So many interesting options of places to see and interact with! It's beautifully maintained. Just the walking around is fantastic. Or you can visit the museums or check out any live events that are going on. It's a must visit place. Be prepared to spend a few minutes getting parking, otherwise it's a great time!
Zac RandazzoFeb 18, 2018
Simply beautiful! I love the International Village, where on the weekends you can visit tiny little museums of different countries of the world and sometimes try their food! I highly recommend the House of Ukraine (right next to the House of the U.S). It was recently redecorated and it is gorgeous! There are many places (museums, little botanical garden, etc) with free admission. Balboa Park is a gorgeous place even to simply take a walk in.
Masha FinleyMar 8, 2018
As a resident, I've always been proud of our gorgeous Balboa Park! We have amazing museums, a world famous zoo, and lots of cultural "houses" you can visit, all of which have lectures and/or workshops often. I love it here so much, I've worked at the San Diego Zoo, and now I volunteer at the Nat (the San Diego Natural History Museum). Whether you are a resident or just visiting, you miss out on a huge chunk of what makes San Diego great if you don't hit up Balboa Park for a minimum of a day (at least 2 if you hit up the Zoo as that takes a day by itself).
Jennifer CootwareMar 28, 2018
This is San Diego Smithsonian. So many incredible museums, International cottages ( very unique collection of cultural representation anywhere) and even Japanese and cactus gardens. If you are visiting San Diego and want to spend a wonderful Saturday or Sunday afternoon without spending any money take a stroll down Prado and visit houses of the Pacific relations. If you're there on Sunday afternoon between 2 and 3 p.m. you may even get lucky and get to see a free concert organized by one of the 36 International cottages represented there. And if you are around Labor Day weekend don't miss out on House of Ukraine's Festival on Sunday afternoon.
Mira RubinMar 10, 2018
I wish every city had a Balboa Park. I’ve lived many places and I can truly say it’s an experience you simply cannot get anywhere else. I love Balboa Park and everyone I know does as well. From the breadth and scope of this “park” to the million things to do to the incredible mix of international visitors, etc. It’s a truly unique place worth a visit and a great review.
Wes PimentelMar 29, 2018
This 1,200-acre park is the city's cultural hub. Balboa Park is a great place for a stroll, bike ride or picnic. Wander around the park's many gardens while admiring the intricate Spanish-Renaissance architecture that permeates the grounds. The Botanical Building is a great starting point in Balboa Park. The building is one of the most photographed places in Balboa Park and is one of the largest lath structures in the world. The famous botanical building features more than 2,100 permanent plants, including striking collections of tropical plants and orchids. The park also features a cactus garden, rose garden, a Japanese-style garden as well as a palm tree canyon, among many others.
drwaqar anwerApr 17, 2018
I absolutely love Balboa Park. It has plenty of beautiful sights to see from the architecture and plants to the birds and the fish. There is something for everyone at Balboa Park. Its is very family friendly and has plenty of things time keep the kids busy. The museums are world class and have tons of unique and interesting. The San Diego Zoo is world famous and located literally just to the right of the museums. I highly recommend you to to Balboa Park whether it be with friends and family, a run down its several walking trails, to workout, or just for lunch I highly recommend you go soon.
Sammy SepulvedaMay 1, 2018
This is a very great place. One must visit this place. Two of the restaurants here have absolutely classic and gorgeous lighting with ambiance. Wish to meet more socially active people, you can do that here. Museums and cultural house are really nice. Best place to have yourself photographer. For photograph, the best time is 5-7 pm.
Anantha KrishnanMay 4, 2018
Balboa park is a world class park. It has the greatest zoo in the world which is also a world class botanical garden with over 1 million species of plants. But that's not all...there are several museums more gardens including a fabulous Japanese garden that I highly recommend you take the free guided tour of so that you can understand it better and not just say oh yes it's beautiful. There is so much more to appreciate. You could easily spend a week exploring this park and still miss out on the treasures it holds it is that special.
James HendrixApr 8, 2018
Tuesday's you can get into a lot of places for free here and I really like that. I always throw a couple of bucks in the donation box because I do not mind supporting the park, that being said I am on a modest income so being able to see so much more is a wonderful opportunity. Also just walking around the park and appreciating the architecture and beauty is also a wonderful way to spend the day.
Joe JacobsenApr 24, 2018
Such a wonderful treasure! So many things to do! We love it for our little one, though. Fountains, play structures, paths to meander through! So many museums, endless things to do! Can't wait to come back again! Ample parking, lots of places to pick up a small bite to eat. Check out the Balboa Park Hopper pass (vs the city pass) esp. If you aren't planning on Sea world or Lego Land. Much better deal & you can buy one that includes the Zoo!
Angela VineMay 25, 2018
I was so happy that I brought my friends to visit the park we did not finish seeing the whole park but they had a great time many photo ops and unique buildings and statues and flowers. Wish that they had more water fountains and more places to stop and get directions other than the gift shop. I love the cactus garden and the Japanese tree should be a little bit more affordable. We still got to see a lot and the fountains we're awesome the day that we went the photo History Museum I think was free so that was a plus
Stephanie's ShenanigansJun 5, 2018
Take the 7 or 7a bus from downtown and get off at the pedestrian bridge for easy access. The rose garden is small, but very lovely and we'll maintained. They have some interesting varieties and hybrids. The botanical garden building is gorgeous! The interior was filled with a lot of plants, but it would have been nice if there were more flowers in bloom. It was very busy at 4pm (right at closing!), so the atmosphere was pretty hectic. I'd recommend trying to get in earlier in the day. I recommend that you visit the Panama 66 Cafe at the Timkin art museum next to the botanical gardens. You can borrow a blanket and enjoy your drink while sitting on the lawn of the sculpture park!
Melanie VartanianMay 12, 2018
Balboa park is such a great place. Definitely a must visit whether you're a local or just visiting. It's a beautiful and large park with lots of things to do, places to sit, cafes, and museums. There's events here from time to time, in the Fall there's the Zine fest where local artists all come together to showcase their art and sell it. My favorite part of the park is the museums, and it's nice they have Free Tuesdays for locals. The museums also have student and military discounts. There are lots of places to sit and spend time alone or with loved ones and it's very clean too for such a large area. Parking isn't too hard to find if you're not impatient.
Aly SMJul 1, 2018
It was my first time to Park after Dark on Fridays and it was great! Lots of groups relaxing on picnic blankets in the cooler evening weather and enjoying the huge variety of food available. Many people brought their the dogs out with their families, so it was fun for people and dog watching. Museums and restaurants are open so there's something for everyone. Great place to take visitors!
Melissa MoraJul 7, 2018
Amazing place. Definitely will go there when I visit SD again. There are 16 museums in total. You can get a multi pass fir all the museums or a daily pass for 5 museums for a cheaper price. After visiting the park we had a drink in a very nice restaurant and saw people dancing there with a live jazz band. It was phenomenal. I would recommend this place for everyone.
Özgen Sümer LacinJun 21, 2018
We visit Balboa Park every year, one of our favorite places in all of SD. The rose garden is beautiful as is the giant greenhouse. Museums are all fun, the museum across from the museum of my man changes exhibit every so often so we always check that. We even rented one of those shaded tandem bikes once. Hilarious. It was so fun. Definitely a SD staple when traveling.
Chloe WeeksJul 4, 2018
There's so much to enjoy here. First of all, the actual park with the playground is lovely. My children loved it so much more than other parks. There are also many adventures in the built out part of the park. The plant room (I forgot what it's called) is just stunning, although it can get slightly crowded in the summer. The bathrooms are clean enough to use, but they have a lot of room for improvement. Parking can be a pain, but it really depends on when you go. The food sold is very overpriced. I'm actually disappointed about that, because it's free to be there, and foot traffic is amazing, so I really wish snacks and drinks could be reasonably priced instead of theme park priced. Every time I visited a local musician was playing by the water, and it set a really nice mood. You might also catch a concert on the actual stage if you're lucky. Overall, I love spending the day here with the family. Just the free parts make it worth the trip.
Shalimar CaceresJul 14, 2018
You cant go wrong visiting Balboa, its got a ton going on. If your on a tight budget, there are gorgeous gardens and an amphitheater to enjoy to your heart content. Museums are numerous and all within walking distance. The best museum in the Air and Space Museum, a ton of cool artifacts. Balboa is also a very short drive to the USS Midway and the Gas Lamp District.
Erika BAug 6, 2018
I've been to San Diego many times and this weekend was my first visit to Balboa Park. It was absolutely beautiful. The ambiance of the architecture, the acreage of open fields and arboretums, as well as the musicians and artist that entertain the many guest from all walks of life. One must earmark at least a day if not two to take in the out side area, but also to tour the fantastic museums and theaters. This place is rich in history and a place for shear relaxation.
Thomas BrunhartJul 19, 2018
Loved this place! My mom took us here and we thought it was so beautiful! It looks like an old college campus! The architecture is gorgeous and the flower room is breathtaking. Very romantic. It's fine to walk by the coi pond and watch all the water color students paint. Loved it!
Katie HenryAug 5, 2018
One of the nicer city parks I have been to. There's an outdoor theater area, a museum and even a coupe of exhibits in the museum that kids can touch and climb on. I saw kids playing around on and in the "Nikkigator". There was a Subaru Ascent being shown to the public, good walking spaces, water fountains and overall a really nice vibe. The restrooms leave a lot to be desired but what are you gonna do. Not bad for public spaces. Parking seemed plentiful for the number of cars I saw plus it seemed just the right distance from the city.
Dinesh K. MadaanJul 30, 2018
A beautiful, sprawling landmark for our beautiful city. Built for the World Fair in the early 1900's, it boasts gorgeous architecture, amazing horticulture, delicious food and stunning artwork, both old and new. On the weekends, it's a great place for a stroll to see buskers and vendors. Tuesdays all have local-days for each museum, which allow to enter the chosen museum free of charge of you have an ID with a San Diego address. It's also home to the historic Old Globe theater, the World Beat center and seems to host all sorts of cool events. Just check their calendar. Whether you're a local or just visiting, Balboa Park is a must-see.
Nicolee WeaverMar 1, 2018
If you want a fun day that doesn’t cost much (or anything if you choose), this is the place to go. A lot of visual and audio stimulation. A lot of beauty and education. On a beautiful California day, this is such a wonderful place to go. A lot to do, a lot to see, wonderful shops, museums, gardens, places to enjoy a meal. Mariachi bands pop up out of nowhere and fill the air with a fiesta! The architecture of the buildings is amazing! A wonderful place for camera buffs. If you have young children, it’s an affordable way to spend an entire day and feel you’ve done something good with them. If you love the outdoors and exercise, there are many wonderful places to walk around. (There are also amenities available for those who have difficulty walking/moving around). There are bikes for rent if you prefer a bike ride through the acres of park area. If you enjoy learning, there are multiple museums. It really is a great afternoon for varying tastes.
Barbara KennedyFeb 25, 2018
A beautiful park filled with natural and man made wonders. I only spent about 3 hours there, but it seems like you could and should spend several days there in order to be able to appreciate all this park has to offer. And even after experiencing it all, it is a place worth going back time and again. I don't think you could ever get tired or bored with it. Meeting people, observing nature, enjoying the gardens and museums... something for everyone
Robert NiemeyerFeb 17, 2018
Add this park to your San Diego itinerary and plan to spend all day here! There are so many incredible things to do. We could spend more time here. We bought coffee at the local shops, explored the Spanish Art and international Village. We watched the international dance festival and heard the music on the gorgeous out door organ. Explored the botanical garden in the bird cage, meet Shakespeare, and spoke to many great people. Enjoyed lunch in the park from cafe in the park, which was both delicious and inexpensive! Plan a day here, those were just the free events.
Ashley IrvineFeb 13, 2018
Excellent! So many interesting options of places to see and interact with! It's beautifully maintained. Just the walking around is fantastic. Or you can visit the museums or check out any live events that are going on. It's a must visit place. Be prepared to spend a few minutes getting parking, otherwise it's a great time!
Zac RandazzoFeb 18, 2018
Simply beautiful! I love the International Village, where on the weekends you can visit tiny little museums of different countries of the world and sometimes try their food! I highly recommend the House of Ukraine (right next to the House of the U.S). It was recently redecorated and it is gorgeous! There are many places (museums, little botanical garden, etc) with free admission. Balboa Park is a gorgeous place even to simply take a walk in.
Masha FinleyMar 8, 2018
As a resident, I've always been proud of our gorgeous Balboa Park! We have amazing museums, a world famous zoo, and lots of cultural "houses" you can visit, all of which have lectures and/or workshops often. I love it here so much, I've worked at the San Diego Zoo, and now I volunteer at the Nat (the San Diego Natural History Museum). Whether you are a resident or just visiting, you miss out on a huge chunk of what makes San Diego great if you don't hit up Balboa Park for a minimum of a day (at least 2 if you hit up the Zoo as that takes a day by itself).
Jennifer CootwareMar 28, 2018
This is San Diego Smithsonian. So many incredible museums, International cottages ( very unique collection of cultural representation anywhere) and even Japanese and cactus gardens. If you are visiting San Diego and want to spend a wonderful Saturday or Sunday afternoon without spending any money take a stroll down Prado and visit houses of the Pacific relations. If you're there on Sunday afternoon between 2 and 3 p.m. you may even get lucky and get to see a free concert organized by one of the 36 International cottages represented there. And if you are around Labor Day weekend don't miss out on House of Ukraine's Festival on Sunday afternoon.
Mira RubinMar 10, 2018
I wish every city had a Balboa Park. I’ve lived many places and I can truly say it’s an experience you simply cannot get anywhere else. I love Balboa Park and everyone I know does as well. From the breadth and scope of this “park” to the million things to do to the incredible mix of international visitors, etc. It’s a truly unique place worth a visit and a great review.
Wes PimentelMar 29, 2018
This 1,200-acre park is the city's cultural hub. Balboa Park is a great place for a stroll, bike ride or picnic. Wander around the park's many gardens while admiring the intricate Spanish-Renaissance architecture that permeates the grounds. The Botanical Building is a great starting point in Balboa Park. The building is one of the most photographed places in Balboa Park and is one of the largest lath structures in the world. The famous botanical building features more than 2,100 permanent plants, including striking collections of tropical plants and orchids. The park also features a cactus garden, rose garden, a Japanese-style garden as well as a palm tree canyon, among many others.
drwaqar anwerApr 17, 2018
I absolutely love Balboa Park. It has plenty of beautiful sights to see from the architecture and plants to the birds and the fish. There is something for everyone at Balboa Park. Its is very family friendly and has plenty of things time keep the kids busy. The museums are world class and have tons of unique and interesting. The San Diego Zoo is world famous and located literally just to the right of the museums. I highly recommend you to to Balboa Park whether it be with friends and family, a run down its several walking trails, to workout, or just for lunch I highly recommend you go soon.
Sammy SepulvedaMay 1, 2018
This is a very great place. One must visit this place. Two of the restaurants here have absolutely classic and gorgeous lighting with ambiance. Wish to meet more socially active people, you can do that here. Museums and cultural house are really nice. Best place to have yourself photographer. For photograph, the best time is 5-7 pm.
Anantha KrishnanMay 4, 2018
Balboa park is a world class park. It has the greatest zoo in the world which is also a world class botanical garden with over 1 million species of plants. But that's not all...there are several museums more gardens including a fabulous Japanese garden that I highly recommend you take the free guided tour of so that you can understand it better and not just say oh yes it's beautiful. There is so much more to appreciate. You could easily spend a week exploring this park and still miss out on the treasures it holds it is that special.
James HendrixApr 8, 2018
Tuesday's you can get into a lot of places for free here and I really like that. I always throw a couple of bucks in the donation box because I do not mind supporting the park, that being said I am on a modest income so being able to see so much more is a wonderful opportunity. Also just walking around the park and appreciating the architecture and beauty is also a wonderful way to spend the day.
Joe JacobsenApr 24, 2018
Such a wonderful treasure! So many things to do! We love it for our little one, though. Fountains, play structures, paths to meander through! So many museums, endless things to do! Can't wait to come back again! Ample parking, lots of places to pick up a small bite to eat. Check out the Balboa Park Hopper pass (vs the city pass) esp. If you aren't planning on Sea world or Lego Land. Much better deal & you can buy one that includes the Zoo!
Angela VineMay 25, 2018
I was so happy that I brought my friends to visit the park we did not finish seeing the whole park but they had a great time many photo ops and unique buildings and statues and flowers. Wish that they had more water fountains and more places to stop and get directions other than the gift shop. I love the cactus garden and the Japanese tree should be a little bit more affordable. We still got to see a lot and the fountains we're awesome the day that we went the photo History Museum I think was free so that was a plus
Stephanie's ShenanigansJun 5, 2018
Take the 7 or 7a bus from downtown and get off at the pedestrian bridge for easy access. The rose garden is small, but very lovely and we'll maintained. They have some interesting varieties and hybrids. The botanical garden building is gorgeous! The interior was filled with a lot of plants, but it would have been nice if there were more flowers in bloom. It was very busy at 4pm (right at closing!), so the atmosphere was pretty hectic. I'd recommend trying to get in earlier in the day. I recommend that you visit the Panama 66 Cafe at the Timkin art museum next to the botanical gardens. You can borrow a blanket and enjoy your drink while sitting on the lawn of the sculpture park!
Melanie VartanianMay 12, 2018
Balboa park is such a great place. Definitely a must visit whether you're a local or just visiting. It's a beautiful and large park with lots of things to do, places to sit, cafes, and museums. There's events here from time to time, in the Fall there's the Zine fest where local artists all come together to showcase their art and sell it. My favorite part of the park is the museums, and it's nice they have Free Tuesdays for locals. The museums also have student and military discounts. There are lots of places to sit and spend time alone or with loved ones and it's very clean too for such a large area. Parking isn't too hard to find if you're not impatient.
Aly SMJul 1, 2018
It was my first time to Park after Dark on Fridays and it was great! Lots of groups relaxing on picnic blankets in the cooler evening weather and enjoying the huge variety of food available. Many people brought their the dogs out with their families, so it was fun for people and dog watching. Museums and restaurants are open so there's something for everyone. Great place to take visitors!
Melissa MoraJul 7, 2018
Amazing place. Definitely will go there when I visit SD again. There are 16 museums in total. You can get a multi pass fir all the museums or a daily pass for 5 museums for a cheaper price. After visiting the park we had a drink in a very nice restaurant and saw people dancing there with a live jazz band. It was phenomenal. I would recommend this place for everyone.
Özgen Sümer LacinJun 21, 2018
We visit Balboa Park every year, one of our favorite places in all of SD. The rose garden is beautiful as is the giant greenhouse. Museums are all fun, the museum across from the museum of my man changes exhibit every so often so we always check that. We even rented one of those shaded tandem bikes once. Hilarious. It was so fun. Definitely a SD staple when traveling.
Chloe WeeksJul 4, 2018
There's so much to enjoy here. First of all, the actual park with the playground is lovely. My children loved it so much more than other parks. There are also many adventures in the built out part of the park. The plant room (I forgot what it's called) is just stunning, although it can get slightly crowded in the summer. The bathrooms are clean enough to use, but they have a lot of room for improvement. Parking can be a pain, but it really depends on when you go. The food sold is very overpriced. I'm actually disappointed about that, because it's free to be there, and foot traffic is amazing, so I really wish snacks and drinks could be reasonably priced instead of theme park priced. Every time I visited a local musician was playing by the water, and it set a really nice mood. You might also catch a concert on the actual stage if you're lucky. Overall, I love spending the day here with the family. Just the free parts make it worth the trip.
Shalimar CaceresJul 14, 2018
You cant go wrong visiting Balboa, its got a ton going on. If your on a tight budget, there are gorgeous gardens and an amphitheater to enjoy to your heart content. Museums are numerous and all within walking distance. The best museum in the Air and Space Museum, a ton of cool artifacts. Balboa is also a very short drive to the USS Midway and the Gas Lamp District.
Erika BAug 6, 2018
I've been to San Diego many times and this weekend was my first visit to Balboa Park. It was absolutely beautiful. The ambiance of the architecture, the acreage of open fields and arboretums, as well as the musicians and artist that entertain the many guest from all walks of life. One must earmark at least a day if not two to take in the out side area, but also to tour the fantastic museums and theaters. This place is rich in history and a place for shear relaxation.
Thomas BrunhartJul 19, 2018
Loved this place! My mom took us here and we thought it was so beautiful! It looks like an old college campus! The architecture is gorgeous and the flower room is breathtaking. Very romantic. It's fine to walk by the coi pond and watch all the water color students paint. Loved it!
Katie HenryAug 5, 2018
One of the nicer city parks I have been to. There's an outdoor theater area, a museum and even a coupe of exhibits in the museum that kids can touch and climb on. I saw kids playing around on and in the "Nikkigator". There was a Subaru Ascent being shown to the public, good walking spaces, water fountains and overall a really nice vibe. The restrooms leave a lot to be desired but what are you gonna do. Not bad for public spaces. Parking seemed plentiful for the number of cars I saw plus it seemed just the right distance from the city.
Dinesh K. MadaanJul 30, 2018
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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