Our Guide to Balboa Park

City Park, colloquially known as Balboa Park, has been charming locals and tourists since 1868. The park covers 1,200 acres in the heart of San Diego, making the 865 acres of New York’s Central Park seem tiny. Something many admire about Balboa Park is the scenic plant life, spearheaded by Kate Sessions, "The Mother of Balboa Park." Within the park you'll find lily ponds, water fountains, botanical gardens and more. 

When the park was created, City Park was chosen as its epithet to support the growing urban life of San Diego. However, the park was renamed shortly after in memory of the first explorer to discover the Pacific Ocean, Vasco Nuñez de Balboa. This name was fitting due to San Diego's rich Hispanic culture and history. 

If you've visited Balboa Park, you've defiantly noticed the array of museums and innovation centers. Balboa Park is home to more than 15 museums and exhibitions for everyone of all ages and interests. With organizations like the San Diego Natural History Museum and the Air and Space Museum, Balboa Park displays the past while exploring the future.

The picturesque California Building is home to the Museum of Man and the world famous Tower. The baroque style carvings that adorn the building were designed by architect Bertram Goodhue in 1915 for the Panama California Exposition. Made to complement the Mission De Alcala and Presidio of San Diego, Goodhue stuck to traditional Hispanic details. Connecting the north side of the building to the south side is the St. Francis Chapel. The historical busts on the walls were made by the Piccirilli brothers, Italian marble artists. On the facade of the building you’ll find two coats of arms, Mexico on the left and California on the right. Though connected, the California Tower is a completely different entity with unique architectural details. The architecture is Spanish, but the details exhibit the colors of Mexico. The magnificent dome holds glass beads, sparkling tiles and royal blue tints. This tower has been recognized by the Library of Congress and is included in the National Register of Historic Places. Today you can climb the tower and take mesmerizing photographs.

The California Tower isn't the only talk of the park; at the center of the park you’ll find the Botanical Garden Building. This ornate building serves as sanctuary to over 2,000 plants. Its stunning facade has made it an icon in most depictions of our city. The touch and smell garden inside the building allows for visitors to interact with nature and cultivate a greater appreciation for our earth, while the fountain and lily pond out front breathtakingly reflect the building.

If you're in the mood for a bike ride, head down the Japanese Friendship Garden path. This piece of heaven began as a tea house in the 1900s and now cultivates interest in Japanese cultural and natural history. Within the garden is a koi pond and exhibit house. Not only is it the perfect meditation spot, its also a place where you can learn the art of sushi making and calligraphy. 

Speaking of bike rides, the friendship garden is one of many destinations you can visit on your two wheeler. Beginning in Golden Hill, this 6.8 mile trail brings you through canyons and past a number of museums. Or explore the Park Boulevard Trail, where you can run along the steep hillside by historic buildings. Sixth and Upas is the third trail which you can climb to overlook the beautiful gardens of Balboa Park. You'll run through pine, oak and palm trees along your excursion.  

The Spreckels Organ Pavilion, donated by John D. and Adolph Spreckles, is also a nice slice of history, housing the world's largest outdoor pipe organ. Stop by the pavilion on Sundays for a free concert. Bring along your picnic basket and bottle of Pinot! If you get hungry, check out The Prado. This restaurant is so beloved it even serves guests in the San Diego airport.

What makes Balboa Park an even better destination? It's next-door neighbor is the world renowned San Diego Zoo. Here you can experience just about every continent without leaving America’s Finest City; endangered pandas, African elephants, Arctic polar bears and much more are only a golf cart ride away. If you're feeling extra adventurous, schedule a behind-the-scenes interactive experience. That baby tiger you've always wanted, you can have it... for about 5 minutes.

The events at Balboa Park are nonstop through every season. During the spring, drink a coconut and buy some nature-friendly products at the park’s extensive Earth Day celebration. Twilight in the Park offers a summer series of music, cinematic displays and extended museum hours. When the fall leaves turn and the nights get darker, the Haunted Trail at Balboa Park scares just about everyone. During the holiday season you can experience December Nights with cultural celebrations at the international cottages. 335,000 visitors wander about the park spotting Christmas lights, gift shopping, interacting with kid’s activities and much more during the holiday season.

Balboa Park captures everything that San Diego truly is: historical, enchanting, urban and innovative. There really is no better place to live, visit or explore.

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