Location: Balboa Park
Top Things to do in Balboa Park
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What to do and see in Balboa Park, California (CA): The Best Nature & Parks
San Diego embodies laid-back California culture, complete with a Boardwalk, surfing communities, and outstanding Mexican food. Breathe in the fresh ocean air at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, then gobble down a fresh fish taco at a La Jolla seafood joint. The naval aircrafts at the USS Midway Museum will have you standing at attention. A free Sunday concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is the perfect way to unwind after a Saturday night bar-hop in the thumping Gaslamp Quarter.
Restaurants in San Diego
1. Balboa Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12,833 reviews
One of the most popular urban parks in the United States, this bucolic paradise is packed with an array of attractions, including the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
Reviewed By noeadventures - Los Angeles, United States
Who knew Southern California had an international-like escape. Old buildings and churches, open city squares for dining under umbrellas with fountains and birds, vendors, huge outdoor piano organ, church bells ringing, museums, botanical gardens, bridges, zoo, on and on and on and on...you could spend a whole day here easily. I felt moderately like I was back in Prague or Guatemala. Such a cool place.
2. San Diego Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27,804 reviews
The world famous San Diego Zoo is a non-profit wildlife sanctuary home to more than 3,500 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park. San Diego Zoo Global is a not-for-profit organization that operates the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, and the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy. The Zoo was founded on October 2, 1916, by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D. It currently has an 11-member Board of Trustees headed by Steven G. Tappan; and Paul A. Baribault is the president/CEO.
Reviewed By 333josephd - San Diego, United States
Great place to go for the day there is so much to see and do here lots of animals recommend definitely take the sky tram also take the bus to her first just to see where you want to go there are lots of cool shows to see we will definitely cover 12 miles or more walking around
3. Botanical Building and Lily Pond
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,076 reviews
Over 1,200 tropical and flowering varieties of plants are to be found beneath the domed, wooden-lath structure of the Botanical Building.
Reviewed By Bidule005 - France, null
In San Diego, we spent one afternoon in Balboa park, which is a beautiful 1,200 acre public park, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. We were amazed by the wonderful view of the Botanical Building with the Lily Pond in the foreground!!! In the Botanical Building, we saw many colourful fantastic collections of flowers, especially orchids, although there were also cycads, ferns and tropical plants and palm trees! Altogether, Balboa park is a green paradise in San Diego, with many activities for families and children!!!
4. Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By GlobalGypsy_13 - San Diego, United States
Where can you find variety of roses blooming year round? This Balboa Park garden is easily accessible from the main part of Balboa Park by a bridge near the Natural History Museum that goes over Park Ave. For a sight and smell break, take a short stroll in this well-maintained rose garden.
5. Desert Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By Cac1234 - Germantown, United States
The Desert Garden has a display of beautiful cacti of many species and sizes. Take a few minutes to stoll among the cacti or spend more time to watch the animals and birds that call this place their home. Conveniently located near the Natural History Museum just across the pedestrian bridge. When taking MTS bus #7 from downtown, it is on the right s few steps from the bus stop.
6. Sculpture Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 22 reviews
Bright iron sculptures twist up from the ground as if they were a strange new variety of plant life.
Reviewed By GlobalGypsy_13 - San Diego, United States
In the heart of Balboa Park art comes alive with 2 Niki de Saint Phalle pieces in front of the Mingei Museum and several modern sculptures in the patio area by the San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA). If you go through their outdoor café area of SDMA, you'll come to an open air grassy area with more modern pieces including ones by Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. So explore and enjoy -- it's free.
7. Japanese Friendship Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 339 reviews
Visit www.niwa.org/notices for the latest COVID-19 related updates. --- The Japanese Friendship Garden (JFG) is located within Balboa Park, San Diego. It is an expression of friendship between the city and its sister city, Yokohama. JFG is also known as San-Kei-En (Three Scene Garden) with its design based on the original principles of a Japanese garden while incorporating the elements of San Diego’s landscape and climate. With this in mind, JFG blends two different cultures and creates a unique experience that presents an atmosphere of elegant simplicity, quiet beauty, and interaction between humans and nature.
Reviewed By GlobalGypsy_13 - San Diego, United States
The Japanese Friendship Garden is one of my favorite places to visit in Balboa Park for quiet moments in their "meditation" room that overlooks the rock garden, a walk savoring the birds, butterflies, flora, 2 koi ponds, and one of their many activities, such as a gentle yoga class. The Spring 2019 Cherry Blossom Festival lasted for a week (not a weekend) and had food and many activities in addition to viewing the cherry blossoms in bloom. Whenever you go, do enjoy this tranquil garden in the heart of Balboa Park.
8. Alcazar Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 43 reviews
Formal garden patterned after the gardens of Alcazar Castle in Seville, Spain is known for ornate fountains and beautifully-colored Moorish tiles.
Reviewed By GlobalGypsy_13 - San Diego, United States
Alcazar garden, one of many pocket parks within Balboa Park, is located adjacent to the Mingei Museum. It usually has year round flowers blooming and a wondrous water fountain that muffles the noise from the adjacent parking lot and street on the other side. This quiet oasis in the heart of the park is definitely worth a visit and a photo or two.
9. Children's Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 16 reviews
Part of the larger San Diego Zoo, many exhibits here are kid-sized and kid-oriented with such features as an Animal Nursery and diaper-clad primates.
