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Balboa Park Activity Center

4.2 (23 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 8:30 pm
Updated 2 months ago

Balboa Park Activity Center Photos

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Ping pong!
Louis P.

A pretty awesome spot in Balboa Park to get your ping pong, volleyball, or badminton on! The activity center is located across from the Veteran's Memorial (park there), the main museums, and the zoo. There's a monthly schedule published each month with various times for different activities. The times are pretty similar each month though. The only downside is the activities aren't free; you have to pay a small fee each time or join the club. (Example - ping pong is $5 each visit or $50 a year!) Overall this place is great, clean, and fun. Aside from the price (the only con really), I'll be back!

Rented it for an hour for $25. We had a blast!!!

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5 months ago

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1 year ago

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7 years ago

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10 years ago

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Ask the Community - Balboa Park Activity Center

Is this currently a homeless shelter?

No, but they have a parking lot not too far from there that's designated a homeless shelter

My husband and I are coming into town and would like to play Friday....we are 3.3-3.5. Are there any drop in groups or another couple interested in playing? Paula from CO

Are you asking about Pickleball ?

Do you have Pickleball ? Can I walk in as a non member and play?

Yes and yes 11-2 T and Th

What's the level of play like for volleyball on Monday nights? Beginner, intermediate, or advanced? And how many courts are there? Thanks!

When do you have open gym for volleyball?

Monday's and Wednesday's, 5:30-8:30.

Is there volleyball on Sundays? It's my only day off :(

Sorry no. Volleyball is usually Monday's & Wednesday's from 5:30pm to close.

When is the volleyball open gym here?

Monday's & Wednesday's from 5:30 to 8:30pm.

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Review Highlights - Balboa Park Activity Center

This is a tremendous resource for locals (kids to seniors) who love badminton, table tennis, volleyball, or pickleball.

Mentioned in 11 reviews

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Balboa Park - Outside the Botanical Garden

Balboa Park

4.8(2.9k reviews)
0.3 miBalboa Park

The entire experience here was exquisite! I just wish we had gotten there earlier to explore some…read moremore. We paid for parking right in front of the Spanish Art Village and paid $10 for 4 hours. Spanish Art Village was beautiful. If you buy something, it goes directly to the artist whose studio you're in. The artists were sitting quietly and would talk to you about their art pieces and tell you a little about themselves. Everything in there was so cool. I was especially intrigued by the artist in Studio 21, he had these incredible three part paintings he does by hand and I've never felt so much emotion before by an art piece. I really wish I had the money for them because I really would've taken them home with me ;( The botanical building was stunning, it wasn't as big as I thought it would be but definitely beautiful! We also ended up visiting the Timken Art museum and the PostSecrets and Cannibalism exhibits within the last 15 minutes of them being open. Wish we got there earlier so we didn't have to speed through them, but staff was still really nice and everything was so interesting to look at! We went to Panama 66 for a quick drink and bite afterward. We didn't even get to explore the rest of it because the entire park is so expansive, but we will definitely be coming back to visit the rest. It's definitely a must for tourists, but I just know I'd be here every day lying in the grass and reading if I lived here!

Word to the wise, do your research and know where you're going beforehand. Unfortunately we just…read moredecided to come spur of the moment and didn't really know what we were doing. So apparently there are a lot of parking lots which are not free, $10 unless you're a native and have a pass. We found one lot, called lower inspiration that's free for 3 hours. Also, we didn't realize how big that place is, with so much to see! There are museums, places to eat, the zoo, a playground for kids and I'm sure so much more. The museums are not free, they do sell passes or individual tickets. It's a nice place to spend a day or even a few hours.

Photos
Balboa Park - Nativity Display

Nativity Display

Balboa Park - PostSecrets (artist invited people to write secrets on post cards, you could submit yours at the end too!)

PostSecrets (artist invited people to write secrets on post cards, you could submit yours at the end too!)

Balboa Park - 04-11-2025 Natural History Museum admission $24 adult, $14 child, $20 military

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04-11-2025 Natural History Museum admission $24 adult, $14 child, $20 military

Belmont Park

Belmont Park

4.0(931 reviews)
6.8 mi

I went in the giant dipper for the first time today!…read more The dark tunnel spooked me cuz I didn't know what was coming lol! I loved the first drop it was really smooth it was only the last few drops that was really shaky! Honestly I had to hover above my seat so I wouldn't be tossed on my friend lol! I scrambled off, and went another 3 times! I really recommend to ride it IF you don't have back problems because I got sore after riding it 4 times

Where do I start? I show up to purchase wristbands for myself and my 10-year-old and the cashier…read morewas very aggressive and intimidating. He shouted out the total for two wristbands and I let him know there was a different price online. He shouted out to purchase the wristbands online for that price. I walked away purchased the wristbands went back to pick up the physical wristbands. He scanned the barcode and put the wristbands on our wrist. And then with a smile said the list of rides that were closed. And then said " we are short staffed and due to that we do not have employees at the rides once they get here at 12:30 then you'll be able to get on the rides" I looked at my 10-year-old and said OK we'll go walk the beach and get a bite to eat until they open up. Guess what the staff never got there! Honestly, he thought it was funny when he told me that we weren't going to be able to get on rides until the other staff got there. There were a few rides like the mini dipper and the carousel. But who buys wristbands to get on a couple rides and then get on the bumper cart. If that's the case then I would've just bought individual tickets. LET YOUR GUEST KNOW AHEAD OF TIME IF YOU ARE SHORT STAFFED AND THE PARK WILL NOT BE RUNNING AS USUAL!! I had to keep looking for staff to let us on rides and then even then I wasn't able to get on every ride. I paid for a wrist band for myself and my daughter thinking that we were going to be able to enjoy the day but we were not. I do want to point out that I'm a single mom and low income and this was supposed to be something amazing for us. $100 to Belmont Park is absolutely nothing but for me it is. And just FYI, I a lot of people kept leaving the park upset. But for them, they didn't purchase wristbands. We waited till after 5 PM hoping that as the shift changed employees would come and open up all of the rides, but that never happened. I was hoping to get my money back for the wristband, but because the employee at the counter was so aggressive I was honestly afraid to go up and ask for a refund. I'm hoping Belmont Park will make this right and provide my daughter and I with an opportunity to return to Belmont Park at no charge to us and be able to get on the rides.

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Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park

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Civita Park - Basketball court! Can you make a basket?

Civita Park

4.6(173 reviews)
3.6 miMission Valley

Civita Park in Mission Valley has quickly become one of my go-to spots, especially since it's just…read morea short drive from home. It's super accessible with ample parking, and I love that there are multiple entry points and routes you can take depending on how long of a walk you're in the mood for. This park truly has something for everyone. There's a splash pad, basketball courts, a great playground for kids, and even a giant chess game, which is such a fun and unique touch. It's also an amazing place to walk your dog--I bring mine here all the time, and he absolutely loves all the open grass and the variety of paths we can explore. One of my favorite features is the set of stairs that lead up toward the residential areas and the dog park. If you take them all the way up, you're rewarded with really pretty views at the top, which makes the little climb totally worth it. Overall, Civita Park is clean, well-designed, and perfect whether you're looking to be active or just enjoy a relaxing afternoon outdoors. Definitely a Mission Valley gem!

Pros: Spacious, plenty of walking paths, with nice clean facilities, which include 2 family…read morebathrooms with baby diaper changing stations and several drinking fountains. There's also a row of small fountains for kids to play, run through and splash in. Cons: It's a really nice park ON A COOL DAY. Lately, with temperatures 10 to 19° above "normal average" - or maybe it's just the new normal - it's hard to recall the last time we got to experience a cool day. But here, the way the gazebos, tables, and benches are set up reflects a pretty severe case of denial that this is Southern California, and not quite within walking distance from the beach. It WILL get hot whenever it damn pleases, with or without notice. It did so in February already, in case you missed it. We came a few times for the farmers market. Both days were unfortunately " 80°F" her weather report, which in reality feels like 92°F, and we had to scramble to find a little bit of shade, so that we could eat our street food without passing out from heat stroke. We huddled awkwardly on the curb under a small tree. Other people passing by with food in their hands looked at us with envy. NOT A SINGLE PERSON sat on the readily available benches with tables, because they were in the blazing sun, yet lacked any shade. Never mind an umbrella, not even holes to put one in!! Denial much?? It's really sad, because it's a beautiful place. It just DESPERATELY needs more shade for the visitors to feel comfortable without clinging to trees or the bathroom walls.

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Civita Park
Civita Park - Tunnel Mural

Tunnel Mural

Civita Park - Tuesday Food Truck Night

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Tuesday Food Truck Night

Harbor Island Park - Harbor Island Park

Harbor Island Park

4.5(79 reviews)
3.6 mi

I love Harbor Island Park! Harbor Island Park is the stretch of land along the bay, just across…read moreHarbor Drive from the airport. In my opinion, it has one of the most beautiful views of the San Diego skyline. On a clear day, it is just gorgeous both day and night. There are sidewalks on both sides. Parking can be tricky on busy weekends. There is free street parking and there are free lots, but it is much easier during the week or off-season. Normally, you see fishermen, joggers, and people walking their dogs. There are restaurants, hotel resorts, and conference and event venues. Some of San Diego's best known restaurants are on the edges of Harbor Island Park. You can find some lesser known cafes hidden nearby. There are also some boating clubs along the way. For several years, my husband and I would make a picnic at this park and watch the Fourth of July fireworks. It is one of the best venues, if not the best, to watch the fireworks. I often go for runs or walking with my dog there. Also, it is one of my favorite places to take out-of-town friends to simply check out the view and sit on a bench for conversation. Public bathroom facilities are limited, possibly non-existent, so plan accordingly. All in all, Harbor Island Park is a must for both locals and visitors.

Hard A-port Park…read morelocated inside the Port of San Diego that has some nice features and amazing views. The Good: * As mentioned above, the views are second to none and it's a great place to catch a sunset. *Shoreline path for running and walking *Leashed dogs ok *Restrooms *If you plan on visiting, you really should try and make reservations at Tom Ham's Lighthouse restaurant located right on the shore. The Meh: *Not the biggest park in the world but the views make up for it. The Ugly: *Not a whole lot of shade either, so probably not a place to be during a heatwave. Conclusion: Great place to come check out the Ha'bor and soak up some vitamin sea.

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Harbor Island Park - Harbor Island Park

Harbor Island Park

Harbor Island Park - Harbor Island Park

Harbor Island Park

Harbor Island Park - Harbor Island Park

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Harbor Island Park

Balboa Park Activity Center - recreation - Updated May 2026

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