Balboa Park is so beautiful and serene. It is filled with gorgeous architecture, historic buildings and lovely gardens. It is the most picture perfect spot and I really enjoyed walking around here. My favorite spot was the reflecting pool in front of the Botanical Building. It is so picturesque and peaceful. I even spotted a cute little turtle right by the pond. Visiting Balboa Park was a wonderful way to spend the day exploring. It is definitely a spot where I could easily spend several hours . There's plenty to discover here! read more

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My wife wanted to stopped by here the moment we arrived to San Diego. We been here before like five years ago when we first started dating. There different parking lot you can park at but I chose the parking lot near the Organ Pavilion area. Since we came before lunch time, I was able to find a good spot and you'll have to pay for parking here. My wife wanted to check out the Botanical Garden building first and then we went to the Art Center so my wife can shop over there. We also saw a long line of people looking to buy plants at Casa Del Prado. We didn't stay long because the sun was starting to come out and our daughter was getting fussy. read more

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Balboa Park is one of my favorite places to visit in San Diego. Every time I come down here to visit my daughter who is studying in San Diego, I try to stop by if I have some free time just to walk around and relax. This place is more than just a park. I really enjoy the beautiful gardens, historic buildings, and unique Spanish style architecture. The area around the California Tower is especially beautiful. Walking around here and taking in the peaceful atmosphere is always a nice experience. I usually park in one of the parking lots inside the park (around $10). If you are lucky, you may find free parking in the surrounding areas, but honestly, parking can be difficult, especially on busy days. What I like most about Balboa Park is that you don't need to visit all the museums to enjoy this place. You can simply walk around, enjoy the gardens, take pictures, and relax. One thing to keep in mind is that the park is very large. If you don't plan ahead, you may end up walking more than expected. But that is also what makes this place special , every visit gives you a chance to see something different. read more

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We had some time to kill and decided to go hangout at Balboa Park. This place is huge! Something to do and not spend an arm and leg while in San Diego. Free parking in the lots, if it's full just drive around. There's a huge lot in the back as well. Lots of cathedral building, reminds me of a mission. There's vendors selling souvenirs, accessories, hats, food, and beverages. Restaurants and church as well to check out. Also the Japanese garden for a fee. read more

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I absolutely love the atmosphere at Balboa Park. There's something truly special about this place that is hard to put into words. Whether you're visiting one of the museums, taking a leisurely stroll, enjoying the gardens, or simply exploring, you can always find yourself in awe of the incredible views and beautiful surroundings. From the unique architecture and historic buildings to the botanical gardens, museums, restaurants, and charming little cafés, there really is something for everyone. Every corner seems to offer another beautiful backdrop or something interesting to discover. It's also an amazing place for photography--whether you're taking wedding photos, professional pictures, or simply capturing memories with family and friends. The architecture, greenery, and warm tones throughout the park create some absolutely gorgeous backgrounds. Hands down, San Diego has some of the most beautiful parks, and Balboa Park is definitely one of those places that deserves to be experienced. The people working throughout the museums, restaurants, and cafés also add to the overall experience and make it worth stopping by. You can spend a few hours here or an entire day and still feel like there's more to explore. If you're in San Diego, Balboa Park is a must-see! read more

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Beautiful park in San Diego, CA! This is a huge park, lots of walking but well worth all the views. There is a botanical garden they do charge and it is a bit costly. The park itself is so big so I did not pay for the Japanese garden although it did look beautiful. There are several restrooms, clean. There are also several shops for souvenirs and food. read more

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Balboa Park is always such a great place to get away and enjoy a relaxing walk. There's just something so calming about being here. The park is beautifully maintained, and everything feels clean and well cared for. The newly renovated botanical garden is especially peaceful and definitely worth visiting. It's also a great place to bring kids they'll love seeing the turtles, fish, and ducks around the park. There are plenty of vendor stands to check out as well, making it easy to spend a few hours exploring. Whether you're looking to unwind, enjoy nature, or spend quality time with family, Balboa Park is always a wonderful destination. read more

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This place is stunning so many great museums. The botanical garden was recently redone and it is gorgeous. The plants were a little small I visited, but I'm sure next year they will be huge. The architecture alone in Balboa Park is worth a visit. On the weekends there's tons of little vendors around. If you're looking for a good lunch, you can go to the Prado or for a little fancier option the restaurant at the. Menengi museum. read more

Balboa Park - Museums Near Me - San Diego, California

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Our fourth stop on our tour was this beautiful park. We had about 45 min at this location. We didn't really get to explore much in this area due to the time and also how hot it was. Will denfinelty need to revisit this place again. read more

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I have so many fond memories of Balboa Park and I look forward to making more, from Halloween parties at the San Diego Air and Space Museum and my friend's wedding to exploring Spanish Village Art Center for the first time, visiting the Botanical Building, going to the Japanese Friendship Garden, discovering the museums, and experiencing December Nights. San Diego wouldn't be the same without this beautiful landmark! read more

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I spotted this tree that spoke to me while riding on the way to breakfast at Hash House. After leaving breakfast, we came back to Balboa Park it was a peaceful and grounding experience before heading to the airport to return home. That moment honestly made me decide the park was a must-visit. I ended up stopping by afterward just to walk around, release some stress, and enjoy the calm energy. I even found myself just sitting in a tree, hugging two or a few, and taking in the quiet; especially in the Trees for Health Garden, which felt fitting for the whole experience. It was a simple but meaningful stop that added a peaceful pause to the end of the trip before heading back to the airport. I even met a squirrel that I chat with; I named him James. While I was chatting with him, he even place his paw on his chest as if he was asking me "are you speaking to me?" It felt great speaking to my own little grandma Willow tree moment. read more

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Spent about an hour in Balboa Park after landing in San Diego, and I'm glad we made the stop. We parked at the Lower Inspiration Point parking lot for free, and the shuttle arrived within 5 minutes to take us to the main entrance. Our driver was nice enough to give us a short tour on the way, which was a nice touch. We ended up seeing the Botanical Building and lily pond area, and both were lovely and picturesque. I honestly felt like I was in Europe with the architecture of the buildings. Next, we made our way to the Spanish Village Art Center, and it felt like I had stepped into a movie set, very surreal and colorful. I would highly recommend Balboa Park for any first-time visitors to San Diego! read more

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We were very happy with our experience our dogs were able to attend and we walked around at our leisure and was able to see a lot. There is definitely something for everyone. It is very kid friendly for kids that behave. We just need to take care of places like this so everyone may enjoy it. read more

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Is the parking situation at Balboa Park resolved yet? I really enjoy coming here, but having to pay $10 to park alongside the street is pretty ridiculous. I came during the orchid show and really loved looking at all the exotic breeds. This was something that my mom and I enjoyed doing, and I haven't been here in a long time. Balboa Park is really beautiful and there is so much to see. The gardens and museums are all worth visiting. Put on some comfy shoes and be prepared to walk! read more

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Balboa Park is easily one of my favorite outdoor spots in San Diego and, in my opinion, one of the best urban parks in the country. There is SO much to do here, and the park is absolutely stunning and very well maintained. When living downtown, I was here pretty much every weekend. I love walking through the park, running the trails, and bringing my dog. The dog park is huge and gives them plenty of room to run around, which is a major plus. You could easily spend hours just walking and exploring everything Balboa Park has to offer. Between the trails, architecture, museums, gardens, recreational areas, and incredible history, there is always something to see or do. Even after coming here so often, I still enjoy simply walking around and taking it all in. The history and architecture are really what make Balboa Park special. It's beautiful, full of character, and such an incredible part of San Diego. Whether you want to exercise, walk your dog, explore, have a picnic, visit a museum, or just enjoy being outside, this park has something for everyone. An easy 5/5 for me. One of the places that makes me love San Diego! read more

Word to the wise, do your research and know where you're going beforehand. Unfortunately we just decided 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. read more

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I have been to Balboa Park twice now, and there is still so much of it I haven't seen. The whole place is huge and packed with beautiful old buildings, museums, and open gardens. It is a really great spot to just walk around outside, and there is even an awesome dog park. You can easily spend an entire day exploring the trails and grabbing food from the carts without ever getting bored. read more

The entire experience here was exquisite! I just wish we had gotten there earlier to explore some more. 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! read more

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3/31/26 update: Balboa Park you have to pay for parking $10-16 depending on how long you want to stay. We paid $16 since we were also going to the zoo. $16 is for a full day. At Balboa Park, you have attractions like Cabrillo Bridge, California Tower that you can go up, Japanese Friendship Garden, Air and Space Museum, Automotive Museum, etc. Most of the museums are open from 10 am to 5 pm. You would have to look at each attraction to see what the admission is. We went on a Tuesday and the traffic was very congested just to get in one of the parking lots. They do have snacks and food here. read more

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A Beautiful Experience at Balboa Park! Balboa Park is truly one of the most beautiful places to visit in San Diego! We especially loved exploring the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages. The International Cottages are such a unique part of the park. Each cottage highlights a different country and culture, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about traditions, history, food, music, and so much more from around the world--all in one beautiful setting. We loved walking around, learning about the different cultures, and experiencing the welcoming atmosphere. It's a wonderful way to expose children to the diversity of our world and encourage curiosity and appreciation for other cultures. The beautiful architecture, gardens, cultural displays, and friendly volunteers made the experience even more special. It's definitely one of the areas of Balboa Park that shouldn't be missed! A wonderful place for families, culture lovers, and anyone who enjoys learning and exploring. Highly recommend adding the International Cottages to your Balboa Park visit! read more

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Balboa Park is currently the nation's largest urban cultural park at a size of 1200 acres. I would say that visiting this park is a MUST if you are in San Diego. My husband and I always have this place on our itinerary. You could easily spend an entire day here, as there is much to explore, including museums, performing arts venues, multiple gardens, recreation centers, and more. The iconic landmarks, stunning views, outdoor trails, and hidden historic gems will appeal to people of all ages. It is also great that this park is clean and well-maintained, making it enjoyable to walk around and take in the park's natural beauty. Because of how popular of an attraction this place is, I do recommend coming early to snag a parking spot before the lots fill up. read more

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There are 16 museums in Balboa Park, so you can be there all day and not see all of them. They had art vendors selling their stuff outside. I noticed there wasn't any security around, and there was a lady without a top walking around near the bathrooms. The public bathroom was horrendous, but that is a given that it would be dirty. They didn't have soap. We went to the Japanese Friendship Garden for $16 and had an amazing time walking around. The parking was easy, and you can pay at the machine. read more

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While visiting SD I stopped to take in some natural beauty. Balboa park houses 17 museums, the San Diego zoo and multiple gardens. I was awestruck by all the things to do and see! You definitely get your steps in here! They do offer museum passes if you'd like to see multiple in one day. Perfect for dates or group outings! read more

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Absolute GEM in San Diego. Balboa Park is certainly one of the most hyped places to visit when in San Diego and for good reason! Covering over 1k acres, Balboa park is one of the largest parks in America. Parking here is great, it's practically everywhere in many parking lots. They're mostly free, but there's some lots where it's paid or street metered. Still, it can be difficult to find parking due to how busy this park is. One of my favorite things about this park is the trails and gardens. It's seemingly endless, and most of the time, the plants and trees are in season, creating a pleasant vibe overall. Visiting Balboa Park whenever my wife and I are in San Diego has become a must, it's always nice to have a day where we can walk around and enjoy the scenic routes. Recommended parts to visit in/around Balboa Park include San Diego Zoo, Japanese Garden, flower trails, museums, and the fountain areas. You can plan your entire day around Balboa Park and it'll still be not enough to explore the entire park. Part of Balboa Park is San Diego Zoo which is another attraction to visit and also Japanese Garden (Paid). It's a good 30 minute tour of the Japanese Garden with a nice trail, lake area, and some historic decorations as well. I would say the Garden is worth only if you've never been, otherwise, it's pretty standard to other Japanese Gardens in the US. If you're visiting San Diego, Balboa Park is a staple and a must visit. read more

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Museums, trails, history and adventure. All available here. This park is more than swings and picnics. I didnt have time to get out and explore the sights yet I did enjoy a nice drive through the area. Plenty of signs, parking and options to enjoy. I haven't been here in years but the nostalgic experience is still dear to my heart. If you have time take a walk. Take in the sights and enjoy the history. read more

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I absolutely love Balboa Park. It's gorgeous to walk through. There are so many museums and a couple of them are free entry all the time (Timken Art Museum and Contemporary Art Museum). The rose garden and cactus garden are across Park Boulevard, it's adjacent to the zoo, there are so many walking trails and there are several restaurants in the park. Of the restaurants my favorite is Panama 66. I think it's a great vibe there, the menu is good and they have a large selection of craft beers. Plus they have a nice garden area in the back you can chill in if you don't want to sit in the typical table area. There are so many photo ops in the park if you are looking to get pictures done for something. I've taken photos of several people for different occasions and even professional photos. The pipe organ is one of the largest in the world and they do free concerts there in the summer. That's also where they light the Christmas tree for December Nights. And can we talk about December Nights for a minute? One of the coolest events in San Diego. Yes it's busy as hell and the parking for the event is expensive and chaotic. The key is to go in the afternoon about two or 3 PM and take the trolley to city College and then walk up the hill. You get there in time to actually enjoy the festival before it's overrun with too many people. All the museums are also open and free that night so if you go early enough in the day, you can get in them and really enjoy them. Also skip all the expensive food vendors in the middle and go to the International Village. The prices are reasonable and you get to support the international houses there. I do agree that the new parking situation at Balboa Park was rolled out horribly. Shame on the city of San Diego for making it such a mess. There was supposed to be a discounted fee for locals, but they made it so complicated that you couldn't even figure it out. Now they are opening up a few lots for free parking for the locals, but even that is being poorly communicated. I know they'll figure it out, but the growing pains are rough. I actually don't think it's a bad idea for them to charge for parking but I think it should be like a flat rate $5 or something like that. It takes an incredible amount of money for them to maintain the park and in order to keep the park nice and functional for the future they've got to raise some money somehow. read more

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This park holds so many adventures and trails that one could spend an entire day and still not see everything. From restaurants and cafes to the San Diego Zoo and Comic Con Museum considering Balboa Park home, you are sure to find something that speaks to you. One of my favorite areas is the rose garden and I love how you walk past the rather large fountain, take the bridge, and then get lost in the aroma. The stroll is so peaceful and it had me feeling calm. We walked from one end and found ourselves strolling across the area including the passing of the theater and tower. Take the time to research ahead of time and see what fancies you. It's worth a visit no matter if you are a local or visiting. read more

Balboa Park is huge, with lots to do. This park has everything from a zoo, garden, museums, water fountains, botanical conservatory, different exhibitions and much much more. Lots of walking , so wear comfy shoes ! Pay to park! A must visit when in San Diego! read more

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Balboa Park is one of my go-to spots whenever I'm showing non-San Diego locals around the city. It's such a beautiful and iconic area, and it's one of the best places to just walk around and spend the day outside. I really love the architecture, the gardens, and how much there is to explore. The botanical building is beautiful, as well as the reflecting pool. I really like how there are different museums that you can choose such as the Comic-Con Museum, Railroad Museum, and the Fleet Science Center. The only real downside is the new paid parking system. It used to be free but now it is not. While San Diego residents do get free parking by registering online, it's still a bit frustrating that visitors (or if you're not registered online) now have to pay. There is a tram that helps you get from the parking lots into the center of the park, which is convenient, but the added parking cost is a bummer. read more

Balboa Park - Reflecting pool - Museums Near Me - San Diego, California

Hot day in balboa park, but I had fun! I miss coming here all the time. We came to go to the natural history museum. We spent a couple hours there. Walked around the art studios. I really liked the cool rocks and the lady with the cat paintings. Then we walked to the botanical garden building. It was nice and cool and pretty in there. There's a lot of construction going around this area, including the natural history museum. The timken museum of art is free and they had a lot of cool old paintings. I bought some post cards in their gift shop. There's always a lot of things to see at this park to spend the day here. It just stinks that we have to pay for parking now. read more

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I love love this place. The architecture, the vibe, the museum. 10/10 perfect for photoshoot, a romantic date, hangout with family and friends. There is so much to do here so expect to spend at least an hour here. Free parking. You need to pay small fees for the museum entrance. read more

Balboa Park - Museums Near Me - San Diego, California

My fiancee and I decided to make the trek down from Los Angeles to go by the botanical building and lily pond at Balboa park. Let's say the traffic on the way down on Labor Day really made us second guess our decision... the 45 minutes of driving in circles in the parking lot in hopes of catching someone leaving made it even worse. Once we were able to finally get a spot, pay for parking, and made the walk over to the botanical building, we encountered a decent crowd. The botanical building is super packed inside which made it difficult to get nice pictures for our memory book. The Khoi fish pond directly in front of the building and directly across from the lily pond had some ducks in it and made for a scenic view. The lily pond was beautiful for a scenic picture. I would recommend taking picture from either end as the back ground of either side is amazing. From the side? Not worth the time to even pull out the camera. You find some vendors in the main entry way and an artsy section right to the side of the botanical building. The area is full of things to do, the zoo is also here, but it gets crowded and that takes a lot away from the experience. read more

Balboa Park - The theater entrance while walking from the parking lot - Museums Near Me - San Diego, California

Balboa Park is enormous--truly one of those places where you think you'll spend a couple of hours and suddenly several have flown by. The park is filled with exhibits, museums, restaurants, gardens, art vendors, and beautiful Spanish-style architecture everywhere you turn. We spent close to 6 hours here and still didn't make it through even half of what's available. And of course, the world‑famous San Diego Zoo is located right inside the park. We chose to park along Balboa Dr. and walk across the Cabrillo Bridge, which was a gorgeous way to enter the park. There are parking lots on-site as well, but the bridge walk adds a nice scenic touch. Your first stop should absolutely be the Visitor's Center. Not all exhibits are open every day, so the staff there can give you an overview of what's available. There's no admission fee to wander the park grounds, but individual museums may charge their own entry fees. During our visit, the Comic‑Con Museum and the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum both had admission fees. We managed to visit the Botanical Building, Spanish Village Art Center, Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, Comic‑Con Museum, Alcazar Garden, the Moreton Bay Fig Tree, and the Bea Evenson Fountain. Every stop felt unique. The Spanish Village Art Center was especially charming--rows of studios and shops run by local artists, each one filled with handmade pieces. The ponds in front of the Botanical Building were full of koi, which made for a peaceful break from walking. Even if you don't plan on visiting the zoo, Balboa Park is absolutely worth the trip. There's so much to see, do, and explore that you could easily spend multiple days here and still discover something new. Highly recommend carving out plenty of time--you'll want it. read more

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Visited on a Sunday morning after La Jolla Cove and loved it! Balboa Park is huge with beautiful Spanish-style architecture all around. My favorite spot was the Botanical Building, the wooden structure is stunning and it's such a peaceful place to relax (plus it's free!). There are lots of food options, and shuttles are available if you don't feel like walking. We walked to the Spreckels Organ Pavilion and it was worth it. I'd definitely come back just to hear the organ play. Overall, Balboa Park is 100% worth visiting! read more

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Beautiful, beautiful park! My daughter has been very eager and excited to bring me here. We finally made it during her college winter break. Simply walking the grounds is such a lovely experience. There so much to see and admire but my absolute favorites are the Central Gardens (I could live there), Japanese Friendship Garden and huge fountain. We paid admission to access some areas, but most are free. We were occupied for hours. There are ample seating areas for breaks to marvel at the architecture, history and all the lovely, thoughtful details. There are enough places to grab a quick bite or drink. Parking is plentiful and free. read more

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BALBOA PARK @ SAN DIEGO It was definitely busy on a weekend my boyfriend and I came on a Saturday afternoon, and it was pretty packed. Balboa Park is absolutely a must-visit spot, whether you're a San Diego local or just here for the weekend. There's so much walking and exploring you can do. I also love how close it is to the airport, so stopping by either right after you land or before you head out is honestly such a good idea. There are tons of museums, like the Art and Space Museum, and there are often small tabling events happening throughout the park. There's also the Japanese Friendship Garden, which is beautiful to walk through. But one of my favorite things is definitely the fountain, it's huge, so stunning, and I love just sitting by the water and people-watching. There are always so many people around, which adds to the whole vibe. Overall, I would 100% recommend this place to anyone. Balboa Park is such a gorgeous spot for a picnic, a long walk, or even just to relax. There's plenty of seating, small businesses, and restaurants nearby, and I've even seen weddings here. It's definitely a special place to visit. read more

Balboa Park - Museums Near Me - San Diego, California

I've been to Balboa Park in San Diego many times and had no idea this beautiful flower garden existed. I recommend visiting Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden in Balboa Park and enjoying the beautiful colorful rose garden trail for nice photos. There's also a trail of desert plants connected to flower garden. Check it out when in the area. Happy Yelping :) read more

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Who doesn't love Balboa park?!?! We ABSOLUTELY L-O-V-E this park. It's a 1,200 acres of land that houses 18 museums, the San Diego Zoo, gardens, and much more!!! The park itself is free to the public! The way that it's designed and well maintained is amazing!! So far, lots of free parking!! Nestled within the park are some great museums. We enjoyed the Air and Space Museum, the Fleet Science Museum, the Japanese Garden, the Automotive Museum, and much more. We walked miles of fun!! So much architectural history and beautiful landscapes of gardens!!! We bought the yearly family pass to enjoy all of the museums. We packed snacks to give us energy for our long walks. There are cafes and restaurants available if you're interested. There's different events during the calendar year. You'll have to check out their website. Overall, a beautiful place for us to enjoy its beauty. Great place to get your steps in as well. Lots of local and tourists. read more

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Balboa Park is a lush marvel filled with gorgeous architecture, museums, gardens, cafes, and shops. The world-renowned zoo is also here. I visited this park on three of the four days of my recent San Diego vacation and still only scratched a tiny dent in its offerings. I'd highly recommend a visit for some knowledge, tranquility, or scenery. read more

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It had been some time since Becky and I last visited Balboa Park. We decided one sunny day to refamiliarize ourselves with the San Diego gem. We parked in her spot in the parking garage of the building in Little Italy where she works. We park for free there. (The paid parking bullshit fiasco that the city leaders are punishing the citizens with is horseshit, but that's not what this is about). It was a beautiful morning, so the 1.5-mile walk was a nice leisurely 30-minute stroll. We arrived to find the park bustling with activity, but it wasn't crowded. Mostly people just out and about enjoying the day. We went with no plan. We didn't visit any of the museums or other attractions. We simply took in the scenery before having a nice lunch at The Prado. Next time we will be sure to visit the restored Botanical Garden, and I love the Automotive Museum so that's on the list for next time also. Balboa Park is a must whether you live in San Diego or are visiting. read more