Free art museum in Balboa Park! It's small, but I really enjoyed the artwork! We had just come…read morefrom the Botanical Building and had some time to kill. This worked out perfect!

Timken Museum of Art is a hidden gem in San Diego's Balboa Park! It has been described as the…read more"jewel box" of San Diego and I am so lucky to have been able to check it out when I was in the area. The museum has a lot of exhibits that feature European and American art pieces. They're particularly known for being the only place in Southern California that has a Rembrandt painting on display. Rembrandt's 1657 art work Saint Bartholomew is housed here. When I went, they had a lovely collection of Russian/European art. There was lots of golden, detailed pieces. One of the best things about this museum is it is free admission! There is no need for a ticket and they even offer free guided tours that are 45 to 60 minutes.

If you are looking for a visual representation of an original home in Old Town San Diego this is a…read moregreat place to visit. I took my kids to it for a little history lesson. Even though they were already burnt out from seeing other historical sites all morning, we still enjoyed it. Each room has realistic furniture and artifacts from the time. We visited the blacksmith in another area, and he said that some of the iron work was done by them. There were lots of informational placards on the walls. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to read them all because my kids were ready to go. But it was nice to visit anyway. Make sure to not just visit the casa, but all the other buildings in the historic park. The docents at the casa told us about the donkeys and blacksmith, and they were great tips!

Old Town San Diego offers a wonderful tour of frontier settlement and celebrates Mexicans ..the…read moreMexican war ...1850 ...exaggerated ..tourist trap ..super fun..I didn't know about it ..the bus dropped me off ...found my way in one day ..sunny warm ..pleasant ..history ..campus ..old town campus with historic houses ..treats ..Disney style ..hacienda hotel ..sunny fun

Attended my first -art and wellbeing experience this weekend. Diana was the most amazing docent…read more She walked us through some breath work and some great impressionists. This is a small event and lovely way to spend an hour at the museum. Just grab a ticket to the museum and check in at the booth up front and the experience begins. Diana spent time talking about breathing and grounding your self. While you are given a notepad and pencil to write notes and try to recreate the art. Don't worry you don't have to share tour impressions or art. The experience was located in one room and after we explored the rest of the museum and it is interesting at how different you look at the works in front of you when you are relaxed and in the headspace to experience . Bonus shout out to the museum which is over 100 years old and continues to bring the community together to enjoy and experience the art. I did not take any pictures because I was enjoying the moment.

The SD museums of art is at the balboa park amongst other museums and beautiful outdoor flowers,…read moresceneries, etc. there were many tourists out that day including school field trips, groups, etc. I used the gocity pass to check in at the front desk and then I was able to enjoy the museum. It is two stories big offering stairs and elevators. They have security on each art room/ theme area. I was able to observe many paintings that were diverse and unique. Some are antiques kept there for everyone to admire. They have clean restrooms available as well. Bring comfortable shoes because there is pretty to walk around. Staff were very nice and checking went smoothly as well. The sticker you are given can be used all day long to come back to the same Museum. Most museums open at 10AM but plenty of people arrive earlier. I took public transportation to get up there and that was easy.

I always enjoy my annual dinner at the Greek Festival. Check their website for shuttle options…read more The stuffed grape leaves are worth the trip on their own. But everything is tasty. The picture shows dinner and lunch for the next day.

Opa!!!! All I did…read morewas eat and shop! Lol...Located on the grounds of a church, so I believe only street parking was available. What a cool little foodie experience full of tasty, yet somewhat pricey, Greek foods. Luckily I got a flyer in the mail for free entry, otherwise I believe it was $4. I tried a number of Greek foods such as: Pork Souvlaki ($15 for 2 skewers, tzatziki, and bread)- The tzatziki was awesome, but the pork was lacking flavor and some pieces were really tough. Saganaki ($10)- Delicious, delicious, delicious. So good that I bought some pita ($4) and Vlahotyri cheese ($17.75) to make this at home. Galaktoboureko ($5) Phyllo dough pastry "burrito" with a marvelously delicious custard inside. Loukoumades ($13) for the medium. Fluffy, sweet, and somewhat nutty. I could have done with less syrup and more almonds, but everyone loved them! There was also a beer garden, tables to eat at, a slew of other Greek desserts (mostly cookie-like ones or baklava), 2 small markets ( one was for food and is where I got the cheese and pita), some kid games, and entertainment /dancing. Since I visited during the day, I didn't see any entertainment or dancing. I will most definitely be back next year. Untill then... Thank you to everyone involved!

I've seen several performances at the Rady over the past few years but felt compelled to write…read moreafter the America 250 event... To begin with, the show started about 20 minutes late, but at least it was a comfortable night at a beautiful venue. The first third of the show was excellent filled with easily recognizable patriotic songs and marches like National Emblem. But after, and similar to last 7/4, things went a bit askew. Ok, there was clearly talent on display. But seriously, do we really need a tap dancing feature for some 10 minutes? And the guy on the organ was gifted, but again, organ music doesn't scream USA/Independence Day. At least last year (I think) they played an Armed Forces Medley. Not this time Yes, they went thru some uniquely American genre like Jazz, ragtime, Dixieland and Broadway, but between the distractions noted above and the slightly unnecessary yackity yack, it was disappointing. Even my wife offered a similar unsolicited opinion and ended up playing some patriotic/USA music on the way home like Lee Greenwood and Sweet Home Alabama etc I used to occasionally see the SDSO at the old Civic Center. And yes, this was more entertaining (for entertainment's sake) than the old stodgy stoicism of "just the music". But they missed the EASY MARK for the entire venue. Despite that, we're going to the John Williams music night. Hopefully they won't be substituting Danny Elfman (those of you who'd ever seen the Family Guy parody of Star Wars, Blue Harvest, will understand the point)

The remodeled symphony theatre reopened after a long remodel. It did not disappoint. Beautiful…read morefacility with tiered seating. No bad seats. Great sound system. Beautifully decorated. It has been updated but kept a lot of the old world charm you would expect. Great local musicians and guest performers.

The Botanical Building was one of my favorite spots to visit when I went to Balboa Park. It is such…read morea beautiful and peaceful spot. I loved walking around and seeing all the different plants, flowers and greenery. There's even a pretty fountain inside! Thai spot is a great place to just relax and walk around. It is picture perfect and a must see places

I have an unabashed affinity for conservatories, I confess I watch Bridgerton just so that I can…read moremarvel at the conservatories they unveil for their summer time dance galas. Anyway, the botanical building in Balboa park, Sand Diego though made of wood lath is nonetheless considered a conservatory and reputedly the only wood lath conservatory in the world and also one of the largest of its kind globally. As soon as one enters, they are greeted by the intoxicating smell of fecund moist earth. The wood lath structure allows the breeze to flow through but cuts down the harsh sun creating a dappled sanctuary. I felt like a little child let loose in candy land, the display is a feast for the senses with monsteras, philodendron, ferns, orchids, begonias, cycads etc in every corner. One side had majestic soaring plants reaching the ceiling while the other side felt bare in comparison. The lily pond greeting one at the entrance also houses turtles, pink lotuses, frogs and fish. Overall a must visit for people who have a thing for plants or even-otherwise.

The Old Globe Theater is located in Balboa Park, very near the California Tower, which is by far…read morethe tallest building in the entire Balboa Park complex. The Old Globe Theater Complex actually consists of three very separate theaters. In fact, one of those theaters is an outdoor amphitheater. Parking can be very difficult, so you will want to arrive early if you are able to do so. The Shakespeare Festival is particularly well known.

First time here at the Old Globe! The online ordering platform was wonky and annoying but my…read moreexperience here at the venue was wonderful. I picked up my ticket from the box office, wondered around the area; they have a restaurant where you can enjoy some drinks and food if you like and also your ticket gets you a discount for the Prado! I was here to watched The Hombres, which is shown in their smaller theater. It's very intimate, but even the furthest and worst seat seems good to me. I can see everything clearly and the seat was adequately comfortable.

My husband and I were on vacation and exploring La Jolla. We've been in art galleries across the…read morecountry, but this is the first (and maybe last) that I'll ever write a review on. Walking into this gallery, at least on the day that we visited, it had a wonderful selection of art. Quite a few different styles, some whimsical, some serious, some just plain tasteful. There were paintings as well as sculptures. Some of the paintings were mixed media. I must have seen at least two or three pieces that I would have purchased on the spot if I had the funds (and I'm usually not the type of person who even considers spending a couple thousand on a wall hanging). Though, please note, my rating is not based on doing business with them, but based purely on my enjoyment of browsing and WANTING to buy, I must commend the curator for doing such a great job. If we're ever in the area again, I'd definitely come back. One art please!