Small free area with lot of plants to look at. Multiple entrances and exits so you don't have to…read morecrowd in one area. It looks like a green house from a distance but the whole building has air gaps to allow breeze.

What do you mean no lilies in the lily pond?…read more Zero. Also, pay parking is awful. I can forgive the no lilies, but the parking situation - abhorrent.

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!

Spent about an hour in Balboa Park after landing in San Diego, and I'm glad we made the stop…read more 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!

Absolutely one of my favorite spots in San Diego! The Japanese Friendship Garden is such a…read morepeaceful, serene escape right in the middle of the city. From the moment you walk in, everything feels calm, quiet & beautifully maintained. Hubby & I spent the morning at a museum around the corner & decided to walk over to check out the garden. I could have spent hours wandering through the winding paths, admiring the stunning koi ponds filled with colorful fish, listening to the soothing sounds of the waterfalls & taking in all of the lush greenery surrounding the garden. The flowers were absolutely gorgeous & smelled heavenly. I especially loved all of the vibrant leafy greens, bamboo, trees & delicate plants that made the entire space feel so tranquil & immersive. There are so many little hidden corners & scenic spots to sit, relax, meditate & just enjoy the sounds of nature. It is definitely the kind of place that instantly lowers your stress level. The garden is beautifully designed with traditional Japanese touches throughout, making it feel both elegant & welcoming. Whether you are looking for a quiet afternoon, a romantic stroll, beautiful photo opportunities or simply a break from the busy city, this place is a gem. We left feeling refreshed & relaxed. Highly recommend.

I wanted to love it like I loved the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park is San Francisco…read more Layers. Color. Amazing. Go look online. Balboa Part iteration just wasn't it. Pretty but also ho-hum when you grew up with something so magical. Also, the parking g sucked!! Not only do you have to pay, but there is one single machine to pay. Huge and pack lot. There are better ways to spend the afternoon....which I hate saying because at my core, I like a park/museum situation and look to those venues fir food times in any city where I'm a tourist.

I really enjoy walking around the Botanic Garden with my family. Everyone I have met there has been…read morevery friendly and helpful. There are fun places for children to play, and every time we go, we find a wonderful new area or feature we didn't know about.

I always enjoy the Botanic Gardens but 2024 is the first time I attended the Lightscape festival…read more It was so worth the time and the trip and the parking! I took my Mom who I learned my gawking skills from and we had an excellent time walking and gawking at all of the amazingly designed lighting exhibits. It is very dark in the area say take time to slow down and watch for the entrance and parking signs and people. There were quite a few parking attendants around to point people toward spots and away from full lots. We went the day after Thanksgiving and it was full but it didn't take us long to find a parking spot. There were signs and the attendants also pointed everyone in the direction to the entrance. At the front, security checked bags and scanned tickets and ushered people into the park. Guides at the front suggested a route which included following the arrows lighted along the routes through the garden. It was so gorgeous! People were quite respectful of others trying to get photos of displays and couple and group photos. At one location I became the honorary photographer after helping out a few people. We walked around and posed and all for over three hours. It was a well spent wholesome family evening. You're killing it, SD Botanic Garden!

I needed a new lawn and got my standard five bids for the job. Michael stood out for all of his…read moreinitial input on the options and then for the details of his bid. He was the only one who detailed every item involved in the bid, including update of irrigation. I've had issues in the past with bids for other projects that I assumed included the little details but didn't and then I had to pay extra. Michael's bid included every detail in writing that you would assume would be a part of a new lawn job and it was very reasonable. He also showed up on time for the initial appointment! His crew was great! Their work was very detailed and clean. The job was done within three days and all of the work area, including the driveway, was cleaned up. They even noted my falling-apart fence gate so Michael gave me a very reasonable quote and they did a great job fixing it for me. There were a lot of details for after-care and I've texted Michael multiple times to confirm. He texts back quickly and I never get the impression he's annoyed (I've sent a lot of texts!). I almost wish I had more yard renovations so that I could hire him again! I did discuss a whole-yard mulch job and will absolutely hire Michael when I'm ready for that. No more getting multiple bids for future yard renovations. I'll just call Michael.

Michael and his team at Pacific Landscaping and Maintenance did an outstanding job transforming our…read moreproperty. Our extensive project included driveway removal and replacement, patio reconstruction, construction of steps down to our pool, comprehensive planting with irrigation and lighting, and installation of multiple fences/gates. We took our time evaluating contractors and obtaining multiple bids before selecting Michael. He offered the best combination of price and expertise by a significant margin. During our initial consultation, Michael provided excellent cost-saving suggestions that we ultimately implemented, helping us stay within budget without sacrificing quality. Throughout the project, Michael was exceptionally easy to work with. He was highly responsive and accommodated mid-project design changes without hesitation. His installation team exceeded our expectations--they were professional, friendly, and hardworking. They maintained a clean worksite at the end of each day and were consistently respectful of our property and our need to access it during construction. If you're planning a landscaping project, I highly recommend Pacific Landscaping and Maintenance. We couldn't be more pleased with the quality of their work and the professionalism they demonstrated from start to finish.

Overall rating: 4.85…read more Such a cute spot, for a drive-by. Don't expect it to take longer than 5 minutes. It's just a sight in front of really nice houses. All the animals are so fun and highly recommend!

So fun we drove up some scary hills to get to these beautifully manicured topiaries. If you're ever…read morein San Diego, it's a fun sight to see. There's plenty of parking (residential), but please be mindful that this is a private residence so be respectful to not trespass in the bushes or anywhere indicated.

Tinh kindly referred me to a Hardscaper when I needed one, who ended up being great. I really…read moreappreciated how helpful he was despite my project not being a fit for him, so I'll definitely call him once I need a dedicated landscaper for my new yard!

Trinh is very knowledgeable and fixed my sprinklers within a week of me reaching out. He was very…read morenice as well! We will hire him again in the future!

The Marston House is 8,500 sqft and is on 5 acres of property. The home was built in 1905 and it is…read moreconsidered to be a home designed in the architecture from the Arts and Crafts Movement. It is considered to be #40 on the San Diego Historic Landmark list. It is also on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It was home to George White Marston and his wife Anna Gunn Marston. The family of George and Anna donated the house to the City of San Diego and it was converted into a museum in 1987. We kind of stumbled onto the Marston House. The majority of us wanted to explore other parts of San Diego while we were killing time before our check-in at our Vrbo, but my mother insisted on us staying at Balboa Park after already spending half a day there. We were all tired and ready to go somewhere else, but nobody says No to my Mother. LOL. We decided to wonder down to the George W. Marston House. I will say I'm glad we did. We didn't go inside, but we wandered the grounds. We explored the garden and checked out the different flowers. We took in the architecture of the Marston House. Mom, you were right this time! It was worth the visit! I wish we took a tour inside. Next time!

Surrounded by five acres of rolling lawns, manicured formal gardens, and rustic canyon gardens,…read morethis 8,500 square-foot home became a house museum in 1987 after the Marston family gifted it to the City of San Diego for the enjoyment of the public. Marston House was constructed in 1905 for George W. Marston and his wife, Anna Gunn Marston. George Marston is noted for many things but most prominently as a civic leader whose interest and work in historic preservation and conservation. The house is a craftsman style and has been maintained as a museum exhibit for the public. About 45 minutes long and an interesting narration by the tour guide provides historical facts about the Marston family as well as details of the house and gardens. Tickets ($10) for the house tour may be purchased from the gift shop carriage house. Noteworthy house tours open only on weekends! While in the area, my furbaby Fendi and I stroll through the outdoor grounds and rose garden. The collection of roses are spectacular and fragrant. Many seasonal blooming plants to see and appreciate. Recommend.

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.

We got married at The Secret Garden Las Vegas snd I truly cannot put into words how magical the…read moreexperience was--but I'm going to try. From the moment we started planning, Shannon (our wedding planner) was nothing short of exceptional. I had such a terrible experience at another venue and when we made the decision to change venues to Secret Garden, she metaphorically took my hand and turned planning into the BEST and MOST magical experience. She made what is usually (and had been) a stressful process feel effortless, organized, and honestly... SO much fun! She's upbeat, enthusiastic and clearly LOVES what she does, which makes everything feel exciting. She anticipated needs before we even knew we had them, handled every detail with precision, and made us feel completely taken care of the entire time. Not only that, she made us feel special, seen, heard and adored. Her magical energy made the whole process feel like we were planning our wedding with people who cared for us like family! And, every visit to secret garden -before, during our ceremony, and after to pick up decorations - she greeted us like we were family! We felt so welcome and so special. On the day of, Cheryl (our wedding coordinator) brought everything to life seamlessly. She was calm, kind, incredibly on top of everything, and made sure every moment flowed beautifully. She even put bandaids on my bleeding feet and helped sew my ripped dress. I never once felt stressed or pulled in a million directions--she held the entire day with such grace and professionalism, which allowed us to actually be present and soak in every second. And, the whole time it felt like she was going above and beyond to make sure we loved our day. And the vendors... WOW. Every single one exceeded expectations! The DJ Harry O was AMAZING! He even captured photos for us and sent them to us after the wedding. He was such a delight. The efficient made sure paper work was taken care of effortlessly. But, my favorite detail of all were the decorations and the flowers! Vanessa and her family who have been doing flowers for generations are AMAZING! They were beyond stunning--elevated, romantic, and even more beautiful than I could have imagined. The arrangements felt like they were pulled straight out of a dream and completely transformed the space. She went so far above and beyond to make my vision come to life. Truly unforgettable. This is a family owned business and it feels that way from start to finish! What stood out most is how above and beyond everyone went. This wasn't just a "service"--it felt like a team of magical people who genuinely cared about making our wedding perfect. Every detail, every interaction, every moment felt thoughtful and intentional. If you're considering getting married here--do it. This team delivers not just a wedding, but an experience that feels magical, seamless, and deeply personal. We'll be reliving this day forever

My husband and I could not have imagined a better wedding experience and we are so grateful we…read morechose to have our special day at the beautiful Secret Garden! We got married on December 14, 2024 and it was the most beautiful day we could have imagined! We booked the venue over a year in advance and throughout the entire planning process, the entire team was so available and responsive. As the day approached, we met with our day-of coordination Laura and she was truly amazing!! She helped me create the day of my dreams and was very prompt in responding to any of our concerns. She helped bring our vision to life and I am so grateful!! The very inclusive experience at The Secret Garden was also so helpful. We ended up going through our own food vendor for BBQ for dinner, but everything else was seamless and really helped ease the wedding planning stress. The photography and videography team was so amazing and captured our day so beautifully. I still cry tears of joy looking at our pictures and videos from the special day! :') The DJ services provided were also amazing and we couldn't have been happier with DJ Jason Lyons! Overall, we could not be happier with our experience at The Secret Garden. It was worth every penny to marry my best friend at such a beautiful place surrounded by everyone we love!! :)