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.

loved everything they offered at this park. the best part was there was no admission fee. so great…read moreexperience our overnight stay in san diego and able to walk around this beautiful park. such great architecture. we werent able to venture the whole park but gives us a reason to come back ! highly recommend. prepare to walk use some good comfortable foot wear. i wore sandals and it was tolerable. make sure to bring water. we didn't necessarily need too as we only stayed for at least an hour and a half but i didnt see drinking fountains or anywhere to refill so id consider. depending on the time, you do pay for parking. it also depends in where you park so pricing varies. i noticed that there was a lot of runners here to! might come by to do a fun run one of these days when im back in town overall fun experience. would definitely come back and explore more!

Balboa Park is so beautiful and serene. It is filled with gorgeous architecture, historic buildings…read moreand 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!

Our wedding day at the Japanese Friendship Garden was truly perfect. From our very first site tour,…read moreMarina Miller was incredibly communicative, accommodating, and helpful throughout the entire process. She made everything feel organized and easy, and the clear map instructions provided for our guests made the day even more seamless. The Garden itself was absolutely breathtaking. We were blessed with beautiful weather, a stunning sunset, and the most romantic atmosphere imaginable. The scenery created such a magical backdrop for our wedding and made the day feel even more special for my bride, our families, and all of our guests. Everyone had an amazing time, and we received so many compliments about the beautiful venue and atmosphere. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful setting to begin our marriage. We are so grateful to the Japanese Friendship Garden and their wonderful team for helping make our wedding day unforgettable!

The Japanese Friendship Garden was easily one of the prettiest and most peaceful stops during my…read moretime in San Diego. If you enjoy walking around, taking in beautiful scenery, and getting some great photos along the way, this place is absolutely worth visiting. The garden is very walkable, and there are gorgeous views around seemingly every corner. As someone who loves photography, I had my camera working overtime. Between the landscaping, bridges, waterfalls, plants, and all of the little details throughout the garden, there are so many great opportunities for photos. The koi pond was probably my favorite part. The koi were BEAUTIFUL, and I could have stood there watching them swim around forever. It was easily one of the most relaxing parts of my visit. A fun fact I learned is that the garden opened in 1991 and was created as an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. The garden continued to expand over the years, including the addition of a grove with around 200 cherry trees in 2015. So there is actually quite a bit of history and meaning behind all of the beauty. Definitely a 5 star experience for me. Peaceful, gorgeous, easy to explore, and an absolute dream if you enjoy photography. I would gladly come back, especially during cherry blossom season!

This was our first visit and I highly recommend coming!! We spent the day here because I was the…read moreinstagram winner of two passes and a plant!! Upon arrival we were greeted, given a succulent and tickets. The Dickinson Family atrium is a fabulous space with hanging plants and so many examples of indoor/rainforest plants. We walked the entire grounds!! My fitness tracker said it took me two hours to walk two miles- I kept stopping to take pictures and read the plant placards. We walked around though many different gardens. From the rainforest of Africa and past the waterfall to the desert area with native plants. There was an example of a Native American village complete with hut and grinding stone. We hiked up to the look out point where you can see the Pacific Ocean. There is a children's garden, playhouse, and a sandbox with toys. There are walking trails through out and many benches. I highly recommend bringing water, a hat, sunscreen and snacks. There is a small gift shop with a small selection of snacks. They have a large selection of plants to purchase!!

Had very unpleasant attempt to visit botanical gardens. We…read morebrought our service dog with us and had all the documents to prove it. The women at the front desk kept asking millions questions and expressing unreasonably doubts. Ny kids and I felt like being on lie detector.Very humiliating feeling. After finally being admitted, we left shortly. Our experience were ruined.It was no place for enjoyment. Very bitter,sad feeling... I didn't know people can be so mean at botanical gardens. This woman should work somewhere else,like border patrol or security check point. It would be better for everyone. Never come back to this place.

I had despaired of ever getting the slope (well, more like a cliff) in my backyard cleaned up and…read morestabilized with a secondary keystone block retaining wall. It wasn't a complex job, but the the site was a giant mess, with a lot of overgrowth and debris. Michael's bid was well within my budget, and he was able to schedule the job for a time that was convenient for me. He also offered clear explanations about why the work would best be done a certain way. When it came to the work itself, his crew was outstanding. They arrived on time, kept on schedule, and cleaned up the site at the end of every work day. I have never seen such an organized, well managed job site. They were truly exemplary in all respects, but especially in regards to the quality of their work. When it comes time to replace my fence, my patio cover, or my driveway, I will definitely call Michael.

We had an excellent experience with Pacific Landscaping and Maintenance from beginning to end…read more Michael arrived on time for our initial appointment, and his estimate was the most competitive we received without cutting any corners. In fact, his proposal included everything needed to properly prepare and establish a healthy lawn, while other estimates we received were significantly more expensive and included less. Michael recommended St. Augustine grass because we have a large dog, and within a week, his team was ready to start the project. He explained the entire process ahead of time and gave me detailed guidance about the watering schedule, mowing schedule, and recommended equipment for maintaining the new lawn. The crew was amazing--efficient, professional, polite, and extremely hardworking. Carlos, the crew lead, was especially impressive. He is calm, knowledgeable, and very detail-oriented. He listened carefully to every concern I had and made sure everything was addressed properly. The project was completed ahead of schedule, and they even installed a fence that we provided to protect the new lawn from foot traffic and our dog while it gets established. The finished lawn looks absolutely beautiful. The new sprinkler system is quiet, efficient, and works perfectly. They used new, quality materials and clearly did not cut corners anywhere in the project. After comparing several companies and estimates, I am very happy that we chose Pacific Landscaping and Maintenance. We received a better, more complete project at a very competitive price. Michael, Carlos, and the entire crew exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend them!

Not a business. Private home. It is a San Diego secret…read morespot. You can drive your out of town guests here for 5-15 minute stop. Very cool. Look at all photos posted by others. As SD resident you'll be thrilled to see a new place you never knew about. It's totally worth the detour. Stop by El Indio Mexican restaurant on India Street and park in free lot across street. Or Jo's Mission Hills diner on Washington at Falcon. Always great food at mid price.

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.

Had Tinh and his crew out again for my annual canyon clearing and boy did they ever do a wonderful…read morejob. They work so quickly and efficiently it is mesmerizing. I truly value and appreciate the skill and time of Tinh and his crew. He is always punctual and polite and is incredibly easy to work with.

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!

This house museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM until 4 PM. The ticket price ranges…read morefrom $7 to $20, and if you qualify for Museum for All it's free! The tour is around 45 minutes and each tour starts on the hour with the last one starting at 4 PM. The history behind the house is very impressive. It's beautiful inside and a well kept property. I would definitely recommend visiting this spot. It was quite a unique experience.

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!

After hearing about this spot from a friend, I have always wanted to come. I was able to on a hot…read moreday, despite it being hot, it was also very windy (cool). I would recommend a light jacket-- of course depending on the day. They have clean restrooms with sinks to wash your hands outside, but no paper towels or drying station. They had many choices of where to sit, where to play, even tables to eat, and more. People rollerblading, skateboarding, yoga, playing soccer, this spot is full of life! I really enjoyed my time here as even the birds and butterflies were all flying around. I will happily come back to explore more of what this park has to offer.

Love this park! So big and clean. Lots of space for picnics and playground for the kids…read more Plenty of restrooms as well. Came on a Friday afternoon and parking was easy. Great place to get your steps in!

The Secret Garden is a great option for couples seeking a more affordable wedding venue…read more We ultimately decided against this venue because our guest count felt a bit too large for the space. While it would have comfortably accommodated a smaller wedding, a party of 150 seemed likely to feel cramped. My communication with Kendra through The Knot was efficient and responsive, and Christian did an excellent job touring us through the venue and preparing our final quote. =PROS= *Ceremony site centered around a charming gazebo, complemented by natural elements such as a towering tree, flower pots, and a picturesque hanging swing *Included feature wall perfect for signage, backdrops, or neon displays *Reception space featured high ceilings and an elegant, neutral aesthetic *Packages included tables, linens, and glassware, with upgrade options available for different styles and colors *Large inventory of complimentary decor, including signage, draping, and string lights *DJ and coordination services included *Complimentary engagement photo session and discounted wedding photography *Affordable in house catering with flexibility for outside vendors *BYO bar option available *Free photobooth included *Discount offered for cash or check payments =CONS= *Parking area was somewhat hilly and may be challenging for elderly guests *Bridal and groom suites were small and noticeably dated, with furniture showing significant wear *Bathrooms, particularly the men's, felt informal and somewhat resembled those found in elementary schools *Some of the greenery appeared wilted and lacked the lushness shown in promotional materials This would have been an excellent choice for a wedding closer to 100 guests, but it felt like a squeeze for our anticipated attendance. Ironically, the venue's strongest selling points were not the garden itself, but rather the extensive planning support and complimentary services included in the package. The greenery was pleasant but not especially striking, so couples may want to allocate additional budget toward florals and decor to elevate the space.

So friggin awesome, wouldn't be as good as it is if it weren't for our waiter BRANDON! Boiii he was…read moreso flippin awesome, idk how much money he makes but goodness it's too low. Thank u for handling table 13 would recommend a thousand times! Thanks Brandon