Balboa Park
Park Boulevard, San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92101
Home to park museums, manicured gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park tops the list of San Diego’s best sights. Its 1,200 lush acres (486 hectares) comprise the largest urban park in the United States. Apart from its many attractions, Balboa Park also features lengthy walking and hiking trails, distinctive landscaping, Golden Age Spanish buildings, and one of the world’s largest outdoor pipe organs.
The basics
A visit to the park features on most San Diego city sightseeing tours, and Segway tours are another popular way to explore Balboa. The central part of the park houses the renowned San Diego Zoo. The park also features a wealth of museums, from the Museum of Man and San Diego Natural History Museum to the Timken Museum of Art, San Diego Air & Space Museum, and the Fleet Science Center. Don’t miss cultural stops like the Centro Cultural de la Raza and Old Globe Theater.
To explore its outdoorsy highlights, head to the Alcazar Gardens or the Japanese Friendship Garden. The east end of the park holds the Balboa Park Municipal Golf Course and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. While general entry is free, you can book attraction-specific Balboa Park tickets, or site-spanning passes.
Things to know before you go
Explore the area on foot or use the free Balboa Park Tram, which loops around the main areas of the park daily.
Balboa Park is kid-friendly, with a miniature train, playgrounds, and play areas in most museums.
With so many options, it’s best to prioritize your desired stops in the park. You can pick up a park map at the Balboa Park Visitors Center in the House of Hospitality.
One of the best pass options is the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, which includes general admission to participating museums for seven consecutive days.
Eating options abound throughout the park. Be sure to check out the Prado for diverse cuisine and museum-inspired decor.
How to get there
Set in downtown San Diego, Balboa Park is easily reached by bus. By car, Park Boulevard provides easy access to the site’s free parking areas near most of the exhibits. The most scenic approach, however, is over the Cabrillo Bridge from the west. The steep roadsides, lush with hanging greenery, resemble a rainforest gorge.
When to get there
Balmy San Diego is famous for its year-round sunshine and mild climate. Balboa Park is open year-round and 24 hours a day, with the Visitors Center open from 9:30am to 4:30pm. The zoo, museums, and other attractions have varying hours of operation.
Things to do near Balboa Park
Countless activities are available in Balboa Park. However, the location is also an ideal base for seeing some of San Diego’s other top sights. The beaches of La Jolla, the charm of Old Town, and the bustle of the historic Gaslamp Quarter are just a short drive away.
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