Balboa Park
One of the largest urban cultural parks in the United States, where Spanish Colonial Revival buildings house 17 museums, gardens and theaters.
Balboa Park covers about 490 hectares. The Spanish Colonial Revival buildings left over from the 1915 Panama-California Exposition line El Prado boulevard, and the California Tower, the Botanical Building and the Lily Pond are the most iconic photo spots. The park is home to the San Diego Museum of Art, the Museum of Man, the Natural History Museum and the San Diego Air & Space Museum, among others. The Japanese Friendship Garden, the Rose Garden and the Spanish Village Art Center are also worth a stroll. The park and gardens are free, while the museums charge separate admission (some offer free entry to local residents on Tuesdays). A free trolley connects the different areas of the park.
Opening hours
Park open all day; museum about 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Nearby sights
- San Diego Zoo
- Little Italy
- Gaslamp Quarter
- Petco Park
- Maritime Museum of San Diego
- Chicano Park
- USS Midway Museum
- Seaport Village