This huge city-centre park is home to a range of fantastic cultural institutions, and it’s also a lovely place for a walk.
Spread across 486 hectares of parkland, the sprawling Balboa Park offers a fantastic array of walking and cycling routes and green spaces as well as a celebrated zoo. It also houses several art galleries and museums, alongside a number of theatres and eateries.Begin at the park’s informative visitor centre, whose friendly volunteers will be very happy to let you know everything that’s going on while you’re in town. Tours relating to the history, built heritage and cultivated gardens in the park run regularly from here – and they’re free of charge too! Ask for the times of shows and events of interest here.The park’s peaceful and beautiful green spaces are loved by natives of the city and visitors alike. There’s a lot of room in which to enjoy a picnic, as well as some wonderful formal and scientific gardens, such as the California Native Plant Garden, containing over 2,600 distinct species of local flora. The tranquil Japanese Friendship Garden, shady Palm Canyon, and the fragrant Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden are also picturesque destinations.Check out the fantastic range of museums and galleries housed in Balboa Park’s impressive colonial buildings. There’s something for everyone here, from the high culture of the San Diego Museum of Art to the biological wonders of the Natural History Museum and the fascinating science of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. These are just a taste of the park's bountiful attractions – there are more than 10 others to choose from.You can take in a show or enjoy a musical at the Old Globe theatre. And if you’re a fan of the large-scale stage productions then head for the Starlight theatre, where classic Broadway favourites are reproduced from July until September.The more active visitors can work up a sweat with a game of tennis on the east side of the park. You could also try a round of golf, or enjoy a game of boules.Balboa Park is open throughout the year, 24 hours a day. Museum opening hours can vary, but most are open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. – check the individual websites for details.
