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Neighborhoods: Balboa Park, Central, Central San Diego

Last updated 3.09.11

What People Are Saying About Balboa Park

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Put simple, Balboa Park is San Diego's version of New York's Central Park, but locals like to tout one defining feature that makes it standout: It's actually bigger than Central Park. Designed by Kate Sessions originally back in 1892 with a plan for just 100 trees, the 1200-acre park now encompasses 15 museums, renowned performing arts venues like the Spreckles Organ Pavilion, dozens of gardens and the world famous San Diego Zoo. It's also the city's go-to venue for charity walks and runs, the annual city-wide holiday festival December Nights, and various traveling outdoor…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Balboa Park is a popular local spot for outdoor weddings. Each individual museum or cultural institution maintains their own policies and booking procedures, so be sure to contact them directly for any weddings or special events.
When to Go:
February is Museum Month in Balboa Park, and all museums offer free or discounted admission all month long.
Parking:
There is very little parking left in the park. Your best bets are on the South side of the park in the two big lots near the Museum of Natural History or in front of the RH Fleet Science Center.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. this is a must see park as it is very peaceful and offers great views of san diego.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. it's a great place to talk a walk, and i felt safe the entire time as well
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/05/09

Beautiful San Diego with the brains

by Lujan at Citysearch

Set in picteresque San Diego, Balboa Park is the jewel with Spanish architecture housing priceless exhibitions ranging from anthropology to history to science. Great place for a date, time with the kids or simply a tourist destination...it is very difficult, if not impossible to go wrong with Balboa Park. Truly a blessing.

  • Pros: Beautiful and enriching
  • Cons: kids on field trips
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/09/08

Historical & Beautiful

by Delmar19 at Citysearch

If you come visit SD then you need to visit the historical Balboa Park. The must see Balboa Park features magnificient scenary including a water foundains and stunning landscape. On top of the exclusive enviornment you will expereince at Balboa Park you can also learn about the great history of so many different facets of life from the sports museum bto the famous space museum.

  • Pros: Historical and Beautiful
  • Cons: none
4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/24/06

Very beautiful

by dmenkes at Citysearch

Not much in the way of shops or stores, there are a couple of retaurants and nice places to walk. One interesting factoid is that this is one of the few places in all of San Diego where you need a film permit to shoot anything. The aboritum is really cool, when it's open. Some of the restaurants are nice, and I've been to a few film festivals here as well. There's a large parking lot for the zoo and the science center.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/31/06

beautiful park

by binman69 at Citysearch

this is a must see park as it is very peaceful and offers great views of san diego. it's a great place to talk a walk, and i felt safe the entire time as well

The Details on Balboa Park

Place Categories:

  • really cool aboritum
  • beautiful park
  • great history
  • famous space museum
  • great views
  • stunning landscape
  • great place
  • interesting factoid

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