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Strolling Balboa Park in San Diego

San Diego is famous for its beaches, zoos and theme parks but a visit to beautiful Balboa Park should also be among its top attractions. This expansive 1,200 acre park is the country’s largest “urban cultural park”.  Filled with family and cultural activities, the park has 15 museums, a few theaters, pavilions, varied gardens and the world famous San Diego Zoo.

balboa park pool

This particular afternoon wasn’t spent on museums though but a leisurely walk to enjoy some of the architecture, plazas and well-maintained gardens.  Our kids were also ready to explore the outdoors after being stuck indoors from a morning downpour.

Balboa park

A stroll through the promenade and a path never taken before led us to some interesting discoveries and sceneries.

Balboa park promenade

One of the reasons I love coming here is to walk around and admire the many ornate buildings that almost make me feel like I’m in Spain.  One of my favorites is the Casa del Prado Theater and its adjacent buildings simply known as the Casa.

Casa del Prado Theater
Casa del Prado Theater

These are historic reconstructions of buildings from the 1915 Pan American Exposition that was held here.  Some almost looked like old churches in Europe.

casa del Prado theater
Casa del Prado Theater facade

The Spanish Colonial architecture is evident in many of the museum buildings.  I’m sure there’s some fascinating information on those statues that adorn the buildings but I haven’t found that information yet.

Casa del Prado

There aren’t many parks that can claim it has a shopper’s paradise for unique home accessories within it.  The Spanish Village Art Center is a haven for all types of artists, painters and sculptors.  The red-tiled roof structures house 37 working studios and over 200 artists.  There are always artists working in their studios so it’s a great place to watch them.

Spanish Village Art Center balboa Park

The quaint shops were such a delight to wander through. It was almost closing time which is why this place looks deserted.   I love the colorful pathways and wide open spaces that are so inviting.  My kids enjoyed playing their version of colored hopscotch here.

Spanish Village Art Center Balboa Park

There is also always something interesting to see along the pathways.  For instance, we found one of the residents friendly and photo ready.

Balboa park squirrrel

Perhaps the park’s symbol and most photographed attraction is the Botanical Building with the “Laguna de las Flores” (Lake of the Flowers) or commonly known as the lily ponds.  Both were built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition.

The Botanical Building is one of the largest wood lath structures in the world.  This 250-foot long and 60-foot tall structure contains more than 2,100 permanent plants ranging from orchids to palms. Unfortunately, it closed by the time we got there.

balboa park botanical building

As dusk approached, all the buildings began to radiate an orange glow that almost looked like a hundred candles were suddenly lit.

Balboa prado

This is the other side of the Casa del Prado building that housed the Botanical Garden Foundation and Floral Association – quite possibly one of the prettiest places for non-profit centers.  This is almost the same facade as the Prado theater.

casa del prado at dusk

Another favorite – the Railroad Museum and Museum of Photographic Arts building was also illuminated with warm colors which gave it that old-world charm and appearance.

Balboa park museums

The great thing about living here is that we will never get tired of exploring this wonderful park.  We’ve lived in San Diego for over a decade and have not explored all of Balboa Park’s museums and everything it has to offer.   These pictures are just a sample of the south side of the park. This is one of our favorite places and one of the top attractions for both locals and visitors who have spent some time here.

Balboa park fountain

*Have you taken a stroll through Balboa Park?  Is there someplace in your hometown similar to Balboa Park you’d like to share?

*Need more ideas? Here are 50 Things to do in San Diego with Kids

Where to Stay in San Diego

For the Bucket List:

  • Legoland California Hotel – This is perfect for Lego lovers and those staying in Legoland. There is plenty of space for families with bunk beds. We also love their various four themed rooms. They offer free buffet breakfast and nightly kids entertainment.
  • Hotel del Coronado – This iconic and beachfront San Diego hotel is worth the splurge. The grounds are beautiful and they offer first class amenities. There are many reasons why this has been a favorite among former presidents and movie stars.

Downtown Area and within a few minutes of Balboa Park

  • Embassy Suites San Diego Bay – This hotel has a great location downtown and steps from Seaport Village and the Embarcadero. Families can spread out in any of the two-room suites. They have a great cooked-to-order, buffet breakfast and an evening reception.
  • Hilton San Diego Bayfront – The views from this 30-story hotel overlooking the bay and the skyline are beautiful. It’s a convenient location to all the downtown festivities and the convention center.The rooms are spacious and they offer great amenities.
  • Manchester Grand Hyatt – This waterfront hotel is huge and has a convenient location by the boardwalk and adjacent to Seaport Village and the convention center. There are over 1,600 rooms and suites. Amenities include the pool and sun deck with whirlpools and fire pits.
  • Omni San Diego Hotel – This 500+ room hotel is perfect for a game at PETCO park or to explore downtown. We’ve stayed here and overlooked the ballpark which was quite special.
  • See the best prices from the major travel sites on HotelsCombined.
  • Find the best San Diego hotels and read reviews on TripAdvisor.

Vacation Packages

  • Save up to 50% on your next Southern California vacation package with Get Away Today.  You can also use promo code: *WorldBook* to get an extra $10 off any 2-night or longer Southern California package (hotel and 2 ticket minimum)

Attractions

  • Save Money on San Diego and Southern California’s top attractions by using CityPASS

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Balboa Park San Diego

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72 thoughts on “Strolling Balboa Park in San Diego”

    1. Thanks for stopping by Sophie! I’ve never seen those cobble stones/pathways anywhere else either. It has even more interesting architecture on other parts of the park too.

  1. I love Balboa park, and thank you for these great pictures. In Tucson, where I live, we have a Spanish Baroque mission that has recently been restored, Mission San Xavier del Bac–but it is only one building. My favorite place to visit at Balboa is the Museum of Man.

    1. Thanks Vera and I’m glad you enjoyed them. We missed Mission San Xavier the last time we were in Tucson but would like to check it out next time. We haven’t been to the Museum of Man and hopefully we can make it there soon.

  2. I’m ashamed to admit that in all of our visits to SD, we haven’t yet strolled through these lovely grounds. Hope to make it happen in 2012. Thanks for the wonderful photo tour.

    1. I know what you mean Ryan. Time always passes by quickly here. There’s always something happening. When we came here we stumbled on an orchid show and next thing you know – it’s dusk. Hope you make it back here soon and enjoy more time at Balboa.

  3. I can certainly see why you would feel like you were in Spain with all the beautiful Spanish Colonial architecture. I had no idea that Balboa Park was the largest urban cultural park in the country. Looks like a great place to visit, even just to walk around.

    1. Thanks for stopping by Cathy. I know – surprising info about Balboa Park too. I always thought Golden Gate or Central Park. It is a very popular place especially during the weekends – one of the great free things to do around here.

  4. I grew up in Southern California and I vaguely recall visiting Balboa Park on a field trip in middle school or high school. I would love to go back wander the grounds with my children some day. I know my kids would want to play their own version of hopscotch as well!

  5. It was the Spanish architecture that made the biggest impression on me when we visited Balboa Park. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain the day that we visited so we didn’t do much strolling but spent the day indoors at museums instead. Will have to return someday and have a better look at the gardens.

    1. It’s too bad you didn’t get to explore the park. You came during the few days it rains here =) I’m sure the museums were a great visit too. I hope you visit again soon.

  6. Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista

    Oh yes I’ve been to Balboa Park and love it! The architecture is amazing and your beautiful photos have captured them very nicely.

    1. Hi fellow San Diegan =) Thanks for stopping by Andi. II’ve read that Balboa park is considered the heart of the city and I couldn’t agree more. It’s great anytime of the year.

  7. The glowing lights in the building is awesomely creepy. And colored hopscotch sounds like the most fun game I’ve heard of in a while. I’ve been to the zoo, but I never even knew this place was there. That might be saying something for my lack of research skills.

    1. I’d like to call the lights a bit more charming. I think my kids were making up the rules of the game with colored hopscotch. You were so close and most likely passed by the park – next time.

  8. It’s funny, I’ve been researching Spain for our trip there this summer, and that’s exactly what I thought when I saw your pictures: that it could be Spain! So why are we traveling so far when San Diego is so close? It’s a mystery.

    1. Sonja – it sounds like a fun trip. Well, Spain has a whole lot more of these and Balboa Park is just a sample. Spain also has better paella and jamon. =)

  9. What beautiful pictures! We have been to Balboa Park once, but we didn’t get
    to look around too much. My three year old was insistent that he needed to jump
    into that beautiful fountain and that shortened our sightseeing.:)

    1. Thanks Jessica and thank you for sharing that story. We saw a couple of toddlers ready to take the plunge when we were there. It is very inviting with no boundaries for the kids.

    1. Marina, there are a few cafes in the museums and restaurants here including an award winning one called The Prado at Balboa Park. We haven’t tried it out yet but have heard great things about it. It’s a great day trip for the locals and Southern Californians.

  10. Hey, it’s my home town!! I grew up just minutes from Balboa Park…

    discovered you through Bloggy Moms and SO happy I did! Your blog looks like my fantasy life, rich
    with travel experiences…I cannot wait to keep reading!

    Cheers!
    Devon

  11. Thanks Meghan! It would be a great day trip to explore in San Diego. The museums are wonderful too. Just try to come early to beat the traffic and crowds.

  12. I love Balboa park- such a great place to explore. I’ve never been in the science museum and would love to visit again to see that!

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