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Balboa Park

Park
Balboa Park, San Diego
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9.6/10
2,895
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    The gardens at Balboa Park is a can't miss
  • Tips
    Larry S.
    "A great place to walk around, see a museum or the different gardens"(40 Tips)
    Zhanna
    "Architecture, nature, everything makes your heart ❤️ beat faster"(19 Tips)
    AJ C.
    "Perfect place to sit and people watch :)"(6 Tips)
    Brandon E.
    "other day enjoy the trails and nature...relax and enjoy life"(11 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon288 Tips and reviews
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  • Evelina P.heart icon on user image
    Evelina ProdanovaOctober 23, 2017
    It is a little paradise, beautiful gardens and architecture, full of free things to do, street artists to enjoy as well as interesting museums. There is a free concert on organ at 2 pm every Sunday
    Upvoted 2 weeks ago
  • Bethany R.heart icon on user image
    Bethany RiveraSeptember 16, 2015
    Must visit place in San Diego! Beautiful Gardens, Architecture, fountains, Museums and even free organ concerts some evenings! Beautiful photo ops too. Thank you Samuel Rivera Photography!
  • The Most Interesting Man in the World
    According to my good friend Nayang in Botswana, there’s a meerkat wandering this place that stole his nana’s wedding band. So if you see a meerkat with a ring, grab him and contact me immediately.
    Upvoted Feb 10
  • Silvano S.heart icon on user image
    Silvano SenzamiciApril 23, 2018
    Been here 5+ times
    The Central Park of San Diego for my people back east to understand the enormity of this place. So many places to lounge or activities to find. A dog park, zoo, museum, restaurants, and so much more.
  • Richard R.heart icon on user image
    Richard RevillaSeptember 3, 2018
    For San Diego this park has it all. Museums, restaurant, concert hall, gardens trails and of course the world famous zoo.
  • Stacey R.heart icon on user image
    Stacey RumpfJune 19, 2015
    Great way to spend a day. You really do need at least one whole day to explore. Wear comfy shoes and be prepared to enjoy a wonderful blend of plant life, flowers, art, exhibits and more.
  • Rachyl
    RachylMarch 26, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Every 1st-4th Tuesday is a different free museum for San Diego residents and military! HAVE TO HAVE ID AS PROOF ! One can go to the same museum once a month and ALWAYS discover something new&amazing!
    Upvoted Feb 1
  • Tiffany M.heart icon on user image
    Tiffany MaddenFebruary 27, 2018
    We enjoyed the park on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. While there were a lot of people we did not feel stressed from the crowds or hurried.We will definitely return.There is so much to see! beautiful
  • Jenna Rose R.
    Jenna Rose RobbinsJanuary 23, 2014
    So many treasures to explore. The museums alone will take you days to get through. At sunset, the buildings glow for picture-perfect photo ops. You don't need to spend much to enjoy a day here.
  • Karlos S.heart icon on user image
    Karlos SotoJanuary 5, 2020
    Amazing place to walk around. As a photographer, I was able to get some amazing shots. If you’re taking engagement shots, choose a weekday, weekends are too busy.
  • Michael C.heart icon on user image
    Michael CarrollNovember 15, 2014
    Amazing place to spend an enjoyable and casual day. Every time I am here I feel like I am in Northern California. So much to do here with 17 great museums or just relax and explore the park.
  • Andrea N.heart icon on user image
    Andrea NewlandDecember 8, 2013
    The architecture in this park is amazing..love the splash of color inside the park (umbrellas) easy to run through and would love to check out the museums next time...great street performers too..
  • Annie D.heart icon on user image
    Annie DowningAugust 12, 2016
    I really enjoy this park. Everyone is playing Pokemon Go on the tram so good luck finding a spot to sit. The park is pretty packed with Pokemon Go players so just be aware. Beautiful park still...
  • Kimberly Q.heart icon on user image
    Kimberly QMarch 5, 2015
    Been here 10+ times
    Probably my favorite place here in San Diego. If you're a SD resident/active military definitely take advantage of the Free Tuesday museum admissions. There's always something new to discover here
  • Mohammed A.heart icon on user image
    Mohammed AlrabahMarch 31, 2016
    Great place to spend a whole day wandering around.
  • Jason B.heart icon on user image
    Jason BellowsAugust 19, 2019
    Fantastic city park; amazing architecture, great vendors. Could easily spend a day just wandering and exploring.
  • TheDLheart icon on user image
    TheDLAugust 22, 2015
    Been here 25+ times
    Best place to relax, take in some sunshine, people watch, enjoy dogs being happy, feel a jetliner fly overhead, have a picnic, exercise...you get it.
  • USA TODAY
    USA TODAYJune 14, 2013
    Download the travel guide and spend days in this city park's various museums -- don't miss the world's fastest jet at the Air & Space Museum! Read more
  • Theart icon on user image
    TOctober 14, 2019
    Really the best park. Free parking and beautiful architecture
  • Blan S.heart icon on user image
    Blan SaagDecember 3, 2018
    If you’re in San Diego You definitely should go. It’s absolutely beautiful. A lot of places to go. Highly recommended
  • Maureen P.
    Maureen PuckettMarch 9, 2018
    As always the perfect place for family walks .. Between nature and art, I love this wonderful place. The history of the park alone is incredible!
  • Pepsi
    PepsiJuly 1, 2011
    This could possibly be one of San Diego's most attractive and beautiful regions. Visit Sundays or Tuesdays to avoid the crowd and be sure to check out the San Diego Zoo!
  • romy j.heart icon on user image
    romy jonJuly 11, 2014
    Take a quick glance at a map of Barcelona and you’ll notice how the city fans out towards the mountains from a nucleus of entangled streets. Read more
  • Tammy M.heart icon on user image
    Tammy McCrayJanuary 12, 2016
    My favorite park as a child and still is pretty amazing. Free parking. Come to just walk around or visit one of the many museums.
  • Paige C.heart icon on user image
    Paige CAugust 20, 2015
    I'll definitely have to come back to check out the beautiful gardens - but this park is beautiful and has so much to see!
  • Esraheart icon on user image
    EsraJuly 7, 2019
    Been here 10+ times
    Come early to find a parking place😉 Museums and international cottages needs to be visit👍🇺🇸
  • Softub
    SoftubFebruary 29, 2012
    Packed with history, beautiful architecture, amazing cafes, and restaurants; Balboa Park offers something for everyone. It's perfect for couples, friends, families, and dogs--yes, there's a dog park.
  • Melodie T.
    Melodie TaoApril 4, 2010
    Been here 10+ times
    My favorite place in San Diego! For natives AND tourists! Enjoy something new each time: Hike on the trails, IMAX at Ruben H Fleet, theatrical performances, lunch at the Prado, museums galore, etc Read more
  • Julie C.heart icon on user image
    Julie CummingsJanuary 27, 2015
    Lots of walking. You can take a free tram ride on the south side of the park to save some steps. You'll definitely want to bring a camera!
  • Alex H.heart icon on user image
    Alex HennesseyNovember 11, 2015
    Great for a stroll-- cool old Mexican/mission style architecture and interesting street performers
  • Soojung L.heart icon on user image
    Soojung LeeSeptember 25, 2018
    Museums, good walking, coffee/beer breaks! Love every corner of this park.
  • Katarina K.heart icon on user image
    Katarina KatsmaAugust 14, 2015
    The grassy slope facing west at the top of the park on the southwest corner is great for watching planes land. They fly right overhead!
  • Gil M.
    Gil MoralesDecember 19, 2018
    Been here 25+ times
    Great park to have a picnic with your puppy or have a quick lunch break.
  • Eddie V's Prime Seafoodheart icon on user image
    We could spend days in Balboa Park! The park is filled with phenomenal museums, beautiful gardens, the San Diego Zoo, outdoor activities and so much more.
  • Mary S.heart icon on user image
    Mary SAugust 27, 2015
    Tons of museums, gardens, etc could spend a whole day here! Love the architecture.
  • Colin L.heart icon on user image
    Colin LeeApril 24, 2016
    Biking around the park saves a lot of time. $7 per hour. We enjoyed the botanical garden and the bonsai clubs bonsai exhibition
  • Arthur M.heart icon on user image
    Arthur MitchellFebruary 28, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    Came into it's own as the location of the 1915 Panama–California Exposition, which each created architectural landmarks for the park. It is home to over a dozen museums and the World Famous SD Zoo.
  • Account Deactivatedheart icon on user image
    Account DeactivatedMarch 1, 2018
    Get the 7 days pass plus the zoo. Totally worth it. Plan your time for 3 days. 1 day for the zoo and 2 days for the museums. Beware some museums are closed for Mo & Tu.
  • Julia S.heart icon on user image
    Julia ShevchenkoJanuary 2, 2019
    Been here 5+ times
    Enough pretty archetecture and wonderful gardens to stoll for free for hours. Lilly pond and Botanical garden is free.
  • Connie C.heart icon on user image
    Connie ChiuJune 11, 2016
    Beautiful and clean park filled with many many different things to see and do, including be museums and gardens.
  • Luke
    LukeOctober 25, 2017
    Beautiful public space for a stroll, happens to be where the zoo and museums are, too
  • JimmyGotUpsheart icon on user image
    JimmyGotUpsMarch 19, 2015
    Huge and beautiful park. Check out the tea place, gardens and many museums.
  • Arthur M.heart icon on user image
    Arthur MitchellFebruary 28, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    Came into it's own as the location of the 1915 Panama–California Exposition, which created the architectural landmarks for the park. It is home to over a dozen museums and the World Famous SD Zoo.
  • Jenn M.heart icon on user image
    Jenn MicheleJune 7, 2015
    Been here 50+ times
    Love everything about it. Hiking trails, gardens, museums, people watching, food + drink.
  • Tim I.heart icon on user image
    Tim IngmireAugust 5, 2016
    Prepare to spend lots of time here - you could easily spend several days visiting the park and the various museums / zoo.
  • Veronica A.heart icon on user image
    Veronica AFebruary 24, 2013
    Been here 25+ times
    You can always find something new; wonderful trails along the 163 freeway off of 6th avenue.
  • Duyen F.heart icon on user image
    Duyen FenstonOctober 22, 2017
    Been here 50+ times
    Largest urban park in San Diego - free museum Tuesday
  • WATSONheart icon on user image
    WATSONJanuary 28, 2016
    Beautiful. Amazing. Cool architecture & museums. Going here all the time.
  • Sreekanth K.
    Sreekanth KumandanAugust 10, 2014
    San Diego Museum of Art was great. Excellent 15-17th century European art.
  • Amanda G.
    Amanda GianninotoMarch 13, 2018
    Been here 25+ times
    Such a beautiful park! There is so much to see here!
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