2. San Diego Zoo
9.4
2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA
Zoo · Balboa Park · 563 tips and reviews
Vuong Nguyen: Check out the park walking up to the Polar Bear exhibit and then take the bus down for a cool summary of the park
echo: Impressive conservation efforts. Super knowledgeable staff (be sure to take advantage of the bus tour, sit right upper deck). And of course PANDAS (1 of 4 zoos in US exhibiting pandas) and BIG CATS!
Jonathan: Expensive. Lots of hills. Great animal exhibits.
3. Birch Aquarium
8.5
2300 Expedition Way, San Diego, CA
Aquarium · La Jolla Shores · 118 tips and reviews
Tracy Cotton: The view from the Tide Pool exhibit was worth the admission and a cool little aquarium as well.
@socalwithkids: Be sure to visit the outdoor exhibits, including the tidepools, Boundless Energy exhibit, and the sharks. Visit on an afternoon & catch the sunset over La Jolla. Gorgeous view!
Eddie V's Prime Seafood: We love the Green Flash Concert series! Enjoy the sunset and live music then head inside and check out the beautiful aquarium exhibits!
Cherie De Sues: Free on Tuesdays and the museum has great dinosaur exhibits, bones and videos. Outside the sunflowers are blooming, and the botanical gardens are close by!
K12 Inc: Did you know? Like the zoo, and other museums in Balboa Park, the Museum of Man began as “The Story of Man through the Ages,” an exhibit at San Diego's 1915 Panama-California Exposition. Read more.
Arthur Mitchell: Located in the heart of Balboa Park, this museum features many fine exhibits on the Native Americans of Southern California.
5. Elephant Odyssey
9.5
2920 Zoo Dr (San Diego Zoo), San Diego, CA
Zoo Exhibit · Balboa Park · 10 tips and reviews
Natasha Baucas: You'll also find the lions, 3-toed sloth, and leopard exhibits there.
Jackee F.: Amazing! The most extensive elephant exhibit of all time.
Katie M: The whole exhibit is amazing but be sure to check out the tar pit demo/replica in addition to admiring the elephants. Fascinating historical stuff!
San Diego Reader: Exhibit Review: "The Lush Life of Toulouse-Lautrec" Read more.
The Bailey Gardiner Team: Spent the whole day at the Museum this weekend, and strongly recommend visiting the Hodgkin & Gainsborough exhibitions before May 1. Notice the similar brushwork of both artists - very cool.
San Diego Reader: W.S. DiPiero examines the "Thomas Gainsborough and the Modern Woman" exhibit, and explains what a "stomacher" is in this week's Reader Read more.
10. Gorilla Exhibit
9.0
2920 Zoo Dr (Lost Forest, San Diego Zoo), San Diego, CA
Zoo Exhibit · Balboa Park · 6 tips and reviews
Katie M: Fantastically designed exhibit with multiple places to watch the gorillas from. Such a lively bunch.
San Diego Zoo: We have 2 gorilla family troops, and they trade off on exhibit. Each is led by a mature male known as a silverback. One troop is led by Paul Donn and the other by Memba.
Miriam Goldman: Beautiful. They're so humanoid, it's stunning.
11. Balboa Park
9.6
1549 El Prado (at Park Blvd), San Diego, CA
Park · Balboa Park · 334 tips and reviews
Ingred Chamberlin: Check out the Automotive Museum's Steampunk Exhibit this summer. Discounted admission if you're dressed steampunk.
Thrillist: Hit up the nation’s largest sports museum and don’t miss the 40 exhibits of local athletes who are way better at sports than you.
Arturo Salinas: La exposición de Piratas, en el museo de ciencias naturales está muy bien para la chiquillería.
Pablo Alberto: Vale la pena conocerlo, las exposiciones son rotativas. Algunas cosas están buenas y otras no tanto
Nico Pitney: "Beautifully renovated in 2022, boasting additional exhibit space, a new courtyard and outdoor terraces and a flexible theater space + two new dining options"
Leo Hwang: Very cool. Small but wonderful displays.