So Many Things to Do at Balboa Park San Diego

Balboa Park San Diego is like no other.

San Diego's most famous park is more than just a city; it’s a cultural explosion of art, beauty, and design. If you’re planning a trip to the area, be sure to take some time to visit the famous Balboa Park, home to the famous San Diego Zoo, a multitude of museums, walking trails, elegant gardens, and a wide variety of performing arts venues.

The park's history began in 1868, when civic leaders earmarked over 1400 acres in the middle of San Diego for the future Balboa Park. No real development was done until 20 years later, when Kate Sessions made a deal leaders couldn't refuse: in exchange for 32 acres of land to house a commercial greenhouse, Sessions promised to plant 100 trees a year and donate additional trees and bushes to help beautify the neglected park. She is now recognized as "The Mother of Balboa Park" and a statue in her honor can be found at Sefton Plaza, near the Laurel Street entrance.

In 1905, city taxes helped continue the process of developing Balboa Park San Diego, resulting in water systems, additional planting, and roads being built.

The 1915 Panama Exposition, scheduled to be hosted in San Diego, sealed the park's fate: despite numerous names bandied about, the Parks Commissioner decided to honor Vasco Nunez de Balboa, the first European to see the Pacific Ocean while exploring Panama. Thus, the name "Balboa Park" was born. In addition, the California tower (which is home to the San Diego Museum of Man), Cabrillo Bridge and Spreckels Pavilion were built in preparation for the Exposition.

Besides being home to the San Diego Zoo, this family-friendly park has many attractions perfect for kids. Near the Zoo, you'll find the Balboa Park Carousel, one of the only remaining carousels in the world that offers a chance at the brass ring. Many of the animals found on the carousel are original pieces and are hand-carved with authentic European craftsmanship. Not only will this ride make you feel like a kid again, it will take you back to a time when life seemed much easier than today. Also enjoy the Miniature Railroad, a fun half-mile trip on a model G16 train. This rare antique train is just one of fifty still operating.

If you’re looking for a tranquil place to enjoy nature, you’re going to love the many gardens throughout the park. Explore the English styled gardens at Marston House with its romantic ambiance. Built in 1927, this garden will take you to a whole new place and time. If you’re looking for something more authentic, check out the Desert Garden and discover a whole new sense of beauty. The Japanese Friendship Garden is a must-see too. Dating back to the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the garden is two acres of winding paths, offering a Zen-like experience.

The Park also offers a variety of trails to explore, ranging from the half-mile Golden Hills Trail to the lengthier three-mile Park Blvd. Trail. What's so neat about Balboa Park is the amount of wooded areas set right in the middle of a bustling city.

Home to many of the museums located in San Diego, Balboa Park offers one-stop shopping for your educational and cultural needs. While not all the museums are great for kids, many offer something to appeal to the littler ones in your group.

• Japanese Friendship Garden
• Marston House
• Mingei International Museum
• Reuben H. Fleet Science Center - great for kids
• San Diego Air & Space Museum - another kid-friendly museum
• Museum of Photographic Arts
• Centro Cultural de la Raza
• San Diego Automotive Museum - fun for children
• San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum - perfect museum for families
• San Diego History Center
• San Diego Art Institute
• San Diego Museum of Man - kids will love it, especially the mummies and Egypt exhibit!
• San Diego Model Railroad Museum - another family-friendly attraction
• San Diego Natural History Museum - education and interesting for children
• San Diego Museum of Art - nice for older kids
• Timken Museum of Art
• Veterans Museum and Memorial Center
• WorldBeat Center

If you do visit Balboa Park San Diego, plan on making a full day of it. There is so much to see and do that you’ll find you’ve lost track of time. Lose yourself in a world of art and culture, all set within San Diego's famous park.

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