Spend a day (or more) at Balboa Park

Leave your car in one of the parking lots and take the free Balboa Park Tram that runs every 10 to 15 minutes to get around. – Sharael Kolberg, Contributor

Overview of Balboa Park

Home to the renowned San Diego Zoo, this 1,200-acre park is the city's cultural hub. Located in downtown San Diego, approximately 1 ½ miles north of the city center, Balboa Park is perfect for a stroll, a bike ride, or a picnic. Wander through the park's many gardens while admiring the intricate Spanish-Renaissance architecture that permeates the grounds. The California Building and the reconstructed House of Hospitality are prime examples of this architectural style.

The Botanical Building

A great starting point in Balboa Park is the Botanical Building. It's one of the most photographed spots in the park and one of the largest lath structures in the world. The Botanical Building features more than 2,100 permanent plants, including notable collections of tropical plants and orchids. Additionally, Balboa Park boasts a cactus garden, a rose garden, a Japanese-style garden, and a palm tree canyon, among others.

If you grow antsy just walking around, there are plenty of attractions here, many of which are free. Enjoy a show at the Old Globe Theatre, modeled after Shakespeare's Globe in London. Visit the Spreckels Organ Pavilion to see one of the world's largest outdoor pipe organs with more than 5,000 pipes and take in a free seasonal concert. If you have kids in tow, the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater is a must-visit.

Museums

For Art Lovers

Art enthusiasts will enjoy the San Diego Museum of Art, the Museum of Photographic Arts, the Mingei International Museum, the Timken Museum of Art, and the Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego (formerly the San Diego Art Institute).

For Science Enthusiasts

Science lovers should visit the Fleet Science Center, the Natural History Museum, and the Museum of Us (formerly the Museum of Man) located inside the California Building.

Family-Friendly Museums

Families will appreciate the San Diego Air & Space Museum and the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, the world's largest operating model railroad museum. The Comic-Con Museum features rotating exhibits of movie props, costumes, and other pop culture artifacts. Additionally, there's an automotive museum and the Centro Cultural de la Raza, focusing on Chicano, Mexican, Indigenous, and Latino art and culture.

Hours

The park is open every day of the year. However, individual attractions operate their own hours.

Tickets

While admission to the general grounds is free, several individual attractions charge fees. To save on museum visits, consider the Balboa Park Explorer Pass: the seven-day Parkwide Pass offers access to all museums (excluding Comic-Con) for $72 for adults and $48 for kids ages 3 to 11. The Limited Pass allows entry to any four museums in a single day for $60 for adults and $39 for kids. Note that the zoo and the Old Globe are not included in the Explorer Pass program.

Getting There

Parking in Balboa Park is free. If you don't have a car, the park is accessible via bus routes No. 7, 120, and Rapid 215, all of which depart from Broadway downtown. A trolley tour also stops at the park.

For more details, visit the Balboa Park website.