Balboa Park

About Balboa Park

Get the inside scoop on Balboa Park from local experts, travel creators, and tastemakers. Browse genuine trip notes, Balboa Park reviews, photos, travel guides, and itineraries from real travelers and plan your trip with confidence.

What people say

"Balboa Park is a 1,200 acre park in San Diego and an absolute must! It is home to plent of museums (some are free, too!), gardens, vegetation zones, walking paths, and of course: the San Diego Zoo. Parking is free! However, it can be really tough to find a spot, and you might be driving around a bit waiting for one to open up (especially on weekends). Keep this in mind! From the site: THE ONE DAY BALBOA PARK EXPLORER PASS Provides admission to 5 museums in one day — perfect for solo travelers or groups who want to pack a lot into a short visit. THE MULTI-DAY EXPLORER Provides admission to the above museums (but not the zoo) for a consecutive seven days. THE ANNUAL EXPLORER PASS If you’re a San Diego resident, this is one of the best city discounts around because it lets you pop into the park’s museums whenever the mood strikes. It’s a great deal and can make rainy days more fun. We have it."
"There is so much to do in Balboa park and it’s lovely to have an open, relatively car free area for kids to roam free. Beautiful architecture surrounds you with fun places for kids to climb and play. I recommend getting lunch at the Panama 66 sculpture garden or the Japanese tea garden."
"Tons of things to check out here including several trails! Highly recommend walking Palm Canyon Trail, Balboa Park Loop, and checking out the Spanish Village Art Center! Go early in the morning to beat the crowds, and don't forget to stop and look at the gorgeous architecture!"

Mentioned in these guides

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Groups • Adventure • Foodie • Wine • Coffee • Beach
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