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San Diego Balboa Park
Balboa Park at San Diego

Balboa Park

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1549 El Prado, San Diego California 92101
619-239-0512
Category: Attractions
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Balboa Park in San Diego

A stunning landscape of art, culture and recreation, Balboa Park is the urban playground of San Diego. Balboa Park features world-class art and history museums, performing arts venues, beautiful gardens, spacious plazas, public art, play and recreation areas, 65 miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, dog parks, restaurants, and extraordinary exhibitions, performances, and events.
 
Get wild at the San Diego Zoo, see a play at The Old Globe and explore amazing museums, including the San Diego Art Institute, San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego Natural History Museum, and San Diego Museum of Art. Roam the Japanese Friendship Garden and Palm Canyon, or play a round at the Balboa Park Golf Complex. Balboa Park is a National Historic Landmark.

Details

Hours -

The Balboa Park grounds are open 24 hours a day and the Visitors Center is open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. Museum hours vary.

Prices -

Park admission is free, and other tickets are per attraction.
 

Events


  • Twilight in the Park - Summer Concerts
  • Shakespeare Festival at The Old Globe
  • Resident Free Tuesdays
  • Balboa Park December Nights
  • Art Exhibitions, Films & Theatre Performances
 
 

Activities

  • Hiking & Biking Trails
  • Golf
  • Performing Arts
  • Balboa Park Activity Center
  • Dining
  • Puppet Show: Puppet Circo
 

Balboa Park Attractions

Balboa Park boasts the city's most exciting museums, performing arts venues and cultural attractions, including the San Diego Zoo San Diego Art Institute, San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego History Center, San Diego Museum of Art, Japanese Friendship Garden, Fleet Science Center, Timken Museum of Art. Enjoy live theater and music at The Old Globe and Starlight Theater.
 

Resident Free Tuesdays -

As a public service for San Diego residents, the museums, attractions and performing art venues at Balboa Park offer free admission on a rotating basis on different Tuesdays of the month. Enjoy free Tuesday admission to San Diego Art Institute, San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego History Center, San Diego Museum of Art, Japanese Friendship Garden and Fleet Science Center. The Timken Museum of Art is always free. San Diego City & County residents must show ID. Visit www.balboapark.org/visit/Tuesdays for the schedule.
 

FAQs

Is alcohol permitted in Balboa Park?


Cool off with an adult beverage on the open lawns and plazas of Balboa Park. Alcohol is permitted from noon until to 8:00 p.m. in the Botanical Building East Lawn and West Lawn, House of Pacific Relations Lawn, International Lawn, Mall Lawn, Moreton Bay Fig Lawn, Pan American Plaza Lawn and Recital Hall Lawn.
 

Is there free parking?


Yes. Balboa Park offers several free parking lots. The Inspiration Point parking lot (on the east side of Park Blvd., between Presidents Way and Balboa Park Activity Center) offers easy access to the heart of Balboa Park and the free Balboa Park Tram which transports visitors to the park's museums and attractions. Valet parking is available for a small fee in front of The Prado Restaurant at the House of Hospitality.

Map/Directions

Driving Direction to Balboa Park From or The Bristol Hotel