DK Travel : San Diego : Balboa Park

Balboa Park

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For over 100 years, Balboa Park has awed San Diegans with its romantic hillside setting, lush landscaping, and splendid architecture. The park’s magnificent Spanish architecture dates from the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition. On weekends, thousands of visitors come to indulge their interests, whether it’s for recreation, Shakespeare or art. However, the park is probably best known as the home of the world-famous San Diego Zoo, where almost 4,000 animals and 800 botanical species reside.
Mid-week at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center can be crowded with school groups; Mondays are more peaceful. Performers at the House of Pacific Relations present ethnic songs and dances every Sunday from March to October.

Top 10 Attractions

1. Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

Learn about electricity, digital recording, tornados, and even save Earth from destruction at the interactive Meteor Storm. Catch an IMAX movie or learn some astronomy at a planetarium show (see Reuben H. Fleet Science Center).
2. Casa del Prado

2. Casa del Prado

Rebuilt from a 1915 exposition hall, this Spanish-Colonial building is an outstanding structure. Wall reliefs commemorate Father Junípero Serra and Juan Cabrillo. It is now used for community events.
3. Old Globe Theatres

3. Old Globe Theatres

The Tony-winning Old Globe Theatre, Cassius Carter Center Stage, and Lowell Davies Festival Theatre form a cultural resource (see Old Globe Theatres).
4. El Cid Statue

4. El Cid Statue

Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, Campeador, better known as the Spanish hero El Cid, overlooks the Plaza de Panama. This 23-ft (7-m) tall bronze sculpture was dedicated in 1930 as a symbolic guardian of Balboa Park.
5. California Building

Built for the 1915–16 Exposition, this building with its 200-ft (61-m) tower has come to represent San Diego’s identity. Famous figures of the city’s past are represented on the exquisite façade. Inside is the Museum of Man (see San Diego Museum of Man).
6. House of Hospitality

Modeled on a hospital in Spain, this building was erected in 1915 for the Panama-California Exposition and reconstructed in the 1990s. It is now a visitor’s center with helpful staff.
7. Spanish Village Art Center

7. Spanish Village Art Center

Richard Requa (see California-Pacific Exposition (1935–36)), architect of the 1935–36 Exposition, wanted visitors to experience the simple life of a Spanish village. This complex now houses 37 studios where craftspeople and artists display their creations ( & (see Spanish Village Art Center)).
8. San Diego Zoo

In this zoo (see San Diego Zoo), thousands of animals thrive in recreated natural habitats. Thanks to successful breeding programs and webcams, endangered baby pandas are now animal superstars.
9. Spreckels Organ Pavilion

9. Spreckels Organ Pavilion

The largest outdoor organ in the world contains 4,518 pipes. The metal curtain protecting the organ weighs close to 12 tons. Organ recitals are held every Sunday.
10. House of Pacific Relations

Founded in 1935, these cottages feature cultural ambassadors from 30 countries, who showcase their local traditions and histories.

Practical Information

Get lunch at the Japanese Sculpture Garden’s Tea Pavilion. Some parking lots aren’t open until 8:30am. House of Hospitality: Open 9am–4pm daily Spreckels Organ Pavilion:(619) 702-8138 Concerts: 2–3pm Sun; 7:30–9pm Jul & Aug House of Pacific Relations:(619) 234-0739 Open noon–4pm Sun