Balboa Park San Diego California - walking among historic buildings along El Prado

Balboa Park San Diego

Balboa Park San Diego is the nation's largest urban cultural park at 1,200 acres. It has 15 museums, eight gardens, the San Diego Zoo, an artist colony and renowned performing arts venues. Balboa Park is a walking park without any traffic so be prepared to take your time. The Balboa Park museum exhibitions are constantly changing. There are musicals, concerts, plays, and some of the finest architecture to be seen anywhere. Admittance to Balboa Park is free as is the parking and there is even some RV parking. Most of the gardens and some museums and attractions are free of charge. Admission prices vary from under $5 to over $20 for the San Diego Zoo. The museums within Balboa Park offer complimentary admission once a week, however during the summer months the free days can have a line that goes out the door.

The original Balboa Park San Diego was completed in 1910 and was named after a Spanish explorer. However, it was the 1915 Panama-California Exposition that gave the park its character with "Spanish" architecture. Balboa Park is an eclectic mix of Spanish Colonial Renaissance with Gothic & Moorish influence, and the borrowed styles of baroque and rococo. The entrance to the park through the West Gate is the joining of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by the Panama Canal in 1915.

El Prado is the main road that runs through the park but is closed to thru traffic. At the end of El Prado is the fountain in the Plaza de Balboa where getting into the fountain is strictly encouraged. The Organ Pavilion houses the Spreckels Organ which sits behind a 12 ton steel curtain. The keyboard console and the 3,500 pipes of the organ are the largest remaining outdoor organ in the world. Within the park is the Old Globe which is California's oldest professional theater organization. The Park also houses a junior theater, puppet theater, and musical theatre. Tours around Balboa Park include history, botanical, architecture, and Park Ranger tours.

Jason's thoughts - Balboa Park is a great place to spend at least one day. Huge sprawling complex with incredible plant and tree collections. Shady, fun, but only one really good place to eat - Prado. If going to the San Diego Zoo, plan at least an entire day or two, especially if you are bringing kids along. It is huge and has heavy elevation changes, that means walking up hill a lot. If you can afford it, purchase the deluxe ticket that includes unlimited bus tours and sky lift. It is well worth it. Adults pay $22 to get in and the botanical scenery is worth that alone. Tons of shade but bring your own water or you will spend $20 bucks a day drinking.
Kelly's thoughts - Lots of walking in Balboa Park, sometimes we passed the same buildings three times just to get "over there". We are organized people, what is happening. This is a good day trip, even though we spent two days here. The architecture is beautiful and the foliage throughout the park is awesome. The zoo was all right but a lot of exhibits could not compare to the ones at the Melbourne Zoo in Florida, the Naples Zoo or even Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Visit San Diego California for more information.

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