B is for Balboa Park
by Donna Amis Davis / @DonnaAmisDavis
Today we visit one of the favorite spots in San Diego for locals and visitors alike — Balboa Park. With 1000 acres, 15 museums, hiking trails, concerts, plays, fountains and gardens, there is something for everyone.
California Tower in Balboa Park
The 200-foot California Tower is part of the San Diego Museum of Man. It was originally constructed for the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition. Today the museum is devoted to anthropology, with exhibits about people and places throughout the Americas and around the world.
Botanical Building and Lily Pond in Balboa Park
The Botanical Building was built for the 1915-16 Exposition, along with the adjacent Lily Pond. It is one of the largest lath structures in the world.
The Lily Pond with the Botanical Building in the background is a favorite scene for photographers, and a “must-see” destination.
Sourcevia Wikimedia Commons)
The Botanical Building is free to the public. Open Friday through Wednesday, from 10 am to 4 pm. (Closed Thursdays and holidays.)
Below is a view across the Lily Pond, looking in the other direction. Notice the ornate Spanish-Renaissance style of architecture.
(By Michael Seljos via Wikimedia Commons)
And here is a close up of one of the building facades.
(image by photoeverywhere – stockarch.com)
Tons of Fun in Balboa Park
But people don’t just visit Balboa Park because of the beautiful architecture. Besides the San Diego Zoo, there are 15 museums, various gardens, play areas for the kids, and even your dog, fountains, meandering trails, shady trees, restaurants, snack stands and a lively mall.
Young kids love the carousel and the miniature train. Kids of all ages can play and learn at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. Our little grandkids love the Model Train Museum. The organ pavilion hosts free concerts on Sunday afternoons. In fact, San Diego is one of the few cities in the world that has a civic organist, a tradition that began in 1917.
Balboa Park is also home to the Old Globe Theatre, with plays all year round, including a famous Shakespeare summer festival.
Maybe next year instead of Quintessential San Diego from A to Z, I’ll do Balboa Park from A to Z.
Wow, Donna, Balboa park is gorgeous. Great photos.
Nice! You’ve inspired this SD native to explore more! 🙂
Stunning – the architecture reminds me of Spain in some ways. We chose a park for our B too, imagine that. Great B, see you tomorrow!
I think basing the architecture on Spain was their idea, as San Diego’s original foreign settlers were from Mexico. I hope I can see the Spanish originals sometime!
It looks like a beautiful place from those pictures!
I’m an A to Z helper this year, so I’ll be checking back to make sure everything’s OK 🙂
Nice to meet you!
Love those buildings!
They are extravagant, aren’t they?
Yes, and I really love those ornately-designed older buildings. They’re so classy and awe-inspiring. Thanks for publishing those photos!
Lovely architecture.The tower reminded me of the Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh. (Called after Sir Walter Scott)
Hey Donna! Loved the look of your blog! And an amazing co-incidence is my husband just left for San Diego today for a week. He’s a complete nerd and loves museums and nature. What would you suggest him to look up if he had a whole day to himself in your awesome city? Though I do think Balboa Park has it all!! 🙂
You are probably right. Balboa Park has so many museums, and the zoo is right there. There is also Scripps Aquarium up in La Jolla. And I hope he can manage to get over to La Jolla and check out the seals.
thanks, donna, for the love letter from home! my dad and i used to cut firewood from downed eucalyptus trees down by the archery range.
You are welcome! Where is that archery range, anyway? Suzanne, did you ever do Camp Fire Girl Day Camp? Their place was in Balboa Park, too. I still look for the fence line when we are driving down 163.
im not exactly sure but i remember it was “below” the prado area. and yes… i did many summers of day camp. i always enjoyed the “crafty” part best~ loved glueing macaroni letters on to eucalyptus bark as a name badge. and cooking out. i think it was your mom who showed us how to make stoves from coffee cans and tuna cans filled with spiraled corrugated cardboard and wax. was the best bacon and pancakes ever!
You have the best memory! Now that you mention it, I can remember those name badges. I do remember the songs, sitting around a circle on logs, and one of the counselors skits.
I lived in San Diego from 1959 to 1963 before my family moved to Northern Indiana. That was during my elementary school years and I have great memories of that time. San Diego was much smaller back then. Two of my favorite places were Old Town and Balboa Park. So many great things to do at the latter.
I’ve since moved to L.A. and have made frequent visits to San Diego. Still love it there!
Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
Hi Arlee,
I’ve been away from San Diego for many years, and have had fun revisiting favorite childhood haunts myself. Thanks for stopping by!