A Photo Friendly Tour of Balboa Park
Balboa Park is one of the most widely photographed destinations in San Diego, and for good reason: It’s simply stunning!
Created in 1868 as a 1,200 acre overlook of the ambitious project that relocated San Diego’s business and political center to its current location, the lush landscaped beauty, with its art and cultural institutions and green-space, is the largest urban cultural park in the United States and often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the West.”
The 1915 Panama-California Exposition commemorated the opening of the Panama Canal and created many of the park’s cultural institutions, built in a stunning Spanish-Renaissance architecture. It was one of the first times this highly ornamental architectural style had been used in the United States, which is now characteristic of most of the arts organizations housed along Balboa Park's famous El Prado pedestrian walkway.
Twenty years later, the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition added additional cultural institutions and landscaping. Buildings surrounding the Pan American Plaza were created at this time and present a fascinating architectural history of the Southwest, from earlier Aztec influences through Mexican pueblo style, to art deco and arte moderne.
Today, this cultural legacy provides visitors with many rich experiences and elegant photographic opportunities:
Day 1
Morning
Pick up coffee and a scone at Daniel’s Coffee Cart in the courtyard of the national historic landmark House of Hospitality, a magnificent example of Spanish-Renaissance architecture.
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The delightful courtyard and fountain with its beautiful centerpiece, Woman of Tehuantepec, was created by acclaimed San Diego sculptor, Donal Hord, and is one of the most photographed sites in the Park. There is a free self-guided House of Hospitality history tour on the second level of the building.
The Visitors Center is located in the building and is open daily from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Pick up a bi-monthly Balboa Park Guide to What’s New that lists all Park exhibits and performances and provides a map, (also available in Spanish.) You can purchase a Passport to Balboa Park (admission to 14 museums; valid for one week from date of purchase) at the Visitors Center or at any of the participating museums. Or, try their Stay-for-the-Day pass, where you can choose any 5 of 14 museums, for only $35! This pass is available online, at the Visitors Center or at the MTS Transit store downtown.
A Balboa Park Audio Walking Tour will provide you with an excellent overview of the Park, museums, architecture and gardens and takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. While on your tour, check out what’s playing at The Old Globe theatre. The internationally acclaimed, Tony® Award-winning Old Globe is one of the most renowned regional theatres in the country, and has stood as San Diego’s flagship arts institution for over 70 years. The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 15 plays and musicals on its three stages, including its highly regarded Shakespeare festival. Ask about backstage tours available on Saturdays.
Afternoon
Follow the Prado to the San Diego Museum of Art and have lunch at Sculpture Court Café by Giuseppe. As the region's oldest and largest art museum, the San Diego Museum of Art's renowned holdings include a fine selection of European old masters, 19th and 20th century American art, an encyclopedic Asian collection and growing collections of contemporary and Latin American art.
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Walk next door for free admission to the Botanical Building (one of the largest lath structures in the world) with its year-round collection of more than 2,100 permanent plants. The view of the Botanical Building with the Lily Pond in the foreground is one of the most photographed scenes in Balboa Park and a "must-see" destination in San Diego.
Next door is the Timken Museum of Art, considered one of the great small museums in the world. The Timken houses a world-class collection of European old master paintings, American paintings, and Russian icons. Artists represented include Rembrandt, Rubens and John Singleton Copley.
Evening
Before the performance at the Old Globe, enjoy dinner at Prado Restaurant in the House of Hospitality. Enjoy the show!
Day 2
Morning
Stop for a quick bite at Galileo's Café at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (The Fleet). The Fleet is home to southern California’s only IMAX® Dome Theater and 100+ hands-on science exhibits for all ages. Watch immersive giant-screen films and amazing planetarium shows and experience seven galleries of fun, interactive exhibits.
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Walk across the Park Boulevard pedestrian bridge and take a stroll through the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden and the Desert Garden. The Desert Garden contains more than 1,300 plants, including succulents and drought-resistant plants from around the world, within its 2.5 acres. The peak blooming period is January through March. A popular location for wedding ceremonies in the Park, the stunning Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden displays approximately 2,500 roses of nearly 200 varieties on a three-acre site planted in a labyrinth formation. The garden is in bloom from March through December, with the roses usually at their peak in April and May.
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Walk back over the bridge and check out the Plaza de Balboa and the Bea Evenson fountain - look back along El Prado for a spectacular view. Early morning provides an incredible photo opportunity. Next, head to the San Diego Natural History Museum. Founded by a handful of citizen-naturalists in 1874, the museum is an active research institution and is the second oldest scientific institution in Southern California.
Afternoon
Back behind the San Diego Natural History Museum is Spanish Village Art Center. Grab lunch at the Village Grill before heading over to Spanish Village to visit more than 40 local artists in their studios.
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The extensive Park landscaping has earned it the moniker, the "Garden Fair." The Park's landmark tree is the Moreton Bay Fig, north of the Natural History Museum. This tree, planted before 1915, is over 60 feet tall with a spread of 120 feet.
Spend the rest of the afternoon at the Museum of Photographic Arts, Museum of San Diego History, and San Diego Model Railroad Museum (at 28,000 square feet, the museum is the world's largest operating model railroad museum), all located in the Casa de Balboa building along the Prado.
Evening
Check your Balboa Park Guide to What’s New for evening events. There are many “don’t miss” evening events including outdoor movies and performances. A short distance from the Park is a diverse selection of restaurants to wind down after your day in San Diego’s cultural gem.
Day 3
Morning
Grab breakfast at Jimmy Carter’s Mexican Café, a local favorite and close to the Park.
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Start the day with a walk through Alcazar Garden and take the iconic shot of the California Tower of the San Diego Museum of Man. The California Tower and dome, which houses the San Diego Museum of Man, the 1,500 ft. long Cabrillo Bridge, and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion were built for the 1915 Exposition and constitute some of the few remaining structures designed for the original fair.
Across the Prado in the House of Charm, visit SDAI: Museum of the Living Artist and the Mingei International Museum (Museum of the People).
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The Nikigator, the fun mosaic alligator outside the Mingei Museum, is one of many creations by French sculptor, painter, stage designer, and filmmaker Niki de Saint Phalle. You can find many of her creations throughout San Diego, including the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park.
Afternoon
Lunch at the Japanese Friendship Garden’s Tea Pavilion before a relaxing stroll through the garden. Next, check out the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, one of the world's largest outdoor pipe organs, with regular Sunday and seasonal concerts. Take in the International Cottages which are free and open every Sunday noon-4 p.m.
Located in the Pan American Plaza area is the San Diego Air & Space Museum, the San Diego Automotive Museum and San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum. Located behind the San Diego Automotive Museum is one of Balboa Park’s hidden gardens – the Old Cactus Garden – planted by Kate Sessions in 1935. Kate Sessions, known as the “Mother of Balboa Park“, is responsible for most of the original landscaping throughout the Park. Round out your visit with the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center, WorldBeat Center and Centro Cultural de la Raza.
Evening
End your day in one of the neighborhoods around the Park: Hillcrest, Bankers Hill, North Park, South Park, or Golden Hill, each with their own fun and unique restaurants.
Time to upload your photos and share with friends and family! We’d love if you also shared your experiences on our Visit San Diego photo site (www.flickr.com/groups/visitsandiego)!
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