Balboa Park Travel Tips
Plan ahead to make the most of your visit to San Diego’s beautiful cultural center.
There is a lot to see in Balboa Park, so you need a plan. Here are some resources that will help you get the very most out of your visit.
Balboa Park - Hours of Operation
The Balboa Park grounds are open 24 hours a day with no admission fee; this includes outdoor gardens and some attractions. The Botanical Building is free, however hours of operation may vary. Admission fees and hours of operation vary at the other cultural attractions and the San Diego Zoo.
Getting to Balboa Park
Balboa Park is located just north of downtown San Diego and is accessible by car and public transportation as well as by walking and biking from many of the nearby historic neighborhoods.
You can also take the Old Town Trolley from various locations around San Diego and hop off at Balboa Park for the day. With on-and-off privileges, the trolley makes a convenient option if your schedule is flexible.
Directions to Balboa Park
From the north:
- From I-5 take B Street/Pershing Street exit, heading toward Pershing Street. Turn left on Florida Drive. Turn left on Zoo Place. Turn left on Park Boulevard.
- From I-15 or I-805 take Hwy 163. Take Park Boulevard exit. Turn left on Park Boulevard. Follow the signs to Balboa Park.
From the east:
- Take I-8 to Hwy 163 south. Take Park Boulevard exit. Turn left on Park Boulevard. Follow the signs to Balboa Park.
From the south:
- Take 1-5 to B Street/Pershing Street exit. Turn left on Florida Drive. Turn left on Zoo Place. Turn left on Park Boulevard.
Balboa Park Parking
Free parking is available for three hours at the Lower Inspiration Point Parking Lot, located south of the intersection of Presidents Way and Park Boulevard. The park's free tram stops at the Upper Inspiration Point parking lot nearby. Other parking options are available for a fee. Consult the city's Balboa Park parking guide for details.
Valet parking is available for a fee in front of The Prado Restaurant at the House of Hospitality. Hours of service are Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. through 10 p.m.; Friday from 5 p.m. through midnight; Saturday from 10 a.m. through midnight; Sunday from 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. There is no valet parking on Mondays.
Balboa Park Visitor Center
Need help navigating the park? Head to the Visitor Center is in the House of Hospitality, located at 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 near The Prado Restaurant. The center is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. There, volunteers will help you plan your visit by providing information on audio tours, free guided tours, transportation information, dining advice and more. Don’t forget to pick up the bi-monthly Balboa Park Guide to What's New that lists all Park exhibits and performances and includes a map of the park.
Getting Around Balboa Park
The Balboa Park website is optimized for use on phones and tablets, as well as desktops. This site has various maps plus the most up-to-date in formation about the Park. Another way to navigate the park is by downloading the Balboa Park Official smartphone app powered by Guru (Android | iOS) to your smart phone. It gives directions and descriptions of all sites throughout the park from museums to gardens to restaurants and even shows you were all the parking lots are, giving you directions back to your car at the end of the day. Available for free in the Apple App Store or Google Play.
The park's free tram stops in or near four parking lots (Alcazar Parking Lot, Organ Pavilion Parking Lot, Palisades Parking Lot, and Upper and Lower Inspiration Point Parking Lots). It loops around the Cultural District, making five stops throughout the day to get you within a 10-minute walk of many of the Cultural District’s most popular destinations. Trams operate daily and leave from the Inspiration Point parking lot at Park Boulevard and Presidents Way every 10 to 15 minutes, from 9 am to 6 pm. Tram service runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Visiting Museums at Balboa Park
Balboa Park is home to dozens of museums and each one is operated independently. You can find more information regarding tickets, exhibitions, and hours of operation here. Note, many of the museums are closed on Mondays. A great way to save money and visit multiple museums is to purchase the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. The pass is available for a single day or multiple days and provides general admission to 16 participating Balboa Park museums. The multi-day pass also includes admission to the World Famous San Diego Zoo.