Must-Sees in Balboa Park

The 1910 Balboa Park Carousel is filled with a menagerie of animals, and all but two of the pairs are among the carousel's original European hand-carved creations. It is also one of the few carousels in the world that still offers the brass-ring game. In 2017, the Friends of Balboa Park purchased the carousel, located next to the San Diego Zoo, helping ensure it remains a park landmark for generations to come.

The Balboa Park Miniature Train, operated by the San Diego Zoo, takes passengers on a half-mile trip through four acres of Balboa Park. The train, a model G16, is a rare antique with as few as 50 models currently remaining.

Housed in historic 1935 Exposition cottages, 34 groups promote multicultural goodwill and understanding through educational and cultural programs that showcase the national traditions from many lands. The International Cottages host open houses every Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. On Sundays from March to October at 2 p.m., there are performances featuring music, dance, traditional costumes, arts, crafts and ethnic foods. It’s a great place to picnic and relax.

The Photographic Arts Building is home to the Southern California Association of Camera Clubs and has a lecture hall, studios and galleries for members to work and display their work. The galleries are open to the public on Saturdays from 12 to 4 p.m. Exhibits change monthly to include juried competitions, themed competitive works and award-winning images as well as nationally and locally recognized competitions, plus member shows and other exhibitions.

The world-famous San Diego Zoo is home to more than 3,700 animals from some 650 species and subspecies. Its botanical collection includes more than 700,000 exotic plants. The San Diego Zoo was a pioneer in the concept of open-air, cageless exhibits that re-create natural animal habitats, and is a world leader in species conservation.

Located near the Park's west entrance on Laurel Street, Sefton Plaza features several bronze statues that celebrate Balboa Park's history, including a six-and-a-half-foot bronze statue of horticulturist Kate Sessions, considered the “Mother of Balboa Park,” as well as bronze statues depicting such prominent San Diegans as Ephraim Morse, Alonzo Horton and George White Marston. The expansive lawn makes it a great place to relax or picnic.

Located between the Zoo and the San Diego Natural History Museum, the Spanish Village Art Center has long been a destination for artists and lovers of art. The village’s quaint buildings and colorful courtyard were originally built in 1935 to depict an old village in Spain for the second California Pacific International Exposition. Today, the Spanish Village Art Center is a thriving community of more than 200 local artisans, including painters, sculptors, metalsmiths, jewelry designers, clay artists, gourd artists, photographers, printmakers, fiber artists, basket makers, mixed-media artists, glass artists and enamel artists. Visitors can enjoy daily demonstrations in studios and in the colorful courtyard as well as visit the onsite glass blowing facility.

The United Nations Building houses the United Nations Association of San Diego (UNA-SD), the Eleanor Roosevelt Global Classroom and the International Gift Shop, which offers items from a variety of countries. The building promotes the mission of the United Nations in establishing peace throughout the world and also anchors the International Cottages.