Balboa Park

The cultural heart of San Diego

Just minutes from downtown, you'll find an amazing cultural center and beautiful botanic paradise right in the middle of San Diego.

Balboa Park, San Diego, California

Balboa Park is a cultural oasis that includes 17 museums, gardens galore and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. At 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is one of North America’s most iconic urban parks and a must see on any visit to San Diego. Located just blocks from downtown San Diego hotels, the park has a rich history reflected through its stunning architecture, thought-provoking exhibits installations, and cultural events throughout the year.

Balboa Park has a storied history – one that is central to the story of San Diego. It started 150 years ago, when civic leaders took the audacious step of setting aside the scrub-filled mesa overlooking downtown to establish a city park. Today, Balboa Park continues to be a potent mix of what makes San Diego so unique. Ethnically diverse, historically rich, culturally abundant, naturally breathtaking, Balboa Park is where you can experience San Diego’s past and see its future.

Find out more about Balboa Park’s evolution.

The Sights and Sounds of Balboa Park

Tours

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In & Around Balboa Park

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National Geographic Channel Explores San Diego

Four-part series focuses on unique cultural offerings of Balboa Park and the city.

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7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Balboa Park

You can spend all day (or weekend) exploring Balboa Park’s 1,200 acres of museums, gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. But the Jewel of San Diego also features several lesser-known attractions that are sure to pique your interest, too.

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FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE

Ready to discover something awesome? Well, you’re in the right place.

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Balboa Park Bucket List

10 Things You Can't Miss

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Mission Fed ArtWalk

Apr 29 - Apr 30, 2023

Returning to Little Italy, for 39 years, Mission Fed ArtWalk has celebrated both visual and performing arts in San Diego. We believe art has the power to connect communities, cultivate new artistic talent and create a better quality of life for all through cultural enrichment.

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Gator By The Bay-Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival

May 11 - May 14, 2023

The spirit, sounds and flavor of Mardi Gras come alive at the largest and most-authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the bayou. With everything from A to Zydeco, this 4-day, family-friendly cultural celebration takes place on picture-perfect San Diego Bay, featuring 100+ live musical acts & performances on 7 stages, wooden dance floors, shade, green grass and plenty of fun for the kids.

Come for the music, stay for the food. Gator By The Bay’s mouthwatering French Quarter Food Court is what foodie dreams are made of. Check off every box on your bayou-inspired culinary bucket list and chow down on authentic Cajun, Creole and Southern culinary delights, including gumbo, jambalaya, beignets and 10,000 pounds of crawfish brought directly from Louisiana. Gator By The Bay is Mardi Gras in May–Let the good times roll!

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SeaWorld's Seven Seas Craft Beer & Food Festival

Mar 3 - Apr 30, 2023

Foodies and craft beer aficionados will love SeaWorld's Seven Seas Craft Beer & Food Festival, featuring craft beer from favorite local breweries, plus fresh international cuisine infused with local, sustainable ingredients and unique signature flavors from around the world.

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San Diego Restaurant Week

Mar 26 - Apr 2, 2023

San Diego Restaurant Week, hosted by the California Restaurant Association, returns with over 100 restaurants across 30+ neighborhoods for eight days of dining.

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National Geographic Channel Explores San Diego

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7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Balboa Park

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FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE

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Balboa Park Bucket List

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Mission Fed ArtWalk

Apr 29 - Apr 30, 2023

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Gator By The Bay-Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival

May 11 - May 14, 2023

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SeaWorld's Seven Seas Craft Beer & Food Festival

Mar 3 - Apr 30, 2023

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San Diego Restaurant Week

Mar 26 - Apr 2, 2023

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Save on Admission to Museums

Experience the museums of Balboa Park in an easy and affordable way with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. For one price, the Pass provides admission into as many as 16 of Balboa Park’s museums and attractions.

More from Balboa Park & San Diego

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Galleries & Museums

Experience San Diego Art with a Self-Guided Tour

Eight walkable itineraries rich in colors, flavors and sounds

San Diego has an energetic art scene with a diverse range of influences — from our Spanish and Mexican roots, to our long tradition of seafaring, through current strengths in science and technology. You can fill an afternoon or an entire day touring the creativity in these artistic zones.

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Running & Fitness

Running in San Diego

Ideal for a solitary jog along the shore, or a leisurely run with a friend through a canopy of mountain oaks, here are a few favorite San Diego running trails.

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Weddings

Park and Garden Weddings

Nature's spectacular setting for your special day

With San Diego’s mild Mediterranean climate, a garden wedding means golden sunshine, lush flowers and plants, and a mild cooling breeze.

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Arts & Culture

Best Places to See Cultural Art

Take a tour through San Diego's rich and diverse landscape

San Diego weaves together many influences, beginning with indigenous people including the Kumeyaay/Diegueño, Luiseño and Cahuilla, continuing through the eras of Spanish and Mexican governments. Chinese and Japanese immigrants began arriving between 1860 and 1880, while the Filipino population boomed as a result of World War II. More recently, the region has become home to Iraqi and Somali communities. This mixture means that you can find delectable food, lively festivals and thoughtful museums. Here are five to get you started.

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Balboa Park, by You

Fill your feed with Balboa Park and hashtag #VisitSD and tag @VisitSanDiego so that we can share your images.

Deals just for you

Activity

75-minute Naval History Bay Tour Only $20***

Maritime Museum of San Diego

Valid: Jan 10 - ongoing

Join us at the Maritime Museum of San Diego for a high-speed 75-minute narrated Naval History Tour! The US Naval Vietnam-era PCF 816 Swift Boat Listed In National Register Of Historic Places is...

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Activity

Show Your Badge & Save at the Maritime Museum!

Maritime Museum of San Diego

Valid: Jan 11 - ongoing

Come and explore our connection with the sea at the Maritime Museum of San Diego! Spanning 500 years of seafaring history, your visit to the Museum will give you a chance to step aboard an historic...

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History & Heritage

Save 10% off any San Diego Walks Tour

San Diego Walks

Valid: Jan 26 - ongoing

We offer tours of Balboa Park, Old Town, Liberty Station and Coronado. Use code BEST10 at time of booking to save 10%

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