Balboa Park
When: Year-round
No place captures the heart and soul of San Diego quite like Balboa Park, the 1200-acre oasis of art, culture, recreation and reflection just minutes from downtown. With its rich history, eye-catching architecture and bounty of museums and beautiful green spaces, the park is a must for any visitor.
When: Spring
Balboa Park’s beautiful gardens come alive in springtime, from the fragrant blooms of the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden to the formal, ornate delights of the Alcazar Garden. And the Japanese Friendship Garden – symbol of city sisterhood between San Diego and Yokohama, Japan — is renowned for its spring Cherry Blossom Festival, which runs March 13-16, 2025.
When: Year-round
One of the most striking architectural sights in Balboa Park, the domed, wood-lath Botanical Building — built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition — is open again after a complete rebuild. Visitors can once again enjoy the structure’s hundreds of rare, tropical and indigenous plants, or soak in the views of the serene Lily Pond that stretches out in front of the building.
When: Year-round
There’s so much to discover in Balboa Park — in spring and throughout the year — that investing in an Explorer Pass can be a great option. Offered at three price levels, the Explorer Pass provides admission to as many as 16 of the park’s museums and attractions, at big discounts compared with buying individual admission tickets.