Forever Balboa Park

San Diego's largest cultural destination

Balboa Park is a San Diego must-see destination, just minutes from downtown. The Park is home to 17 major museums, several performing arts venues, lovely gardens, and many other cultural and recreational attractions, including the San Diego Zoo. With a variety of cultural institutions laid out among its 1,200 beautiful and lushly planted acres, Balboa Park is the nation's largest urban cultural park.

Museums and Cultural Institutions

Performing Arts

Bon Temps Social Club
Civic Dance Arts
Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater
San Diego Civic Youth Ballet
San Diego Junior Theatre
San Diego Youth Symphony
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Starlight Theatre and Starlight Bowl
The Old Globe

Attractions

Balboa Park Carousel
Balboa Park Miniature Railroad
Balboa Park Visitors Center
House of Pacific Relations Int'l Cottages
Photographic Arts Building
San Diego Zoo
Sefton Plaza
Spanish Village Art Center
United Nations Building

Visitor Center

The best way to start your time in Balboa Park is with a stop at the Balboa Park Visitors Center. Located across from The Prado Restaurant in the House of Hospitality, the Visitors Center has the most current and comprehensive information about the Park’s activities and attractions. Open from 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM daily, the Visitors Center offers brochures, maps, audio tours, free guided tours of the Park, transportation information, dining advice, and more.

Free Park Tours

Explore the park’s rich history, spectacular architecture, and botanical wonders during a one-hour walking tour led by a Park Ranger on Sundays at 11am, and by Visitors Center staff on Tuesdays at 11am. Please meet at the Visitors Center.

California Cultural District Designation

Based on its richly vibrant and authentic concentrations of art, culture and creativity, Balboa Park has been designated as one of 14 California Cultural Districts, which showcase some of the unique artistic identities that drive California’s culture. The districts help promote authentic grassroots art and cultural opportunities, increasing the visibility of local artists and community participation in local arts and culture. Barrio Logan and Oceanside are also official California Cultural Districts.

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Visit Website

House of Hospitality
San Diego, CA 92101

Get Directions

Contact Info

(619) 239-0512
events@balboapark.org

Hours

Balboa Park Visitors Center is open daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm

Social

Event

Balboa Park Twilight Concerts

Forever Balboa Park

Jun 21 - Aug 25, 2022

For more than 39 years, Twilight’s live music under the stars has been delighting visitors. Twilight in the Park Concert events ARE scheduled to return this summer starting Tuesday, June...

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Visitors Center:

Balboa Park Explorer Pass provides discounted admission to 14 museums
One-Day Explorer provides admission up to 5 museums for one day only
Balboa Park grounds and most gardens are open 365 days per year
There is ample free parking and easy public transportation access
Open Daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Don't Miss:

The award-winning Rose Garden and historic Botanical Building
Museums ranging from art and photography to science and aerospace, and more
World-class theater, organ concerts, cultural dance performances and more
Custom Private Guided Tours

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