Balboa Park
1200-Acre Cultural Center
Back to Balboa Park
Reviewed by: Ed from SAN ANTONIO, TX, USA on Jul 14, 2006
I highly suggest getting the Balboa Park Passport with Zoo ticket. It's well worth the $$ and it's the greatest place in SD
Would you recommend this to a friend?
Yes
There is so much to see, and so many different interests, that it is impossible to see it all. 3 times and we are planning to go again. Favorite is the Air/Space Museum and it's changing themes. Museum of Man is so wonderful. Art! Wonderful, Gardens, gorgeous, just go!
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 07 2009
For $29 I bought a 4 museum pass, visited 4, and still was able to enjoy lunch on the grass by the reflecting pond, and a delightful hour in the dog park (even without a dog) watching man's best friend run and play with each other. Try to time your visit for a Tuesday when there is free entry to certain museums depending on which week it is. Make your first stop the friendly visitor's center to get the info on which museums are free that day and a map to get around. Plan time to wander the ALWAYS FREE Botanical Gardens around lunchtime so you can have a picnic outside on the grass in front of the Reflecting Pool and maybe catch a busker or two performing cheesy magic shows for the crowds. A great place for a take-out picnic lunch is the cafe near the Museum of Photography. They make fresh, delicious sandwiches on the some of the best marbled rye I've tasted. Sprouts are standard on the sandwich, so tell them if you don't want any. A lunch of a chicken salad sandwich with pickle, chips, and a diet soda was just over $7. Well worth it and better than a greasy hot dog. I visited The San Diego Museum of Art (don't miss the sculpture garden around the side of the museum), The Museum of Photography (which was showing the work of Ansel Adams), The Mingei Museum (which was disappointing and noisy as they were in the midst of setting up another exhibit, although they definitely had the BEST museum gift shop!), and The Museum of Natural History (really fabulous interactive displays that kids and adults were both interested in)
Reviewed by: vicki from on Jul 01 2009
I don't see anything special about this place. It's seems like a big park with old buildings. I didn't enjoy it much.
Reviewed by: AngelaL from on Jun 05 2009
I took my family and they totally loved it. We went to the museums it was great. The performers outside the museums were very talented and great. My kids want to go again.
Reviewed by: what'sup from on May 31 2009
All the beautiful buildings and scenery. A little pricey in the gift shops, but that is expected. Ample parking, but better to come early. We arrived BEFORE all the crowds, glad we got there early to have some quiet time. I would NOT recommend it for really young children though, takes away from the other people enjoying themselves and the kids probably would be bored.
Reviewed by: Lisa from on Mar 27 2009
This park was so beautiful that I cannot wait to go back. Don't waste your time and money on the Natural History Museum, though. To me, the greatest thing I got to see were the rose and cactus gardens. Of course, the zoo is the nicest in the world, too.
Reviewed by: Theresa from on Mar 09 2009
The museums were amazing here at Balboa Park. But the problem was that there was so many of them....We had planned on seeing alot of them and having it be just a day trip but we soon realized that one or two was all that we were going to be able to see in just a day. It costs around 4.00 for children under 12. 6.50 for children 13 to 17 and 8.00 for all adults. The museums are large and contain more than one topic. They also have a passport option for those who are going to be around the park for about a week this was about 36.00 for each person and if you got to seeing all 15 museums you will sure get your moneys worth. But unless your whole motive for going to San Diego was to see Balboa Park then the passport is not a costly option.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jun 19 2008
There are many gardens and attractions in the Balboa Park, so when you planning your trip you must first print a map of Balboa Park so you won't mistaken BlaBoa Park as one travel point. it took me two days to visit it's pretty big. the following are some of my favorite places in the balboa Park. San Diego Zoo, the garden of dessert, Rose garden which is right next to the dessert garden, Japanese garden ($4.00) if you show a student ID it is only $2.50. Spanish art village. the Fleet space museum is not so worth the money $10.00 for a I-Max Educational film, it saids admission included but there is nothing interesting inside the museum. but overall the gardens and zoo are great!!
Reviewed by: Candy from on Jun 18 2008
Beautiful park in beautiful San Diego. Even if you don't go to any museums, for the price of the gas to get here you can walk around, enjoy the architecture -- especially the Organ Pavilliov, watch some street performers (who are moderated by the city) and just enjoy the day. If you go on a weekend, you will very likely see a bride and groom taking their pictures in the gorgeous setting. The Prado at the end near the Old Globe is hands-down the best restaurant in all San Diego. It's Central Park of San Diego
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 20 2007
I went to Balboa Park as a suggestion and I am so glad I did! There was sooo much going on, so much to see, so much to do. If you enjoy walking around, then you'll be heaven. They even have a multi-pass for the museums which I highly recommend if you plan on hitting most that are on the list. Some museums are free and the atmosphere is amazing. The zoo is walking distance and sooo worth trip! Bring a blanket and food and have a mini picnic on the grass!
Reviewed by: Doni Marie from on Sep 30 2007
1200-Acre Cultural Center
Back to Balboa Park
Reviewed by: Ed from SAN ANTONIO, TX, USA on Jul 14, 2006
I highly suggest getting the Balboa Park Passport with Zoo ticket. It's well worth the $$ and it's the greatest place in SD
Would you recommend this to a friend?
Yes
There is so much to see, and so many different interests, that it is impossible to see it all. 3 times and we are planning to go again. Favorite is the Air/Space Museum and it's changing themes. Museum of Man is so wonderful. Art! Wonderful, Gardens, gorgeous, just go!
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 07 2009
For $29 I bought a 4 museum pass, visited 4, and still was able to enjoy lunch on the grass by the reflecting pond, and a delightful hour in the dog park (even without a dog) watching man's best friend run and play with each other. Try to time your visit for a Tuesday when there is free entry to certain museums depending on which week it is. Make your first stop the friendly visitor's center to get the info on which museums are free that day and a map to get around. Plan time to wander the ALWAYS FREE Botanical Gardens around lunchtime so you can have a picnic outside on the grass in front of the Reflecting Pool and maybe catch a busker or two performing cheesy magic shows for the crowds. A great place for a take-out picnic lunch is the cafe near the Museum of Photography. They make fresh, delicious sandwiches on the some of the best marbled rye I've tasted. Sprouts are standard on the sandwich, so tell them if you don't want any. A lunch of a chicken salad sandwich with pickle, chips, and a diet soda was just over $7. Well worth it and better than a greasy hot dog. I visited The San Diego Museum of Art (don't miss the sculpture garden around the side of the museum), The Museum of Photography (which was showing the work of Ansel Adams), The Mingei Museum (which was disappointing and noisy as they were in the midst of setting up another exhibit, although they definitely had the BEST museum gift shop!), and The Museum of Natural History (really fabulous interactive displays that kids and adults were both interested in)
Reviewed by: vicki from on Jul 01 2009
I don't see anything special about this place. It's seems like a big park with old buildings. I didn't enjoy it much.
Reviewed by: AngelaL from on Jun 05 2009
I took my family and they totally loved it. We went to the museums it was great. The performers outside the museums were very talented and great. My kids want to go again.
Reviewed by: what'sup from on May 31 2009
All the beautiful buildings and scenery. A little pricey in the gift shops, but that is expected. Ample parking, but better to come early. We arrived BEFORE all the crowds, glad we got there early to have some quiet time. I would NOT recommend it for really young children though, takes away from the other people enjoying themselves and the kids probably would be bored.
Reviewed by: Lisa from on Mar 27 2009
This park was so beautiful that I cannot wait to go back. Don't waste your time and money on the Natural History Museum, though. To me, the greatest thing I got to see were the rose and cactus gardens. Of course, the zoo is the nicest in the world, too.
Reviewed by: Theresa from on Mar 09 2009
The museums were amazing here at Balboa Park. But the problem was that there was so many of them....We had planned on seeing alot of them and having it be just a day trip but we soon realized that one or two was all that we were going to be able to see in just a day. It costs around 4.00 for children under 12. 6.50 for children 13 to 17 and 8.00 for all adults. The museums are large and contain more than one topic. They also have a passport option for those who are going to be around the park for about a week this was about 36.00 for each person and if you got to seeing all 15 museums you will sure get your moneys worth. But unless your whole motive for going to San Diego was to see Balboa Park then the passport is not a costly option.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jun 19 2008
There are many gardens and attractions in the Balboa Park, so when you planning your trip you must first print a map of Balboa Park so you won't mistaken BlaBoa Park as one travel point. it took me two days to visit it's pretty big. the following are some of my favorite places in the balboa Park. San Diego Zoo, the garden of dessert, Rose garden which is right next to the dessert garden, Japanese garden ($4.00) if you show a student ID it is only $2.50. Spanish art village. the Fleet space museum is not so worth the money $10.00 for a I-Max Educational film, it saids admission included but there is nothing interesting inside the museum. but overall the gardens and zoo are great!!
Reviewed by: Candy from on Jun 18 2008
Beautiful park in beautiful San Diego. Even if you don't go to any museums, for the price of the gas to get here you can walk around, enjoy the architecture -- especially the Organ Pavilliov, watch some street performers (who are moderated by the city) and just enjoy the day. If you go on a weekend, you will very likely see a bride and groom taking their pictures in the gorgeous setting. The Prado at the end near the Old Globe is hands-down the best restaurant in all San Diego. It's Central Park of San Diego
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 20 2007
I went to Balboa Park as a suggestion and I am so glad I did! There was sooo much going on, so much to see, so much to do. If you enjoy walking around, then you'll be heaven. They even have a multi-pass for the museums which I highly recommend if you plan on hitting most that are on the list. Some museums are free and the atmosphere is amazing. The zoo is walking distance and sooo worth trip! Bring a blanket and food and have a mini picnic on the grass!
Reviewed by: Doni Marie from on Sep 30 2007
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