The Botanical Building is one of Balboa Park's most-photographed visitor attractions, originally constructed for the 1915-1916 Panama-California Exposition. The historic building is one of the world's largest lath structures and showcases a collection of more than 2,100 permanent plantings, including significant collections of orchids, ferns, cycads, palms, and other tropical plants. A scratch-and-sniff garden is also highlighted within the building, along with seasonal plant displays. Outside the building, the Lily Pond and Lagoon, also constructed for the Exposition as a reflecting pool, is home to annual plantings of lotuses and water lilies. The building is open to the public during the morning and afternoon hours Fridays through Wednesdays, with the exception of major national holidays, and is located adjacent to the Timken Museum of Art.
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, Phone: 619-239-0512
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