Balboa Park is one of the oldest dedicated urban parks in America, originally designated by the City of San Diego for future park development in 1835 and officially developed in 1870.
Today, the park stretches across more than 1,200 acres throughout the city's northeastern region, home to world-renowned cultural and family attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Natural History Museum, and the San Diego Museum of Art.
Florida and Cabrillo Canyons cut through the park's lands, which have been developed into 17 landscaped gardens areas scattered across three mesas. Families can enjoy attractions such as the Balboa Park Carousel and Miniature Railroad, while history buffs can check out the Casa del Prado, which preserves buildings from the 1915-1916 Panama-California Exposition.
San Diego, CA, Phone: 619-239-0512, Map, Video
Get Ready to Go!
- 1. Plan & Book:
- Visit the website and book directly, or call ahead to confirm hours.
- Find your stay: If needed, search for Hotel Deals nearby. Read reviews and book directly with the hotel, requesting any special amenities (romantic, kid-friendly, pet-friendly).
- Book your flight: If flying, compare flights and book directly with the airline. Add your frequent flier number and reserve your seat.
- Plan your trip:
- Estimate your driving time: Use Google Maps (click the blue 'Directions' arrow in the search box).
Need some more help?
Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.