Balboa Park San Diego California - camping and city information

Balboa Park San Diego California

At 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is the nation's largest urban cultural park. It has 15 museums, eight gardens, the San Diego Zoo, and renowned performing arts venues. Balboa Park is a walking park so be prepared to take your time. The Balboa Park museum exhibitions are always changing. There are musicals, concerts, plays, and classes, and some of the finest big architecture to be seen anywhere. Admittance to Balboa Park grounds is free as is parking. There is some RV parking. Most gardens and some attractions are free of charge. Admission prices vary from $3 to $22 for the zoo. The museums offer complimentary admission once a week but during the summer the free days can have a line that ques around and out the door. Click for more pictures and how we travel and live here for $20 a day.

The original Balboa Park was named after the Spanish explorer who first saw the Pacific Ocean, and was completed in 1910. However, it was the 1915 Panama-California Exposition that gave the park its character with "Spanish" architecture. All together Balboa Park is an eclectic mix of Spanish Colonial Renaissance with Gothic & Moorish influence, and the borrowed styles of baroque and rococo. The

spectacular entrance to the park through the West Gate is the joining of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by the Panama Canal in 1915. Cool pictures!

El Prado is the main road that runs through the park and is restricted to pedestrian traffic only. At the end of El Prado is the fountain in the Plaza de Balboa where wading is strictly encouraged. At the Organ Pavilion the Spreckels Organ sits behind a 12 ton steel curtain. The keyboard console and the 3,500 pipes are the largest remaining outdoor organ in the world. The Old Globe is California's oldest professional theater organization. The Park also houses a junior theater, puppet theater, and musical theatre. As well, Balboa Park offers history, botanical, architecture, and Park Ranger tours. Click any picture to see a bigger version.

Jason's thoughts - Balboa Park is a great place to spend at least one day. Huge sprawling complex with incredible plant and tree collections. Shady, fun, but only one really good place to eat - Prado. If going to the San Diego Zoo, plan at least an entire day or two, especially if you are bringing kids along. It is huge and has heavy elevation changes, that means walking up hill a lot. If you can afford it, purchase the deluxe ticket that includes unlimited bus tours and sky lift. It is well worth it. Adults pay $22 to get in and the botanical scenery is worth that alone. Tons of shade but bring your own water or you will spend $20 bucks a day drinking.
Kelly's thoughts - Lots of walking in Balboa Park, sometimes we passed the same buildings three times just to get "over there". We are organized people, what is happening. This is a good day trip, even though we spent two days here. The architecture is beautiful and the foliage throughout the park is awesome. The zoo was all right but a lot of exhibits could not compare to the ones at the Melbourne Zoo in Florida, the Naples Zoo or even Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Travel Info - Balboa Park is four miles from downtown San Diego. Carefully follow the signs to the informative Visitors Center in the middle of the Park. Balboa Park Visitors Center is located at 1549 El Prado, Suite 1, San Diego, CA 92101
Click for San Diego or full-time rv diary.

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