San Diego's Balboa Park - America's Largest Urban Cultural Park

Sitting on the edge of downtown San Diego, Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre cultural and recreational center offering something for everyone. The largest such urban park in America, it features a wide variety of museums, exhibitions, performing arts, world-famous gardens, recreational facilities, restaurants, and a zoo considered to be one of the finest in the world.

The park was the site of the Panama-California International Exposition of 1915-1916 honoring the completion of the Panama Canal. The exhibit halls were largely constructed in the very ornate Spanish Colonial Revival style, and many of these beautiful building are still in use today, such as the Casa del Prado Theatre, at left. Many of Balboa Park's other buildings were constructed for the California-Pacific International Exposition of 1935-1936. The architectural theme for the second expo was the native pueblo style of the southwest and Mexico.

Balboa Park truly has something for everyone. You can visit the San Diego Museum of Art or the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. Take the kids to the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre, or let them ride the Balboa Park Miniature Railroad. The railroad's rare antique locomotive has been pulling passengers here since 1948. If you are a vet, the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center may be for you. The San Diego Aerospace Museum will excite "kids" of all ages. Most of the museums and performance centers have changing exhibits and shows as well as ongoing displays. There are also many special events taking place throughout the year.

The many beautiful gardens offer a magnificent backdrop to the various attractions. (Photo left, Botanical Building) The ever-changing floral displays give the park a different look with each visit. The most stunning botanical collection is within the San Diego Zoo. More than 6,000 species of plants are integrated within a lush canyon that is very beautiful just in its natural state. The plants are used to create natural animal exhibits which closely resemble the animals' native habitats.

Below are some of my favorite Balboa Park places.

• San Diego Zoo. The zoo is without a doubt the most popular attraction in Balboa Park, and is considered one of the finest zoos in the world. It is located in a lush canyon with the animals presented in a natural setting. The feeling is more of a park than a zoo. The giant pandas are probably the most popular attraction. For more info, visit the San Diego Zoo's web site.
• Rueben H. Fleet Science Center. The Fleet houses the world's first IMAX® "Dome Theatre" which is sort of a cross between the standard IMAX® and a planetarium. This allows the presentation of large-format films as well as astronomy shows. The center also features five galleries with about 100 "hands-on" exhibits, which are highly popular and educational for kids. For current exhibits and showtimes, visit the Rueben H. Fleet Science Center's web site.
• San Diego Aerospace Museum. Aircraft museums are always a big hit with adults and kids of all ages, and everyone wants to see the classic military craft. The Aerospace Museum provides plenty, including one of the very few RAF Spitfires remaining in existence. The museum is also currently displaying the original Apollo 9 command module. It is on loan from the National Air and Space Museum until at least 2007. For current exhibits, visit the San Diego Aerospace Museum's web site.
• San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum. The national's largest multi-sport museum focuses on memorabilia related to San Diego. This of course includes a tribute to the great baseball player, Ted Williams, who was a native son. For current exhibits, visit the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum's web site.
• Museum of Photographic Arts. Dedicated exclusively to photographic arts, the museum displays works representing the history of photography. There is however a focus towards contemporary work including social documentary and photojournalism. (Photo Below Right, Museum of Photographic Arts) For current exhibits, visit the Museum of Photographic Arts' web site.

Admittance to the Park grounds is free. The Botanical Building, outdoor gardens and some additional attractions are also offered free of charge. But most of Balboa Park's museums require admission fees.

The Passport to Balboa Park offers visitors the chance to experience thirteen park museums and attractions with savings of more than 50%. The Passport is good for seven days. The Zoo/Passport Combo includes the Passport, plus a one day deluxe admission at the San Diego Zoo. The Passport to Balboa Park is available for purchase at the Visitor Center in the park, at participating museums (but not the zoo), or online at the Balboa Park web site. The Balboa Park web site also includes complete information on attractions, new and ongoing exhibits, and upcoming events.

The park is located at the intersection of the Interstate-5 and California-163 freeways in downtown San Diego. For more information, including detailed travel directions, you may visit the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau. Or, call the Bureau at (619) 236-1212.