Romantic Balboa Park is the nation's largest urban cultural park consisting of a forest of exotic trees, well-kept gardens, and a majestic lily pond, which is the most photographed site in the park. Also within the Park is the renowned Old Globe Theater and 15 outstanding must-see museums, art galleries and one of the largest planetariums in the entire country. It is also the home of the world famous San Diego Zoo. Various museums are free to visit each Tuesday and there are many other events happening throughout Balboa Park.

Balboa Park Quick Links Attractions Dining Map

Dine in Beautiful Balboa Park

Located in the House of Hospitality is The Prado Restaurant at Balboa Park (619-557-9441). This 400-seat restaurant is in beautiful Balboa Park. On warm sunny days, be sure to dine on the patio overlooking the lush greenery of the park. Their unique menu featuring Latin American cuisine and charming setting make it a great place to dine while strolling through Balboa Park. It's also a great place to hold banquets and events.

Beautiful Gardens and Impressive Museums

Here, nestled in beautiful gardens enhanced by majestic palm and eucalyptus trees, are most of the park’s impressive museums, galleries and other attractions. All are within walking distance of each other. The rest of the park is spread out over hundreds of acres. There is also a Free Balboa Park Tram that circulates throughout the park for your convenience. It operates daily 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m. with extended hours during the summer. Look for the red and white tram signs.

What to See and Do

The part of Balboa Park that attracts the most attention is an area called El Prado, which is the street that runs east from the Laurel Street park entrance to the fountain in front of the San Diego Natural History Museum. Here, nestled in beautiful gardens are most of the park's impressive museums, galleries and other attractions, all within walking distance of each other. The museums in Balboa Park are also big attractions for romantic weddings and receptions.

Must See the World Famous San Diego Zoo

A must-see attraction in Balboa Park is the San Diego Zoo, this 100-acre facility is an international animal experience where guests will see some of the earth's rarest wildlife including giant pandas from China, tree kangaroos from New Guinea and river hippos from Africa. The zoo is home to over 4,000 animals and many exhibits including the new Elephant Exhibit.