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Balboa Park, San Diego

Park Boulevard, San Diego, California

Description

Balboa Park is San Diego's main urban park; it was created in the 1860's and contains several theatres, museums such as the SD Museum of Art, the SD Natural History Museum and the Museum of Us as well as the San Diego Zoo. Some of the historical landmarks are remnants of the 1915–16 Panama–California Exposition and 1935–36 California Pacific International Exposition. The park also contains various sports / activity infrastructures and gardens such as the Botanical Building and the Japanese Friendship Garden.

Access & Transport

The park is directly to the northeast of downtown San Diego and off the I-5 exit 15. Bus 7 goes through the park along Park Blvd and the 'City College" light rail station (Blue, Orange, Silver) is just 1km (15mins walk) from the south-western entrance.

Instructions & Recommendations

Most of the museums inside open around 10h00.

Meta review

The park is almost always on the short-list of travel magazines and guides for San Diego and whilst the online reviews are overall very good, they don't qualify the venue as exceptional. Visors enjoy the beautiful landscaped gardens, the availability of parking, the various trails and cultural venues - and some also mention the presence of numerous food stalls.

Environmental & Social

Limited or no carbon footprint and positive environment & infrastructure for the residents

Conclusion

Balboa Park is a star venue rather than a star attraction, in our opinion. It is an incredible concentration of museum, attractions and gardens with trees and grass to enhance the lot. As a standalone park, it rates as nice but not special.

Key positive

Many museums and attractions inside

Enjoyable trails and landscapes

Centrally located

Key negative

Lacks some kind of harmony and cachet

Intersected by a freeway

Suitability

No restrictions

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

August 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:0h 20m

est. visit time:2h 15m

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningOk

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightNo

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

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