Balboa Park

1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA

Contributed by Project for Public Spaces

With a host of cultural institutions laid out among its 1,200 lushly planted acres, Balboa Park is known as the "cultural heart" of San Diego.

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Why It Works

Laid out around a series of destinations, or "centers of activity," Balboa Park is organized around a system of internal paths leading to its cultural attractions. This makes it clear to people how to use the park and where to go. The major centers of activity are the El Prado area, which houses the majority of museums and theatres, and a hand-painted carousel from 1910. Numerous refreshment stands and eateries - such as Albert's Restaurant in the San Diego Zoo, named after a famous resident, Albert the Gorilla - are also located throughout the park. The House of Hospitality is a visitors' center with maps, event guides, and information on park tours.

San Diego's Park and Recreation Department owns and manages both the park and the buildings within it. Buildings are rented to institutions (e.g. museums, theater companies), which are responsible for programming and interior maintenance. The City provides exterior maintenance of buildings. A number of park advocacy groups also support the park: the Central Balboa Park Association, for instance, is an organization of the area' museums. Informal entertainment (i.e. juggling, musicians, fortune telling) is managed by the Parks and Recreation Department through a daily permit system.

Cultural and entertainment events take place throughout the year, ranging from weekly concerts on the world's largest outdoor pipe organ to astronomy classes and lectures; the Old Globe Theater and the Spreckels Organ Pavillion host concerts and plays; and there are also galleries and gardens, a children's puppet theatre and an OMNIMAX theater. Despite this wealth of activity, there's still plenty of room for more traditional park activities like sports and picnicking.

Standing out among the park's attractions is the legendary San Diego Zoo, whose entrance, marked by two 11-foot topiary elephants, is a popular meeting place. The zoo covers 100 acres and is home to 3,800 animals from 800 different species, but it's unique in that it also has a number of creative educational programs, including sleepover events.

History & Background

The land that is now Balboa Park was set aside by the Board of Trustees of the City of San Diego in May 1868. At first the site was primarily a nature park used by garden groups, but in 1915, when San Diego entered the competition to host the Panama-California Exposition, the cultural aspect of the park began to evolve. Its buildings now house a variety of museums, including the Museum of Man, the Museum of Art, the Aerospace Museum, and the Automotive Museum.

The Zoo was founded in 1916 by Dr. Harry Wegeforth, and when San Diego hosted the California Pacific Exposition in 1935, new buildings were constructed that reflect Pueblo and Mayan architectural styles. Several buildings, including the Casa de Balboa, were influenced by Spanish Colonial architecture, and the Ford Building, an impressive Art Nouveau structure, was also built at this time.

During World Wars I and II, barracks and military headquarters were temporarily located in the park; after 1946, much of the damage done during those years was repaired. In 1960, a master plan for Balboa Park was created to continue the growth and development of the park. A new plan was adopted in 1989 to carry park improvements over the next 20 years - including the renovation of several popular structures from the 1915 exposition.

User Comments:

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05/14/03 Lynne Kennedy said:: Balboa Park is the largest and most beautiful urban cultural park in the country. Home to 15 museums, a number of performing arts and international cultural organizations, and the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park is the jewel of the city.
05/14/03 Kathy Loder said:: Balboa Park has something for everyone, and is accessible to all. It's a wonderful place to spend a day with the family. I particularly love the gardens - from the roses to the desert garden and the palm canyon. They're quite beautiful!
05/14/03 Cindy Pittman said:: Five years ago when I first visited Balboa Park as a visitor I dreamed of one day working in such a beautiful and magnificent locale. And, now that I do work here in one of the museums, I can't imagine ever going back to work in a stale office environment! This park is magical and has something to offer to everyone who visits. Every month there are different festivals and activities for people of all ages. Out of the dozens of museums and almost one hundred organizations located in the Park, you'll find something to amaze yourself with!
05/15/03 Pamela Crooks said:: The first thing people notice when they arrive in Balboa Park is the balance between romantic architecture, graceful trees, flowers, fountains and people. They also comment on the cleanliness and freshness of the well-traveled public areas. Even after a major two-day weekend outdoor event, the entire park is picked up and all trash removed by Monday morning. Gardens are lovingly tended by dedicated Park and Recreation staff who change the plantings seasonally. Even little pocket spaces are planted with colorful flowers. Free botanical tours are frequently given and are well attended. City staff takes great pride in maintaining the park and are always looking for ways to improve the way things look and the best methods for growing things with as little watering as possible in our semi-arid climate.
05/22/03 F French said:: This has to be the most magical urban park in the nation. San Diego's perfect climate makes for a riot of spring flowers, cactus gardens, swaying palm trees, and redwood groves - pretty much anything that can grow, grows there. The botanical garden building with its beautiful reflecting pools makes for a gorgeous centerpiece, and then scattered throughout the beautiful scenery are a huge variety of fascinating museums, almost all in Spanish-style architecture, giving the park quite an atmosphere. You could spend a whole lifetime exploring the trails and exhibits and still not find everything this wonderful place has to offer.
05/22/03 Christina Burruss said:: I am one of the few fortunate San Diegans who has the privilege to work in what I feel is the most beautiful place in San Diego. Balboa Park calms the soul with the beautiful old mission architecture and landscapes and energizes the mind with the many museums that range from learning and research institutions to art galleries. It is a place where the diversity of San Diego is celebrated and the community is always welcome to enjoy.
05/21/03 Wendy Eng-Rytell said:: Filled with breathtaking natural beauty, exquisite architecture, excellent museums, acclaimed theaters, and much more, Balboa Park is definitely one of world's great public spaces. Whether you're seeking the peaceful serenity of the park's hiking trails and gardens, or are fascinated by science, art, animals, or history, the park TRULY has something for everyone.
05/21/03 Delle Willett said:: Balboa Park is truly a place where minds explore and spirits soar. When my children were young we'd go to the Park and spend the day enjoying museum displays and outdoor gardens and entertainers. Now I go to the Park to "play" with best friends, celebrating birthdays and other special days. It's the best gift I can give them.
05/22/03 Laura Harkewicz said:: The first thing I noticed about Balboa Park when I visited years ago was all the beautiful plants! Now, many years later, I actually WORK in Balboa Park and am still continually awed by the plants. Exploring Balboa Park can be a new adventure every day. I am constantly finding new places to investigate, stores and museums to wander through, canyons to hike, and people to talk to. It is a true urban treasure and I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of its culture.
05/22/03 Teri Lauzon said:: I have lived in many different areas around the country and I think that Balboa Park is one of the most beautiful places around. Whenever I want to spend a relaxing day, I go there to walk around and enjoy the beautiful plants, flowers, lily pond and architecture. Everyone should visit the park and see it for themselves.