Visiting Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a California landmark. Located in San Diego, it spans nearly 1,200 acres. The park is named after Vasco Nunez de Balboa, the Spanish explorer. It ranks among the oldest parks in the United States, with the city council approving its creation in 1868.
Activities
The park is packed with things to do. There are 17 museums scattered throughout the grounds, covering everything from art and history to science, photography, and sports.
You can also catch live performances in one of the concert halls or at one of the three theaters located on site.
The park is also home to the San Diego Zoo, which has a unique origin story. Following the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the exotic animals displayed for the event were abandoned, leading to the formation of a local society to care for them. This sparked the birth of the zoo. It was a pioneer in the cage-free movement, allowing animals to live in habitats designed to mimic their natural environments. With 4,000 animals across 100 acres, it is a primary destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
Botanical Gardens at Balboa Park
Within the park, you will find 14 botanical gardens, each with its own distinct style. You can wander through the desert garden, the rose garden, the Japanese garden, or the lily pond before finishing your walk at the San Diego Floral Association. It is both a relaxing and educational way to spend the afternoon.
Balboa Park stands as a major attraction in San Diego, offering plenty to discover in the heart of this Southern California coastal city.
Unfortunately, I only had 3 hours to explore this huge park, so I couldn't see everything, far from it, but what I did see made me want to go back on my next trip.
You can see tribal dances there every day that are magnificent. We were lucky enough to stumble upon one, from the "Chamorros" tribe.
The architecture, the decorations, the gardens, everything is beautiful. It is hard to believe that you are in the city when you walk through this park.
My favorite part was the Japanese Friendship Garden, all calm and serenity. It is a place I would describe as peaceful.
There is a lot of activity there: orchestras, fashion shoots, soloists of all kinds, street vendors...
A part of this park is occupied by a reserve that works on the preservation of certain species. It is worth going to take a look.
To do everything, we will certainly need 2 full days to be able to enjoy it all.
I highly recommend it.