Balboa Park is where the arts, culture and history of San Diego come together to create a 1,200 acre wonderland filled with unforgettable experiences for people of every age. Thriving botanical beauty flourishes throughout and surrounds 15 museums, a variety of performing arts and musical theaters, exotic gardens, fabulous restaurants, upscale shopping, the San Diego Zoo and exquisite Spanish Moor architecture. Known as America’s largest urban cultural park, more than 500,000 visitors come each year to delight in the beauty and amazing attractions of Balboa Park.

Approximate Time to Allow: 1 hour for a short walk around the grounds. Allow 2 hours (at least) or all day to visit museums

El Prado is considered to be the heart of the park and is where many of the museums and interesting attractions are. The House of Hospitality, just inside El Prado, was built by the City of San Diego for the 1915-1916 Panama-California Exposition. The original two story Spanish Colonial structure was reconstructed in 1995. Inside, you’ll find the Visitor’s Center where you can pick up park brochures and maps and information for the Balboa Park free tram.
The House of Hospitality’s lovely courtyard is a great place to admire the architecture and picturesque fountain. If you’re hungry, the famous Prado Restaurant is known for its fine cuisine and marvelous ambiance. The Spreckels Organ Pavilion, just steps away, is a peaceful, open pavilion and home to the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ. And if you’re visiting on a Sunday, be sure to catch the free afternoon concert, it’s a true Balboa Park experience you shouldn’t miss.

Approximate Time to Allow: 1 hour for a short walk.
Allow 2 hours (at least) or all day to visit museums

For those with a passion for sports, the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum is like attending a championship game that goes into double over-time! An interactive, cutting-edge media center allows guests to call play-by-plays for Tony Gwynn - legendary Padres Outfielder, skateboard alongside Tony Hawk and follow the evolution of the surfboard. The museum is the nation’s largest multi-sport museum featuring 70,000 square feet of sports memorabilia reflecting San Diego’s amazing sports champions and more. Visitors from all over the world come to the Hall of Champions Sports Museum each year to get in the game.

The San Diego Natural History Museum is the second oldest scientific institution in Southern California and home to a variety of intriguing exhibits. Watch in wonder how the Foucault pendulum swings back and forth, knocking over different dominoes throughout the day, signifying the Earth’s rotation. Invented in 1851 by French physicist Jean Foucault, observers enjoy learning how the pendulum works. See dinosaur fossils and journey through 75 million years of evolution. Witness the splendor of the Ocean Oasis in Southern California on a giant, state-of-the-art movie screen. The San Diego Natural History Museum’s local and international presentations, exhibits and films will most definitely awe you.

As San Diego’s first and largest art institution, the San Diego Museum of Art provides an opportunity for everyone to enjoy, learn and gain a great appreciation for art from around the world. Featuring a large collection of original art works, traveling exhibitions, guided tours, classes, lectures, concerts and various other programs, the museum has a distinguished reputation and draws visitors from all over the globe.
See glorious works from 19th and 20th century American artists, an amazing Asian collection, and of course both the old European and modern day masters. Take your time to see and appreciate all that the museum has to offer.

Children of all ages are in for a real treat when visiting the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. From virtual reality to interactive exhibits and the world's first IMAX Dome Theater, most folks are having too much fun to realize they’re learning! In the IMAX Theater, see the biggest films on the planet and feel the sensation of floating in space. Travel from outer space to under the ocean and see the planetarium shows. Then, tour the more than 100 touchable, try-able exhibits in five different galleries. There’s even a special area just for kids under six. Whether you’d like to ride the spine-tingling motion simulator ride or create images with a sand pendulum, you won’t run out of adventures at the science center.

See, feel and touch replicas of early humans, primates and even cyborgs. Journey to ancient Egypt and view rare tomb artifacts and Peruvian mummies. At the San Diego Museum of Man, you’ll see the history and the evolution of man come to life by visiting the many galleries and exhibits on display. Situated just beneath the magnificent 200-foot California Tower, the museum is dedicated to anthropology, arts, culture and scientific achievements. The world-famous Museum of Man is the only museum of its kind in the area. Permanent collections like the Maya monuments and the Children’s Discovery Center delight visitors of every age.

• Admission Fee