arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin

Balboa Park

The cultural heart of San Diego

Just minutes from downtown, you'll find an amazing cultural center and beautiful botanic paradise right in the middle of San Diego.

Balboa Park Logo

Balboa Park, San Diego, California

Balboa Park is a cultural oasis that includes 18 museums, numerous beautiful gardens and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. At 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is one of North America’s most renowned urban parks and a must-see on any visit to San Diego. Located just blocks from downtown San Diego hotels, the park has a rich history, reflected through its stunning architecture, thought-provoking exhibits and installations, and cultural events that take place throughout the year.

 

Balboa Park fascinating history is central to the story of San Diego. It started in 1868, when civic leaders took the bold step of setting aside a scrub-filled mesa overlooking downtown to establish a city park. Today, Balboa Park continues to be a potent mix of what makes San Diego so unique. Ethnically diverse, historically rich, culturally abundant, naturally breathtaking, Balboa Park is where you can experience San Diego’s past and see its future.

Find out more about Balboa Park’s evolution.

The Sights and Sounds of Balboa Park

Exploring Balboa Park

Whether you're an art fan, nature lover, model train aficionado or science geek, Balboa Park has something for everyone. 

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

In & Around Balboa Park

Whats Hot|
What's On|

National Geographic Channel Explores San Diego

Four-part series focuses on unique cultural offerings of Balboa Park and the city.

Discover

7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Balboa Park

You can spend all day (or weekend) exploring Balboa Park’s 1,200 acres of museums, gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. But the Jewel of San Diego also features several lesser-known attractions that are sure to pique your interest, too.

Discover

FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE

Ready to discover something awesome? Well, you’re in the right place.

Discover

Balboa Park Bucket List

10 Things You Can't Miss

Discover

Port of San Diego Big Bay Boom!

Jul 4, 2025

The Port of San Diego Big Bay Boom July 4th Fireworks Show is back, promising another spectacular display over San Diego Bay. Fireworks will be discharged simultaneously from barges placed strategically around the Bay off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero North, Marina District and Coronado Ferry Landing. The impeccably choreographed display will last approximately 18 minutes.

Come down to the bay and enjoy the biggest fireworks show in San Diego!

Pack your patience! Construction along Harbor Drive may cause traffic delays - LEARN MORE

Discover

Comic-Con International: San Diego

Jul 24 - Jul 27, 2025

Comic-Con International is the largest comics and pop culture event in the United States, attracting thousands of artists, celebrities and fans of comic books, movie memorabilia and all things related to pop culture.

Discover

Bike the Bay

Aug 24, 2025

San Diego's finest annual cycling event across the Coronado Bridge and around the bay!

Ride the bridge, Bike the Bay for the annual ride on Sunday, August 24, 2025! Cruise around San Diego Bay and enjoy your only opportunity to ride across the San Diego Coronado Bay Bridge. This non-competitive community bike ride is for riders of all abilities and will take you on a scenic, and primarily flat ride, around the San Diego Bay via the Bayshore Bikeway. Along the way, riders will travel through the surrounding cities of Coronado, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, and National City before finishing back at the start/finish line at Embarcadero Marina Park in downtown San Diego.

Discover

Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo

May 23 - Aug 10, 2025

As the sun goes down, the fun heats up this summer at the San Diego Zoo. From global rhythms and spectacular entertainment to one-of-a-kind moments with your favorite wildlife after dark, join us under the stars for wild and unforgettable experiences—perfect for the whole family.

Discover

Whats Hot

National Geographic Channel Explores San Diego

Discover

7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Balboa Park

Discover

FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE

Discover

Balboa Park Bucket List

Discover

What's On

View More Events

Port of San Diego Big Bay Boom!

Jul 4, 2025
Discover

Comic-Con International: San Diego

Jul 24 - Jul 27, 2025
Discover

Bike the Bay

Aug 24, 2025
Discover

Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo

May 23 - Aug 10, 2025
Discover
Balboa Park Explorer Pass

Save on Admission to Museums

Experience the museums of Balboa Park in an easy and affordable way with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. For one price, the Pass provides admission into as many as 16 of Balboa Park’s museums and attractions.

More from Balboa Park & San Diego

 

Balboa Park, by You

Fill your feed with Balboa Park and hashtag #VisitSD and tag @VisitSanDiego so that we can share your images.

 

Deals just for you

Galleries & Museums

Blue Star Families

San Diego Automotive Museum
Valid: May 17 - ongoing

The San Diego Automotive Mueum is proud to be a Blue Star Museum.   Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration...

Activity

$3 Off Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Valid: Dec 19, 2024 - ongoing

Use code SDTA at checkout to save $3 off general admission for up to six people. Tickets must be reserved online in advance for a specific date and time.

Activity

Show Your Badge & Save on Birch Aquarium Tickets

Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Valid: Jan 1 - ongoing

Dive into the world of sharks, seahorses, and Little Blue Penguins at Birch Aquarium in La Jolla. As the public outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, Birch...

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish