iscover the universe. Visit San Diego Zoo animals. Get Married or Picnic at park restaruants in the heart of San Diego.

Balboa Park is 1,173-acre urban park just minutes away from downtown San Diego, was built and completed in 1910, and is named after the Spanish explorer who first discovered the Pacific Ocean.

Today, Balboa Park is the cultural center of the city and houses over 15 museums and exhibits including the Old Globe Theater, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Natural History Museum and the San Diego Museum of Art. Maintained by the City, the park attracts over 10 million visitors to the largest cultural and entertainment park area in the nation.

BALBOA PARK MUSEUMS
Aerospace Museum
Centro Cultural de la Raza
House of Pacific Relations and the International Cottages
Japanese Friendship Garden
Marston House
Mingei International Museum
Museum of Photographic Arts
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
San Diego Aerospace Museum
San Diego Art Institute
San Diego Automotive Museum
San Diego Hall of Champions
San Diego Historical Society Museum
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
San Diego Museum of Art
San Diego Museum of Man
San Diego Natural History Museum
Science and Nature
Spanish Village Arts Center
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Timken Museum of Art
Veterans Memorial Center Museum
WorldBeat Center

RESTAURANTS

The Prado at Balboa Park, located in the House of Hospitality, is a full-service restaurant offering indoor and outdoor seating and is open daily for lunch and dinner. The unique décor blends the historical aspects of the House of Hospitality and whimsical accessories inspired by the Park museum collection areas. Albert’s Restaurant, located near Gorilla Tropics at the San Diego Zoo, offers a wide range of entrees including pasta, steak, seafood, pizza, salad, and sandwiches, as well as a children’s menu. Galileo Café offers a healthful alternative to traditional fast food. Time Out Café located in the Hall of Champions Sports Museum, is a full-service delicatessen offering a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches named for some of San Diego’s greatest athletes. Village Grill located on the corner of Village Place and Old Globe Way, serves hotdogs, hamburgers, and other fast food items made on site. Waters Café @ SDMA: The San Diego Museum of Art has partnered with Water's Fine Catering to open a new café in the Sculpture Court. Café in the Park is a delightful, friendly café located in the lobby of the Casa de Balboa. Lady Carolyn’s Pub is The Old Globe Theatre's outdoor food and beverage pavilion. The Tea Pavilion at the Japanese Friendship Garden serves traditional Japanese green tea, herbal and specialty teas as well as sushi, Japanese noodles, rice bowls, miso soup, salads and snacks.

Put Balboa Park on your "must see" list. Take some time to visit a museum, stroll the numerous winding park paths, or ride the trolly for a scenic tour. Click here to visit the offical Balboa Park web site.

Be sure to visit our Calendar of Events page to see what's coming up in the area.