Between the Japanese Friendship Garden and the San Diego Museum of Art, Thereās so Much to See in This Cultural Oasis
Balboa Park is one of San Diegoās most-loved attractions, luring in locals and tourists from all over. The entire neighborhood is one of culture, history and natural beauty, offering a unique glimpse into San Diegoās rich cultural heritage. When you enter the park, it feels like youāre in Europeāimagine stunning Spanish architecture, parks, fountains, museums and lush gardens everywhere you look. Balboa Park is also home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo (you could spend a full 24 hours there alone). With this guide, weāll give you the rundown on how to make the most of one full day in this gorgeous, 1,200-acre park.
Before You Go: Purchase an Explorer Pass and Get There Early
The best way to get the most out of 24 hours in Balboa Park is to purchase a one-day Explorer Pass online ahead of time, which will grant you access to any of the four venues within the park. We recommend trying to find a parking spot in the Organ Pavilion Lot for easy access to everything on our list. If you get there early, you shouldnāt have much trouble!Ā
9 a.m.
Coffee in the Plaza at Craft CafƩ
After parking, head up the road past the Organ Pavilion until you see the Mingei International Museum on the left. Right outside, you should see a yellow sign that says Craft CafĆ©. Grab a coffee and pastry to-go and head out to the Plaza de Panama to find your perfect bench. Itās a great spot to people-watch, enjoy the fountain and beautiful buildings in the distanceāall while pretending youāre on a European vacation. Thereās also a Park Ambassador Information Tent located in front of the building if you want to stop by and grab a map or ask questions.
9:30 a.m.
Head to the San Diego Museum of Art
At the back of the plaza, youāll see a big beautiful building that is the San Diego Museum of Art. Wave your Explorer Pass at the door, and youāll feel like a VIP member as you head in to gaze at modern and contemporary art. Right now, theyāre featuring āModern Women,ā an exhibition dedicated to celebrating artwork by monumental female artists so often overshadowed by their male counterparts. They also have exhibitions focused on artists from Iran along with ones from all over Asia. This place is huge, so weād recommend picking a couple exhibits that interest you and taking your time with those before heading off to the next stop.Ā
Noon
Lunch at Craveology + Explore the Fleet Science Center
Exit the art museum and head east across the plaza toward the Fleet Science Center, where all your nerdy science-kid dreams will come true. Before you head in, you can grab a quick lunch at Craveology, which is located in the same building. They have lots of ready-to-go options like salads, wraps, paninis and smoothies with outdoor seating to enjoy the views. When youāre finished eating, head inside to explore all the Fleet Science Center has to offerāweāre talking hands-on interactive experiences and exhibits on optical illusions, the science and history of electricity, outer space, new science and more. They also have a dome-shaped theater aptly called The Dome, where they show 360-degree documentaries on things like ancient caves, sea turtles and Antarctica (although we may not have time for that today).
3/28
2 p.m.
Meander Around the Japanese Friendship Garden
Head back in the direction of your car, and you canāt miss the Tea Pavilion at the entrance of the Japanese Friendship Garden. Originally designed to symbolize the friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan, the garden is a beautiful cultural oasis that spans across 12 acres. Itās divided into several distinct areas, each with its own unique character and purpose. Youāll enter the Upper Garden first, where youāll see a large koi pond, a waterfall and a traditional Japanese-style bridge. The Lower Garden is a more secluded area with winding paths, a bamboo grove and a traditional tea house. Take your time basking in the beauty of nature, and weāll see you all blissed out on the other side.
3:30 p.m.
Grab a Treat From Danielās Coffee + Explore the Spanish Village Art Center
Head back across the plaza you sat in this morning to find Danielās Coffee, an adorable little coffee stand located in the heart of the Spanish Village Art Center. For a little pick-me-up before heading into your next museum, you can grab a coffee or iced Thai tea here to sip on as you browse around the colorful Spanish Village Art Center. Here, youāll find Spanish-style architecture, colorful sidewalks and lots of art studios with artists selling unique, handmade pieces like ceramics, jewelry, paintings and sculptures. On another day, you can come back and take an art class!
4:30 p.m.
Walk Through the San Diego Natural History Museum
From the Spanish Village Art Center, head south until you hit the famous San Diego Natural History Museum (aka āThe Natā). Right now, they have some really cool exhibits, including one called āCaught on Camera,ā which shows real footage from hidden cameras that capture Southern California wildlifeāif youāre brave enough to know whatās out there. Theyāve also got one called āThe Living Lab,ā featuring real, live creatures local to the region that you may not typically see in the wild. Most famous is probably the dinosaur exhibit (think āNight at the Museumā vibes without the whole coming-to-life part). Youāll have so much fun exploring all the creepy, crawly, big, bizarre, wild, winged, scaly, surprising, hairy, horrifying (okay, Iām done) things this museum has to offer.
3/25
6:30 p.m.
Concert at Spreckels Organ Pavilion
You may have noticed the giant pavilion on your right as you walked up from the parking lot this morning. That is the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, home to the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world. Every night from 6:30-9 p.m., the park offers free concerts in this pavilion for anyone who wants to listen. We recommend putting your name down at the Prado and then sitting in the pavilion to enjoy a free concert while you wait for your table!Ā
7:30 p.m.
Dinner at The Prado
The Prado is Balboa Parkās historic restaurant, complete with whimsical Spanish decor, creative cocktails and diverse food options for everyone in your group. To start, we recommend the spicy calamari friesālong strips of fried calamari covered in a delicious Korean chili sauce (donāt worry, theyāre not that spicy). But you know what is a little spicy and also incredible? The Pradoās Spicy Mezcal Margarita. Made with smoky mezcal, sweet agave, sour lime and spicy serrano peppers with a tajin rim, this margarita will wake up your taste buds in the best way possible. If youāre lucky, you can score a table outside and still hear some of that concert.
9 p.m.
Check In at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Whew, that was a long day! But it was so worth it, right? After all that eating, drinking and museum-hopping, we know youāre definitely excited to hop into a nice comfy hotel bed. Lucky for you, the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina is just a 10-minute drive away. This waterfront paradise overlooks a gorgeous private marina and is located right in the heart of San Diego. Itās not only close to Balboa Park (obviously), but also Petco Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Seaport Village and more. With all that nearby (and once you see how nice this hotel is), you better be carefulāyouāre gonna want to extend your stay.
