Spend a Day With Me in San Diego’s Beautiful Balboa Park

Disclosure: Simple Is More and our authors do not receive a commission through recommended links in this content. We do not have any conflicts of interest to disclose. Please visit our editorial policy, disclaimer policy, and terms of use for more information.

When my husband asked me to tag along with him to San Diego, California, while he attended a conference, I began to ponder how I would spend my free time. It didn’t take me long to decide to spend a whole day in beautiful Balboa Park exploring everything that I could. 

So I did, and it was worth the million steps I took while there. If you find yourself in San Diego, do not sleep on this infamous park, which is home to the San Diego Zoo, world-class museums, incredible gardens, and so much more. 

Much of the park’s experience is free to visitors, with select exhibits, museums, and gardens requiring an admission fee. However, many locations in the park request a minimum donation, so I suggest bringing some cash to drop in the donation boxes as you enter each space. 

The History of Balboa Park

The 1,400-acre Balboa Park was founded in 1868. In 1909, the city conceived the idea of creating a grandiose park to allow San Diego to host the Panama–California Exposition of 1915–1916. In 1910, they renamed the park from “City Park” to Balboa Park in honor of the Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, who led the first expedition to the Pacific Ocean by crossing the Isthmus of Panama.

The City Council hired Bertram G. Goodhue as the leading architect for the Exposition. Goodhue designed Balboa Park in a blend of Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial Revival styles, combining elements of Spanish Baroque and Spanish Colonial architecture. With this design, he aimed to evoke the glamour, artistry, and unique culture of romantic Spanish cities like Seville and Toledo in Spain and Guadalajara in Mexico.

The Japanese Friendship Garden

My day at the park began with touring the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum (JFGM). This is the only garden in Balboa that requires an admission fee, but it’s worth every penny of the $16. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the serene and breathtaking grounds, which include waterfalls, lush foliage, and impressive koi ponds. 

This living, breathing work of art represents the bond between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. Visitors can sit in awe under the larger-than-life Buddha sculpture, explore traditional architectural features, and deepen their appreciation for Japanese culture with a visit to the museum showcasing early artwork and scrolls. I easily spent an hour just absorbing the tranquility and peace the garden exuded, which was a fantastic start to my day. 

Timken Museum of Art

If you’re a fan of exploring the European old-world masters of art, such as Rembrandt, Hals, and Bruegel, the Timken Museum of Art is the delicate jewel box to do just that. The Timken also often displays more modern artwork of the 19th and 21st centuries. 

While I was there, I had the incredible luck of seeing a stunning piece by New York-based artist Kehinde Wiley. If that name sounds familiar to you, it should, as he was the artist who painted President and First Lady Obama’s official White House portraits. His take on the Flemish artist Anthony Van Dyck’s Mary Villiers, Lady Herbert of Shurland was astounding. The vibrant colors and intensity of his piece, Equestrian Portrait of Tommaso of Savoy-Carignan, will take your breath away.

Institute of Contemporary Art

After Timken, I made my way to the Institute of Contemporary Art, the park’s home to progressive and experimental artwork. This museum highlights the work of artists living between Los Angeles and Tijuana through exhibitions, programming, and educational initiatives. 

It showcases a range of art forms, including painting, photography, contemporary craft, social practice, site-specific installations, and experimental new media works, all designed to inspire in-depth conversations and spark creativity. 

The California Tower

The California Tower, a soaring and intricately detailed part of the California Building, is an iconic symbol of San Diego, visible from miles around. The building is home to the Museum of Us, and it’s highly recommended that you reserve your tickets online beforehand.

Constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, this stunning structure is an architectural hybrid, blending styles such as Baroque, Plateresque, Churrigueresque, and Rococo, with touches of Gothic. A part of Goodhue’s original design, the building features intricate ornamentation, arched arcades, carvings, busts, and colorful tiles adorning its tower and domes. Goodhue drew inspiration from Spanish-Colonial churches in Mexico when designing this masterpiece.

Spanish Village Art Center

The Spanish Village Art Center was such a fun experience. A highlight of the day was meeting and chatting with multiple artisans who have set up shop in this unique center. Walking along the brightly painted large brick pathways with whimsical signs hanging over each studio door exuded a warmth that draws you in. 

As you go from studio to studio, take your time to learn about making glass jewelry or firing a kiln to set ceramics. And when you get thirsty, stop by Daniel’s Coffee Cart and grab a flavored iced tea or coffee and a sweet pastry. You won’t be disappointed. 

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is a world-class exhibit featuring a variety of rare and endangered animals and includes many successful breeding and conservation programs. The park is divided into different enclosures and sections. Some of the most popular of these include Africa Rocks, Australian Outback, Lost Forest, and Elephant Odyssey. 

Because I had already spent half a day in the park before heading to the zoo, I only checked out my favorite animal exhibits rather than spending the four to six hours recommended to see it all. However, I highly recommend spending a whole day there if you can–it’s worth it! 

The Carousel

I wrapped up my day at the park by stopping by the vintage carousel that’s just adjacent to the zoo. Since I was a little girl, I’ve had a fascination with menagerie carousels, so I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to take a ride on one of its magically painted beasts. Completed in 1910 and designed by Herschell-Spillman, this original carousel features a variety of animal rides, all of which are original except the four miniature horses that were added in the 1970s.

Although originally built in New York City, it was shipped to Los Angeles in 1915 and then became a permanent fixture in Balboa Park in 1922. Tickets to ride cost $4 per person or $14 for four tickets. I would have gladly paid more than four dollars.  

That’s a Wrap

You can’t see everything Balboa Park, a truly unique destination, offers in one day. So, plan your visit around what you and your family and friends love to do the most.

This first-person account aims to provide some deeper insight into the fabulous attractions that this one-of-a-kind park offers. Before setting off, be sure to check out the Balboa Park website to help plan your visit so your time is well spent. 

Featured Image Credit: Julie Royce