Location: Balboa Park
Top Things to do in Balboa Park
Top 9 Sights & Landmarks in Balboa Park, California (CA)
San Diego embodies laid-back California culture, complete with a Boardwalk, surfing communities, and outstanding Mexican food. Breathe in the fresh ocean air at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, then gobble down a fresh fish taco at a La Jolla seafood joint. The naval aircrafts at the USS Midway Museum will have you standing at attention. A free Sunday concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is the perfect way to unwind after a Saturday night bar-hop in the thumping Gaslamp Quarter.
Restaurants in San Diego
1. San Diego Junior Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
The oldest continuing children's theatre program in the U.S. It offers year round shows and educational programs for kids.
2. Casa del Prado
3. WorldBeat Cultural Center
4. El Prado
5. California Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
A city landmark located inside San Diego's Balboa Park, this 200-foot tower announces its presence every fifteen minutes with a carol of chimes.
Reviewed By MollyMcLolly - San Diego, United States
I've been on the Tower Tour twice now and highly recommend it. It currently costs $23 for adults and $16 for youth with discounts available for students, seniors, and military. The tour lasts about 40 minutes and you have to place your purses, etc. in small, secured lockers during the trip. You can bring water bottles and cell phones/cameras along for the tour though. Climbing up through the old tower is taken at a slow pace, so although there are may stairs (125 or so?), it is manageable for most. The tour stops at each level where your tour guide will give you a bit of information about the tower, the history of Balboa Park, how the carillon works and the like. You can also put in a request for a song on the carillon! I loved learning about the one stair-step dedication (little lighted sponsor panels on many of the stair risers) that isn't in English, the fake lagoon filled with gondolas in the promotional art for the Panama-California Exposition, and the stairs up the side of the dome (!!!) for window cleaners. The tour groups are small, so it's easy to ask questions. And when you reach the top, there's a good amount of time to look around, take photos, and just enjoy. A great addition to a Museum of Man visit. And I've heard they will do special tours for proposals (in case anybody needs a great proposal idea!). :)
6. Plaza de Panama Fountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We returned to Balboa Park. We enjoyed going to the museums, having lunch, and also seeing this historic fountain - Plaza de Panama Fountain. Its is from the Panama exposition that was held there.
7. Morley Field
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 15 reviews
San Diego's major recreation center that offers a variety of recreational sports from basketball and football to tennis and swimming.
Reviewed By SamFrancisco4 - Nashville, United States
This was my first ever pay to play disc golf course and it was well worth it. Very well maintained grounds and a ton of different basket locations. It’s one of the original disc golf courses and you can definitely see why it’s popular. It was busy and I’m glad I went on a weekday. My local guide (nice random local, shoutout to Mike!) said weekend rounds can take three hours. Great pro shop and nice community. Worth the stop if you’re a disc golfer and have the time for sure. Also, you can rent discs so if you can pack yours it’s pretty cheap to get a couple forms round.
8. Casa De Balboa
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By permia
Dating from 1915 when it was established for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, it is beautiful in a Neo-Renaissance style. Down the decades it has hosted many roles. Today a well-regarded theatre is one of the institutions within.
