Merely minutes from bustling downtown San Diego, tucked between concrete office buildings and posh hotels, lies a hidden oasis: Balboa Park. Spanning 1,200-plus acres, this beautiful botanic paradise is the city’s epicenter of art and culture, with 17 diverse museums, cultural landmarks, architectural wonders, award-winning performing arts venues, and the internationally recognized San Diego Zoo. Balboa Park also draws droves of outdoor enthusiasts seeking to explore the lush gardens, enjoy a leisurely picnic on the sprawling lawns, meander through the maze of scenic pathways, and play a round of golf. There truly is something for everyone in this breathtaking expanse, making it one of North America’s most iconic urban parks and a must-see site on any trip to San Diego.
Balboa Park boasts a rich and fascinating history, too. In 1868, local leaders decided to set aside over 1,000 acres of shrub-covered land to create a one-of-a-kind park that could serve as the backdrop for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. Named for the Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the first European to cross Central America and see the Pacific Ocean, the park was completed in 1910 and then commemorated the opening of the Panama Canal five years later. While the park was originally constructed for this prestigious event, it continues to serve as a gathering place for San Diego residents and visitors alike, allowing them to see the city’s past and future simultaneously.