Balboa Park

The 1,200-acre city-owned Balboa Park is the largest urban cultural park in the nation. The park was established in 1868 in the heart of the city and is just minutes away from downtown. The park's most distinctive features are its mature landscaping and the architectural beauty of the Spanish Colonial buildings lining the celebrated El Prado walkway, originally built for the 1915-1916 Panama-California Exposition, which contain many of the parks 15 diverse museums and performing arts groups. You'll also find 4 1/2 miles of hiking trails, walkways, the world's largest outdoor organ, an IMAX domed theater, the acclaimed Globe Theatres and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The park also has large grassy open areas perfect for picnics, sunning, strolling and relaxing.

Balboa Park is also acclaimed for its horticultural; hosting eight different gardens including an award-winning rose garden and a butterfly garden; rare plant species; 58 different varieties of palm trees; and an outstanding Botanical Building housing over 2,000 different tropical plants.

Balboa Park includes the Pepper Grove Playground as well as several areas with play structures for families with younger children. For those seeking something more active, Balboa Park's Morley Field features a municipal golf course, tennis courts, velodrome, swimming pool and even a disc golf course. Morley Field also includes family play and picnic areas, as well as several sports fields.