There’s plenty to do in scenic Balboa Park on a typically warm, sunny San Diego day. You can walk the trails, explore the botanical gardens, and enjoy a picnic on the many grassy areas, but above all else, don’t miss out on visiting some of the city’s best museums.
Balboa Park contains 17 different museums, each of which are bursting with entertaining displays of history, culture, and artistic works.
Explore and Discover
Museums offer experiences you can’t get anywhere else. At the Japanese Friendship Garden, you can immerse yourself in flora from halfway across the globe without having to leave the city limits. Meanwhile, art museums let you observe both local and worldwide cultural pieces.
Balboa Park’s art museums include more traditional works, like those found in the San Diego Art Institute and San Diego Museum of Art, and photography displays, which you can see at the Museum of Photographic Arts.
Learn While Having Fun
If you’re looking for an engaging learning experience, Balboa Park’s many museums are the perfect place to start. Learn about new innovations at the Air and Space Museum, or travel back into the past at the Natural History Museum and the San Diego History Center.
Interested in transportation? Don’t miss the Automotive Museum and Model Railroad Museum, two must-see stops for any car or train lover.
Tips for Making Your Trip a Success
You can save on the cost of admission to many of Balboa Park’s museums, as well as surrounding attractions, by purchasing a Go City San Diego pass. Save even more by purchasing the Go City San Diego pass via our website so you can worry less about prices and more about having fun!
Since Balboa Park is so walkable, you’ll want to stay nearby. Try the Andaz San Diego, a Concept by Hyatt, which is a great family-friendly hotel and pet-friendly locale that includes free WiFi access to the rooms and lobby. You can also choose from our selection of the Best Hotels near the San Diego Zoo, all just a few blocks away from the park.