Urban Hike at Balboa Park Loop vs Downtown San Diego Walking Loop

The views in the city are just as beautiful as untamed wilderness.

One of the many Grassy area great for a Picnic at Balboa Park

The Scenery of Balboa Park

Balboa Park is teeming with greenery, from sculpted topiaries and curated gardens around the park to native plants and wildflowers in the trail’s more remote sections.

There’s no bad time of year to hike either trail loop, as the urban setting prevents the weather from impacting the condition of the trails too much.

The park contains 19 different gardens, and the blooming flowers frequently attract butterflies around Zoro Garden in the springtime.

Downtown San Diego with the Unconditional Surrender Statue in the Foreground

Exploring Downtown’s Sights

Exploring the city up-close Downtown is quite the sight, especially on sunny days. Looking out over the bay from the Embarcadero is breathtaking.

Thanks to San Diego’s year-round warm weather, Downtown is just as pleasant of a walk in winter months as it is during the summer.

Botanical Building in Front of the Koi Pond at Balboa Park

The More Scenic Hike: Balboa Park Loop

The views of the bay on the Downtown Loop are excellent, but the Balboa Park Loop feels more like you’re getting out of the city and experiencing natural landscapes, all without leaving the heart of San Diego.

Getting to these urban trails is a breeze, and hiking them is even easier.

Caboose of the Coaster Train in San Diego

Parking and Conditions at the Balboa Loop

Balboa Park has many free parking lots throughout, plus street parking. The closest lot to the start of the trail loop is on Texas Street, right off Upas Street.

On a sunny day these lots can get crowded, and using public transit may be less stressful. The UC San Diego Blue Line stops outside the park, as does the COASTER.

On the Balboa Park loop, the portions of the trail that cross into more natural areas are generally well-maintained. You will have to walk uphill for part of the hike, but these sections are short and easily cleared - just step carefully around any loose rocks.

Fred Shuttle in the Embarcadero

Getting Around the Downtown Walking Loop

Like Balboa Park, Downtown also has lots and street parking, though most are paid parking. Spots near Petco Park can get pricey, especially if there’s a game, so consider leaving the car behind and using public transit to get around. Trolley routes are your best friend here, especially if you’re coming from another neighborhood.

Better yet, take the FRED electric shuttle to get to a starting spot Downtown and walk the rest. Electric shuttle programs are popping up all across San Diego in neighborhoods like Carlsbad with the Carlsbad Shuttle and Pacific Beach with the Beach Bug.

We just wrote a series covering each of these shuttles so be sure to check them out in Downtown and beyond!

As for trail conditions, walking in an urban area means you won’t have to worry about muddy paths or downed trees. The Downtown loop is entirely urban with no obstacles to worry about. Most of the loop by the bay is on the boardwalk, which makes for an easy path without any concerns about trail conditions.

The More Navigable Trail: Downtown

Thanks to its abundance of transportation options and the boardwalk path that can be walked in any conditions, Downtown is the winner in this comparison.

Urban hikes are unique for offering plenty of options to take a break and explore a museum, dine at a restaurant, or have a picnic.

Casa Del Prado Theater in Balboa Park

Explore Balboa Park

Balboa Park is famous for its museums, with over a dozen on the property. Many of these museums are part of the Go City San Diego pass.

Pick up an All-inclusive pass with the discount code GVSD5OFF to save when you visit the San Diego Museum of Art, Japanese Friendship Garden, and the Automotive Museum, all of which are connected to the trail via El Prado.

Amenities throughout Balboa Park include benches, picnic tables, dog parks, and playgrounds. More urban areas of the trail are lined with landscaped bushes and trees, providing some shade.

There are also a few places to eat, like the Prado, and some public restrooms in the park.

San Diego Padres Playing at Petco Park

The Best Spots Downtown and at the Embarcadero

The Downtown loop starts off by the PETCO Park stadium, home of the Padres, which is open for tours when there’s not a game.

With countless restaurants, amazing views of the bay, and the shopping center of Seaport Village, the Downtown loop is filled with attractions that are well worth a detour.

As you approach the Embarcadero, you’ll see the USS Midway in the harbor from a distance. This massive aircraft carrier holds the USS Midway Museum, a naval history museum that’s also part of the Go City San Diego pass.

Since you’re walking through San Diego’s downtown, there are countless places to eat and take breaks. There’s a huge diversity of restaurants and bars, and most businesses have bathrooms for customers.

Where to Find Endless Amenities: Downtown

You couldn’t ask for more convenient amenities on any hiking trail than what’s readily available as you walk the loop downtown, making it the clear winner.

Since both Downtown and Balboa Park are public walks, you don’t have to pay any fees or hold any permits.

Here are some suggestions when walking these trails, plus some rules to keep in mind.

Balboa Park’s Crowds and Rules

Balboa Park tends to be busiest on weekends, especially in the summer. Some of this crowding is limited to the inner sections of the park like El Prado, with the trail loop getting less tourist attention. If you want to experience the trails with fewer people around, I’ve found mornings and early afternoons on weekdays to have the thinnest crowds.

Balboa Park welcomes leashed dogs. There are even three dog parks within Balboa Park, one of which is a fenced-in, off-leash park.

Navigating Downtown

Since you’ll be walking through San Diego’s Downtown on the Downtown loop, crowds are largely unavoidable. Traffic can also get backed up during rush hour, so plan to arrive outside of peak hours and use caution when crossing busy roads.

Like Balboa Park, leashed dogs are welcome to walk the Downtown Walking Loop.

Walking in Balboa Park

The Trail With the Easier Regulations: Balboa Park

With fewer crowds to manage overall, Balboa Park tends to have a nicer atmosphere, which is the only major difference in these trails’ regulations.

Hard Rock Hotel with the Gaslamp Quarter Entrance Sign

Which urban hike is the best between the Balboa Park Loop and Downtown San Diego Walking Loop? It’s a tough decision, as each trail has something unique to offer, whether you’re seeking the more nature-focused trails of Balboa Park or the cityscapes of Downtown.

Simply put, we can’t pick just one: it’s a tie!