Photo: Matthew T Rader – License
A Park Like No Other
Spanning 1,200 acres in the heart of San Diego, Balboa Park is one of the most remarkable urban parks in the country. With world-class museums, stunning gardens, Tony Award-winning theater, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo, it offers the kind of day that stays with you long after you leave. And with The Westgate Hotel just minutes away, you have the perfect home base for exploring this cultural treasure.
Balboa Park is often called the “Smithsonian of the West,” and for good reason. The park is home to 18 museums, beautifully maintained gardens, and architectural gems dating back to the 1915 Panama-California Exposition.
Museums Worth Your Afternoon
With 18 museums to choose from, Balboa Park offers something for every interest. Here are our top recommendations:
- San Diego Museum of Art: The region’s oldest and largest art museum, featuring Spanish and Italian old masters, South Asian paintings, and American works spanning 7,000 years.
- Timken Museum of Art: An intimate collection of European old masters and American paintings with always-free admission.
- Museum of Us: Housed beneath the iconic California Tower, this museum offers interactive exhibits exploring human history and culture.
- San Diego Natural History Museum (The NAT): Five floors of interactive exhibitions featuring dinosaur fossils, local wildlife, and a giant-screen theater.
- Fleet Science Center: Over 100 hands-on science exhibits plus an IMAX theater perfect for curious minds of all ages.
- San Diego Air and Space Museum: A Smithsonian affiliate showcasing historic aircraft, spacecraft, and a real Apollo 9 command module.
- San Diego Automotive Museum: More than 80 historic cars and motorcycles, including vehicles that set cross-country endurance records.
- Mingei International Museum: A recently renovated celebration of folk art, craft, and design from cultures around the world.
Gardens That Inspire
Balboa Park is a garden lover’s paradise, with beautifully landscaped areas featuring thousands of plants, many originally selected by Kate Sessions, the “Mother of Balboa Park.” These are just a handful of the gardens worth exploring:
- Botanical Building and Lily Pond: One of San Diego’s most photographed landmarks, this stunning 1915 lath house showcases 2,100 tropical plants and exotic orchids.
- Japanese Friendship Garden: A serene 12-acre oasis featuring bonsai, koi ponds, cherry blossoms, and traditional Japanese architecture.
- Alcazar Garden: Modeled after the gardens of Alcazar Castle in Seville, featuring ornate Moorish tile fountains and geometric hedges.
- Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden: Home to 1,600 roses of more than 130 varieties, with peak blooms in April and May.
- Desert Garden and Cactus Garden: Stunning displays of succulents and drought-resistant plants that typically flower from January through March.
- Australian Garden: Home to native Australian plants that thrive in San Diego’s similar climate, including eucalyptus and spider flowers.
Live Theater at The Old Globe
No visit to Balboa Park is complete without experiencing The Old Globe, San Diego’s flagship arts institution for over 80 years. This Tony Award-winning theater complex, modeled after Shakespeare’s original Globe in London, presents 15 productions annually across three stages, with more than 250,000 people attending performances each year.
The San Diego Zoo
Spread across 100 acres and home to more than 12,000 animals representing over 680 species, the San Diego Zoo is the most visited zoo in the United States and consistently ranks among the best in the world. Beyond being a world-class attraction, the San Diego Zoo is a global leader in wildlife conservation. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance operates more than 100 field conservation projects in 35 countries and has helped reintroduce more than 44 endangered species into their native habitats.
Must-See Exhibits:
- Panda Ridge: The Zoo’s newest habitat (opened 2024) welcomes giant pandas in an expansive space inspired by China’s Sichuan province.
- Australian Outback: Home to the largest koala colony outside Australia, plus Tasmanian devils, wombats, and wallabies.
- Africa Rocks: Eight acres showcasing African biodiversity, including penguins, leopards, and a 130-species aviary.
- Elephant Odyssey: A 2.5-acre habitat for African and Asian elephants with an interactive care center.
- Lost Forest: A lush rainforest environment home to gorillas, bonobos, orangutans, and pygmy hippos.
- Urban Jungle: See giraffes, rhinos, and cheetahs along this popular loop through the park.
Your San Diego Experience Starts Here
Balboa Park captures the spirit of San Diego: beautiful, cultured, and endlessly inviting. Our guests love staying at The Westgate Hotel for its unbeatable proximity to the park, just a five-minute drive or a pleasant 25-minute stroll through downtown. Our concierge team is always ready to help you plan your visit, from securing Zoo tickets to recommending the perfect museum for your interests.
After a day of exploration, return to European elegance and warm San Diego hospitality. Refresh at AquaVie, savor French-inspired cuisine at Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar, and rest in the comfort of luxury accommodations before another day of adventure. Book your stay and discover why The Westgate Hotel is the perfect home base for experiencing the best of San Diego.