Balboa Park is located in San Diego, California, USA. It lies between Downtown San Diego and the neighborhoods of Hillcrest and Bankers Hill and is situated in the central part of the city. The park is famous for its museums, gardens, cultural institutions, and the San Diego Zoo.
Balboa Park Location Map, San Diego, California
California Related Links
Top Attractions Inside Balboa Park
- San Diego Museum of Art – Features European, Asian, and American art collections in a historic building.
- San Diego Zoo – World-famous zoo housing thousands of animals with immersive habitats.
- Botanical Building & Lily Pond – Iconic structure showcasing exotic plants and a picturesque lily pond.
- Balboa Park Gardens – Beautiful themed gardens including the Desert Garden, Rose Garden, and Japanese Friendship Garden.
- Fleet Science Center – Hands-on science exhibits, planetarium, and interactive learning experiences.
- Old Globe Theatre – Historic theater hosting plays, musicals, and cultural performances.
- Spanish Village Art Center – Vibrant art studios and galleries showcasing local artists’ work.
- Walking Trails & Plaza de Panama – Scenic pathways and plazas ideal for strolling, architecture viewing, and photo opportunities.
Balboa Park Facts
| Official / Common Name | Balboa Park |
| Location | San Diego, California, USA — northeast of downtown San Diego |
| Latitude & Longitude (approx.) | ≈ 32.7319° N, 117.1495° W (central-park reference):contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} |
| Total Area | ≈ 1,200 acres (≈ 486 hectares) urban parkland & cultural grounds:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} |
| Established / Created | Originally designated as “City Park” on May 26, 1868 (official ratification 1870):contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} |
| Renamed / Official Name Origin | Renamed “Balboa Park” in 1910 — in honor of Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} |
| Managed By | City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} |
| Main Features / Attractions | 15+ museums, historic Spanish-Colonial Revival buildings, cultural institutions, gardens & lawns, trails, recreation facilities, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9} |
| Historic Significance | Hosted the 1915–16 Panama–California Exposition and 1935–36 California Pacific International Exposition — many iconic buildings date from those events. The park was declared a National Historic Landmark District in 1977.:contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13} |
| Typical Annual Visitors | Approximately 14 million visitors per year.:contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14} |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) – UTC−8 Standard / UTC−7 Daylight Saving (California):contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15} |
Distances from Balboa Park to Nearby Landmarks
- San Diego Zoo – 1 km (0.6 mi)
- San Diego Museum of Art – 0.5 km (0.3 mi)
- Old Globe Theatre – 0.7 km (0.4 mi)
- San Diego Natural History Museum – 0.6 km (0.4 mi)
- Fleet Science Center – 0.5 km (0.3 mi)
- Japanese Friendship Garden – 0.8 km (0.5 mi)
- Casa del Prado – 0.5 km (0.3 mi)
- Morley Field Sports Complex – 1 km (0.6 mi)
- San Diego Air & Space Museum – 0.7 km (0.4 mi)
- Botanical Building – 0.4 km (0.25 mi)
- Balboa Park Golf Course – 1.5 km (0.9 mi)
- Panama-California Sculpture Garden – 0.6 km (0.4 mi)
- Spanish Village Art Center – 0.6 km (0.4 mi)
- Timken Museum of Art – 0.5 km (0.3 mi)
- Old Town San Diego State Historic Park – 8 km (5 mi)
- Seaport Village – 9 km (5.6 mi)
- Petco Park – 7 km (4.3 mi)
- Coronado Island – 15 km (9.3 mi)
- Point Loma – 13 km (8.1 mi)
- Mission Bay Park – 10 km (6.2 mi)
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