Did you know that there are cherry blossoms in San Diego? As a local, spring is secretly one of my favorite seasons in the city. There aren’t too many tourists, the weather is still cool, and there are tons of hidden blooms around the city. If you drive around the different neighborhoods, you’ll find everything from surprise wildflowers to colorful trees. If you’re looking for a unique experience, be sure to check out the San Diego cherry blossoms at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. Keep reading for everything you need to know for visiting!
When is San Diego Cherry Blossom Season?
The San Diego Cherry Blossom season generally runs from February to April (or sometime in between). The best way to catch them is to follow the Japanese Friendship Garden on Instagram. The 2022 season started in early March. You can also check out their floral calendar for all other blooms here.
About the blossoms: There are over 150 cherry trees in the grove. Culturally, the cherry blossoms in Japan symbolize the arrival of spring and the transience of life.
Planning your visit to the Japanese Friendship Garden
The garden is a deeply spiritual and peaceful place. It’s the type of place I love to go to read a book, see the latest blooms, or just sit on a bench in thought. One of my personal favorites is having a small picnic in the garden with a friend. This isn’t the type of place you want to rush through as there are a lot of hidden nooks and crannies. So be sure to take your time!
- Location: 2215 Pan American Rd E, San Diego, CA 92101
- Hours: Daily 10AM – 6PM (last admission 5 PM)
- Admission: $12 general, $10 for students, seniors & military, kids 6 & under are free
- How long to spend: 1-2 hours
Tips for visiting
- Check what’s in bloom before you visit. You can do this by checking the JPG website, or looking at Instagram.
- Be respectful (& quiet). You’ll find that many people visit the garden for the peaceful experience. Try to be quiet and respectful during your time there.
- Don’t be afraid to get creative with your photo angles! I love taking photos from the bridges. There are plenty of photo opportunities to try (but be sure stay on the path).
- Go early and during the week. When the season starts, there tends to be a huge flock of people that visit. (especially for the actual Cherry Blossom Festival). I recommend going early in the season, early in the day, and during the week. End of the day on weekday is also a good option.
Other things to do in Balboa Park
Grab drinks at Panama66
Located in the sculpture court in the San Diego Museum of Art, Panama66 stays open late Wednesday through Sunday and has live music a few times a week. The bar features more than a dozen local craft beers on tap, and its ever-changing menu prioritizes local seasonal ingredients.
Explore the Spanish Artists Village
If you are an art lover, visiting the Spanish Village Art Center is a must-visit. Built for the second California Pacific International Exposition in 1935, the Spanish Village has been restored and maintained by artists since 1947. 200 local artists and artisans call the Spanish Village home for creating, displaying, and selling their work.
Visit the cats in the Old Cactus Garden
The Old Cactus Garden was also designed for the second California Pacific International Exposition and contains some of the largest cacti and succulents in Balboa Park. We recommend visiting the garden at golden hour to watch the sunset. There are quite a few wild cats that live in the area. They’re super cute but make sure to be respectful and let them do their thing!
For more activities in Balboa Park, check out our one-day itinerary.
