Balboa Park is a must see when visiting San Diego. Between multiple museums, gardens, and restaurants, you could spend more than a day in this top attraction, but here is our guide to spending one day in Balboa Park.
Enjoy afternoon tea at the Japanese Friendship Garden’s Tea Pavilion
The Japanese Friendship Garden’s Tea Pavilion offer imported teas, drinks, and authentic Japanese food in the middle of Balboa Park.
Want to enjoy more Japanese cuisine in San Diego? Check out our guide to the best ramen restaurants in San Diego.
Have a picnic near the Botanical Building
If you prefer to bring your own food into the park and enjoy a picnic, we recommend setting up by the Botanical Building. The lily pond offers a tranquil spot for eating lunch and people watching.
Pick up a souvenir at the Spanish Village Art Center
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 maintain by artists since 1947. 200 local artists and artisans call the Spanish Village home for creating, displaying, and selling their work.
Take a walk through 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.
Have a drink at the Panama 66 Restaurant in the SDMA garden
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.
Walk through the Botanical Building
The Botanical Building houses more than 2,000 plant, including orchids, cycads, palms, and other tropical specimen. The attraction is the most photographed in Balboa Park, and a must see for plant lovers.
Explore the hidden oasis of Palm Canyon
If you’re looking for a shady spot in Balboa Park to cool down on a hot day, Palm Canyon is the place to go. Palm Canyon is tucked away behind the Balboa Park Club, and boasts two acre of 58 palm tree species for more than 450 palm trees total.
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