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Take a walk along the Prado first and simply observe the ambience, lest you find Balboa Park overwhelming. Only ten miles inland from the beaches and the city, Balboa Park is the first stop on any local or tourist's recommended list on places to check out and savor.
Smack dab in the heart of San Diego, this urban park has a higher concentration of cultural attractions than any park in the nation. Called "the Smithsonian of the West", you'll find a lifetime's worth of exploration found among the park's 500 acres. Balboa includes 14 world-class museums, a botanical garden, scenic trails, a 75-foot high fountain, a four-star restaurant and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Plus, San Diegans know this is a prime spot for romantic picnics and family outings, all for a song, money-wise. The city spends a pretty penny keeping this place beautiful, and, unless you enter the museums themselves, there's no fee for many of the enchanting options in this park.
Specific Itinerary Ideas Kid Stuff There's more than just high-brow art museums and high-tech areospace exhibits at the park, although your kids might dig on those, too. Popular kid stuff includes the Hall of Champions (sports),the Model Railroad Museum, the carousel and the miniature train ride. Don't forget the Zoo, of course! Kids adore the interactive exhibits at the Rueben H. Fleet Space Center's Exploratorium, as well as their frequent Imax and planetarium programs. The Natural History Museum offers touch tables, interactive exhibits and regular childrens' programs. They also love the dinosaurs! The Pepper Grove Discovery Playground is a lively spot, especially for the younger set. Lastly, watch for wandering entertainers on the Prado, or have a picnic by the fountain, where lots of children seem to gather, splash each other, and run around at all hours. Tell them to make a wish and toss pennies into the spray.
Active Options Morley Field recreational area includes tennis courts, a bicycle track, a swimming pool, picnic areas and canyon trails. The park itself offers plenty of unusual trails, climbing in and out of the steep canyon terrain. Runners love the early morning and late afternoon quiet hours, for jogging along the scenic, paved walkways throughout the park. Before You Go A few tips and tricks will make your visit more enjoyable, whether it's your first, or 30th! Plan ahead to avoid that unique traveler's sense of frustration. Here are my secrets after 15 years of visits...
The copyright of the article Inside Balboa Park in San Diego is owned by Jill Florio. Permission to republish Inside Balboa Park in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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