Hours

9:30am – 4:30pm Daily

Address
House of Hospitality
1549 El Prado Ste. 1
San Diego, CA 92101
Contact

visitor@balboapark.org
(619) 239-0512 x8

Get a head start!

Buy your pass in advance.

Enhancing The Park Experience

Plan Your Visit

The best way to begin your park adventure is to visit the Balboa Park Visitors Center, a program of Forever Balboa Park. Learn what’s open, what’s free, and what you just can’t miss at Balboa Park.

  • Maps and Brochures
  • What Museums are Free in Balboa Park
  • Locally Sourced Gifts and Souvenirs
  • Free and Custom Tours
  • Balboa Park Lost and Found
  • Wheelchair/scooter Rental
  • Snacks, Drinks, Sunscreen, and More

Balboa Park Tours

Guided Park Tours

Free: Guided tour of Central Mesa begins at 11am, Tuesdays & Fridays, in front of Visitors Center. Special Botanical Tour on 2nd Saturdays at 10am.

Custom Park Tours

Contact Us For Information

Guided Park Tours
Custom Park Tours

I took a park tour with Jordan and he did an awesome job as the guide. Now I most certainly love Balboa Park! Thanks to him and all that make the park so great.
Wendy Rocchetta

Schedule A Custom Tour

Visit Balboa Park’s Cultural District

Restaurants and Amenities
  • FREE Balboa Park Tram: operates daily, 9am–8pm
  • The Visitors Center Gift Shop and pop-up Visitors Center kiosk in the Plaza de Panama:  9:30am to 4:30pm daily 
  • The Prado Restaurant: Tues.–Sat., 11:30am–8pm; Sun., 11:30am–5:30pm
  • The Prado Perk: daily, 9am–4pm
  • The Japanese Friendship Garden Tea Pavilion: Tues.–Sun., 11am –4pm
  • Panama 66 at The San Diego Museum of Art: Mon.–Tues., 11am–4pm; Wed., 4pm–10pm (jazz at 7pm); Thurs.–Sat.,11am–9pm; Sun.,11am-7pm 
  •  Café in the Park in the Casa de Balboa: Tues.–Sun., 9am–4:45pm
  • Craveology at the Fleet: daily, 10am–5pm
  •  Daniel’s Coffee Cart in Spanish Village: Tues.–Sun., 9:00am to 4pm
  •  One WorldBeat Café at the WorldBeat Center: Fri.–Sun., 11am–5pm
  • Artifact in the Mingei: Lunch: Tues.–Sun.., 11:30am–2:30pm; Dinner: Thurs.–Fri., 5:00–8:00pm
  • Craft Café (Mingei): daily, 8:30am–5pm
  • Flightpath Grill at Air & Space Museum: Fri.–Sun., 11am–3pm (museum admission required)
Balboa Park Museums and Attractions:
  •     Balboa Park Public Gardens — OPEN
  •     Balboa Park Carousel — OPEN – Sat., Sun., and School Holidays
  •     Botanical Building — CLOSED for restoration
  •     Centro Cultural de la Raza — OPEN (Tues.–Sun.)
  •     Fleet Science Center — OPEN (7 days/week)
  •     HPR International Cottages — OPEN – Sat.-Sun., 5 hours between 11am & 5:00pm.
  •     Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego — OPEN (Thurs.–Sun.)
  •     Japanese Friendship Garden — OPEN (7 days/week)
  •     Marston House & Gardens — OPEN (Sat.-Sun.)
  •     Mingei International Museum — OPEN (Tues.–Sun.)
  •     Miniature Railroad — OPEN (Fri. – Sun. and Major Holidays)
  •     Museum of Photographic Arts — OPEN (Thurs.–Sun.)
  •     Museum of Us — OPEN (Wed.–Sun.)
  •     San Diego Air and Space Museum — OPEN (7 days/week)
  •     San Diego Automotive Museum — OPEN (Tues.–Sun.)
  •     San Diego Comic Con Museum — OPEN (Tues.–Sun.)
  •     San Diego History Center — OPEN (Wed.–Sun.)
  •     San Diego Model Railroad Museum — OPEN (Tues.–Sun.)
  •     San Diego Natural History Museum — OPEN daily
  •     San Diego Zoo — OPEN (7 days/week)
  •     Senior Lounge — OPEN (Tue.–Sat.)
  •     Spanish Village Art Center — OPEN (7 days/week)
  •     Spreckels Organ Pavilion — Free Sunday Concerts at 2pm
  •     The San Diego Museum of Art — OPEN (Thurs.–Tues.)
  •     The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park — OPEN (Wed.–Sat., 2nd Tues.)
  •     Timken Museum of Art — OPEN (Wed.–Sun.) 
  •     United Nations Gift Shop — OPEN (Tues.–Sun.)

Check each organization’s website for hours and details.

Balboa Park Recreational Facilities
  • Play areas for children
  • Dog parks
  • Walking trails
  • Balboa Park Golf Course
  • Balboa Park Disc Golf
  • Balboa Tennis Club
  • Archery ranges
  • Bocce lanes
  • Lawn bowling
  • Horseshoe pits
  • Public Swimming Pool

Check each organization’s website for hours and details.

Online Resources

Check out this Visitors Center information online.

Let us Answer Your Questions
Ask us a question or send a comment and an expert volunteer will get right back to you.

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