Hours
9:30am – 4:30pm Daily
Address
House of Hospitality
1549 El Prado Ste. 1
San Diego, CA 92101
1549 El Prado Ste. 1
San Diego, CA 92101
Contact
visitor@balboapark.org
(619) 239-0512 x8
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.
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
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