Hours

9:30am – 4:30pm Daily
Open December 24
9:30AM-2PM
Closed Christmas Day
Closed New Year’s Day

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

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

Start your visit at the Balboa Park Visitors Center to discover what to do and where to go in Balboa Park.

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
  • Explorer Pass, Zoo, Carousel & Museum Tickets
  • 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, in front of Visitors Center

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–6pm
  • 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: Sun.–Tues. and Thurs., 11am–4pm; Fri.–Sat.,11am–9pm; Wed., 4pm–10pm (jazz at 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): Tues.–Sun., 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 — CLOSED for restoration 
  •     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 (Sat. – Sun. and Major Holidays)
  •     Museum of Photographic Arts — OPEN (Fri.–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 (Thurs.–Tues.)
  •     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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