Tours

Get to know Balboa Park with a guided tour that reveals hidden stories, vibrant gardens, and rich history. Led by knowledgeable volunteers, these tours offer a deeper connection to this beloved park.

A suggested donation of $5 helps support our ongoing work enhancing and sustaining Balboa Park. No pre-registration is required unless otherwise specified.

General Tour

This guided tour of Balboa Park's Central Mesa is a great introduction for visitors (and locals!) looking to learn more about the history, architecture, horticulture, and culture in the Park. Join us every Tuesday at 11 AM and Fridays at 2 PM.

Tours meet outside of the Balboa Park Visitors Center & Gift Shop.

*General Tour is wheelchair accessible. 

5 Flavors Tour

An interactive experience connecting plants to flavors in everyday life. Guides will use plants as a teaching tool and provide optional tasting samples at each stop. Guests with food sensitivities are encouraged to avoid any samples that may cause harm.

Join us at the Trees for Health Garden (on the corner of Balboa Dr and Quince Dr) every 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Friday at 10 AM.

Balboa Park Women’s History Tour

Developed in collaboration with the Center for Women’s History at the San Diego History Center, this tour highlights the women who have shaped Balboa Park, including Ellen Browning Scripps, Kate Sessions, and Niki de Saint Phalle.

This tour meets at the Bea Evenson Fountain (between the San Diego Natural History Museum and Fleet Science Center) every 3rd Saturday of the month at 10 AM.

Horticulture Tour

A monthly tour with a rotating topic focused on Balboa Park’s unique horticultural collection. Tours take place every 1st Saturday of the month at 10 AM and meet outside the Balboa Park Visitors Center & Gift Shop unless otherwise specified.

May - Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden: Join one of our docents on a tour of this internationally recognized rose garden, with over 1,700 roses from 130 varieties.

June - Botanical Building: Learn about this world-famous building and its beautiful plants from one of our horticultural guides.

Keep an eye on our website for updates about monthly tour topics.