25 Cheap Things To Do at San Diego’s Balboa Park
We love Balboa Park. It’s like Central Park, only the weather’s nice year-round and you’re much less likely to get mugged. Also, it’s bigger than Central Park and there are more museums, the best zoo in the country, and my wife and I got married there.
The Prado, Balboa Park, the very spot where my wife and I got hitched.
It’s impossible to see and do the whole park in a day, but if you’re visiting San Diego this summer, the folks who take care of the place have posted a great list of cheap and even free(!) things for you and the family to do there. Some highlights of that list are after the jump (getting married at The Prado is not among them, as Prado weddings are the opposite of cheap).
Some of the highlights of Balboa Park include:
- The museums. Most are just a few bucks, and on Tuesdays some are free.
- The Botanical Building houses a fantastic indoor garden; it’s also free.
- Buskers. There are always musicians hanging out in the park, playing anything from a sax to the pan flute to the cello. Some of ‘em are really good, and tips are optional but welcome.
- Get your Obscure Sports on; there’s lawn bowling, archery, disc golf, and a velodrome.
- Hike. The park has miles of trails.
- See a movie. The park has a great IMAX theater (prices vary), and also shows free movies during their Screen on The Green events.
Summertime is Balboa Park’s busy season, and parking is free. Finding a spot can be challenging - get there early, and remember that the park’s largest single lot is located by the zoo. It’s also a good idea to pack a lunch; there’s plenty of space for a picnic. And if you brought your dog on your vacation, there’s a lease-optional dog park as well. For the complete list of 25 Fun and Affordable Things to do at Balboa Park, go here.
Photo courtesy of Humphrey Florist.
