1. Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre urban cultural park located in the heart of San Diego, California. It was established in 1868 and has since become one of the largest and most iconic urban parks in the United States. The park is home to a number of attractions, including the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Natural History Museum, the Fleet Science Center, and the San Diego Museum of Art. Other interesting facts about Balboa Park include:
- It was originally known as City Park and was later renamed in honor of the Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa.
- The park is home to over 15 museums and cultural institutions.
- There are over 1,000 different species of plants in the park’s Botanical Building.
- Balboa Park was the site of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, which marked the opening of the Panama Canal.
- The park’s iconic California Tower was closed to the public for over 80 years before being reopened in 2015.
2. Balboa Park is open 365 days a year, although individual attraction hours may vary. The park’s phone number is (619) 239-0512.
3. Entry to the park is free, but admission prices for individual attractions vary. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s routes 7, 215, and 235 all stop at or near the park. Additionally, there are several parking lots available for those driving.
