❧ To call it the crowning jewel of the city would be, well, accurate. Balboa Park is the North Star of the San Diego’s cultural compass. With its rich history dating back to 1868, this stretch of iconic architecture, galleries, theatres, and gardens serves as the city’s natural meeting place. Whether you’re picnicking in the vastness of green spaces, strolling over scenic trails, or taking in the latest exhibitions from local minds or artists of the past, Balboa Park offers it all—and keeps it fresh for city dwellers and visitors alike. So, drop a pin anywhere along its sprawling 1,400 acres to get a jumpstart on your cultural agenda.
HOMETOWN HISTORY The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership is a great place to start to learn more about our city home. It hosts 29 different institutions within the park and offers an “Explorer” Annual Pass, which includes access to 16 museums where you can explore exhibits like Balboa Park: The Jewel of San Diego , a film showing at the San Diego History Center , and the San Diego Model Railroad Museum’s Transcontinental Railroad exhibit , or you can use the pass to stop by the S an Diego Natural History Museum to see our feral, furry friends snapped in their natural habitat with the Caught on Camera exhibition. Prefer the human element? Check out some living history with the Marston House , a residential museum showcasing the work of local architects from the early 20th century.
showing Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings alongside British sculptor Henry Moore’s work, or experience local artist Carlo Miranda’s 10 displays of hyperrealist painting. Take in some performing arts with The Old Globe as it opens its summer show with Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night . Or grab a seat amongst younger audiences as San Diego Junior Theatre continues its 75th anniversary season with Grace, the story of a young girl’s quest to be class president, opening June 30. In between performances, stop and smell the flowers at the Japanese Friendship Garden . Linger on for a cup of tea or to peek at the Art of Origami/ Origami Senbazuru Dress exhibition. GET TECHY WITH IT Unleash your scientific side with the joy of discovery at the Fleet Science Center . With summer STEM camps and a rotating schedule of science-themed films in its IMAX Dome theatre, this is the place for facts and fun. Time it right and head over to San Diego’s Air & Space Museum for the 18th annual Space Day on June 3 for astro activities for all ages. On any given day, stay to explore the array of aircrafts and aeronautical artifacts, like a mystery bag belonging to Neil Armstrong. If you prefer being earthbound, trek to the San Diego Automotive Museum to get your need for speed fulfilled with exhibitions from Indian and Harley-Davidson motorcycles to San Diego lowriders and even a few keepsakes from two-wheeled daredevil Evel Knievel.
Ignacio Zuloaga's Portrait of Doña Esther de Garay y Garay at San Diego Museum of Art
Japanese Friendship Garden
GO INTERNATIONAL See beyond our backyard with the international aspects of the park. Start with the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages , representing a range of 34 countries and heritages—from Mexico to Ukraine—who proudly open their doors every weekend. Immerse yourself in global art at the Mingei International Museum with the African by Design or A World of Beads exhibitions. Learn from the greats as you rove the halls of the Timken Museum of Art , which features French, Russian, Spanish, and Flemish masterworks. KEEP IT CLASSIC San Diego Museum of Art is the lynchpin of visual feats at the park, and organizations like Balboa Art Conservation Center keep it in top shape so it can remain on display for all the see. Roam through the different levels to peer at various works, including the O’Keefe and Moore exhibition
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