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Attractions
Visitors Center
Begin your Balboa Park adventure at the Visitors Center.
You can find the latest Park information either at the Visitor Center located in the House of Hospitality or at the Park Ambassador Information Tent located in front of the building in the Plaza de Panama.
Details
What You'll Find
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Admissions Information
Most of the cultural attractions in Balboa Park are independently managed non-profit organizations. The admission prices vary by institution-with museum and performing arts memberships offering a chance to support these San Diego cultural treasures as well as gain special admission to them. Admittance to the Park itself is free, as is the Botanical Building and most of the gardens.
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Tours
Free Public Tours of the Central Mesa are offered every Tuesday at 11 a.m. in front of the Visitors Center; an architectural tour is offered on the first and third Friday at 11 a.m.
Custom Tours may be booked for up to nine people and last about one hour, depending on the group size and tour focus, which can include history, horticulture, architecture, or cover the Park in general.s. Additional tour guides can be arranged for groups of ten or larger.
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Visitors Center Gift Shop
Inside the Visitors Center, find a charming gift shop with a variety of gifts, handmade creations by Park artists, Balboa Park logo-ware, books, videos, CDs, and more.
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Volunteer Opportunities
The Visitors Center is looking for volunteers who have lived in San Diego for several years and love Balboa Park. Must be able to volunteer during the center’s operating hours, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm. Please email Radka Bartholomew for a volunteer application: radka@balboapark.org
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Forever Balboa Park
Forever Balboa Park is a public-benefit 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to provide expertise, advocacy and resources to envision, enhance and sustain Balboa Park for all visitors in partnership with the City of San Diego and in collaboration with other organizations in the Park and the community.
Since its formation, Forever Balboa Park has worked with the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department and other partners to plant trees, reactivate and turn the Plaza de Panama into one of San Diego’s primary public gathering spots, and host the annual December Nights holiday festival, among other projects. Forever Balboa Park is data-driven, completing a much needed Tree Inventory, and Economic Benefit Study and a Cultural Landscape Report. Forever Balboa Park is working to restore and revitalize the 100-year-old Botanical Building and gardens.
