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  • Museums

    San Diego Model Railroad Museum

    All aboard! At the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, the miniature miles of railroad track are perfect for an awesome game of I-Spy. Can you find your favorite cartoon character in the Toy Train Gallery?

    Museum of Us

    Travel back in time and see how animals came to be part of our everyday life. From dogs, to bugs, to chickens, how do you interact with animals?

    San Diego Air & Space Museum

    Blast off at the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Play in the Kids’ Aviation Action Hangar, ride the space simulators, see planes and rockets, and get inspired to reach for the stars.

    Fleet Science Center

    Head over to the Fleet Science Center where you can build your own inventions at Studio X, try and touch a tornado, or make a world of your own in Kid City!

    San Diego Natural History Museum (theNAT)

    Let your imagination run wild at the San Diego Natural History Museum. The Backyard, designed for children five-years-old and under, is packed with experiences that encourage curiosity about the natural world. Older kids can head over to the Living Lab to meet scorpions, lizards, and other “not-so-cuddly” creatures.

    Entrance to the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. The entrance is a red painted wall with an arched glass windows and black framed glass doors.

    San Diego Model Railroad Museum

    Climb aboard and appreciate the wonders of beautifully engineered imagination.

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    Two people walking towards the front entrance of the Museum of Us.

    Museum of Us

    Exploring the human experience through unique, interactive exhibitions.

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    Visitors walking into the entrance of the San Diego Air and Space Museum.

    San Diego Air and Space Museum

    Examine the intersection of science, space, and aviation history.

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    The front entrance to the Fleet Science Center building.

    Fleet Science Center

    Engaging science lovers of all ages.

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    A group of diverse aged adults looking at a mammoth fossil display at the San Diego Museum of Natural History.

    San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)

    Explore the natural wonders, both past and present of Southern California

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  • Performing Arts

    Youth Performance Groups

    At times throughout the year, one of the many youth arts organizations in the Park may be putting on a show. Check the event calendar for the latest kid-powered music, dance, ballet and theater shows.

    Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater

    While Kermit, Elmo, and Pinocchio may be famous, you can catch local San Diego puppet stars most days at the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater. Stop in for performances sure to please audiences of all ages

    Front entrance to the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre. The entrance has trees on its right and left sides. A yellow banner is seen hanging at the top of the entrance.

    Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater

    The art of puppetry for audiences of every age.

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    A group of young performers in costume performing a scene from Goodnight Mood.

    San Diego Junior Theatre

    Enhancing children's lives through innovative, high-quality theatre education and production.

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    A group of ballet dancers in black leotards are stretching their legs on ballet bars.

    San Diego Civic Youth Ballet

    Accessible classical ballet programs for students ages 4 and up.

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  • Parks and Gardens

    Japanese Friendship Garden

    Stop by the Japanese Friendship Garden for some outdoor time. Play games as you explore; go hi-tech by downloading the Haiku Hunt app or low-tech by inventing your own game like count the koi fish!

    EthnoBotany Children’s Peace Garden

    Get your hands dirty at the WorldBeat Cultural Center’s EthnoBotany Children’s Peace Garden. Learn about how the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices you eat every day journey from a seed to your plate.

    Pepper Grove Playground

    Balboa Park’s playgrounds are the perfect place for kids to slide, swing and climb while adults relax on nearby shaded benches.

    Balboa Park Carousel

    Rest your legs while going for a whirl n the historic Balboa Park Carousel. You can even try to grab the brass ring to win a free ride.

    Balboa Park Miniature Train

    Go on a train ride at the Balboa Park Miniature Railroad. Enjoy a half-mile journey around beautiful Balboa Park grounds.

    San Diego Zoo

    Love animals? Visit the San Diego Zoo to experience hundreds of animals from all over the world.

    A diverse group of adults waiting in line at the entrance to the Japanese Friendship Garden. A brown and white structure and trees are in the background.

    Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum

    An immersive experience of Japanese gardens and culture.

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    Wood fence entrance with colorful signs to the WorldBeat Center's Healing Peace garden.

    Healing Peace Garden

    An urban oasis featuring countless rare edible and medicinal plants with cultural significance.

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    Pepper Grove playground where children are playing on large colorful play structures, slides, and swings.

    Playgrounds

    Run and play on one of the many playgrounds located throughout Balboa Park

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    Adult and child riding on a camel on a carousel

    Carousel

    A rare chance to ride an original menagerie carousel.

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    A red, orange, and white minature train is coming around a turn. The train operator is in the front with groups of adult and child passengers in the train cars behind them.

    Miniature Train

    Take a fun tour on an antique train.

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    A male lion from the San Diego Zoo appears on the right looking to the left

    San Diego Zoo

    A world-famous home to animals and global conservation programs.

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  • Food & Drink

    Panama 66

    Grab lunch at Panama 66 in the Plaza de Panama. Its kid’s menu is filled with all sorts of treats including a super tasty almond butter and Nutella sandwich.

    Craveology

    The Fleet Science Center’s Craveology has sandwiches, salads, ice cream and snacks to satisfy any craving.

    Detailed metal door entrance to Panama 66 at the San Diego Museum of Art. The bar and California Tower can be seen in the background.

    Panama 66 at The San Diego Museum of Art

    Draft beer, craft cocktails and locally sourced food. Entertainment varies throughout the week.

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    People standing in front of Craveology counter ordering.

    Craveology

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Plan Your Visit

A roadway in front of Plaza de Panama and the San Diego Museum of Art with a white jeep stopped to let a group of adults and an adult with a motorized wheelchair cross the road.

Get Directions

Whether by car or plane, we’ve got the details you need to get here.

Park Map and Directions
Diverse groups of people surrounding three white pop-up tents on the El Prado walkway outside of the House of Hospitality.

Events

See what's happening in the park the days you are here.

Upcoming Events
Two young adults with long brown hair. They are walking with the lily pond and botanical building in the background. One adult is wearing a peach colored sweater with a multicolored dress and the other adult is wearing a white sweater with a multicolored dress..

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From museums to musicals to Shakespeare under the stars, immerse yourself in all the arts, sciences, and history you can handle.

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Balboa Park is a public park and is available for all to enjoy!

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An advertisement for the Fleet Science Center's Color in a New Light exhibition.