Balboa Park; A Great Cultural And Entertainment Experience

The largest cultural park facility in San Diego is Balboa Park. The Park encompasses 15 museums, garden areas, performing arts facilities and of course, the San Diego Zoo. There is always something going on there, from plays, musicals, concerts and museum exhibits.

Depending on where you go inside the Park, the admission prices differ. You can also purchase memberships from the various museums and performing arts venues. This way, if you live in the area or nearby, your monetary support will help them maintain their service. You don't have to pay anything to get onto the Park grounds. Other facilities that are free are the Botanical Building, gardens (outside) and other venues. Balboa Park offers passports to visit 13 of the 15 museums, which is good for a week.

Inside the Park, you have a choice of venues to choose from:

* Restaurants and outside dining

* The San Diego Zoo

* Spreckels Organ Pavilion

* Gardens and Landscaping

* Plays and Concerts

* Museums

You can find more detailed information about Balboa Park at the Visitors center. The Visitors Center is located in the National Historic Landmark House of Hospitality facility. More than 500,000 visitors come to Balboa Park each year.

One of the museums in the Park, the San Diego Natural History Museum, was created in 1874. This museum is known for its research and is the oldest facility located in Southern California. The Marston House museum is part of the National Register of Historic Places. This museum is surrounded by acres of gardens.

The San Diego Museum of Art was created in 1926. This museum has a selection of European art, 19-20th century American art, Asian art and Latin American art.

Within Balboa Park, each facility operates their own tours. However, the Visitors Center offers a 60-minute audio of the tour of the Park. There is an audio made for both children and adults. It contains information on architecture, the history of the Park, and other subjects. Balboa Park conducts free tours during the week.

What would this massive park be without anything for children? Balboa Park has indoor and outdoor activities for them. There are museums located in the Park that have something for children. They include: The San Diego History Museum, San Diego Hall of Champions, San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego Automotive Museum, the San Diego Model Railroad Museum and we can't forget the San Diego Zoo.

In the year 2000, San Diego's millennium celebration was held at Balboa Park. The San Diego Natural History Museum reopened in 2001 after a massive rebuilding. The museum expanded by 90,000 square feet. Balboa Park has received many honors. Some of them include:

* 2003 – One of the best parks in the world

* 2004 – The Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden as one of the top 12 rose gardens in the world

In November 2005, the new Veterans Memorial Garden opened in Balboa Park. It takes up one acre in the Park.

In San Diego, Balboa Park is the place to come for a great cultural experience.

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