Things to Do in Balboa Park, San Diego

Balboa Park is a large outdoor area with many museums and gardens. It contains the San Diego Zoo, the Mingei International Museum, and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

Balboa ParkCity Park
San Diego Air and Space MuseumScience Museum
San Diego ZooZoo & Aquarium

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Top things to do in Balboa Park

Balboa Park
★ 4.8 · 78.9k
City Park★
Sprawling outdoor destination is home to the city's renowned zoo, museums, gardens & more.
Every day
12 AM – 12 AM
Website ↗Map ↗
San Diego Air and Space Museum
★ 4.6 · 6.1k
Science Museum★
Popular place with historical aircraft/spacecraft & interactive exhibits, plus a gift shop & grill.
Every day
10 AM – 4:30 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
San Diego Zoo
★ 4.7 · 66.7k
Zoo & Aquarium· $$$★
Zoo featuring giraffes, koalas, apes & more, plus tours & a conservation society.
Every day
9 AM – 8 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Mingei International Museum
★ 4.6 · 547
Art Museum★
Museum located in a historic building showcases folk art, craft & design from all over the globe.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Thu
10 AM – 5 PM
Fri
10 AM – 8 PM
Sat
10 AM – 5 PM
Sun
10 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
★ 4.7 · 1.3k
History Museum★
Kid-friendly museum featuring many working scale models of California rail lines & landscapes.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Fri
11 AM – 4 PM
Sat
11 AM – 4 PM
Sun
11 AM – 4 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
San Diego Automotive Museum
★ 4.4 · 2.1k
History Museum★
Small destination featuring rotating displays of classic cars, trucks & motorcycles.
Mon–Thu
10 AM – 4:30 PM
Fri
9 AM – 4:30 PM
Sat
9 AM – 4:30 PM
Sun
9 AM – 4:30 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
San Diego History Center
★ 4.5 · 150
History Museum★
A center that tells the diverse story of the San Diego region, educating and enriching the community while preserving its history.
Mon–Tue
Closed
Wed–Fri
10 AM – 5 PM
Sat
10 AM – 5 PM
Sun
10 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
San Diego Museum of Art
★ 4.6 · 2.8k
Art Museum
Venerable art museum with acclaimed works, plus a courtyard bar/bistro with sculpture garden views.
Mon–Tue
10 AM – 5 PM
Wed
Closed
Thu–Fri
10 AM – 5 PM
Sat
10 AM – 5 PM
Sun
12 PM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
San Diego Museum of US
★ 4.3 · 2.6k
Museum
Museum in an ornate 1915 building featuring eclectic anthropology exhibits & a panoramic tower.
Every day
10 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
★ 4.8 · 1.1k
Theater
Home to the world's largest outdoor pipe organ, this venue hosts year-round concerts & other events.
Every day
7 AM – 9 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
San Diego Natural History Museum
★ 4.6 · 3.4k
Natural History Museum
Large natural history museum with rotating displays on animals, dinosaurs & earth science.
Every day
10 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
★ 4.5 · 4.4k
Science Museum
Educational center with hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, an IMAX theater & interactive displays.
Every day
10 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗

Where to eat & drink in Balboa Park

The Coffee Drop
★ 5.0 · 292
Coffee Shop· $1–10
The Coffee Drop is inspired by our love for traveling and specialty coffee, of course! We love to harbor community wherever we are.
Mon–Fri
8 AM – 4 PM
Sat
8 AM – 4 PM
Sun
8 AM – 1 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
ARTIFACT at Mingei
★ 4.4 · 174
American· $30–70
Visitors to scenic Balboa Park's trove of museums are well-advised to stop in for the unique collection of folk art, craft and design on display here, but this unassuming restaurant, just across from the gift shop, is worth a visit in…
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
The Rose Wine Bar
★ 4.7 · 523
Wine Bar· $20–50
Open, airy fixture offers a range of thoughtfully sourced wines amid a cool mixed-material backdrop.
Mon–Thu
11 AM – 10 PM
Fri
11 AM – 11 PM
Sat
10 AM – 11 PM
Sun
10 AM – 10 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Fernside
★ 4.6 · 419
Cocktail Bar· $10–40
A bar restaurant serving quality cocktails and fare in South Park, San Diego.
Mon–Thu
4 PM – 11 PM
Fri
3 PM – 12 AM
Sat
11 AM – 12 AM
Sun
11 AM – 11 PM
Website ↗Map ↗