Things to Do in Balboa Park, San Diego 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.
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Balboa Park ★ 4.8 · 79.2k★
Sprawling outdoor destination is home to the city's renowned zoo, museums, gardens & more.
Every day 12 AM – 12 AM
San Diego Air and Space Museum ★ 4.6 · 6.1k★
Popular place with historical aircraft/spacecraft & interactive exhibits, plus a gift shop & grill.
Every day 10 AM – 4:30 PM
San Diego Zoo ★ 4.7 · 66.9k· $$$ ★
Zoo featuring giraffes, koalas, apes & more, plus tours & a conservation society.
Every day 9 AM – 8 PM
Mingei International Museum ★ 4.6 · 555★
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
San Diego Model Railroad Museum ★ 4.7 · 1.3k★
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
San Diego Automotive Museum ★ 4.4 · 2.1k★
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
San Diego History Center ★ 4.5 · 154★
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
San Diego Natural History Museum ★ 4.6 · 3.5k
Large natural history museum with rotating displays on animals, dinosaurs & earth science.
Every day 10 AM – 5 PM
San Diego Museum of Art ★ 4.6 · 2.8k
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
San Diego Museum of US ★ 4.3 · 2.6k
Museum in an ornate 1915 building featuring eclectic anthropology exhibits & a panoramic tower.
Every day 10 AM – 5 PM
Spreckels Organ Pavilion ★ 4.8 · 1.1k
Home to the world's largest outdoor pipe organ, this venue hosts year-round concerts & other events.
Every day 7 AM – 9 PM
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center ★ 4.5 · 4.4k
Educational center with hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, an IMAX theater & interactive displays.
Every day 10 AM – 5 PM
Veterans Museum & Memorial Center ★ 4.7 · 295
Center dedicated to increasing public awareness of the contributions made by U.S. veterans.
Mon Closed
Tue 11 AM – 3:30 PM
Wed–Thu Closed
Fri 11 AM – 3:30 PM
Sat 11 AM – 3:30 PM
Sun Closed Where to eat & drink in Balboa Park
The Coffee Drop ★ 5.0 · 298· $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
Artifact at Mingei ★ 4.5 · 180· $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…
Mon Closed
Tue–Thu 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Fri 11:30 AM – 8 PM
Sat 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Sun 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
The Rose Wine Bar ★ 4.6 · 530· $20-30
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 Planning time in Balboa Park?
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1 Balboa Park 2 San Diego Air and Space Museum 3 San Diego Zoo 4 Mingei International Museum 5 San Diego Model Railroad Museum 6 San Diego Automotive Museum 7 San Diego History Center 8 San Diego Natural History Museum 9 San Diego Museum of Art 10 San Diego Museum of US Ready to plan Balboa Park? Turn these Balboa Park picks into a day-by-day San Diego plan, with every place checked for closures and booking needs on your dates.
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