Free in San Diego – 21 Things for Families in Beautiful Balboa Park

With a vast number of gardens, museums, cultural spots, theaters, playgrounds and walking trails San Diego’s Balboa Park is one of the best places for families to visit. This 1200 acre park is a respite in the middle of the city of San Diego. There are lots of activities that are completely free in Balboa Park, especially welcome in pricey Southern California! Consider at least one full day to explore Balboa Park when visiting San Diego. Our native San Diego SheBuysTravel offers her tips for free family fun in Balboa Park.

Free in Balboa Park

If you’re looking for free things to do in San Diego, Balboa Park has enough activities to keep you and your family busy for several days. This downtown San Diego city park is one of the largest and oldest in the United States, host to the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition. The buildings are full of San Diego history. Check out the museum website and the links throughout this article for planning tips.

My advice is to arrive early, pack lunch and a few snacks and wear practical walking shoes because this Park is expansive. Sundays are particularly crowded because of additional free special events that take place each week on this day. And don’t forget your camera, because Balboa Park and its 100-year old buildings and gardens are perfect for family photos.

 

Where Can I Park for Free in Balboa Park?

In the middle of the city, parking can be hard to come by, let alone find a free place to park your car for the entire day. There are parking lots all throughout Balboa Park where you can park your car in close proximity to the attraction you wish to visit. When visiting on the weekends or busy times of the year (summer, in particular), be sure to arrive early to find the best spot. On crowded days or on special event days, there is often overflow parking available off-site with free bus drop off. Signs are posted on the sidewalks during these events.

Is There Free Admission In Balboa Park? (Yes, But Read the Fine Print)

Balboa Park is completely free to roam and explore. All of the gardens, playgrounds and walking trails are open to visitors every day and select attractions are also free. On each Tuesday of the month, museums and attractions rotate to offer free admission to San Diego residents. There is a rotating calendar online. This offer includes the Museum of Man, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego Natural History Museum and San Diego Model Railroad Museum.

Not a San Diegan? You can still receive admission for free in Balboa Park activities. Some of the museums also offer free admission to active duty military and their family or local college students (with ID). The Veterans Museum and Memorial offers free admission every day for active duty military. Each October during the Kids Free In San Diego event, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Reuben H. Fleet and other Park museums offer free admission to children as well.

Where Can You Cool Down in Balboa Park?

What kid doesn’t love a huge fountain? Mine have always loved sitting next to the fountains in Balboa Park, letting the cool mist spray them. In front of the Reuben H. Fleet museum you’ll see the Bea Evenson Fountain.  The Plaza de Panama Fountains are located in front of the San Diego Museum of Art. Though you will often find guests splashing in the fountains on a hot day, this is prohibited so resist the urge to wade.

Other than the mist from the fountains to cool down, I suggest a relaxing walk inside the cool  gardens of the Botanical building. And of course, the indoor museums are air-conditioned.

What Cultural Things Are There to Do in Balboa Park?

Each Sunday afternoon, the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages representing 33 countries are open to the public. There are cultural decorations inside each house and food samples offered to guests. One of the houses also hosts a program on the lawn each week featuring music, dance, costumes, crafts and art representing their country. An annual Ethnic Food Fair gathers the countries for a joint cultural event including performances and food (event is free, food cost is extra).

Listen to the Music in Balboa Park

Each Sunday afternoon, the Spreckels Organ rings out beautiful music in a free outdoor concert. This is an informal affair that welcomes children and pets. No tickets needed, just grab a seat on one of the many benches, pull out a snack and enjoy the sounds. Bring an umbrella during sunny months because there is no shade in this area. When I was a kid, my parents would bring me here with my roller skates and I’d skate around the perimeter of the pavilion while listening to the music!

Free Park Tours in Balboa Park

Make a stop by the Balboa Park Visitor’s Center (inside the House of Hospitality building) and find out what free tours are being offered on the day of your visit. There are botanical tours of the gardens, architectural tours that highlight the 100-year old+ buildings and Park ranger-led tours.

What Kind of Special Events Are Held in Balboa Park?

Special events are offered year-round in Balboa Park.

• December Nights has brought thousands to the Park for over 40 years to celebrate the “most wonderful time of the year”. Museums open their doors and offer free admission, there are top-notch music and dance presentations on various stages and crafts and games for children. Naturally this is an extremely popular event so plan to arrive early. Read more about holiday activities in San Diego.
• The annual EarthFair in Balboa Park is the largest free annual environmental fair in the world, drawing around 50,000 visitors. Keeping with the environmental theme, it’s recommended to use public transportation.
• The House of Pacific Relations International Cottages also offer events year-round dependent upon the country and their cultural holidays. The dance clubs of the International Dance Association host a free festival each year with complimentary lessons.

Can You Bring Your Pet to Balboa Park?

There are three dog parks in Balboa Park so dogs can get off leash and run or play. On a leash, you can bring your dogs with you on the hiking trails, through the heart of the Park or even to the Spreckels Organ Pavilion during the Sunday concerts.

Scenic View Point in Balboa Park

The Cabrillo historical bridge spans the Cabrillo Freeway (scenic state route 163). This 1500-foot long bridge allows foot traffic and offers a beautiful view of the downtown city and Park.

Hands-On Sculptural Exhibits in Balboa Park

There are various sculptural “gardens” throughout Balboa Park. Some of the art sculptures encourage climbing and touching.

Free (or Donation Encouraged) Balboa Park Museums

Many free museums are housed inside the buildings of the El Prado complex. Learn more about fossils, gems and minerals at the San Diego Mineral & Gem Society. Discover Chicano, Latino and Mexican culture, including Ballet Folklorico at the Centro Cultural de la Raza. Admission to the photographic gallery at the Museum of Photographic Arts is “pay what you wish” on certain days during the year.

Balboa Park Gardens and Flowers

Family photos are made easy when there are so many amazingly diverse gardens in this park. Hardly a visit to Balboa Park goes by when you don’t see a bride taking pre-wedding photos in the Park or a model shooting for a magazine. Some gardens are larger than others, but each offer something unique.

We visit the Botanical Building during each visit (note that it’s closed on Thursdays and holidays). This large lathe building was built for the 1915 Exposition. It is graced with a peaceful lily pond out front. This building is a perfect respite on a hot day. Free docent-led tours are offered on the third Friday of each month at 11 a.m.

I love the Alcazar Garden for its gorgeous Moorish tiles, boxwood hedges and fountains. Kids will enjoy the Children’s Peace Garden outside the WorldBeat Cultural Center with educational gardening classes on Sunday afternoons. The Zoro Garden is a perfect place to spot butterflies.

Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park

Stop by this quirky artist’s community and you might find yourself with a paint brush in hand! Just follow the brightly painted tiles into the courtyard and watch as local artists create beautiful and unique works. On our last visit, the kids participated in a free drawing lesson.

Are There Playgrounds in Balboa Park?

There are several different play structures in Balboa Park, geared for different ages and perfect for kids to burn off steam in between museum visits. We often let our kids play on the Sixth Avenue Playground before taking a long walk on the trails. Click the link if you’re looking for more things to do outdoors with kids in San Diego.

Where to Mingle and Dance in Balboa Park

Enjoy couples dancing, mixers and line dances during the weekly International Ethnic Folk Dancing. Come to dance or just watch the fun on Sunday afternoons in the Balboa Park Club Building.

Balboa Park Celebrates Diversity

Celebrating diverse cultures, the WorldBeat Cultural Center offers special events like concerts and drum circles. They also offer an Alternative Health Event is offered bi-monthly with free acupuncture, massage, chiropractic and yoga.

Where Can You Hike and Walk in Balboa Park?

Balboa Park has 65 miles of trails that are perfect for walking, jogging, hiking or biking. The Florida Canyon Native Plant Preserve covers 150 acres, with various hiking trails. For an easier walk, try the California Native Plant Garden which is five acres with a quarter of a mile long footpath. The two acre Palm Canyon packs 450 palms along the shady trail.

Can You Have a Picnic in Balboa Park?

There are many restaurants and dining spots (from hot dog carts to high-end dining at The Prado). But if you’re aiming for low cost, bring your own lunch. There are large grassy areas and shady locations under the trees to lay down a blanket, eat a picnic lunch and even take a nap, if you wish!

Balboa Park Free Art Museum

Noted as one of the best small museums in the world, the Timken Museum of Art also the only free art museum in Balboa Park. See fine paintings from Rembrandt and van Dyck, as well as Russian icons and French tapestries.

Listen To the California Tower Bells

No need to bring a watch! Each quarter hour, melodious chimes ring out from the California Tower that can be hear all throughout the Park. Located near the Old Globe Theatre, tickets can be purchased to climb the tower and witness the amazing views of San Diego. Listening for the bells to ring (and counting out the time) is one of my kids favorite parts of visiting the Park!

Stop and Smell the Roses

Take in the heavenly scent of 1600+ roses that bloom in the 3-acre Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden. It’s a gorgeous photo stop, especially when the rose blooms peak in April and May.

More Free in San Diego

If you’ll be in San Diego for a few days, be sure to check out the other free things you can do in the area!

• 50 Free Summer Family Activities in San Diego
• Day Trip Itinerary for San Diego’s Seaport Village
• Kids Free San Diego in October
• Places to Explore in Point Loma, San Diego

What would you most like to explore on a visit to Balboa Park? Share with us in the comments!