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Miniature Railroad – This pint-sized train, located to the
south of the main Zoo entrance, is just a delight for the toddler
set. The ride is short but the experience is sweet. |
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Carousel – Kids of all ages will enjoy a ride
on this old fashioned carousel, in operation since 1922, with fifty six different animals, including giraffe, camel, tiger etc. |
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Rent bikes and surreys – At Village Place (next to the Village Grill), rent bikes, cruisers, kids' bikes, trailers, surreys (seat 4) and go for a ride around the park. |
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The NAT - San Diego Museum of Natural History – Start with the excellent "Fossil Mysteries," to discover dinosaurs and sea creatures that lived in the San Diego region during past 75 million years. "Coast to Cactus in Southern California" re-creates different habitats - desert, chaparral, canyons and streams, mountains, wetland and seashore (Grizzly bears used to go to the beach), plus endangered animals, such as the California condor, San Bernadino flying squirrel, Sonoran pronghorn. Museum is fun for kids of all ages. |
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In the giant screen theater, watch movies, such as "Ocean Oasis," about the Baja California desert and Sea of Cortez, check the schedule. |
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Tip: Use Go City San Diego pass |
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Fleet Science Center – The Science Center features a space theater with IMAX films. The kids under 5 will enjoy the Kid City with soft blocks and things to push and pull. Bigger kids can head over to the interactive exhibits about water, energy, and changing exhibitions. |
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Tip: Use Go City San Diego pass |
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Pepper Grove Playground – South of
the Fleet Science Center is a large kid's playground and picnic
area. |
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San Diego Automotive Museum – California
is a center of car culture, and the Automotive Museum is a wonderful place
to see the history of cars in their "natural habitat." Check out
the horseless carriages, big cars of the Fifties, one-of-a-kind motorcycles,
" muscle cars," and "art cars." Kids can see what family
cars were like before seat belts – the VW bus, a 1952 Nash with foldout
beds, a 1937 "woody" station wagon, the first economical family
car, the 1914 Model T Ford. |
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Tip: Use Go City San Diego pass |
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Model Railroad Museum – This model
railroad museum has long been a favorite with kids in San Diego. The train
layouts highlight the American Southwest. Watch the model trains as they
puff through the mountains in the Tehachapi Pass, chug over the Goat Canyon
trestle high above the Carrizo Gorge, or stop at the San Diego Santa Fe
train depot at the turn the century. |
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San Diego Air and Space Museum – Follow
the history of aviation, starting with hot air balloons and the Wright brothers,
to W.W.I planes, 20's and 30's barnstorming planes, W.W.II Spitfires and
Hellcats, to state-of-the-art jets – MIGs and Skyhawk jets, and the
Blackbird spy plane, out into space with the Apollo space capsules and models
of the Mars Rover. Toddlers will enjoy a section with planes to climb on,
knobs to push and pull. Don't miss the full-size replica of the Spirit of
St. Louis. |
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Tip: Use Go City San Diego pass |
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Museum of Us (San Diego Museum of Man) – As you come in, you can't miss the extraordinary
26 ft high Maya stele (replicas) from Quirigua in Guatemala. Upstairs, find out about
the Kumeyaay, the native Americans that lived in San Diego county – what
they ate, what kinds of dolls they played with, what kinds of games they
played. Also at the museum, you can watch how tortillas are made, and weaving
demonstrations. |
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 Listen
to the bells chiming in the California Tower, next to the museum.
It will always remind you of Balboa Park. |
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International Cottages (House of Pacific Relations) – A different country from Europe, Middle East and South
America hosts dancing, music and typical food on weekends (e.g. Scottish bagpiping, Czech dancing, Turkish folk songs, Swedish meatballs).
Houses are open on weekends. |
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Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater – There's
always puppet shows happening here, presented by a wide variety of puppeteers
from around the world. You might see marionettes, shadow puppets or hand
puppets. |
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Gardens – The temperate climate in San Diego is a bonanza
for gardens (originally planted by Kate Sessions) – with a little water, almost anything will grow here.
Spend some time just rambling through these very different gardens: |
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Japanese Friendship
Garden – Explore the garden with koi pond (big yellow and orange fish), bridges over waterfalls and bubbling streams, zen rock garden, bonsai trees, cherry blossom festival with children's activities in spring. Cafe with noodles, sandwiches, cold drinks. |
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Tip: Use Go City San Diego pass |
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Zoro
Garden – This is a butterfly garden, planted with milkweed, sunflower
and passion vines for butterfly larvae, and nectar plans for the adult butterflies.
Look for monarch, sulfur and swallowtail butterflies. |
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Botanical
Building and Lotus Pond – In the arboretum, step into a lush tropical
rainforest. In front of the Botanical Building, the Lily Pond is endlessly
fascinating, peaceful reflections in the water and blooming water lilies. |
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Alcazar
Garden – You'll feel like you're at the Alcazar Castle in Seville,
Spain. Any time of year, the garden is planted with bright colored plants,
and you'll want to dip your fingers in the star-shaped blue tiled fountain
in the center. |
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Editor's note: When I was a kid, this was my favorite garden
in Balboa Park. |
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Ride the Balboa Park Tram – Balboa
Park is big place. Hop on the free tram to ride around the park.
Park Tram goes in a loop from Inspiration Point where you can park,
to the Air and Space Museum (Pan American Plaza), around to the main Plaza de Panama, by the Visitor Center. |
