Just minutes from the bustling heart of the city, San Diego Zoo's incredible menagerie of 400 animals is why most Kiwis head to Balboa Park. But beyond the charms of the wildlife, don't skimp on Balboa's other beauties.
Architectural buffs can enjoy the flavour of an old Spanish city, with
a wealth of stately buildings dressed in a variety of architectural styles, spanning from Spanish Colonial Renaissance, to Gothic and Moorish.
Stretching out along the park's central promenade, El Prado, are some of California's finest museums. They include the Museum of Man, the Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum, covering a broad spectrum of topics.
Opened in 1926, the San Diego Museum of Art contains countless works of art, some of which date back to 5000BC. There is a strong emphasis placed on Spanish artists and the museum has permanent works from artists the likes of El Greco, Murillo and Ribera.
Balboa Park is home to 13 museums and, for the serious museum-hound, purchase an all-access pass. If you time your visit for a Sunday afternoon, join the throng of locals for the weekly pipe organ concert at Spreckels Organ Pavilion. The impressive 4500-pipe organ plays song after song, every Sunday at 2pm.
