Bleu Ford 11/18/20 Bleu Ford 11/18/20

San Diego Walking Tour: Gaslamp, Little Italy and Marina District

Just another beautiful day for a walk in San Diego

San Diego Walking Tour: Gaslamp, Little Italy, and Marina District

Rated easy, 3.8mi, 85’ elevation gain, loop trail

Hello! I am Bleu from Mama Bleu’s Adventures. I am a local San Diego tour guide and I have created this blog as a companion to the Alltrails San Diego Walking Tour: Gaslamp, Little Italy and Marina District loop to give you a little extra “color” for your adventure.

I’m starting hike at 5th Avenue and Island Avenue in the Gaslamp District and following the trial in a clockwise loop, but I’m laying out this companion as to be easily adjusted for any starting point by scrolling to landmarks noted in bold print. I will also be suggesting a few detours along the way. So open your Alltrails App and let’s hit the trail!

Start: 5th Avenue and Island Avenue

Detours from this point are strongly suggested. You can find the detours below the following description of the Alltrails hike.

ALLTRAILS HIKE:

Head west on Island to 4th.

On the north east corner of 4th and Island you will pass the Gaslamp Foundation’s Horton-Davis House. Built in 1850, this is the oldest structure in the Gaslamp Quarter. It is also a museum featuring rooms decorated to represent different eras of the home’s history. Admission is $5. This is the home of Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation and they offer several tours including a more comprehensive walking tour of the Gaslamp focused on the history and the Victorian architecture of the district.

On the south west corner of 4th and Island you will find the Horton Grand Hotel. This was actually two victorian hotels which were saved from demolition. They were disassembled brick by brick and reassembled and joined on this location. The Salt & Whisky restaurant inside is a nice place to take in some victorian ambiance.

Turn south on 4th

Turn west on J Street and continue to 1st Street.

On the corner of J and 3rd you will pass the Chinese Historical Museum. This part of the Gaslamp was also San Diego’s Chinatown and this museum demonstrates the important role the Chinese played in the development of San Diego as well as sharing Chinese art and culture.

At 1st Street turn south

To the north and south you will see a square block path that parallels the trolley tracks and Harbor Drive. This is the Martin Luther King Promenade. This is a 12 acre, .6 mile linear park lined with sculptures and 30 plaques bearing Dr. King’s words.

Continue on 1st and cross Harbor Drive.

Once across Harbor Dr., you will have the San Diego Convention Center to the south-east. The SDCC was opened in 1990 and expanded in 2001. Our largest convention is the world famous Comicon which draws over 130,000 attendees from more than 80 countries!

Turn north-west and follow the trail.

You will pass the Marriott Marquis. Those unusual trees in front are Naked Coral trees from Mexico.

Continuing north-west on the trail you will pass the Manchester Grand Hyatt.

Follow Harbor Drive as it curves westward.

Across Harbor Drive you can see The Kansas City BBQ. This the location of the scene in “Top Gun” where Goose and Maverick sang “Great Balls of Fire”.

You will be passing The Headquarters. This was the
San Diego Police Station built in 1939. When the Police moved out it was converted for shopping and dining. There is police memorabilia displayed and an actual jail cells inside. You can find the displays across from Puesto restaurant in the courtyard.

Follow the trail across The Pacific Coast Highway through

Ruocco Park and to the harbor side walkway. This is where the detours suggested at 5th and Island will rejoin the Alltrails trail.

Scroll past the Detour descriptions below to “This ends the Detour from 5th Avenue and Island and you rejoin the Alltrails trail.”

Detours Suggested at 5th and Island

Both versions of these detours will allow you to see much more of the beauty San Diego has to offer. I strongly suggested you select one of these. The only difference in the two is which way to pass around Petco Park.

PETCO PARK NORTH: This detour will take you around the northern side of Petco Park to see Gallagher Square the “Park in the Park” = .79 mi. You will then use the pedestrian bridge to cross Harbor Drive and experience an additional .89 miles of bay front views.

Proceed south on 5th passing under the Gaslamp Sign.

Gaslamp sign looking north on 5th Avenue.

Before the trolley tracks, turn south east and follow the walkway past the Tin Fish to Petco Park.

At 7th Ave, turn north and follow the walkway alongside Petco.

Just past K Street, take the walkway to the west.

You’ll pass Gallagher Square, also known as the “Park in the Park”. Here you will find the baseball field for the fans and Tony Gwynn’s Statue.

Continue on the walkway eastward turning south on 10th and then south west on Park Blvd, which becomes Trevor Hoffman Way.

Take the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge over the rail yard and Harbor Drive. Here’s a link to good article about the engineering challenges of the bridge’s construction. https://www.structuremag.org/?p=827

Scroll down to “Hilton Bayfront” below as both suggested Petco detours merge at this point.

PETCO PARK SOUTH: This detour will take you along the southern side of Petco Park to the pedestrian bridge = .28 mi. You will then use the pedestrian bridge to cross Harbor Drive and experience an additional .89 miles of bay front views.

Proceed south on 5th passing under the Gaslamp sign.

Before the trolley tracks, turn south east and follow the walkway past The Tin Fish to Petco Park.

Continue down walkway past the south-west wall of Petco Park to the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge and take bridge over the rail yard and Harbor Drive.

Hilton Bayfront

On the other side of Harbor Drive, follow the walkway past the Hilton Bayfront to the harbor side walkway.

At the walkway turn northwest and follow the path along the harbor. Here you will get a view of the Dole dock. Dole moves 185 million bananas a month through this dock! You may also see some beautiful mega-yachts docked along here.

Heading northward along the walkway you will passing a, grassy area behind the San Diego Convention Center. This is the area that is proposed to be used for the next expansion of the convention center. There is an open stall bathroom just past the grassy area on the bayside of the walkway.

5th Ave Landing.

Embarcadero Marina Park South Peninsula - additional .55 mi

On your left you will be passing Embarcadero Marina Park South, a peninsula protecting the Marriott Marina. You will find Joe’s Crab Shack, parking and an open-stall bathroom. You will also find fitness stations along the path, basketball courts, and a fishing pier. A fishing license is not required to fish from the pier. Tackle is available for rent at Burgers Bait and Beer next to the pier. They also offer a varied but limited menu of food items. The jewel of this park is “The Shell” a new performance venue and the home of the San Diego Symphony. The Convention Center landing for the Coronado Ferry is next to Joe’s. The ferry is $5 one way.

Follow the walkway around the peninsula until you are back to the harbor side trail.

Turn north and continue on the pathway.

SDCC Staircase

To the north-east as you pass SDCC you will find the grand staircase going up to the bayside patio of SDCC. There isn’t a lot of interest on the patio but the view is very nice if you would like to climb the 81 steps and take a look.

Continue north-west on the walkway.

Marriott Marina Here you will find Roys, Marina Kitchen and Tequila restaurants along with Wheel Fun, where you can rent bikes and surreys.

Between the Marriott and the Hyatt is a walkway that will take you back out to Harbor Drive if needed

Manchester Grand Hyatt.

Seaforth Boat Rental Dock

Seaport Village southern end

At the southern end of Seaport Village you can find a lot of shopping, food, ATM and bathrooms. You will find a Directory next to San Pasqual Winery.

Continue along the walkway.

Old Town Trolley/Seal Boat Tour Booth is on the Seaport Village side and the entrance to the Embarcadero Marina Park peninsula on the harbor side.

Embarcadero Marina Park Peninsula - additional .52 miles

Here you will find parking and an open-stall bathroom and lots of picnic areas. You will also get plenty of photo opportunities with a view of the Shell, the Coronado Bridge, Coronado Island and North Island.

Follow the walkway around the peninsula and back to the trail.

Seaport Village Northern end

You will be passing the rest of Seaport Village. Here you will find lots of shopping, dining, ATM and bathrooms. As you pass the “Beach” you will find a directory by the fountain. You will also find a shady courtyard with lots of seating near the Carousel in this area.

Tuna Harbor Dockside Market Pier

On the bayside you will be passing the Tuna Harbor Dockside Pier. This is where you can buy fresh fish right off the boats every Saturday 8am-1pm.

Tuna Harbor

This area of the bay is called Tuna Harbor and you can see part of San Diego’s fishing fleet moored here. The rest is moored at Shelter Island in the northern part of the bay.

From the 1930’s through the mid 1980’s San Diego was known as the Tuna Capital of the World. Back then canneries lined the harbor from little Italy all the way down to Chula Vista.

THIS ENDS THE DETOURS FROM 5TH AVENUE AND YOU REJOIN THE ALLTRAILS HIKE

Continue northwest along the harbor side walkway.

USS San Diego Memorial will be on the city side of the walkway. This large memorial was designed to invoke a ships bow. On the ground you can trace the ships path during WWII.

Tuna Harbor Park Peninsula - additional .34 miles

This is a great little park featuring “Embracing Peace” a 25’ statue inspired by the iconic WWII Victory photo of the sailor kissing a nurse. You will also find a group of bronze statues titled Salute to Bob Hope and The Fish Market restaurant. There is a nice little place to sit and enjoy the bay tucked behind Bob. On the way back to the trail you will pass the memorial to Task Force “Taffy 3” and Vice Admiral Sprague.

Salute to Bob Hope, thanks for the memories!

Back out on the trail you will find “Homecoming”, an emotional tribute to the sacrifices made by service members and their families, and the Aircraft Carrier Memorial.

Continue on the walkway heading north.

#41The USS Midway Museum. Commissioned in 1945, the Midway was the largest ship in the world until 1955. She remained in service until 1992. She was brought to San Diego in 2003 to become a floating Naval Aviation Museum featuring 29 aircraft you can climb aboard.

The Midway also features an audio tour, flight simulators, displays and a theatre. The Fantail Restaurant is soon to finish a huge remodel. $26 Adult/ $18 Veterans and Children 6-17

#41 the USS Midway taken from the Coronado Ferry

Across Harbor Drive is the site of the future Manchester Pacific Gateway development. This 8 square block project will include class A office space, an iconic hotel, lifestyle retail and dining, plaza and cultural space, entertainment, public parking. It also includes new Navy Headquarters.

Continue north on the walkway.

Flagship Cruise fleet. Both Flagship and Hornblower cruises, which you can also access at the booths here, offer a variety of cruise options. This is also a landing for the Coronado Ferry. A one way ticket to Coronado is $5.

Broadway Pier. This pier is used to service Cruise Ships and as an event space. In front of the Pier you can find Carnitas Snack Shack, a big screen TV and plenty of shady seating. Just north of the pier you will find a bathroom.

A shady place to relax and watch some sports

Continue north on the walkway.

One American Plaza

Looking eastward on Broadway you can see a building that looks a bit like a Phillips head screwdriver. This is One American Plaza and, believe it or not, San Diego’s tallest building. Due to the proximity to our airport the building’s in San Diego can only be 500’ tall. To put that in perspective, look across the bay to one of the Nimitz class aircraft carriers. If you stood one of those carriers on end it would be twice as tall as One America Plaza

Looking east down Broadway from Harbor Drive. One America Plaza is on the left and Pacific Gate on the right.

Lane Field

On the north-east corner of Broadway and Harbor Drive you will find a park. This is the site of Lane Field, the home to the Pacific Coast League Padres from 1936-1957. This is where a local boy named Ted Williams started his professional baseball career. Ted is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, just saying.

Continue north along the path.

B Street Pier. This is the main cruise ship terminal in San Diego.

The Portside Pier This is a new dining venue with a variety of options from the Brigantine family of restaurants.

San Diego Maritime Museum

This museum has one of the world’s finest collection of historic ships. The crown jewel of the collection is the Star of India. Built in 1863, she is the oldest active sailing ship. Adult Admission is $20.

The San Diego County Administration Building.

Across Harbor Drive is the County Administration Building. It was built in 1938 on filled tideland as a WPA project. Next the the County Administration building you will find Waterfront Park, a fun family recreation park featuring water play areas.

Originally the bay shoreline was much further inland. All of the land you have been walking on was created by fill from dredging of the bay in the 1930’s.

Continue north on the trail.

Across the harbor you can probably see at least one aircraft carrier docked. The Nimitz class carriers are too big to go under the Coronado bridge and dock at the 32nd street Naval Base so they use North Island. San Diego is currently home port to #70 Carl Vinson, #71 Theodore Roosevelt, and #72 Abraham Lincoln.

You’ll be passing the docks used by the Hornblower fleet.

Hawthorn Street Dock

At Hawthorn Street notice the cages stacked on the dock? Those are lobster traps.

Cross Harbor Drive at Hawthorn Street

Follow Harbor eastward up the hill and over the train tracks.

The tracks here are used for the Trolley, Amtrak, The Pacific Surfliner and the Coaster. The bay’s waterline used to be somewhere around the tracks and Kettner Boulevard.

Turn South on India Street. You are now in Little Italy.

Mona Lisa

This family operated restaurant, deli and grocery started in 1956 in downtown and moved to this location in 1973. It might be worth a look around in the store. You will probably find something delicious.

The Italian history of San Diego goes back to the late 1800’s but it was in the 1920’s when the tuna industry drew so many Italian fisherman to this area. At the height, there were over 6000 Italian families here and it was common to hear Italian spoken on the street through the 1950’s. In the 1970-80’s Little Italy began to decline with the the construction of I-5, which cut through the neighborhood, and the decline of the tuna industry. However, the vacant industrial buildings were enticing to artists and designers who moved in and started the revitalize the neighborhood. Next came the developers and now Little Italy is again thriving.

Piazza Basilone

At India and Fir street, his piazza was dedicated to GySgt, John Basilone who was the only marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross in WW2.

Landini’s Pizza

This is a very popular pizza-by-the-slice spot. There is a pet friendly deck in the back.

Cottages

Across the street from Landini’s you can see some white and green buildings surrounded by the red, white and green picket fence. These are some of the few remaining homes from Little Italy’s immigrant past. If you look to the chainlink fence in the back of the parking lot, you can still see old fishing nets. At one time it was common to see the fisherman’s families repairing nets in their yards.

Fillipi’s

Established here on India street in 1950, Fillipi’s is a long time favorite of locals. They started out as a cash and carry grocery and deli and you can still see that sign out front on the awning. They still have the deli and store in the front and chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling in the dining room.

The Little Italy Sign

This sign was installed in 2000 to celebrate the neighborhood and its roots as a fishing community. Notice the nautical motifs.

The Gold House

Right under the sign on the west side of the street, you can’t miss the yellow house with the 24k gold leaf accents. This is the home of the unofficial Godfather of Little Italy, Nick Pecoraro. He’s a retired painting contractor who has lived in this home since 1967.

Piazza della Famiglia

This large piazza was dedicated in 2018. It is a nice place to sit, relax and enjoy a nosh. This is also where you can find the Little Italy Mercato on Saturdays from 8-2. It is the largest farmer’s market south of LA.

Piazza della Famiglia

Detour: If you turn east at Cedar Street and go one block you will find the San Diego Firehouse Museum at 1572 Columbia Street. Housed in Old Fire Station 6, which itself is over a 100 years old, this museum has a collection of equipment dating back to the 1800’s. $3 Adult/ $2 Seniors and Children

Return to India Street

Consulado General de Mexico

There is just something funny about the Mexican Consulate being located on India street in Little Italy.

As you continue south on India Street you are leaving Little Italy

Higgs Fletcher Mack Building

As you proceed south you will see the Higgs Fletcher Mack building, notable for the huge American flag. The actual size of the flag is a closely guarded secret, but I was able to do a bit of sleuthing and have estimated that the flag is a little bigger than an official volleyball court which is about 60’ x 31’.

Turn west at A Street

Turn south at Kettner Blvd

The Museum of Contemporary Arts

The MCASD is located at 1100 Kettner. General admission is $10

The Santa Fe Train Depot

This train station was built in 1915 in support of the Panama-California Exposition. The architectural style was intended to harmonize with the Spanish Colonial Revival style buildings of the exposition. It’s worth a peak inside and around to see the beautiful tile work.

At this station you can catch Amtrak, The Coaster and the Pacific Surfliner. You can catch a trolley across the street at American Plaza.

Some of the tile work at the Sante Fe Train Depot

One American Plaza

Here at the corner of Kettner and Broadway you are standing under San Diego’s tallest building. Because the sides taper in you are unable to see the signature phillips head point of the building. There is also a trolley station here.

Pacific Gate

Still at Kettner and Broadway and looking south west you will see a tall curvy glass building. This is Pacific Gate, one of the most exclusive residences in San Diego. Units start at $1.4 million and HOA fees are about $1500-$1800 per month. But that includes a private luxury car fleet and a private boat share.

Follow Broadway to the east.

Old YMCA/ The Guild

Between India and Columbia street on Broadway you will pass the old YMCA building which is now the Guild Hotel. They use the old gym as an event space which still has the old running track circling it on the second floor.

Hall of Justice

Between State and Union streets on Broadway you will pass the Hall of Justice where many San Diegans make a yearly pilgrimage to report for jury duty.

Detour: Turn north on Union Street and walk one block to the new Superior Court building. This is my favorite building downtown and it provides a nice photo opp.

Return to Broadway and continue eastward

The Sofia Hotel

Between Front and 1st avenue you will find the Sofia Hotel. Built in 1927 as the Pickwick Hotel, this was the first hotel in San Diego to feature “en suite” bathrooms. You could get a room with a bath for $2.50!

The Spreckles Theatre

Between 1st and 2nd avenues on Broadway you will pass the Spreckels Theatre. It was built in 1912 by John D Spreckels. Mr Spreckels had survived the 1906 earthquake and fires in San Francisco and requested a building that would be earthquake and fire proof. As a result it was the first poured concrete building west of the Mississippi. The theatre seats 1915 and is still one of the most beautiful theaters anywhere.

The US Grant Hotel

Between 3rd and 4th avenues on Broadway you will pass the US Grant Hotel. Opened in 1910 by Ulysses S Grant Jr. at a cost of $1.9 million. The Grant Grill inside was the “power lunch spot” after it opened in 1952 with a promise to not admit ladies until after 3pm. In 1969 a group of prominent local women staged a sit-in to end the practice.

Horton Plaza

Directly across Broadway from the US Grant you will see Horton Plaza. This park area was originally gifted to San Diego by Alonzo Horton in 1870. The Broadway Fountain was placed within the park in 1910 to celebrate the opening of the US Grant Hotel. It featured the nation’s first electric lit water element with colored lights shining on the fountain’s water. In 1985 the Horton Plaza Mall was built around the plaza and the whole park area was refurbished again in 2016. In 2020 demolition of the mall has gotten under way to make room for the Horton Plaza Campus which is to be a Tech Hub.

Turn south on 4th Avenue

You are now in the Historic Gaslamp District. This area was founded as “New Town San Diego” in 1867 by Alonzo Horton. In 1769, the site for Old Town had been selected based on the proximity to fresh water and the ability to defend the settlement. Horton selected the site for New Town to capitalize on our natural bay. This area is now known for it’s beautiful victorian era architecture but it had fallen into disrepair by the mid 1900’s. In the mid 1970’s a group of citizens untied to clean up the urban blight and refurbish the buildings. Today this is one of San Diego’s most vibrant and sought after neighborhoods in which to live, work and play.

Balboa Theatre

On the south west corner of 4th avenue and E street you will see the Balboa Theatre. The Balboa opened in 1924 as a vaudeville and movie palace with 1513 seats. It was reopened after a $26.5 million restoration in 2008 and is now a performing arts venue.

Turn east on E street

Turn south on 5th avenue

Louis Bank of Commerce

On the east side of the street at 835 5th you can see the “Grand Lady of the Gaslamp”. She was originally built in 1887 as the Bank of Commerce. Later she became an oyster bar frequented by Wyatt Earp. The upper floors were the home of the Golden Poppy Hotel, a notorious brothel.

Continue south on 5th avenue 4 blocks to Island avenue

The Penn Hotel Building

The Penn Hotel building on the south east corner of F and 5th was erected in 1920. On April 9, 1965 Robert Anderson entered the Hub Pawn Shop which occupied the bottom floor and asked to see a rifle. While the manager was writing up a bill of sale, Anderson loaded the rifle and shot him dead. Over the next 4 hours Anderson and the SDPD engaged in a huge gun battle with 800-1000 rounds being fired. Eventually Frank Morales, a Navy Gunners Mate was brought in to lob in a couple of concussion grenades. This allowed the police to enter and take Anderson. The SDPD realizing just how unprepared they were for such an incident, then created the city’s first SWAT team.

City Hall Building

On the south west corner of 5th and G street stands San Diego’s old City Hall Building. It was built in 1874 and the top two floors were added in 1887. By 1900 the entire city government was located here with the Police Department occupying the first floor.

Century Block

The block of buildings from G street to Market and 5th to 4th avenue is referred to as the Century Block, with every building being over 100 years old.

Gas Lamps

At each of the four corners at 5th and Market street you can find an actual gas lamp. I’ll let you in on a little secret. There were never gas lamps in New Town San Diego. As part of the revitalization of the neighborhood they installed street lights with a similar look the ones that can be seen in old photos. Those original electric lamp designs were based on old gas lamp styles. Then when it came time to come up with a catchy name for the newly revitalized area, well Gaslamp sounded pretty good. So these gas lamps were installed to make it all make sense.

South of Market Street

Back in the day a “Lady” would never be seen south of Market Street in New Town San Diego. Our wharf brought in mariners and sailors from around the world and the area close to the wharf was a bit “rough”. We’ve cleaned it up quite a bit now so you needn’t worry about your reputation to continue on the trail.

China Town

The boundaries of San Diego’s historic China Town criss cross those of the Gaslamp Quarter. In this block you can find building designs with an asian influence and even some historic signage in Chinese.

Thank you for allowing me to share my San Diego with you. I hope that you found this Companion informative and entertaining. More

Alltrails Compa

nions can be found at mamableusadsvenutres.com

Kind words and gratuities are always appreciated.

Blessings, Bleu

Bleu Ford 9/23/20 Bleu Ford 9/23/20

Balboa Park Garden Loop Trail

The Ceremonial Arch and the California Tower

Hello, I’m Bleu from Mama Blue’s Adventures. I created this companion blog to give you some “color” for your hike.

The Alltrails Balboa Park Gardens Loop is 1.4 mile, well paved and heavily trafficked. It is rated as Easy. I will be suggesting several detours which will add another 3.14 miles. You will be able to pick and choose whether you would like to take the suggestions or not.

I recommend starting this trail at the Merry-go-round near the San Diego Zoo. If needed, you can find a restroom and an ATM at the Zoo entrance.

Turn west off of Park Blvd at Zoo Place. The Merry-go-round and a small parking lot is on the left. To the right is the much bigger Zoo parking lot. Now pull up your Alltrails app and let’s hit the trail!

There is also a parking lot on the south side of the Merry-go-round. You can access it by turning from Park Blvd on to Village Place.

You may also choose to park in one of the two lots on either side of Presidents Way, walk in from 6th Ave or to take the Old Town Trolley into the park. I’ll make note in this companion when this tour will cross these points.

Starting at the Merry-go-round

The Merry-go-round is from 1910 and was originally located in LA. In 1912 it was relocated across San Diego Bay to the island of Coronado. It has been part of Balboa Park since 1922 and moved to this location in 1968. It is one of the few merry-go-rounds in the country that still has a working brass ring game. Give it a go for $3. Temporarily closed due to Covid

Follow the trail to the south

The train tracks to your left as you make your way along the trail belong to the Balboa Park Railway which is run by the Zoo. The train station is located near the Zoo exit. Temporarily closed due to Covid.

While you walk here is a very brief history of how Balboa Park came to be.

1868 The founding fathers of what was then called New Town San Diego set aside 1400 acres of land north east of downtown as City Park.
1915-16 San Diego develops the central mesa of City Park to host the Panama California Exposition as a way to draw in visitors sailing up the west coast from the newly opened Panama Canal. The City Park is renamed Balboa Park celebrating explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa.
1917-18 Balboa Park is taken over by all three branches of the military as part of the WW1 war effort. This keeps the planned tear down of most of the expo buildings from happening.
1935-36 As an effort to boost the local economy then in recovery from the Great Depression, San Diego hosts the California Pacific International Exposition
1939-45 During WW2 the Navy takes over Balboa Park, naming it Camp Kidd. It becomes one of the largest medical training centers in the world. The Navy Hospital is still located in the park across Park Blvd.
1940 Orson Wells uses shots of Balboa Park in Citizen Kane as stand-ins for the fictional Xanadu.
1965-present The building of the Timken Museum within Balboa Park sparks public interest in the preservation and recreation of the original park buildings. This process is ongoing as you will see on your visit.

Special Note: Balboa Park is home to 16 museums. There is an Explorer Pass available in the Visitor Center that will allow you admission to 14 museums and the Japanese Friendship Garden at a significant discount.

Follow the trail right along Village Place

You’ll be passing Spanish Village on your right.

Suggested Detour = .23 mi. Walk through Spanish Village. You’ll find Daniel’s Coffee and bathrooms here.

Spanish Village was originally the souvenir area for the 1935-36 Exposition. Now it is the studios and galleries of over 250 local artists. It is a great place to pick up a unique souvenir and definitely worth a look. You’ll be passing it again on your way out of the park if you’d rather stop then. There are bathrooms tucked behind the west side of the Village. The San Diego Mineral and Gem Society also have their museum here. Admission is Free.

Continue back to the trail.

Now you’ll be turning with the path and heading south again passing the Casa del Prado Theatre.

The original architect for the 1915-16 Exposition was Bertram Goodhue. He chose to use a Spanish Colonial theme throughout the park as a nod to our Spanish heritage. In the more elaborate buildings he accented this style with grand, baroque, plateresque facades like you see here.

You’ll be passing the Prado Courtyard and rounding the corner turning right onto El Prado westbound.

This grand central pathway at the center of the park is also called El Prado where the building to your right is the Casa del Prado. Just to make it a bit more confusing, I will also be pointing out the Prado restaurant in another building.

If it’s not too hot, walk down the middle of El Prado for a better view rather than taking the colonnade.

About the the Casa del Prado on the right…

Most of the original buildings constructed for the 1915-16 exposition were meant to be temporary and did not hold up well as time passed. 1971 the Casa del Prado became the first building to be carefully re-constructed. The outside of this new building is a nearly exact replica of the original.

In the inner courtyard of the building you can see examples of the original staff plaster decorations which were cast to create the new ornamentations for the current building. Look for the doorway to the courtyard at about the midpoint of the building.

Original staff plaster ornamentations inside the Casa del Prado Courtyard

Continue along the trail which is now heading west.

Now you will be getting to one of the best photo opportunities of the whole park. This is the Botanical Building and the Lily Pond.

This was one of the few buildings from the 1915-16 Expo that was intended to be permanent. If you have time, it is worth a peek inside where you will find a collection of 2100 permanent plants, including a carnivorous plant bog. Temporarily closed due to Covid.

The Lily Pond in front of the Botanical Building

Follow the trail towards the Botanical Building and then turn west again

You’ll be passing the Timken Museum on your left.

The Timken is a free museum housing the Putnam Collection of work by European old masters. Balboa Park as you see it here owes a debt to this little post modern jewel box. When the Timken was added to Balboa in 1965 it caused a huge controversy as locals were outraged by the placement of this post-modern building in this park with a Spanish colonial theme. The backlash was so strong that it fed a public interest in saving a preserving the long neglected buildings. Both public and private money has been found to preserve Balboa Park as you see it today.

Currently the Timken is undergoing a major renovation and is expected to be open in early 2022.

The trail will now take you through the grand Plaza de Panama.

This is the heart of Balboa Park. There is an ATM kiosk near the Timken Museum entrance.

Stop near the fountain in the center for a great view in all directions.

To the north is the San Diego Museum of Art. The Museum of Art was added to the park in 1926 and was designed by William Templeton Johnson to blend with the existing Spanish colonial buildings, The museum houses a fine and broad collection of art. Adult admission is $20 Adult/$15 Senior/$10 Military/$8 Student. The hours are Thu-Tue, 10am-5pm. To the west you can see the Sculpture Garden of the museum. Admission to the Sculpture Garden is free.

Suggested Detour = .11 mi. Walk through the Sculpture Garden. You’ll find bathroom access and Panama 66 where you can get “brews and bites”.

Rodin’s “The Prodigal Son” in front of the Museum of Art

History Flashback:

Stand near the main fountain in the Plaza de Panama and look south towards the Organ Pavilion. Imagine yourself here on December 31, 1914 at 11:59 pm. The whole view before you is a sea of 40,000 people, which was pretty much the whole population of San Diego at that time. It’s a dark, clear and cold night. In Washington DC, 2600 miles away, President Woodrow Wilson taps the golden telegraph key which sends a spark racing across the land and finding target behind the Organ Pavilion, igniting a flurry of fireworks. As the bursts of color fill the dark sky, a Navy destroyer in harbor aims it’s search light at the California Tower to the west, illuminating it against the starry sky. The Panama-California Exhibition was on!

The trail now takes you west down the colonnade.

These covered walkways or Colonnades were a part of the original Expo and have been recreated down to the lighting fixtures you see above.

The trail will take you south across the street but I encourage you to take a couple of detours at this point.

Suggested Detour: .05 mi. Take the path on your right which goes to the courtyard of the Old Globe Theatre and gives you a great view of the California Dome and Tower.

The Old Globe was added to the park for the 1935 exposition. The design was based on the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The original theatre burned down in an arson fire in 1985. It was rebuilt and these sister theaters have been added. The Shiley theatre is in the round and the Lowell Davies theatre is an outdoor venue.

From this courtyard you get a great view of the tile work on the dome of the California building. The tower is 198’ tall. The weather vane on top depicts the caravel, San Salvador, the ship Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into San Diego harbor in 1542. It adds another 10’ for a total height of 208'. The tower has an electronic carillon that chimes on the quarter hour. At noon on Sunday it plays a full song.

Return to Trail

Suggested Detour: .75 mi. Take the path to the west and it will take you to the front of the California Building and the California Quadrangle. Past the California Building, through the Ceremonial Arch and over the Cabrillo Bridge to Balboa Drive. This was the main entrance path into the park for both exhibitions. An ATM is available near Balboa Drive.

The California Building and Tower were built as permanent structures for the first Expo and have always housed an anthropology exhibit despite the church-like appearance of the building. Notice the detail of the facade of the museum. It was carved by the Piccirilli brothers who also carved the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. This is now the home to the Museum of Us. Adult admission is $19.95 Adult/$16.95 Senior, Military, Student and ages 6-17. The museum also sells tours of the Tower and the view of the city from the top is speculator. The Tower Tour is done 4 times a day and has limited availability. You can get tickets for $29.95, which include museum admission, and reserve your spot online at https://museumofus.org/tickets/.

The south side of the quadrangle features buildings with a very simple mission st The tower tour is $19yle to contrast the grandness of the California Building. The entry to small St. Francis Chapel tucked in the southwest corner of the quad, see if the door is open and take a peek.

Continue west under the Ceremonial Arch and over the Cabrillo Bridge on the south side of the El Prado.

The Cabrillo Bridge now crosses over highway 163, but in 1915 it crossed over a man-made lagoon where park visitors could rent row boats.

From the bridge you can see the skyline of downtown. The buildings in downtown San Diego have a height restriction of 500 feet due to their proximity to the airport.

To the north you can glimpse the San Diego Zoo and it’s Skyfari ride. The San Diego Zoo was started after the first expo when a local doctor discovered a lion, which had been brought in for expo entertainment, had been abandoned in the park after the expo ended.

As you cross to the other side of the bridge side you will see Nate’s Point Dog Park to the south. This is one of three dog park’s located within Balboa Park.

Once across the bridge continue west to Balboa Dr.

You are now on the West Mesa of Balboa Park.

The west mesa was the first section of the park to be enhanced and landscaped. On the southwest corner of El Prado and Balboa Drive you will find a statue of Kate Sessions. She was a self-taught botanist who traveled the world in search of new and interesting plants that might do well in San Diego. She made a deal with the city in 1885 to plant 100 trees a year within the park in return for the use of some park land for her nursery. In 1902 the city hired landscape architect, Samuel Parsons Jr. to create a comprehensive plan for the park. Much of his vision is here for us to enjoy today. This area of the park is mostly for the recreation and enjoyment of locals, with large areas of grass, tables for picnics, curving roads and walkways and large trees providing lots of shade. On the west mesa you will find local clubs for bridge, chess and horseshoes along with camps for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls. This is also the grounds for many festivals and gatherings.

Beyond Kate on El Prado you’ll find the ATM kiosk.

Cross El Prado and head back eastward on the north side of El Prado. On the northwest corner you will find Founders Plaza dedicated to the men who had the foresight to set aside and develop this park. On the northeast corner you will find the popular Lawn Bowling Greens.

Start reading here if you are entering the Park from 6th Avenue

You will see two small buildings on either side of El Prado before Cabrillo bridge. These are the original ticket booths for the 1915-16 exposition.

History Flashback

It’s 1915 and you have stopped in the small town of San Diego after making a trip through the Panama Canal aboard a ship. The canal had only opened the year before and it’s truly an impressive marvel of modern engineering, cutting five months off of the journey around the horn from the east coast. San Diego is your first visit to one of the rugged frontier towns of the west you have read so much about. You find San Diego to be young, a bit rough around the edges and anxious to impress…maybe a bit too anxious? After all, it is the smallest city to ever attempt an International Exposition. Having made your way from your lodging in New Town (what is now the Gaslamp District) aboard the electric trolley to these ticket booths on the El Prado, you would eagerly plop down your 50 cents for admission, anxious to see the wonders beyond the arch.

Crossing the Cabrillo Bridge you pause to take in the view of San Diego before you. This landscape is so unusual to you, with so few trees. But this allows for grand views from the bridge of New Town, the harbor and Coronado. You watch a young couple in a row boat on the lagoon below the bridge. “Ah, to be young and in love”. Coming closer the the Ceremonial Arch you can see, hear and smell the wonders beyond and you find yourself anxious to cut through the crowds and cross beneath. Finally you enter and find yourself standing in the middle of the Plaza de California taking in the artistry of the California Building and the Tower. Then your attention is drawn to the larger plaza beyond. The crowd, the flags, the music, all of it beaconing you. By golly, will be getting your 50 cents worth today!

Continue east through the arch into the California Quadrangle rejoining the trail

Follow the trail south, crossing El Prado and into the Alcazar Garden.

Alcazar Garden was designed by Richard Riqua for the 1935 exhibition and it is patterned after the formal gardens of the Alcazar castle in Seville, Spain. The Montezuma Garden was located here for the 1915 exposition but all that remains of that garden is the huge Laurel Fig tree on the southern border. There is a restroom next to the parking lot south of the garden.

After meandering in the garden make your way back to the colonnade and follow the trail east past the House of Charm and back up El Prado.

On the right you will be passing the House of Charm Building. The House of Charm building was completely razed and recreated as a permanent structure in 1996.

It houses the San Diego Institute of Art (which is open Fri-Sun noon-4pm. A donation is requested) and the Mingei Museum which is newly opened after a $52 million renovation and it looks amazing. Most of the Migei is open to the public at no charge. There is only a charge to view the Gallery Level of the Mingei. $14 Adults/ $10 Seniors, Military and Students/ Free for Children and EBT

But wait! I strongly encourage a detour here.

Detour: 1.7 mi. This will take you south through the Palisades area of the park and it is worth the extra walk. Bathrooms, gift shop, ATM, food and beverage are available. At publication this area is undergoing a major improvement project.

Back at the Plaza de Panama turn south down Pan American Road towards the Organ Pavilion. Keep to the west side of the road.

Continue south on Pan American Road. On the right you will be passing Palm Canyon.

Stop a minute and enjoy these amazing fig trees. There are over 100 types of palms here but it’s the fig trees that take over the show. Though they look old, they have only been around 40-50 years. This canyon had the perfect microclimate for these big boys and they are thriving!

Continue south along the path. You’ll be passing a bathroom across from the Organ Pavilion.

You are now entering the area known as the Palisades which was created for the 1935-36 California Pacific Exposition.

The architect of the 1935 exposition was Richard Riqua. In the Palisades Riqua wanted to use indigenous architecture of the Americas to show a new, uniquely American form of architecture in these park buildings.

You are now passing The International Cottages.

The House of Pacific Relations International Cottages were established as part of the 1935 expo. Here are 34 cottages representing about 40 cultures. The cottages are hosted by volunteer organizations and are open Saturday and Sunday noon-5pm. The United Nations Gift Shop is open everyday 10-4:30. Temporarily closed due to Covid.

Continuing south you’ll see a large parking area.

There is an ATM kiosk at the corner of Pan American and Presidents Way.

Keep the right as you follow a loop around the parking area.

This parking area was originally a large pedestrian plaza featuring the Firestone Singing Fountains leading up to the Ford Building during the 1935 expo. Currently this area is undergoing a lot of restoration to return it to its original grandeur.

Looking to your right you can see the Balboa Club tucked behind the International Cottages. This is one of the few original buildings from the first expo. It was used by the Navy as an officer’s club during WW2 and still has a large pacific theatre mural on the wall in the main hall.

You’ll also see the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre which has entertained many generations of San Diego children. General Admission is $5/ $4 Seniors and Military/ Children under 2 are Free. Shows are Fri-Sun at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

Next you will pass the San Diego Automotive Museum which features a large collections of cars and motorcycles. Adult admission is $14.50 Adult/ $10 Senior, Military and Student/ $8.50 Children 5-17. It is open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm This was originally the California Building for the 1935 and the murals above the entrance were recently restored to their original glory.

The Air and Space Museum is the focal point of this plaza. This building was originally the Ford Motors Building for the 1935 expo. Ford wanted to showcase their new V8 engine and built this structure in just 3 months! There was even a ride offered on a test track behind the building called the Roads of the Pacific. The test track allowed visitors to see how well the Ford autos handled different terrain. The two planes in front of the museum are a Lockheed A12 Blackbird and a Convair Sea Dart. This Sea Dart is one of only 5 built right here in San Diego. It was the only jet designed to take-off and land on water to achieve mach 1. The Flight Path Grill is located inside the museum. $23 Adult/ $19 Senior and Military/ $13 Children 3-11/ Free of Children 2 and under. The museum is open daily 10am-4:30pm.

The Starlight Bowl was originally the Ford Bowl, an entertainment venue during the 1935 expo. The bowl seats 4300 and was used by the Civic Light Opera until 2012. A group has formed to raise money for it’s restoration.

The Gymnasium was originally the Electric Building for the 1935 expo. It is now a public gym hosting a wide variety of sports. There are plans underway to restore the facade of this building.

The Comicon Museum’s Comicon started right here in San Diego in 1970 and is San Diego’s biggest convention. We are all excited to have this museum opening here in Balboa for a year-round experience. This building was originally the Federal Building for the 1935 expo and was constructed in just 9 weeks! Admission is $19.95. The museum is open Wed- Sat 10am-6pm and Sun 11am-7pm

You should now be at the corner of Pan American and Presidents way.

This would be your entry point of the trail if you came on the Old Town Trolley (Stop K) or parked at either of the large lots north and south of Presidents way.

Follow the path north keeping to the east side of Pan American Road.

After passing the parking area on your right you will be coming up on the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.

As you approach look for the tall pine trees behind the pavilion. These are rare Torrey Pines. They only grow naturally on the San Diego coast and on Santa Rosa Island.

The Spreckels Organ Pavilion was donated by John D. Spreckels for the 1915 expo. The Pavilion was designed by Harrison Albright in a Neo-classical style. Spreckels deeded the Pavilion to the city with the stipulation that there was be a free concert every Sunday at 2pm, This still happens to this day. The Pavilion houses the largest outdoor organ in the world with over 5000 pipes and back in the day John D. could hear the music all the way across the bay at his home on Coronado Island! Temporarily closed due to Covid.

Meander your way through the Organ Pavilion and make your way back to the path moving northward.

Next you will find the Japanese Friendship Garden and Tea Pavilion.

This garden is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama. The garden sits on a 12 acre lot and is spectacular, especially in March when the cherry trees bloom. $12 Adult/ $10 Student, Senior and Military/Children 6 and under are Free. It is open daily 10am-6pm. There is a nice view point of the garden just up the path. The Tea Pavilion has traditional teas, sushi and rice bowls.

Buddha statue in the Japanese Friendship Garden

Continue northward back to the trail.

The statue dominating the plaza ahead is of El Cid, an 11 century Spanish hero. El Cid was a gift from the artist, Anna Hyatt Huntington in 1930. This is just one of many copies around the world. El Cid had nothing to do with San Diego but it was a gift and he matched our decor.

Just before you get the the House of Hospitality Building, take the path to the right into the Casa del Rey Moro Garden.

The Casa del Rey Garden was designed by Riqua for the 1935 expo. He was influenced by the Moorish gardens of Rhonda, Spain. Above you can see the patio of the Prado Restaurant.

Make you way back to the path and into the colonnade of the House of Hospitality Building and into the courtyard.

Here in the House of Hospitality Building you will find the Visitor’s Center where you can purchase an Explorer Pass. You will also find the Prado Restaurant, The Prado Perk coffee cart and bathrooms. On the second floor surrounding the courtyard you will find historic photos of Balboa Park displayed.

This building was originally built for the 1915 expo and was renamed the House of Hospitality for the 1935 expo. It was razed and completely reconstructed in 1997.

Make your way back to El Prado where we will end this detour and rejoin the trail.

After making your way through the Plaza de Panama continue east on El Prado

Opposite the Botanical Building south of El Prado between the buildings you’ll find a nice little quiet niche to rest and get out of the crowd. This is the Persian Rug Fountain. The Persian Rug fountain was designed by Richard Riqua for the 1935 Expo. The path to the right of the fountain connects to the Casa del Rey Moro garden.

Continuing east on El Prado

On your right you are now passing the Casa de Balboa on your right.

This is my favorite building in. Balboa Park. The Casa de Balboa, has a Spanish colonial baroque architecture. Make sure to look up at the “ladies” along the eaves of the building. There was no real purpose for their design in 1915. They were carved purely as an amusement to the workmen and the public. The Casa de Balboa was destroyed in an arson fire in 1978. At the time it housed the Air and Space Museum and the entire collection was lost. Fortunately, the staff plaster ornamentation of the building had already been cast in preparation for a future reconstruction so the Casa de Balboa was able to be recreated to the grandeur you see here. You may of noticed that the buildings of the park are more simple at the west end and become grander as you move eastward. This was all part of Goodhue’s original design plan.

You will find the Cafe in the Park upstairs. It features “Good food, fair price!”. Temporarily closed due to Covid

The Casa de Balboa houses three museums. The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is a treat for the kid in all of us with over 27,000 feet of trains, trestles and tracks. $13.50 Adult/ $9 Senior and Military/ $9 Children 12-17 / $6 Children 4-11/ Free for Children 3 and under. Open Thu-Sun 11am-4pm

The Museum of Photographic Arts has a permanent collection of nearly 9,000 images and 24,000 items related to photography. Admission is “Pay what you wish”. Open Fri-Sun 11am-4pm

The San Diego History Center is the home San Diego’s historical society. They have a huge collections and are always rotating exhibits. Admission is a suggested $5 donation. Open Fri-Sun 11am-4pm

Continue eastward on El Prado.

As you pass the Casa de Balboa you will find the Zoro Garden. This 6 acre sunken grotto was originally constructed for the 1915 expo but was reimagined for the 1935 expo as the Zoro Garden Nudist Colony. In reality it was a show featuring partially nude performers who lounged around and performed a quasi-religious sacrifice to Zoroaster, the sun god five times a day. Admission was 25 cents or you could look through knot holes in the fence for free!

Continue eastward towards the large fountain.

You will find an ATM kiosk ahead.

You are now in an area known as the Cascades. Ahead on your right is the Fleet Science Center. The Fleet is home to the very first Omnimax theatre and is an interactive museum for science based learning. It’s just plain fun. Built in 1973, the Fleet was designed to fit in with the Spanish colonial theme of the park. Inside you will find Craveology for a nosh. 21.95 Adult/ $19.95 Senior/ $18.95 Children 3-17/Children 2 and under are free. Tickets for movies in the Dome are $18.

The Bea Evanson Fountain was added to the park in 1972. Mrs. Evanson was the founder of the Committee of 100 which formed in 1967 after the addition of the Timken Museum and the Museum of Art Sculpture Garden. The Committee of 100’s purpose was to preserve the original Spanish Colonial buildings in Balboa Park. Currently the fountain is undergoing refurbishment. Once completed the fountain will once again send its spray up to 60’ on the air. There is a wind speed indicator on the top of the NAT and it adjusts the height of the spray accordingly.

The San Diego Natural History Museum (The NAT) is to the north.

The NAT Building was dedicated in 1933. It was designed by William Templeton Johnson to blend with the Spanish Colonial architecture of the park. If you look at the facade you will find both animal and Egyptian motifs. Inside you will find the Flying Squirrel snack bar. Adult admission is $19.95 Adult/ $16.95 Senior and Military/$11.95 Children 3-17/ Free for Children 2 and under. The NAT was built on the site where once stood the grandest of the buildings from the 1915 expo, the much loved Southern California Counties Building.

History Flash Back:

It’s Thanksgiving Eve 1925 and you have spent the whole day down at the old San Diego Counties Building in Balboa Park. The building is now being used as a municipal auditorium and you with all the other firemen have been decorating for tonight’s 16th Annual Fireman’s Ball. Oh, and you and the fellas have done a grand job of it! The whole hall was hung with the choicest collection of old helmets and lanterns and to top it all off you had strung up 500 feet of brand new hose! It was glorious! You had all celebrated by going down to the bar to quench your thirst before retiring home to clean up for the festivities. Having just showered and shaved, you're putting on your dress blue uniform and your wife is helping you with your tie when you hear the sirens. Lots of sirens. The news comes, the auditorium is on fire! You rush to the park to find a scene so unbelievable it was hard to grasp. Firemen are everywhere, nine companies of them. They are running, yelling, carrying hose, some in, like you, in their dress uniforms. The flames are already to the roof and the ceiling is falling in. You grab a length of hose and start running towards the flames but the heat is too intense. The water set on the flames seems to do little good. An aerial ladder is used to direct water through the roof but it catches on fire as well. In the end you stand there with your brothers watching it burn, the towers tumbling into the pit. It’s a total loss.

The building was never meant to be permanent. It was only made to last a few years, but it was so beautiful. Just three years ago the city had upgraded the whole thing to make it last with new flooring, modern furnaces and five kitchens! They put on a new roof and shored up the walls. In the end it was that new oil furnace that caused the blaze. After you all had left the janitor decided to fire up the furnace for the party. The fire had spread rapidly from the basement through the “kindling forest” of struts and braces used to shore up the walls. Thankfully, the fire was contained from the rest of the park and no one had been seriously injured. If the fire had started a hour later the hall would have been full and there would surely of been a terrible loss of life.

The trail now takes you over Park Boulevard via the bridge.

From the footbridge looking east you get a really good idea of what Balboa Park looked like before it was developed. San Diego has a Mediterranean climate and gets less than 10 inches of rain per year. Our natural landscape if covered with sage brush and other drought tolerant plants. The only trees natural to these canyons are the Scrub Oak.

Once across the footbridge, turn right and meander through the Rose Garden.

The Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden is three acres filled with about 1600 roses. New varieties are introduced each year and it is recognized by several renowned organizations. There is a “Rose Garden Corp” of 45 volunteers who help maintain the garden.

Make you way back to the footbridge

Detour: This will take you through the neighboring Desert Garden. .3 miles

Instead of crossing the bridge, turn right and head north on the path through the Desert Garden.

Established in 1976, this garden features 1300 plants. The peak blooming period is from January through March but it offers great photo opportunities every day.

Take the first dirt path to the right. It stops at a large boulder overlooking the canyon.

From this vantage point you get a good view of the east mesa of Balboa Park. To the southeast, just across the canyons, you can see the manicured Balboa Golf Course. This is a municipal 27 hole golf course.

Looking south at the mouth of the canyon you can see where our indigenous peoples, the Kumeyaay, would often camp before the Spanish came to this land. The Kumeyaay were never conquered and now live on lands to the east granted to them by President Ulysses S. Grant.

Directly to the east you can see a lot where the city stores vehicles. Sadly, in this section, many years ago was the city dump and is unsuitable for other uses.

Looking to the northeast you can see Morely Field Sports Complex. This is a very large recreation complex which hosts a wide variety of sports. You can find tennis, swimming, baseball, softball, cross county, archery, a velodrome, frisbee golf, bocce and a lot more. I’ve seen everything from bootcamp fitness classes to LARP at Morely Field. I even recently saw a pole dancing class taking place on the grass there!

You can really see just how big Balboa Park really is. At 1200 acres, it is much larger than New York’s Central Park.

Return back to the path and meander your way through the Cactus Garden and back to the trail near the bridge.

Take the footbridge back over Park Boulevard and turn right heading north before you get to the NAT. Follow the trail around the Nat.

Looking to your left behind the NAT you will see the largest tree in Balboa Park. This Moreton Bay Fig was planted for the 1915 expo. It is 60’ tall and the canopy is 120’ wide. A few years ago it was found that the foot traffic around it’s Jurassic Park-like roots was compacting the soil and threatening the tree. It was barricaded to prevent further damage and now a system of decking is being installed that will allow people to get up close to this beauty again.

Follow the path northward crossing Village Place and back toward the Merry-go-round.

You will be again passing Spanish Village.

Thank you for allowing me to share Balboa Park with you. I hope that you found this Companion informative and entertaining.

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