San Diego's Balboa Park & ZooSummer's golden light shimmers on the lily pond, its undulating surface casting
reflections of the ornate Spanish-Renaissance architecture that surrounds the tepid pool.
Palm trees sway and rustle with an audible sigh as the heat of the day relents from a cool,
evening breeze. Children giggle as they dip their arms and faces in the circular fountains
lining the fascia of the botanical building. Couples hold hands as they stroll along the
beautiful garden-lined walkways heading to the theaters for an evening performance. The
domicile of this sun-filled imagery is San Diego's vast Balboa Park.
A Brief HistoryBalboa Park's undeveloped origin began in 1868 and today encompasses 1,200 acres. Kate Sessions' early landscape design of Balboa Park (1892) and the elaborate Spanish- Renaissance architecture that was constructed for the first World's Fair (the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition), were the genesis of the park's current appearance. The park consists of seven performing arts theaters, 15 museums and several cultural centers, the San Diego Zoo, gardens, recreation, attractions and restaurants, not to mention the Spanish Village Art Center. This magnificently beautiful and historical park is ranked one of the best international parks in the world and offers so much to do and see, it is a cultural trip destination in itself. Visitors who wish to see and experience all the park has to offer should plan a minimum of three days to explore, and perhaps allocate more time if you are an avid museum fan. If you plan to drive, Balboa Park is located a few minutes away from Downtown San Diego and is easy to find, just off Interstate 5.
San Diego ZooTo begin your adventure, start by visiting the magnificent San Diego Zoo, located in the northwest perimeter of the park. The zoo grounds cover an extensive area, so be prepared to walk (go early for cooler temperatures and fewer crowds). The zoo also has guided bus tours throughout the grounds and a fascinating aerial tram that offers spectacular views.Upon entering the zoo, veer to the right and follow signs to the Koala Exhibit. This misted exhibit houses the cute and fuzzy koala bears. These loveable marsupials sleep about 20 hours a day, but are easily viewed (even in slumber), clinging to the branches of eucalyptus trees. The San Diego Zoo pioneered eucalyptus farming, insuring a steady food supply for their resident Queensland Koalas. After strolling through the Koala Exhibit, follow the Bear Canyon pathway that meanders past the lions and bears exhibit. Along the way, the heady fragrance of jasmine reminds the visitor to look around them on their quest for the next animal exhibit. The zoo is a virtual tropical paradise to walk through with exotic species of fauna and flowers such as Vanilla Orchids, bromeliads and flowering jacaranda trees. The Giant Pandas are located in the northern section of the zoo. Their habitat is enclosed so that visitors don't stress the animals and only a limited number of guests are allowed in at a time to see the pandas. These lines tend to be long, but the wait is worth it. The engaging and beautiful furry creatures are often chewing mounds of bamboo, while gazing at passing guests, or taking a siesta close to the viewing area. A quiet sort of reverence engulfs the visitors who are viewing the pandas for the first time with the knowledge that these magnificent animals are among the seriously endangered species.
The San Diego Zoo has a tremendous diversity of animals from many countries with fascinating habitats and lush surrounding grounds. There are numerous gift shops, small cafes, special exhibits and even fine dining. In the evening, special and educational programs and events are scheduled throughout the year, so make sure to carefully check the zoo's website, or the visitor's handout guide upon entering the grounds. Just past the San Diego Zoo entrance, keep walking to the right into Balboa Park. Located on the left-hand side is a hidden jewel literally, the Spanish Village Art Center. Even many residents of San Diego are not aware that this community has thrived in their midst since 1937. The village was born from the aftermath of the Second World's Fair: '35 - '36 California Pacific International Exhibition. Concessionaires who sold various handcrafts and sundries originally used the buildings. Sherman Trease was a visionary who contacted artists and executives when the Spanish Village was no longer needed for the fair. Together, with members of the park board and individual artists, this group turned a dilapidated set of buildings into the fabulous art village that it is today. Read more about the Spanish Art Village and Balboa Park at Balboa Park and The Spanish Art Center, Museums, and More
Patrice Raplee is an experienced travel photojournalist and editor of Travel Excursion and Seattle Spotlight for Positively Entertainment magazine. Her photographs and articles have appeared in numerous NW newspapers such as the Seattle Times, the Stranger, and the Oregonian. As a freelance photojournalist she has also worked with acclaimed musical entertainers, such as Santana, Billy Joel and Steven Tyler. Patrice is also a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. Additionally, she has written several children’s short stories and is currently working on an adult fiction novel for publication. Email her at Patrice@travel-excursion.com
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Another favorite of zoo visitors are the humorous and energetic meercats. Brad, the main
caregiver of the meercats, sits quietly in a sandy, prairie-type habitat while the little
characters race about him accepting tasty bits of Iam's cat food and fresh veggies. He
explains that meercats have a very complex social structure and that a meercat daughter
and mother can kill the grandmother to make the mother an alpha leader. These adorable
little fellows are much smaller than they appear on TV, such as the cable program
Meercat Manor, but the size of their personalities and their constant antics spellbinds
guests of all ages.
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