Balboa Park is the nation's largest urban cultural park, and the heart and soul of San Diego. The park, located just 20 minutes from the beach-front Ocean Park Inn, is home to more than 15 major museums, renowned performing arts venues, beautiful gardens, and the San Diego Zoo. In fact, it’s hard to find a day where special exhibits, plays and musicals, concerts, or classes aren’t offered. Balboa Park is a must-see attraction for travelers and Ocean Park Inn is a great choice for a hotel close to the park.

Named after Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Balboa Park’s 1200 acres was set aside in 1835 making it one of the oldest sites in the US dedicated to public recreational use. From 1915-1917 it was home to the Panama-California Exposition, a fair celebrating the opening of the Panama Canal. The fair was held in San Diego because it was the first U.S. port of call for ships travelling north after passing through the canal on a westward voyage. The beautiful buildings erected for the exposition still stand today and house enchanting museums including the San Diego Natural History Museum, the San Diego Museum of Man, the Rueben H. Fleet Science Center, the San Diego Air & Space Museum and many more. There is also a beautiful botanical garden, a Japanese Friendship garden, and numerous others. Be sure to take a trip to this popular location when visiting San Diego and be sure to stay at the Ocean Park Inn for an unforgettable vacation.

View Larger Map