Balboa Park – The Cultural Heart of San Diego.

SAN DIEGO ZOO
The San Diego Zoo is arguably the most famous zoo in the world. As the pioneer of cageless exhibits meant to recreate natural habitats, it’s home to almost 4000 animals consisting of over 650 species. It’s also one of only four zoos in the US that houses giant pandas and the first American zoo to breed them successfully. Only 8 miles away, our hotel close to Balboa Park affords easy access to one of San Diego’s most famous attractions.

EL PRADO
El Prado is the main pedestrian walkway in Balboa Park and acts as one of San Diego’s top public gathering areas. It’s home to many of the park’s cultural landmarks with buildings such as the Museum of Man, Museum of Art, the Old Globe Theater and more lining the boulevard. The Spanish Moor style architecture and lush greenery makes El Prado an inviting public area that locals are proud to call their own.

BOTANICAL BUILDING
The Botanical Building’s unique lattice-like structure and its location next to the Lily Pond make it one of the most photographed spots in all of Balboa Park. Built for the Panama-California Exposition in 1915, the building remains one of the largest lath structures in the world. The free-of-charge attraction houses more than 2100 plants and features seasonal displays as well as a scratch and sniff garden that appeals to children of all ages.

SPANISH VILLAGE ART CENTER
The Spanish Village Art Center is so named because of its courtyard surrounded by Spanish tiled buildings built in 1935. The colorful courtyard houses a community of over 200 working artisans spanning a wide range of disciplines that offer daily demonstrations of their crafts. Guests at our resort close to Balboa Park can take part in classes and workshops, buy pieces of art or just wander around and take in the scene.

SPRECKELS ORGAN PAVILION
The Spreckels Organ Pavilion is named after the donors of the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world, John and Adolph Spreckels. The organ has more than 5000 pipes with the longest being 32 feet. Since 1917 the city of San Diego has employed civic organists who play free concerts every Sunday at 2pm. As one of the top hotels near Balboa Park, guests of the San Diego Mission Bay Resort are invited to enjoy all the pavilion’s entertainment functions.