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Balboa ParkvsOld Town San Diego State Historic Park
Both Balboa Park and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park are highly recommended by professional travelers. On balance, Balboa Park scores marginally higher than Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Balboa Park is ranked #12 in San Diego with approval from 9 publications like Travel + Leisure, Where and Where.
Balboa Park
Concierge
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Condé Nast Traveler
Michelin Guide
Afar Magazine
National Geographic Lonely Planet
Where Where Show All Reviews
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
From $0/night
Concierge "As Central Park is to New York City, Balboa Park is the center of this out-of-doors city."
Lonely Planet "Balboa Park includes a number of gardens, reflecting different horticultural styles and environments, including Alcazar Garden , a formal, Spanish-style garden." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Besides trails, dog parks, and play areas, the historic Balboa Park is home to such attractions as the world-famous San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Museum of Art." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "It’s pretty much impossible to get bored at this park." Full review
Michelin Guide 3 Stars
"Balboa Park endures as an idyllic sylvan retreat and the nation's largest urban cultural park." Full review
Afar Magazine "Balboa park is a landscape of arts and culture in San Diego, including museums, such as The Natural History Museum, and the Museum of Photographic Arts." Full review
National Geographic "The nation’s largest urban cultural park includes the San Diego Zoo (see below), the Old Globe, 13 major museums, unique gardens, and fanciful architecture that originated with Expos in 1915 and 1935." Full review
Lonely Planet "All attractions are easily walkable, or jump aboard the park's tram to whizz around them all at speed." Full review
Where "At 1,200 acres, this lush green space overlooking downtown San Diego is the largest urban cultural park in the country, home to more than 17 museums, theaters and other cultural institutions." Full review
Where "The cultural heart of San Diego, Balboa Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country." Full review
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Fodor's Travel + Leisure Michelin Guide National Geographic Travel + Leisure
Frommer's
San Diego Avenue at Twiggs Street, San Diego, CA
From $0/night
Fodor's "The six square blocks on the site of San Diego's original pueblo are the heart of Old Town." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Take a step back in time in San Diego's historic Old Town district, a state park that re-creates life as it was in 1850s rancho California." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"A colorful group of restored and original historic buildings... one of only two California houses certified (by the US Department of Commerce) as being haunted." Full review
National Geographic "The park encompasses buildings of the mid-1800s, focusing on the settlement’s original ties to Mexico. The striking Serra Museum just up the hill is the site of California’s first mission. " Full review
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Free guided tours daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Travel + Leisure "Learn about life in the early days of San Diego in the early 19th century when it began as a Mexican pueblo. Visit the Whaley House Museum...enjoy authentic Mexican food, mariachi entertainment"
San Diego Travel Guide
February 23, 2021
Frommer's "Dedicated to re-creating the early life of the city from 1821 to 1872, this is where San Diego's Mexican heritage shines brightest" Full review
