Art of Balboa Park
Walking Tour
Art of Balboa Park Walking Tour
Wander amongst beauty
Magnificent structures, whimsical gardens, and notable art
Balboa Park is a unique urban park with rich history from the very beginnings of San Diego. The park represents self-love, wonder, beauty and culture throughout every corner. Styled in the Spanish Revival fashion of architecture of buildings that now house many museums, restaurants, and education programs. The many gardens are lush and full of flowering plants and ponds, and each one is curated and cultivated intentionally to inspire the natural world. The park is an escape from the day-to-day hustle of city life. Explore the park’s essence with our passionate guides!
About:
The Art of Balboa tour is a great way to explore the 1,200 acre park with an expert guide. You’ll walk throughout the main part of Balboa, wandering into some of the hidden gardens, and explore an art museum and village where local artists have their galleries and workshops. Marvel at the architecture as your guide shares stories of how the park got its start, and visit the Botanical Building and lily pond where you’ll see majestic koi fish and turtles. You’ll also pass by the Old Globe theater and iconic California Tower – San Diego’s most photographed building.
- A walking history of America’s largest urban park
- Learn about the history of California represented in the architecture of the Spanish-style buildings
- Listen to stories about the park founders who managed to build the park as the backdrop of one of California’s most exciting celebrations
- Meet local artists, and get to know traditions that have continued in the park since its opening in 1915
Rates:
Adults (Ages 6+): $65.00
Duration:
2 hours
Private Groups:
Do you have a group of 10 or more guests? Contact us to book a private tour.
Book Online Now:
Iconic Architecture
Surround yourself with the historic buildings that coined San Diego as a cultural hub for beauty and tradition. The buildings were built with San Diego’s history, and were deliberately designed to pay homage to the beginnings of the state of California.
Immersive Gardens
Everywhere you walk in Balboa Park, you’ll see unique plants thriving in the San Diego sun. Every tree, bush and flower has been intentionally planted to bring life and beauty to the park. Learn about their origins, and about the many people who worked so hard to bring these species to San Diego.
Art of Balboa Park Walking Tour FAQs
Our San Diego Tour Guides
Our San Diego Tour Guides
Kaylee Killebrew - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: 5 years, I quickly fell in love with this city.
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting people from all over the world, making them laugh, showing them some of my favorite spots and creating meaningful memories.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: Hillcrest or Old Town. Both are walkable and friendly places with endless restaurants, bars, coffee shops etc. You can find me in Old Town most weekends.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: This is a tough choice, for atmosphere and cocktails probably InsideOUT or Coasterra. For Breakfast…Morning Glory or Great Maple. For Dinner, Queenstown, Underbelly or Bronx Pizza. There are way too many options to choose from!
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: To Read on the beach, host dinner parties with friends or scope out new happy hour spots.
Kaylee Killebrew
Kaylee Killebrew - Tour Guide
Read BioMagdalene Medofer - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: my whole life, I was born here.
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: meeting new folks and sharing San Diego with them.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: Barrio Logan, I love the history of Chicano Park, the eclectic artisan shops, and extensive food scene. The weekend is the best time to explore and watch the lowrider car clubs cruise the neighborhood and visit the shops.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Artifact at the Mingei in Balboa Park. Any dish off their international food menu will blow your mind. They also host monthly themed dinners that highlight a particular cuisine and region.
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Go for a hike at Cuyamaca State Park and swim at Green Valley Falls.
Magdalene Medofer
Tour Guide
Read BioAparna Thakur - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: 1 ½ years!
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting new people, showing them around and telling stories and history of the city.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: La Jolla because of its beautiful beaches, great restaurants and shopping as well as abundance of sea life.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Brigantine
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Watching sunset in point loma Ocean Beach
Aparna Thakur
Tour Guide
Read BioRaul Torres Valadez - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: One year recently and also when I was a teenager.
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting new people.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: Pacific Beach and Coronado.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Oscar’s Mexican seafood and Birrieria la Huasteca.
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Hike in the canyons.
Raul Torres Valadez
Tour Guide
Read BioBen Schorr - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: 5 years, I quickly fell in love with this city.
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting people from all over the world, making them laugh, showing them some of my favorite spots and creating meaningful memories.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: Hillcrest or Old Town. Both are walkable and friendly places with endless restaurants, bars, coffee shops etc. You can find me in Old Town most weekends.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: This is a tough choice, for atmosphere and cocktails probably InsideOUT or Coasterra. For Breakfast…Morning Glory or Great Maple. For Dinner, Queenstown, Underbelly or Bronx Pizza. There are way too many options to choose from!
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: To Read on the beach, host dinner parties with friends or scope out new happy hour spots.
Ben Schorr
Tour Guide
Read BioBleu Ford - Tour Guide
I’ve lived in San Diego for: A long time! I moved to San Diego in 1986 so I have lived here for most of my life. I consider it my adopted home town.
My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: I love both meeting new people and sharing knowledge about this beautiful city. After retiring from USPS I wanted to do work that brings me joy and I have found that being a guide. I love getting a laugh from a group or seeing the spark of excitement when I share a bit of San Diego’s colorful history.
My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: I am partial to my own hood, North Park. I love living here! We lost so many great places due to Covid but it warms my heart to see that this neighborhood is returning to being a vibrant and fun place. It always seems like there is something new or some fun event happening.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: A few of my go-to favs are Buona Forchetta in South Park for relaxed patio dining with great food Jimmy Carter’s in Hillcrest for the comfortable and colorful ambiance and great Mexican comfort food and Shwarma Guys food truck (which parks regularly at 30th and Grape in South Park). It is my go-to “I’m super hungry and too tired to cook” take home. It always hits the spot.
My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: I recently got an e-bike and my new love is re-discovering the uptown area on two wheels. It is pretty amazing how differently you see the city on a bike. I love strolling through Balboa Park with my wife. We are so lucky to have this awesome park with such a rich history so close to our home. Finally, you can’t beat an early morning walk along the harbor. The waterfront is beautiful in the morning quiet with a bit of fog hanging in the air.
Bleu Ford
Tour Guide
Read Bio