gardens
Balboa Park's many gardens provide a scenic and quiet escape from the bustle of the city or a relaxing break between museum visits. Many of the gardens follow specific themes, with desert species, flowers, native species, a Moorish garden, a rose garden, and a Japanese garden. The highlight of Balboa's botanical collection is the Botanical Building, a historic structure which contains an adjacent lily pond and numerous species of ferns, orchids, palms, and other tropical plants.
Balboa Park Carousel
Near the entrance of the San Diego Zoo, the Balboa Park Carousel and the Balboa Park Miniature Railroad provide an entertaining diversion for kids. Each charges $2 per ride per person. The Spanish Village Art Center (http://www.spanishvillage...), a historic landmark built for an exposition in the 1930s, is a community home to many artists and art studios.
trails
There are numerous hiking and biking trails through Balboa Park. One of the most popular running/walking trails is a 5.5-mile route thatâs compatible with all fitness levels and starts and ends at C Street and 6th Avenue in Downtown and heads north, running past bridges, canyons, creeks, flower-covered hillsides, and gardens. There is also a 0.41-mile Balboa Park bike path which begins at Upas Street and Seventh Avenue, near the northwest corner of Balboa Park. The level of difficulty is well above average here as there are several steep descends, sharp turns, and a bridge that crosses highway 163. In several areas, bicyclists must dismount and walk, for safety.
Performing arts
Old Globe Theatre
See a play at the Old Globe Theatre, +1 619 234-5623, (http://www.oldglobe.org/). The original theater, designed to copy Shakespeare's theatre in London, was built in 1935 for the California Pacific International Exposition in only 32 days and featured shortened versions of Shakespeare plays. In 1941, the U.S. Navy ordered the Old Globe to remove equipment and records for a period of 24 hours -- the Navy had acquired Balboa Park for use during World War II. By the summer of 1947, the federal government returned the park to the City of San Diego. In 1978 the theatre was destroyed by fire; a rebuilt theatre opened in 1982. The area hosts three stages including the Old Globe itself, the Cassius Carter Centre Stage, and an outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theater. You will usually have to purchase tickets in advance.
Starlight Bowl
In addition to the Globe Theater, there's the Starlight Bowl, +1 619 232-7827, (http://www.starlighttheat...). The Bowl is home to the San Diego Civic Light Opera Association, which puts on plenty of live performances through the summer. Since 1946, Starlight Theatre has presented live musical theatre under the stars each summer in beautiful Balboa Park.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
+1 619 702-8138, (http://www.sosorgan.com/). home to one of the world's largest outdoor pipe organs, the spreckels pavilion holds a number of free - yes, free of charge - concerts throughout the year.
San Diego Junior Theatre
+1 619 239-1311, (http://www.juniortheatre.com/). one of the oldest youth theater programs in the country, the junior theatre holds many live performances.
Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater
+1 619 544-9203, (http://www.balboaparkpupp...). a popular venue for renowned puppeteers, with an indoor theater holding many performances during the year. a favorite for children.
Hillcrest
Hillcrest Cinemas
3965 5th ave in the village hillcrest complex, +1 619 819-0236, (http://www.landmarktheatr...). part of the landmark theaters chain, this theater showcases many independent and foreign films.
Cityfest
A huge arts & crafts festival with lots of food and entertainment, takes place in august in hillcrest.
6th @ Penn Theatre
3704 6th ave, +1 619 688-9210, (http://6thatpenn.com/anto...). throughout the year, this small theater stages many unusual some controversial plays.
San Diego Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade
The San Diego Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade (http://sandiegopride.org/...) and festival takes place in July in Hillcrest, running down University and 6th Avenues.