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Vibrantly Aging

San Diego's Balboa Park

By Mark Smith

December 12^th, 2024

Balboa Park has some serious history: It was first designated as a city park in 1868, and many of its foundational elements were built in the first few decades of the 1900s. Its most famous attraction - the San Diego Zoo - opened in 1916.

Nancy and I have history with this park, too: We first discovered it in 1973(!) as fresh-faced students at San Diego State. And, our good friend Tim Larrick worked at the park's Art Museum and its Natural History Museum.

On a short summertime visit in 2024, we were glad to see that the park still had its cool vibe. It's diverse and relevant, and important to San Diego's story.

Here's what caught my eye.

The Architecture

The park was named after the Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa. Its primary structures were designed in a Spanish Colonial Revival style - which in my 50+ years of visiting has never looked dated.

Vibrantly Aging

The balconies look ideal for parade-watching.

Vibrantly Aging

Vibrantly Aging

The Pond

I always gravitate toward the park's pond. At first glance it doesn't look like much, but there's a lot happening on and under the surface.

Vibrantly Aging

It's home to koi, turtles, ducks and often ducklings, and some impressive water plants.

Vibrantly Aging

Vibrantly Aging

Vibrantly Aging

I'd wanted to visit the nearby Botanical Garden, but it was closed for renovation.

Vibrantly Aging

The Walkways

I love the covered walkways along the park's main thoroughfare, and those leading off to meeting rooms.

They're perfect for strolling.

Vibrantly Aging

Their overhead lamps alone are a good reason to walk down them.

You'll pass museums, restaurants, seniors' classes, and all kinds of other activities.

Vibrantly Aging

It always feels five degrees cooler underneath.

Vibrantly Aging

And the Gardens.

Vibrantly Aging

They're varied, well-tended, and peaceful.

Vibrantly Aging

Vibrantly Aging

© 2026 Mark Smith

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