Balboa Park began as 1400 acres of land set aside in 1868 by San Diego civic leaders. Known then as "City Park", the scrub-filled mesa that overlooked present day Downtown San Diego sat without formal landscaping or development for more than 20 years. Today the Park's total land parcel has been reduced to 1,200 acres. The buildings and gardens within the park were built for two expositions held in the city in 1915 and 1935. These buildings now house SD's museums and art galleries as well as the Zoo.
For more information about the history of the Park, click here.
The water lily pond.
View of the outside of the Botanical Building.
Some interior shots of the Botanical Building. Bromeliad, orchids and ferns/palms predominate in this magnificent "shade house".
Some examples of the truely magnificant buildings seen in the Park.
The Giant Morten Bay Fig. There is no documentation to verify its exact age but the tree turns approximately 100 years old this year. The fig is one of the largest trees (in girth) in the State of California: it has an estimated girth of 42 feet, a height of 80 feet, and a canopy of 145 feet. A tree in Santa Barbara is slightly larger, with a canopy of about 175 feet.
Throughout the Park there are some beautiful gardens all free to the public.
The Cactus and Succulent Garden.
Keep on coming back to by favourite desert tree - the Dragon Tree of which these three are fine examples. Click here for more information.
Palm Canyon. Take a walk through the canyon amongst the palms and ferns. Great during the heat of the day as the area is cool.
Alcazar Garden which is modelled on its Spanish counterpart.
Love the multicoloured tiles on the walkways of the Spanish Village Art Centre. The Centre showcases the art of the spanish speaking residents of SD.
The SD Bird Rescue Group had a presence in the park. Caring for birds that have been abandoned by their owners either because they have lost interest in them or because the birds have psychological problems. I like the sign directed to parents of children.
On the street where I am staying, the local Farmers Market is held every Saturday. Smiling Jack the accordionist is a regular performer and he smiles 24/7.
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