Worth a Journey

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The World’s 100 Best Parks

Balboa Park

San Diego, United States

  1. THE WORLD’S BEST PARKS WORTH A JOURNEY · 2026 ✦ ✦ N° 27 2026
Balboa Park

Large city park in central San Diego with Spanish-style buildings, gardens, fountains, ponds and walking paths over level ground. Visitors tour museums and the Botanical Building, walk the gardens, photograph the architecture and ride the free tram between parking lots.

Highlights

  • Botanical Building and pond
  • Japanese Friendship Garden
  • Spanish colonial-style museum buildings

Good to know

  • Park free; museums about USD 20 each
  • Paid parking; free tram from far lots
  • Several hours to two days needed

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