Those of us who live in the Southern California area just love San Diego. And one of its biggest attractions is beautiful Balboa Park, located near downtown. And inside is a gorgeous pond filled with wonders worthy of a fairy tale. But there’s no need to only visit the Balboa Park pond, though. With lovely attractions like themed gardens and art museums, ALL of Balboa Park is definitely worth adding to your San Diego bucket list!

The Balboa Park pond is a favorite of local photographers, who love the area for its sweet and pretty atmosphere.
Balboa Park/Facebook
The reflection of the botanical garden building in the pond combined with the lush greenery around it makes for ideal photos. You’ll definitely want to snap a picture so you can remember your day here.
When you walk over to the edge of the pond, take your time and take in the way the large clusters of delicate water plants float peacefully on the placid water.
Balboa Park/Facebook
In no time, you’ll start to feel the peaceful ambiance yourself! Note that the lilypads here need special care and are protected carefully.
When you look closely, you’ll also see the animal residents of the pond- koi fish!
Lucky McEskers/Fickr
These beautiful fish swim through their pretty home and hide underneath the lilypads whenever they please. They are very social and you can watch them interact with each other through the clear water.
It’s not only the pond that seems right out of a picture book.
Balboa Park/Facebook
There are lots of gorgeous parts of Balboa Park that will make you feel like a character in a fairy tale. The warm sunshine of San Diego makes the occasional perfect rainbow appear!

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The history here is truly amazing.
Lysa Allman-Baldwin/OnlyInYourState
Historic structures abound, each providing a different piece of the Southern California and overall California founding story.
Feast your eyes on the stunning flowers of Balboa Park.
Balboa Park/Facebook
The colors of the flowers, plants, and trees are mesmerizing everywhere you look.
The Japanese Friendship Garden is another of the most popular themed gardens at Balboa Park, and you can see why!
Balboa Park website
With a relaxing waterfall, beautiful pink flowers, and incredible bonsai trees, you will want to take your time in this little Southern California paradise so as not to miss a single detail!
And if you like to take long walks or hike, you're in luck!
Lysa Allman-Baldwin/OnlyInYourState
The Palm Canyon Trail is one of the most beautiful in Southern California.

We hope you see why it is one of our favorite spots to visit in Southern California, any time of the year!

For more information, check out the Balboa Park website, as well as the Balboa Park Facebook page.

Have you ever been to Balboa Park? If so, what was your favorite part? What do you think about these beautiful Balboa Park photos? Will you add the park and the lily pond to your San Diego bucket list? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

If you’d like to explore hikes around the San Diego area, you can find some great trails by going to the AllTrails website.

Still in the mood for more California adventures? Take a look at this video:

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More to Explore

Adventures in The Golden State

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | October 08, 2023

Where are some fun facts about Southern California?

  • The famous Santa Monica pier was originally used to move sewage offshore and is over 100 years old.
  • The hottest temperature ever recorded on earth was 134 degrees on July 10, 1913, in the town of Furnace Creek in Inyo County.
  • The town of Fallbrook is recognized as the Avocado Capital of the world.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other fun facts about Southern California.

What are some of the best beaches in Northern California?

  • Black Sand Beach in Sausalito has just what it says, beautiful black sand, and you descend old wooden stairs to get there.
  • Marshall's Beach in The Presidio is located on the west side of the Golden Gate Bridge, offering spectacular views.
  • Glass Beach in Fort Bragg is unique in that the beach is littered with remnants of colorful glass bottles.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other great beaches in Northern California.

Where can we find hiking trails in Southern California?

  • Black Sand Beach in Sausalito has just what it says, beautiful black sand, and you descend old wooden stairs to get there.
  • The Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail, located in San Diego, leads to a stunning hidden waterfall.
  • The Bronson Canyon Hiking Trail, located in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park, features a hidden, aboveground cave.

Read on to learn more about some of the other beautiful hiking trails in Southern California.

Where can we find mountain towns in Northern California?

  • Truckee is a mecca for skiers and snowboarders and at one time was known as one of the top snowiest towns in the U.S.
  • Susanville is a quaint mountain town in Lassen County and one of the largest in that area.
  • Homewood features a homey, beach town vibe along Lake Tahoe.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other beautiful mountain towns in Northern California

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