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San Diego United States |
No visit to San Diego would be complete without a trip to Balboa Park. Home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, the park is much more than a beautiful place to see exotic animals. Gardens and grounds in Balboa Park were established as a city park for the people in 1868. In preparation for hosting the Panama-California Exposition of 1915, a celebration of the opening of the Panama Canal, founding fathers, architects and master gardeners collaborated to create the fine Spanish Colonial Revival-style buildings and gardens that still grace the grounds today. Additional buildings were raised on the site in the early 1930s, this time incorporating the look and feel of the Mayan civilization and California's early indigenous peoples. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 1200-acre cultural center |
Invalidenstraße 3 San Diego, CA 10115 United States +1 619 239 0512 http://www.balboapark.org info@balboapark.org |
The world-renowned San Diego Zoo is only one part of this magnificent 1,200-acre city park that was built for the 1915-1916 Panama-California Expo. California's Hispanic roots were celebrated as the city erected breathtakingly ornate Spanish-style buildings. The California Building was modeled after a Spanish colonial church and is topped off with a polychrome tile dome. The park is home to the zoo, 14 museums, a pipe organ pavilion, botanical gardens, a Tony award winning theater, an antique carousel and a miniature-scale train. Of particular interest is Balboa Park's Christmas on the Prado that is held the first weekend of December each year. It is a popular event the first Friday and Saturday evenings of December and it is an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy pageants, plays, food and music all in the tradition of the Christmas holidays. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Our garden |
2125 Park Boulevard (Balboa Park) San Diego, CA 92101 United States +1 619 232 2721 http://www.niwa.org jgfsd@niwa.org |
These absolutely lovely, tranquil grounds began their long history when the garden was built as part of the World Expo of 1915. Because the public enjoyed it, the garden remained cared for by volunteers for the next 30 years. The permanent spot has been maintained as, 'San-Kei-En', meaning 'our garden'. The Japanese gardens incorporate traditional elements and San Diego regional landscape. The exhibit hall includes objects of Japanese cultural arts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: Allison Tran |
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 Ideas of the people |
1439 El Prado (Balboa Park) San Diego, CA 92101 United States +1 619 239 0003 http://www.mingei.org/ mingei@mingei.org |
'Mingei' is a composite word that is now accepted as meaning "art of the people," and this museum is surely that. Housed here, visitors will find an eclectic collection of folk art, crafts and designs from around the world including ceramics, pottery, textiles, dolls, masks, stone carvings and decorative objects fashioned by all peoples. Permanent and rotating collections are on display. Admission: $6 adults; $3 children ages 6-17; children under age six are free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Modern and classic plays |
1363 Old Globe Way San Diego, CA 92101 United States +1 619 234 5623 http://www.oldglobe.org tickets@theoldglobe.org |
Modeled after Shakespeare's own theaters, this San Diego establishment is actually part of a complex of three theaters also including the Cassius Carter Centre Stage and the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. Sadly, the 1935 original Globe has been replaced since it was destroyed by fire, though it appears that the renovation is a success. In 1984, the 581-seat replica won a Tony award for best regional theater. Predictably, the theater is home to an annual Shakespeare festival, but it is open year round. It also hosts much more than the classics. Its focus is actually the opposite - opening new plays. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Finely presented fine art |
1450 El Prado Balboa Park San Diego, CA 92101 United States +1 619 232 7931 http://www.sdmart.org/ information@sdmart.org |
San Diego is blessed with a beautifully-housed art collection, which includes the work of Old Masters, American artists and an extensive selection of Asian art pieces. Founded in 1926, the museum originally focused on acquiring American works of art and the collection is still very strong, from "plein air" school California Impressionist paintings to Putnam bronzes. The museum also hosts major traveling exhibitions. Credit cards are not accepted for admission. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Anthropology Museum, Architectural Marvel |
1350 El Prado (Balboa Park) San Diego, CA 92101 United States +1 619 239 2001 http://www.museumofman.org/ |
San Diego's only anthropological museum is home to 70,000 artifacts, folk art and archaeological finds from all over the world. With mummies and ancient carved monuments, the treasures inside this museum are abundant, but the building itself is also a San Diego treasure and city symbol. The California Building with its tile-capped tower was designed in 1915 by Bertram G. Goodhue and reflects a whimsical "California Mission" style of architecture. Exhibits inside explore the culture and lives of ancient civilizations of the Inuits, the Mapuche, and the Mayans, among others. Admission: $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for children between the ages of 6-17, free for kids below 6 years of age. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 World-famous for a reason |
2920 Zoo Dr San Diego, CA 92101 United States +1 619 231 1515 http://www.sandiegozoo.org |
This world-famous establishment is clearly no ordinary zoo. Walk or ride a double-decker bus throughout this expansive park, home to over 4,000 rare and exotic animals exhibited in beautiful garden habitats. More than a park, this zoo is a major research facility although it is cleverly disguised with entertaining shows and inspiring exhibits like Polar Bear Plunge and Hippo Beach. General Admission: USD21 adults; USD14 children ages three-11; deluxe packages are also available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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4,445 pipes |
2211 Pan American Road San Diego, CA 92101 United States +1 619 702 8138 |
During your visit to Balboa Park, do not miss this gigantic, world-class musical instrument. Believed to be the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world, this impressive structure was built in 1915 by sugar magnates John D. and Adolph B. Spreckels. Year round, as many as 2,000 people can sit and hear the Sunday afternoon concerts. At other times, local musical talent is displayed. All concerts are free of charge. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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See the old masters |
1500 El Prado (Balboa Park) San Diego, CA 92101 United States +1 619 239 5548 http://www.timkenmuseum.org info@timkenmuseum.org |
Predominantly displaying fine paintings, this museum also exhibits excellent sculpture, 126 paintings on permanent exhibition, and other works rotated throughout the year. Opened in 1965, this museum is home to San Diego's only Rembrandt painting on public display, 'Saint Bartholomew'. The collection also includes other works by European Old Masters, American Artists and Russian icons. There is a free afternoon lecture/gallery talk on Thursdays at 1:30p. Admission is free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Perry Sun |
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