The buzz of bees, the crisp air, the cool shadows, the sunny slopes. Visiting one of San Diego's many parks and gardens is a great exit strategy in the event of city overload. The variety of plantlife and even climates is astounding. Consider the Quail Botanical Gardens, a veritable paradise of 3,000 plant varieties thriving in zones ranging from the high desert to a tropical rainforest. The famous Balboa Park, San Diego's crown jewel, encompasses numerous landscaped and garden areas, as well as several gardens famous on their own, such as the Japanese Friendship Garden. To enjoy a less manicured experience, try Mission Trails or Palomar, both offering natural forested areas great for camping, picnicking, and hiking.
Parks & Gardens
- Alcazar Garden
- Walking through the pedestrian breezeway in Balboa Park, you might not know that a courtyard patterned after the gardens of Alcazar Castle in Seville, Spain exists a few feet away.
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- Desert Garden
- The lush Desert Garden is a treat for the eyes and is open every day of the year. Located in the historic Balboa Park near the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden and just north of the Park Boulevard pedestrian bridge, the Desert Garden is a vibrant oasis of succulent blooms and gorgeous cacti.
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- Gardens of Balboa Park
- Within the center of this city by the sea is Balboa Park, a cultural and botanical oasis providing a mind-boggling breadth of educational and sensory offerings, including numerous gardens.
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- Inez Grant Parker Rose Garden
- Take a moment to stop and smell the roses at Balboa Park’s Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden, one of Balboa Park’s most popular gardens and a highly desirable wedding location.
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- Japanese Friendship Garden
- The tranquil and stunning Japanese Friendship Garden has its origins in the Japanese Tea Pavilion built in 1915 for the Panama-California World Exposition.
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- Kate Sessions Memorial Park
- The panoramic views of San Diego and tranquil refuge from boisterous Pacific Beach all make the steep trek up Mount Soledad to Kate Sessions Regional Park worth your effort.
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