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Family Fun

Families with plenty of time and money and families with a tight schedule and budget will equally enjoy their time in the Park. Opportunities and values for children and families abound in Balboa Park.

For information about the City of San Diego Recreation facilities see www.sannet.gov/park-and-recreation/

Butterfly Rides. (Currently closed for re-tooling) Located just inside the entrance of Zoo Place is an airplane and butterfly ride for children age five years and under. This tiny-tot ride is in operation from the third week in June through Labor Day, running daily, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Winter hours are Saturdays, Sundays, and school holidays, 11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Carousel. Built in 1910 by the Herschell-Spillman Company in North Tonawanda, New York, the carousel has been in the Park since 1922. It is located just inside the entrance to Zoo Place. The carousel is a menagerie of animals and all but two pairs are original, hand-carved European craftsmanship. The hand-painted murals surrounding the upper portion of the carousel are original, as is the military band music. This carousel is one of the few in the world still offering the brass ring game for everyone taking the 5-minute ride. From the third week in June through Labor Day, the carousel runs Monday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Balboa Park Minature Railroad. This miniature locomotive holds 48 passengers and takes a 3-minute, ½-mile trip through four acres of Balboa Park. The locomotive in one-fifth the scale of the General Motors F3 diesels which pull the Santa Fe’s Super Chief. The train is a model G16 – now a rare antique with as few as fifty currently remaining. Since 1948, when the locomotive was introduced in the Park with great pomp and ceremony, over 5 million passengers have ridden on board. A conductor in a railroad cap and overalls runs the miniature train on Saturdays, Sundays, and daily during school vacations, 11:00-4:30PM, Sat., Sun. and school holidays. Now through Labor Day - 11:00- 6:30 PM, 7 days a week. The train is located adjacent to the carousel, opposite the entrance to the Zoo. Operated by the San Diego Zoo Transportation Department. Information (619) 231-1515 ext. 4219

Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater. Located in the Palisades area of Balboa Park, the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater offers puppet performances throughout the year by a variety of troupes. The theater also provides a venue for its resident puppeteers, who work with marionettes, hand, rod, and shadow puppets. For a schedule of shows, and show times click here. Special programs and workshops are also offered, sponsored by the guild, or held in conjunction with other Park organizations and events. The theater is sponsored in part by the San Diego Park and Recreation Department. Public information, (619) 619-544-9203.

Kid-friendly Museums. Balboa Park has numerous museums and attractions with kid-appeal. Kids crazy about cars, trains and planes or dinosaurs, planets or sports will all find something to savor during a day in the Park. Kid-friendly museum best bets include the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego Aerospace Museum, San Diego Automotive Museum, San Diego Hall of Champions, and the San Diego Model Railroad Museum.

San Diego Civic Youth Ballet. Founded in 1944, the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet has provided studio instruction in Balboa Park's Casa del Prado for over 50 years. The company offers all levels of ballet from tiny tot and pre-ballet through advanced technique and pas de deux and pointe. Dancers perform several times throughout the year with major productions in May and December. 619 233-3060. www.sdcyb.org

International Family Fun. The House of Pacific Relations is comprised of nearly 30 national groups dedicated to promoting an exchange of values and understanding among people of diverse national origin. This group of small cottages, each home to a different nation, take turns holding lawn programs on Sundays, from Feburary through mid-November, which feature traditional costumes, arts, crafts and ethnic foods. Outdoor programs of folk dancing and music are presented at 2:00 p.m. Public information 619 234-0739. www.sdhpr.org/

Free Organ Concerts. The Spreckels Organ Pavilion, housing the world's largest outdoor pipe organ, was donated to the City of San Diego by John D. and Adolph Spreckels in 1914 for the Panama-California Exposition. The pavilion area provides comfortable seating for 2,400, with wheelchair access. Free year-round organ concerts, featuring San Diego Civic Organist Carol Williams, are held on Sundays from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Guest performers are scheduled at least once a month. Each year the free International Summer Organ Festival is presented from mid-June through August on Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Public information 619 702-8138. www.serve.com/sosorgan

Free Tuesdays. Families can take advantage of free admission to the museums on Tuesdays. As a gift to San Diego residents and visitors, Park organizations offer free admission on Tuesdays on a rotating basis throughout the month. On the first Tuesday, free museums include, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, San Diego Natural History Museum, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center; Second Tuesday, Museum of Photographic Arts, Museum of San Diego History; Third Tuesday, San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Museum of Man, Japanese Friendship Garden, Mingei International Museum; Fourth Tuesday, San Diego Aerospace Museum, San Diego Automotive Museum, San Diego Hall of Champions, House of Pacific Relations International Cottages; and on the fifth Tuesday of the month, normal museum prices are in effect. Note: Some museums may offer complimentary admission to its permanent collections only and charge admission to special exhibitions.

Picnic and Playground Areas. There is plenty of space for kids to play and families to picnic in Balboa Park. Located west of Park Blvd., the Pepper Grove playground and picnic area is a family favorite with swings, tables, playground equipment, nearby restrooms and a tiny tots play area. Another popular children’s play area is found at Thorn and Sixth Avenue on the west side of the Park.

Getting Around the Park. There is a free tram which provides access to Balboa Park’s museums and attractions. Families can park in the spacious Inspiration Point lot and wait at Tram Central, a shady arbor with benches. Trams pick up from Tram Central every 8-10 minutes and provide a convenient way to transport strollers and picnic gear to the core of the Park. The tram operates seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with extended evening hours during the summer. The Balboa Park Tram is provided as a free public service by the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department.


 

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