Balboa Park

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Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre (490 ha) urban cultural park in San Diego, California. In addition to open space areas, natural vegetation zones, green belts, gardens, and walking paths, it contains museums, several theaters, and the San Diego Zoo.

There are also many recreational facilities and several gift shops and restaurants within the boundaries of the park. Placed in reserve in 1835, the park's site is one of the oldest in the United States dedicated to public recreational use.

Named for the Spanish maritime explorer Vasco N��ez de Balboa, the park hosted the 1915�16 Panama�California Exposition and 1935�36 California Pacific International Exposition, both of which left architectural landmarks.