For a fun springtime family outing, and to gather a little inspiration for your own landscape design, head over to Balboa Park in San Diego. The park features numerous gardens, some designed decades ago by the original founders. Just to give you an idea of the park’s diversity, here is a list of their gardens currently open for touring:
1935 Cactus Garden
Australian Garden
Alcazar Garden
California Native Plant Garden
Casa del Rey Moro Garden
Desert Garden
EthnoBotany Children’s Peace Garden
Florida Canyon Native Plant Preserve
Marston House Garden
Japanese Friendship Garden
Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden
Palm Canyon
Veterans Memorial Garden
Trees for Health Garden
San Diego Zoo Botanical Collection
Zoro Garden
In addition to the many lush, landscaped garden areas, Balboa Park is the home of the San Diego Botanical Garden Foundation. The foundation hosts exhibitions, classes, and educational programs free to the public, so be sure to check their schedule before you visit. The Memorial Botanical Library is also open to the public, in case you want to pursue some research while you’re there.
Balboa Park is also the home of seventeen different museums, like the San Diego Art Institute and the Air and Space Museum. Numerous performing arts opportunities are also available, such as the Junior Theatre, dance performances, and the WorldBeat Center. And of course, food, drink, and lodging are all nearby, just in case you want to make a weekend trip of your outing.
As you explore the miles of trails through Balboa Park’s gardens, remember to take notes or grab a photo of anything that inspires you. Give us a call when you return, and we can advise you on incorporating your new ideas into your own alluring garden.
