balboa park is a jewel in san diego’s crown, home to amazing museums and one of the biggest and best zoos in the world. but some of our favorite spots are tucked away and hidden from the park’s main thoroughfares.
at big front door, we’re one of closest—only seven blocks!—restaurants near balboa park, so we’ve compiled a list of balboa park’s hidden gems, most of which would make an excellent picnic spot with a basketful of our fresh and delectable sandwiches and salads.
at big front door, we’re one of closest—only seven blocks!—restaurants near balboa park, so we’ve compiled a list of balboa park’s hidden gems, most of which would make an excellent picnic spot with a basketful of our fresh and delectable sandwiches and salads.
desert garden
across the pedestrian bridge and past the rose garden, there’s an overlooked strip of parkland bursting with more than 1,300 succulents and drought-resistant plants. it’s a perfect accompaniment to our sonoran chicken sandwich and great spot for ideas to replace that dead lawn you’re not allowed to water. be sure to check out the garden during the january-march blooming season.
zoro garden
named after the persian mystic zoroaster, this gorgeous stone-lined grotto next to the space museum is more than a shady stop to rest during your park adventures and butterfly-watch every spring. the garden has a surprising, rather risqué history: during the california pacific international exposition in 1935, tourists could pay a quarter to peek through a (now gone) fence to watch performers frolicking, lounging, and even staging “religious sacrifices”…all while completely nude.
lawn bowling
for more than 80 years, members of the san diego lawn bowling club have played on the so-called rinks just north of el prado on the west side of the 163. they reportedly offer free lessons for san diego residents, as long as you don’t mention the dreaded “b” word—bocce. signs near the rinks firmly prohibit bocce ball, which from an outsider’s perspective looks exactly the same as lawn bowling. either way, its proximity to wide-open grassy spaces makes it a great pre- or post-picnic activity (we suggest our avoberry salad on a sunny summer day).
palm canyon
one of the most hidden of balboa park’s hidden gems, this canyon whisks hikers through 2 acres of winding paths shaded with over 58 species of palm trees—some that date back to 1912. the canyon also features a whimsical wooden footbridge reminiscent of the swiss family robinson—great for moments of reflection, marriage proposals or larping (live action role play), whichever floats your boat.
archery range
this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it practice range just north of the cabrillo bridge is open to the public and great way to live out your robin hood or katniss everdeen dreams. still, heed the sign that says “danger, archery range”—the arrows used might not be warrior-sharp, but they sure won’t tickle if you get caught in one’s path.
california tower
one of the most iconic structures in the park, the california tower reopened for tours in 2015 for the first time since 1935. climb up seven floors of stairs to the first observation level (the top two are still closed to the public for safety concerns) and get a 360-degree view of the park, downtown, ocean and mountains to the east.
you bring the picnic blanket. we’ll feed you. don’t let the may gray, june gloom scare you. at big front door, as far as we’re concerned, it’s always picnic season. the weather is still warm and the sun will be out around lunchtime. on your way to balboa park, come visit us in university heights, and we’ll pack you a fresh and delectable picnic lunch.
you bring the picnic blanket. we’ll feed you. don’t let the may gray, june gloom scare you. at big front door, as far as we’re concerned, it’s always picnic season. the weather is still warm and the sun will be out around lunchtime. on your way to balboa park, come visit us in university heights, and we’ll pack you a fresh and delectable picnic lunch.