I have so many fond memories of Balboa Park and I look forward to making more, from Halloween…read moreparties at the San Diego Air and Space Museum and my friend's wedding to exploring Spanish Village Art Center for the first time, visiting the Botanical Building, going to the Japanese Friendship Garden, discovering the museums, and experiencing December Nights. San Diego wouldn't be the same without this beautiful landmark!

Word to the wise, do your research and know where you're going beforehand. Unfortunately we just…read moredecided to come spur of the moment and didn't really know what we were doing. So apparently there are a lot of parking lots which are not free, $10 unless you're a native and have a pass. We found one lot, called lower inspiration that's free for 3 hours. Also, we didn't realize how big that place is, with so much to see! There are museums, places to eat, the zoo, a playground for kids and I'm sure so much more. The museums are not free, they do sell passes or individual tickets. It's a nice place to spend a day or even a few hours.

My wife and I decided to go here on Memorial Day and it was such a great experience!…read more It was very spacious, the wind was crisp , and it smelled amazing . If you haven't visited this garden , I recommend you do ! Also , Students / 55+ / military receive a discount .

I wanted to love it like I loved the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park is San Francisco…read more Layers. Color. Amazing. Go look online. Balboa Part iteration just wasn't it. Pretty but also ho-hum when you grew up with something so magical. Also, the parking g sucked!! Not only do you have to pay, but there is one single machine to pay. Huge and pack lot. There are better ways to spend the afternoon....which I hate saying because at my core, I like a park/museum situation and look to those venues fir food times in any city where I'm a tourist.

I had the opportunity to experience the botanical garden both as a general visitor and as a…read moreprospective wedding venue. It was one of the most beautiful venues we toured, though there were some limitations regarding event spaces and accessibility. There were two primary areas capable of accommodating our guest count of 150: the Lawn Garden and the Dickinson Family Education Conservatory. I preferred the ceremony setup at the Conservatory, while the Lawn Garden offered a more appealing space for cocktail hour. However, the Lawn Garden is entirely outdoors, so couples should have a weather contingency plan. The amphitheater adjacent to the Conservatory felt relatively plain and undersized compared to the lush surroundings. Both venues were conveniently located near parking lots and restrooms, though the restrooms themselves resembled standard public facilities. The garden grounds were expansive and quite hilly. The Lawn Garden parking area required navigating a significant incline that could be difficult for some guests. While a shuttle service exists, we were informed it is volunteer operated and unavailable for private events. Venue rentals included ceremony chairs and cocktail hour belly bar tables. Most other services and rentals must be booked through approved vendors. During our tour, we explored many of the garden's attractions and found it to be highly family friendly, though less accommodating for elderly guests or those with mobility concerns. Children would love the children's garden, streams, and treehouse areas. Meanwhile, sections such as the Rainforest Garden and New Zealand Garden featured steep pathways that may be challenging to navigate. My favorite areas were the Walled Garden and the dancing topiaries, where flowers were sculpted into whimsical musicians and dancers. We also attended the Orchid Showcase inside the Conservatory, which featured an impressive collection of orchids. The volunteers were exceptionally knowledgeable and eager to share information beyond what was available on the website, adding a great deal to the experience. The gift shop was an underrated highlight. I picked up a pressed flower magnet where each one featured a unique arrangement. Ultimately, the venue felt a bit too small for our wedding, but it remained one of our top contenders. For couples who value greenery and natural beauty, this would be an incredible choice for a smaller guest count. Just be aware that much of the planning, design, and personalization will fall on the couple.

I always enjoy the Botanic Gardens but 2024 is the first time I attended the Lightscape festival…read more It was so worth the time and the trip and the parking! I took my Mom who I learned my gawking skills from and we had an excellent time walking and gawking at all of the amazingly designed lighting exhibits. It is very dark in the area say take time to slow down and watch for the entrance and parking signs and people. There were quite a few parking attendants around to point people toward spots and away from full lots. We went the day after Thanksgiving and it was full but it didn't take us long to find a parking spot. There were signs and the attendants also pointed everyone in the direction to the entrance. At the front, security checked bags and scanned tickets and ushered people into the park. Guides at the front suggested a route which included following the arrows lighted along the routes through the garden. It was so gorgeous! People were quite respectful of others trying to get photos of displays and couple and group photos. At one location I became the honorary photographer after helping out a few people. We walked around and posed and all for over three hours. It was a well spent wholesome family evening. You're killing it, SD Botanic Garden!

I needed a new lawn and got my standard five bids for the job. Michael stood out for all of his…read moreinitial input on the options and then for the details of his bid. He was the only one who detailed every item involved in the bid, including update of irrigation. I've had issues in the past with bids for other projects that I assumed included the little details but didn't and then I had to pay extra. Michael's bid included every detail in writing that you would assume would be a part of a new lawn job and it was very reasonable. He also showed up on time for the initial appointment! His crew was great! Their work was very detailed and clean. The job was done within three days and all of the work area, including the driveway, was cleaned up. They even noted my falling-apart fence gate so Michael gave me a very reasonable quote and they did a great job fixing it for me. There were a lot of details for after-care and I've texted Michael multiple times to confirm. He texts back quickly and I never get the impression he's annoyed (I've sent a lot of texts!). I almost wish I had more yard renovations so that I could hire him again! I did discuss a whole-yard mulch job and will absolutely hire Michael when I'm ready for that. No more getting multiple bids for future yard renovations. I'll just call Michael.

Michael and his team at Pacific Landscaping and Maintenance did an outstanding job transforming our…read moreproperty. Our extensive project included driveway removal and replacement, patio reconstruction, construction of steps down to our pool, comprehensive planting with irrigation and lighting, and installation of multiple fences/gates. We took our time evaluating contractors and obtaining multiple bids before selecting Michael. He offered the best combination of price and expertise by a significant margin. During our initial consultation, Michael provided excellent cost-saving suggestions that we ultimately implemented, helping us stay within budget without sacrificing quality. Throughout the project, Michael was exceptionally easy to work with. He was highly responsive and accommodated mid-project design changes without hesitation. His installation team exceeded our expectations--they were professional, friendly, and hardworking. They maintained a clean worksite at the end of each day and were consistently respectful of our property and our need to access it during construction. If you're planning a landscaping project, I highly recommend Pacific Landscaping and Maintenance. We couldn't be more pleased with the quality of their work and the professionalism they demonstrated from start to finish.

Overall rating: 4.85…read more Such a cute spot, for a drive-by. Don't expect it to take longer than 5 minutes. It's just a sight in front of really nice houses. All the animals are so fun and highly recommend!

So fun we drove up some scary hills to get to these beautifully manicured topiaries. If you're ever…read morein San Diego, it's a fun sight to see. There's plenty of parking (residential), but please be mindful that this is a private residence so be respectful to not trespass in the bushes or anywhere indicated.

Tinh kindly referred me to a Hardscaper when I needed one, who ended up being great. I really…read moreappreciated how helpful he was despite my project not being a fit for him, so I'll definitely call him once I need a dedicated landscaper for my new yard!

Trinh is very knowledgeable and fixed my sprinklers within a week of me reaching out. He was very…read morenice as well! We will hire him again in the future!

The Marston House is 8,500 sqft and is on 5 acres of property. The home was built in 1905 and it is…read moreconsidered to be a home designed in the architecture from the Arts and Crafts Movement. It is considered to be #40 on the San Diego Historic Landmark list. It is also on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It was home to George White Marston and his wife Anna Gunn Marston. The family of George and Anna donated the house to the City of San Diego and it was converted into a museum in 1987. We kind of stumbled onto the Marston House. The majority of us wanted to explore other parts of San Diego while we were killing time before our check-in at our Vrbo, but my mother insisted on us staying at Balboa Park after already spending half a day there. We were all tired and ready to go somewhere else, but nobody says No to my Mother. LOL. We decided to wonder down to the George W. Marston House. I will say I'm glad we did. We didn't go inside, but we wandered the grounds. We explored the garden and checked out the different flowers. We took in the architecture of the Marston House. Mom, you were right this time! It was worth the visit! I wish we took a tour inside. Next time!

Surrounded by five acres of rolling lawns, manicured formal gardens, and rustic canyon gardens,…read morethis 8,500 square-foot home became a house museum in 1987 after the Marston family gifted it to the City of San Diego for the enjoyment of the public. Marston House was constructed in 1905 for George W. Marston and his wife, Anna Gunn Marston. George Marston is noted for many things but most prominently as a civic leader whose interest and work in historic preservation and conservation. The house is a craftsman style and has been maintained as a museum exhibit for the public. About 45 minutes long and an interesting narration by the tour guide provides historical facts about the Marston family as well as details of the house and gardens. Tickets ($10) for the house tour may be purchased from the gift shop carriage house. Noteworthy house tours open only on weekends! While in the area, my furbaby Fendi and I stroll through the outdoor grounds and rose garden. The collection of roses are spectacular and fragrant. Many seasonal blooming plants to see and appreciate. Recommend.

Civita Park in Mission Valley has quickly become one of my go-to spots, especially since it's just…read morea short drive from home. It's super accessible with ample parking, and I love that there are multiple entry points and routes you can take depending on how long of a walk you're in the mood for. This park truly has something for everyone. There's a splash pad, basketball courts, a great playground for kids, and even a giant chess game, which is such a fun and unique touch. It's also an amazing place to walk your dog--I bring mine here all the time, and he absolutely loves all the open grass and the variety of paths we can explore. One of my favorite features is the set of stairs that lead up toward the residential areas and the dog park. If you take them all the way up, you're rewarded with really pretty views at the top, which makes the little climb totally worth it. Overall, Civita Park is clean, well-designed, and perfect whether you're looking to be active or just enjoy a relaxing afternoon outdoors. Definitely a Mission Valley gem!

Pros: Spacious, plenty of walking paths, with nice clean facilities, which include 2 family…read morebathrooms with baby diaper changing stations and several drinking fountains. There's also a row of small fountains for kids to play, run through and splash in. Cons: It's a really nice park ON A COOL DAY. Lately, with temperatures 10 to 19° above "normal average" - or maybe it's just the new normal - it's hard to recall the last time we got to experience a cool day. But here, the way the gazebos, tables, and benches are set up reflects a pretty severe case of denial that this is Southern California, and not quite within walking distance from the beach. It WILL get hot whenever it damn pleases, with or without notice. It did so in February already, in case you missed it. We came a few times for the farmers market. Both days were unfortunately " 80°F" her weather report, which in reality feels like 92°F, and we had to scramble to find a little bit of shade, so that we could eat our street food without passing out from heat stroke. We huddled awkwardly on the curb under a small tree. Other people passing by with food in their hands looked at us with envy. NOT A SINGLE PERSON sat on the readily available benches with tables, because they were in the blazing sun, yet lacked any shade. Never mind an umbrella, not even holes to put one in!! Denial much?? It's really sad, because it's a beautiful place. It just DESPERATELY needs more shade for the visitors to feel comfortable without clinging to trees or the bathroom walls.