The Gardens of Balboa Park

This wonderful park contains 19 beautiful and diverse gardens.

Alcazar Garden

Alcazar Garden is designed after the gardens of Alcazar Castle in Seville, Spain. The formal garden contains 7,000 annuals, and is decorated with ornate fountains, and colorful tiles.

1935 Old Cactus Garden

This historic garden contains some of the largest cactus and succulent specimens in the Park and has also been developed to include the exotic African and Australian Protea plants.

Australian Garden

San Diego has a similar climate to Australia, so native plants from Australia grow well at Balboa. The garden contains Grevellia, Acacia, Callistemon, Banksia, Hakea, Stenocarpus, Leptospermum, Melaleuca, and Eucalyptus.

Botanical Building

The Botanical Building was built for the 1915-16 Exposition. It is one of the largest lath structures in the world, the adjacent Lily Pond.

Veterans Memorial Garden

This garden was dedicated on November 11, 2005 and honors all veterans who served.

Desert Garden

The Desert Garden contains more than 1,300 plants. The peak blooming period for this garden is January through March.

California Native Plant Garden

A quarter mile long footpath leads guests around this garden, which contains 2,600 types of native plants of San Diego.

Casa del Rey Moro Garden

The garden, along with its surrounding building, the House of Hospitality, was rededicated in 1997 after extensive reconstruction and historic renovation, and includes a replica of the wishing well in the Guadalajara Museum of Gardens.

Children’s Ethnobotany Garden

This garden is in memory of George Washington Carver, and teaches young people about the role of plants in society. You’ll find organic herbs, fruits and vegetables.

Trees for Health Garden

Here’s one garden that will help educate you, too. It promotes a better understanding of the value and uses of medicinal plants, including Ginko, Cinnamon and Mulberry.

Palm Canyon

This stunning garden contains more than 450 palms, including 58 species! Dating back to 1912, the original group of Mexican fan palms are still visible.

Florida Canyon Native Plant Preserve

This canyon gives the visitor a glimpse of the original landscape of Balboa Park. Guests can enjoy hiking trails, and tours in the area.

Japanese Friendship Garden

This garden contains a Zen garden for meditation, an exhibit house, koi pond, bonsai exhibit, ceremonial gate and a Fujidana (wisteria arbor).

Marston House Garden

The Marston House Garden is a formal English Romantic-style garden with California influences, located on 4.5 acres.

San Diego Zoo Botanical Collection

This garden contains orchids, cycads, fig trees, palms and coral trees, and has been an accredited botanical garden since 1993.

Zoro Garden

This butterfly garden contains both the larvae and nectar plants needed for the complete life cycle of a butterfly.

Rose Garden

This garden is a favorite at Balboa Park. Visitors will find 2,500 roses, including 200 varieties.

San Diego Botanical Garden Foundation

Members of the San Diego Botanical Garden Foundation host exhibitions, classes and educational programs to the public, free of charge.

San Diego Floral Association

This is the oldest garden club in Southern California, and contains a horticultural library with more than 3,500 books. For more information on the gardens at Balboa Park, visit their

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