Southern California Balboa Park?

[starshine514]

So, we're going to be going to San Diego (well, Escondido) twice before the end of the year (mid-November and mid-December) and were wondering about Balboa Park. I guess technically, we've been there before (we went to the San Diego Zoo) but it looks like there is a lot there. Some stuff is free and some is an extra charge. It also appears that our local planetarium membership will get us into two of the museums (Science Center and Natural History Museum) for free (I'd still need to pay my parent's admission).

Here's our group me, DH, DD9, DD6 and my parents (in their 70's). DH uses an ECV and my mom uses a wheelchair if much walking is involved. We won't be heading to the zoo because there were too many ups and downs for pushing a wheelchair. What in Balboa Park might we enjoy? What are the best free things and the best things requiring admission?

Thanks!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

What's worth it will definitely depend on your interests. We have been to Balboa Park three times, and my boys aren't tired of it yet. They really love science museums. We first took them to the Fleet Science Center when they were pretty little, I'm thinking ages 4 and 6. They're 12 and 14 now and we went to the Science Center each of the last two spring breaks. I guess I would compare it to the Exploratorium in San Francisco; don't know if you've ever been there or heard of it. My boys liked the science center better than the Natural History Museum, but that was still a good visit. We have only visited these museums using the reciprocal admission program with our membership from our local science museum. Great deal!

The museum that impressed DH the most was the Air and Space Museum. It's not cheap, no reciprocal program, but was totally worth the cost to our family. We spent between 3 and 4 hours in that museum alone. Look online for coupons to at least get some sort of discount.

I personally enjoyed the Museum of Man because I like archaeology stuff a bit. I think they offer a small AAA discount.

We've also been to the Mingei International Museum, San Diego History Center, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, and the San Diego Museum of Art. Of those, I think we found the history center the most interesting because none of us are big art or railroad fans. I'm not sure I would pay individual admissions for those museums. I used reciprocal admission through another museum membership we had.

I'm not sure what exactly is free. Most if not all of the museums have at least a nominal admission charge. There are gardens and the Botanical building. I know the Botanical building is free, because we walked through there when the boys were little, and there are other free gardens. We liked just walking the grounds some, but that will be challenging in some areas with a wheel chair. The main area with the museums is flat and easy to navigate though.

 

[Purrkins]

We live across from Balboa Park and it's pretty much our backyard. If we're not having a picnic there on the weekends, we're riding bikes or running the dogs there every afternoon.

Some free stuff -

Walking around the succulent garden (it's like Dr. Seuss designed it).
The Botanical Gardens
The Houses of Hospitality
The great playground on 6th Ave.
The medicinal herb garden (not what it sounds like despite being California)
Picnics in the park drinking some awesome local craft beers in a can.
Butterfly garden next to the Science Center
Dipping toes in the fountain
Buskers and people watching
Puppet Theater (technically by donation)
Timkin Museum
Free organ concerts on weekend.

Not free stuff -

Model train museum (this place is awesome)
Science Center / Kid City (located upstairs)
The Nat
The Merry Go Round
All the other museums (there are tons)
Japanese Friendship Garden / Tea House
The Old Globe Theatre

 

[usnuzuloose]

Purrkins, I don't want to over take her thread. But do you mind if I PM you and ask you a few questions? I am going to be down there in another week and was wondering about some kind of shops.

 

[Purrkins]

@usnuzulose - Sure!

 

[starshine514]

Thanks! Those lists and suggestions are very helpful.