Balboa Park

Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre (490 ha) urban cultural park in San Diego, California. The park is named after the Spanish maritime explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa. It was the location of the 1915 Panama–California Exposition and 1935 California Pacific International Exposition which each created architectural landmarks for the park. The park's site was placed in reserve in 1835, and so is one of the oldest sites in the United States dedicated to public recreational use. In addition to open space areas, natural vegetation green belts, gardens and walking paths, it contains a variety of cultural attractions including many museums, several theaters, and the World famous San Diego Zoo.

There are also many recreational facilities and several gift shops and restaurants. The entire Balboa Park is a primary attraction in San Diego and the region. The park's landscape has many mature, and sometimes rare, trees and groves creating an urban Forest for San Diego. Balboa Park frequently holds events throughout its museums, venues, and plazas. These events include weekly concerts at the Speckles Organ Pavilion, guest speakers, and annual parades and fairs. The festival "December Nights" (originally called "Christmas on the Prado") takes place in Balboa Park the first weekend of December each year.[