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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Balboa Park San Diego
Day
Trip
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When most
people think about San Diego, the first thing that comes
to mind is the San Diego Zoo. For nearly 100 years, this
world-famous zoo has been attracting visitors from all
over the world — and its popularity is as great
as ever. However, many may not realize that the San Diego
Zoo is just one part of a remarkable collection of interesting
attractions in Balboa Park
Balboa Park has 15 museums that are housed in many of
the park’s ornate 20th Century structures that were
built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition and the
1935 California Pacific International Exposition, The
park has become a cultural centerpiece for the city of
San Diego, and is a combination of historic architecture,
lush landscaping, gardens, trails, and a couple of theaters
offering live performances.
Upon arriving at the park, guests will want to stop by
the Visitor Center -- where you can buy combo
passes that allow you to get in most of the museums
for one flat price.
From there a good place to begin is at the nearby Museum
of Photographic Arts. The photos on display paint a pathway
through time from earlier in the century with many black
and white pictures that give a glimpse of what life was
like in the 30s, 40s and 50s.
The museum features photos by some of the greatest photographers
in the country.
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Balboa Park San Diego |
Next up is
the Model Railroad Museum, which houses a train set everyone
wishes they could own. It’s actually a series of trains
and tracks that show highly detailed dioramas of the local
terrain as well as that of Southwestern U.S. Countless hours
have gone into every detail of this miniature recreation
with its tiny cities, passenger stations, switching stations,
freight yards and even model refineries.
The train systems are not located all in one room, but spread
throughout a series of rooms that take the visitor through
the various geographic regions.
Just a short walk down to the southern edge of the park
is Air and Space Museum. The circular building is packed
full of real aircraft, all displayed by historic timeline.
The museum offers a replica of the Wright Brothers' airplane
that gives visitors a chance to lay in a flight simulator
as well as World War I exhibits, including aircraft, uniforms,
maps, goggles, and other equipment of a real World War
I ace.
Your aviation journey continues, taking you through World
War II, modern day commercial aviation and NASA, where
visitors get an up close look at the Apollo 9 spacecraft
that took some of the first American astronauts into space.
It is the only such craft displayed in the western United
States. Moon rocks are on hand, as are examples of space
suits, tools and other equipment.
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Balboa Park Botanical Building |
Balboa Park Visitor Center |
The adventure continues for the gear heads
in your traveling party when you visit the Automotive Museum.
It’s like a permanent classic car show packed with cars
from all over the world including Roadsters, Ferraris, a 1953
Jaguar XK 120, 1909 International Harvester, 1905 Tourist,
and a 1932 Ford Sport Coupe to name a few. Altogether, there
are more than 80 historic cars and motorcycles and, every
few months a special display is brought in.
To finish off your
day, be sure to make stops at the Mingei International Museum
– a collection of contemporary folk art and an impressive
collection of children's toys and dollhouses--, the Natural
History Museum, as well as the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
with its IMAX theater, and the Museum of Art.
It will probably take more than a day
to take in all of Balboa Park's many museums and attractions
and you’ll probably need to find a comfy place to
rest your weary feet from all of the walking you’ll
do.
There are plenty hotels and motels that are just a short
drive from the park that is sure to delight all types
of travelers. So plan a “wild” trip, and take
in all that Balboa Park has to offer, including a day
at the zoo.
Balboa Park is located near downtown, and is easily accessible
from Interstate 5 or Highway 163 and is just a few minutes
from downtown.
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