Entrance to Balboa Park itself is free; there is no general admission fee to walk, explore the gardens, or enjoy the public outdoor spaces[5]. Individual museums, attractions, and events within the park set their own admission prices and sell tickets separately[5].
For access to the museums, a Balboa Park Explorer Pass offers multiple options to save on admission:
- Limited Explorer Pass: Visit up to four participating museums in one day. Prices are $56 for adults (ages 13+) and $35 for children (ages 3–12)[2].
- Parkwide Pass: Access to all participating museums over seven consecutive days. Prices are $67 for adults (ages 13+) and $43 for children (ages 3–12)[2].
- Annual Explorer Pass: Valid for one year. $229 for a family (up to 2 adults and 4 children ages 3–17), $129 for individual adults, and $99 for seniors (65+) and full-time students[2].
Each participating museum also sells individual tickets. For example, at the Comic-Con Museum, admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors (65+), students, and military, $12 for youth (6–12), and free for children under 6[6]. The San Diego Natural History Museum charges $24 for adults, $20 for seniors and military[6]. Prices vary by institution, so check directly with each museum for specifics.
The San Diego Zoo, one of Balboa Park’s most famous attractions, has its own separate ticketing and is not included in the Balboa Park Explorer Pass[5].
Parking in Balboa Park is currently undergoing changes. Some parking lots and streets will soon have paid parking:
- Prime lots (such as by the Organ Pavilion, Fleet Science Center, and Natural History Museum): $15 per day
- Second-tier lots (such as Veterans Museum and Starlight Bowl): $5 per day
- Inspiration Point lot remains free for up to two hours
- Parking meter rates in some areas: $2.50 per hour
- San Diego residents may qualify for a 50% discount on the highest-tier parking rates with a permit[3].
Leave a Reply