Exploring Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

by - August 05, 2017


This post is sponsored by palm trees and the colour green.

During my time in the US, my blog was in a bit of a break. I didn't have the motivation to write, and rather wanted to focus on spending time with my boyfriend. Thus, now that I am back in France for the month of August, it is time to share more about the places we saw!

First off is Balboa Park, a major San Diego highlight. As you may know, I am obsessed with museums. I love visiting museums wherever I go, so this was a must for me. There are many museums and gardens to see, all in a beautiful area where the architecture reminded me of Europe. Even just walking around is a treat in itself...


Oh, and don't forget to look up. There's a lot going on there. There's a lot to see, so take your time to walk around.


When the heat gets too much and you want to escape (but also educate yourself because that's what museums are for), head to the Museum of Man. It was a fascinating museum, the exhibits were all interesting and made complex ideas really easy to understand. My favourite was the exhibit called Race: are we all so different? It was a well-researched, clever study about the concept of race in human sciences and it showed how the term, often used in a discriminating way today, is a social construct. Truly amazing and eye-opening. There are also an exhibit about monsters that was really fun. All throughout the museum, the displays were on point and you can tell a lot of work is done to make the museum both informative and interactive.


We also went to the National History Museum. The parts about pre-historic animals were the most fun! The entry fees for the museums are quite expensive, but definitely worth it. 
Once you've had your fair share of indoors fun for the day, head back outside and visit the gardens around Balboa Park. Opposite the main area of the park is the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden, which gathers an incredible number of roses, of all varieties, shapes and colours. There is a rose for everyone, quite literally!


Don't forget to stop and smell the roses. And check out their names too, they're pretty fun!


However, the main attraction of the Park has to be the Botanical Building, standing right in front of a beautiful lily pond. Probably the most photographed view of the park, and it all makes sense when you see it in its full exotic glory...


Like everything else in Balboa Park, the greenhouse is full of colours. Bright oranges, pinks, and over fifty shades of green. All  blended together in the most excentric, vibrant way. (I apologise for the fifty shades joke, but it was too easy. Couldn't help myself.)

If you haven't had enough of gardens yet, walk a few meters (or miles as they say on the other side of the Atlantic) and visit the Japanese Friendship Garden. You can avoid the crowds there and find yourself in a peaceful environment where you can rest and contemplate. Or just debate over which bonsai tree is the cutest.


The classic walking-on-rocks shot. I just did another one of these yesterday in Paris, but you'll have to wait a bit to see. 
I think everybody enjoys Japanese gardens. There's something about the streams of water, the paths of stones and the sand displays that just feel right. You just want to hang out and look at koi fish swimming around their pond.


The right way to end a whole day of museum-hopping. Of course, I would encourage you to come back if you can - there was so much more to discover at Balboa Park, I only wish I had more time to do so!

LOOKING FOR MORE TRAVEL GUIDES ABOUT THE US? CHECK THESE OUT:


What would be your favourite place at Balboa Park among all these?

Lots of love,
Julia x

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14 commentaires

  1. The Japanese Gardens! I love spending time in them, they are so serene and make me leave refreshed whenever I visit one.

    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

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    1. Exactly, they just make you feel so relaxed! xx

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  2. Omg the botanical building looks like a dream! I could live there haha

    franalibi.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. That would be an awesome place to inhabit haha! xx

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  3. OMG such a gorgeous place!

    xx Lisa | lisaautumn.com

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  4. Haha, 'this post is sponsored by palm trees and the colour green', sometimes I feel like my blog is the same! ;) This post is spectacularly beautiful; literally wishing I could teleport myself there right now. The greenhouse is my absolutely fave element - wow!

    aglassofice.com
    x

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    1. Who doesn't like palm trees after all? :D I'm glad you enjoyed the post Gabrielle, the greenhouse was indeed beautiful! xx

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  5. These photos are so gorgeous, I love the sponsored bit haha. It's good you spent the time with your boyfriend and didn't feel the need to write, disconnecting can be so refreshing. It looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time!

    Sending light & love your way,
    My Lovelier Days

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    1. Thank you so much for this lovely comment! Yes it felt nice to disconnect a little, especially since I blog all year round and never really take breaks. I did have a wonderful time, in truth I wish I were still there haha! xx

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  6. Can you believe I've never been? San Diego always seems so cool!
    Glad to see you had a great time in Balboa park! Come visit DC next! :]

    xo Deborah
    Coffee, Prose, and Pretty Clothes

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    1. Really? You need to visit when you can, there are a lot of things to do and see in SD, you'd love it! And I'd equally love to see DC, the US are very new to me and I want to explore more! xx

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  7. Looks like such a great time!

    Xx,

    || FLOORTJELOVES ||

    www.floortjeloves.com
    www.bloglovin.com/blogs/floortjeloves-12198253

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