One of the main attractions in the downtown region of San Diego is Balboa Park, a huge public space filled with museums, green spaces, venues, gardens, and more. This massive park is so large that the small nation of Monaco could fit inside it twice, and it’s conveniently situated where most San Diego residents can visit it for the day. The park is so popular that it’s one of the reasons many homebuyers choose downtown San Diego condos as their homes. How big is the park exactly? Keep reading to learn all the fascinating details behind Balboa Park’s size.
How Much Area Does Balboa Park Cover?
Overall, Balboa Park takes up 1,200 acres, or 1.875 square miles, within San Diego. This measurement includes all the gardens, walkways, buildings, and parking lots within the park. Keep in mind that State Route 163 and Interstate 5, which cross through the park, don’t contribute to its size. These freeways take up 111 acres that used to be part of the park. Measurements of the parks’ size also don’t count Roosevelt Middle School and the Naval Medical Center, which are both situated within the park area.
What Are the Boundaries of Balboa Park?
Over the years, the park’s size has changed a little as its boundaries shifted. Balboa Park is essentially shaped like a large rectangle, with Upas Street along the north, Russ Boulevard on the south, 28th Street on the east, and Sixth Avenue on the west. The northwest corner sticks out slightly where it meets Marston Hills, while the southwest corner was removed to become the Cortez Hill neighborhood. There are some nearby parks, such as Switzer Canyon, that are attached to Balboa Park, but they’re not technically within the boundaries and don’t contribute to the park’s size.
How Many Attractions Are in Balboa Park?
Balboa Park is so large that it contains many fascinating buildings. It currently has 16 museums, including the San Diego Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum, and the Air and Space Museum. There are 17 large gardens filled with beautiful flora and fauna, including the Japanese Friendship Garden and the Marston House Garden. In addition to the museums and gardens that make up many of the park’s key attractions, there are many other noteworthy places, such as the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Stadium, and the Old Globe Theatre.
How Long Are the Walking Paths in Balboa Park?
It’s difficult to estimate exactly how many pedestrian walking areas are in the park because things are constantly changing. However, the length of the park’s trails is a little more definite. Altogether, there are 63.3 miles of trails winding through Balboa Park for hikers to enjoy. There’s a wide amount of variety among these paths, ranging from steep uphill hikes to pleasant paths and varying from isolated natural dirt roads to busy pedestrian sidewalks paved with concrete or asphalt.
Balboa Park is one of the finest urban spaces in the world, and prospective residents should put it at the top of their list of reasons to consider buying real estate in downtown San Diego. If you’re ready to find your perfect home in the downtown district of America’s Finest City, call on the professionals at 92101 Urban Living to assist you in your search. Give one of our friendly agents a call today at 619-649-0368.