Popular Gardens in Dehesa

"Adjacent to the Zoo is Balboa Park, one of San Diego's most beloved treasures. Known as the "Smithsonian of the West," Balboa Park is the largest cultural park in America and features 17 museums and performing arts venues as well as beautiful gardens, the lily pond and botanic building, concerts and a host of special events. Take a stroll down the main El Prado promenade, enjoy the gorgeous 1915 Spanish Colonial-revival style architecture, and grab a bite to eat and one of the many purveyors in the park."

"You’ll keep returning to this 1,200-acre urban park for its world-class zoo, restful cultivated areas, museums in refined Spanish Revival buildings and live shows. There’s a tapestry of gardens around the park, planted with more than 350 plant species hand-selected at the turn of the 20th century by the botanist Kate Sessions, the “Mother of Balboa Park”. An emblem for the park and San Diego is the Botanical Building, one of many splendid holdovers from the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition."

"Start the day in Balboa Park and try to get there early because this park is HUGE (and by huge I mean there is a freeway and several other roads running through it). Balboa park isn’t just green space, its packed with the best of San Diego’s museums and you’ll want to do some pre-planning to decide which museums you want to see in the time available (half a day). I’m a space and science nerd so I made a beeline for the Air and Space Museum."

"There is an extra fee to enter the Japanese Friendship Garden, which is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama. There’s an upper and lower strolling path where you can see koi pond, landscaped gardens and a Zen garden viewing deck. It’s a very tranquil space."

"Feel the beauty of the waterfalls and greenery as you stroll the pathways of the Japanese Friendship Garden. Skip right past the entrance fee the third Tuesday of every month. As well, explore the Japanese rock garden and take in the current indoor display."

"The Garden originated as a teahouse during the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition and now lies on two acres near the Spreckels Organ Pavilion."

"Study humankind at the San Diego Museum of Man, marvel at aeronautic engineering in the San Diego Air and Space Museum, then catch your breath in the Botanical Building. Head up to North Park for happy hour at Polite Provisions; its beautiful cocktail lounge may hook you up with some small plates if you’re hungry. Save the appetite, though—North Park’s Restaurant Row is nearby."

"The lath building was built for the 1915-1916 Exposition and now houses over 2100 tropical plants and palms (I recommend it if you like orchids). It is open every day except for Thursdays and one of the most photographed spots in San Diego. You can picnic on the grassy areas in front of it, too."

"Located in Balboa Park, this place deserves its own spot on my list of Instagrammable places in San Diego!. Cacti are super photo-worthy, and that San Diego sunshine will give you the perfect lighting for an epic photo. (PS. Check out this post on how to pose for Instagram photos!)"

"Horton Plaza, not to be confused with its adjacent namesake Horton Plaza Park, is a five-level outdoor shopping mall located in downtown San Diego known for its bright colors, architectural tricks, and odd spatial rhythms. It stands on 6.5 city blocks adjacent to the city`s historic Gaslamp Quarter."

"Horton Plaza's construction in the mid-1980s jump-started the Gaslamp renaissance. Its multi-level, somewhat confusing whimsical architecture is a must-see for any San Diego visitor. Nordstrom, Macy's and a wide array of shops and eateries make this the noontime stop for downtown workers."

"All hands in the water spray at these interactive pop jets in Horton Plaza park. Grab a cup of coffee or have lunch at this nice urban retreat. 900 4th Ave.San Diego, CA 92101Online: hortonplazapark.com"

"Crosby Street Park is a tiny little park that just happens to have a pier that extends way out into San Diego Bay which allows you to get some cool shots of the Coronado Bridge that most people may not have seen. Along the pier there are tug boats and military ships in the yards being fixed so it can give you some pretty interesting pictures. The park has lots of parking and this place is almost always deserted so  you will probably have it all to yourself."

"The Asian Passage is south of Panda Canyon and is a simulation of a tropical Asian rain forest. This scenic passage includes grizzly bears, snow leopards, and sun bears. This spectacular area also features the Sun Bear Forest, which resembles a southeast Asian rain forest, and the Hawaiian Native Plant Garden."

"The Asian Passage area includes the Sun Bear Forest, Grizzly Bear exhibit, and more. It’s a fun area to explore, and isn’t quite as big as Africa Rocks."

"You'll start your day at the San Diego Zoo, rightfully known as the finest zoological collection in the world. Next, it's on to Coronado Island for an afternoon of sun and sightseeing. In the evening, San Diego's vibrant downtown scene beckons."

"You’ve been to zoos before, but you’ve never been to the San Diego Zoo. Home to more than 3,500 animals, the San Diego Zoo is considered one of the best in the world. Tigers stalk around canyons."

"(And, no, I’ve not missed San Diego Zoo – see my thoughts on the zoo and Sea World below). You can read more about the Bilboa Park Museums here."

"This not-for-profit aquarium and zoo connects kids with the animals and plants of the California coast. Located on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista, the Living Coast Discovery Center offers family-friendly activities and events such as shark, ray, turtle, and eagle feedings; guided trail hikes; Overnight Adventures; and VIP Animal Encounters. Seasonal exhibits promote wildlife conservation and educate young visitors about their impact on the environment."

"This nonprofit discovery center is there to provide environmental education related to coastal resource conservation. You park in a parking lot and bus takes you over to the center. Once there you can see the sharks, visit the sting ray touch tank, and see the bald eagles they have there."

"This is located in the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista and is a popular choice for school trips. The experience here is pretty unique. You get to feed bat rays and have meet-and-greets with reptiles."