Popular Gardens in Serra Mesa

We've collected top 10 mentioned gardens in Serra Mesa from other articles such as Jasmine Alley, Family Destinations Guide, The Atlas Heart.

Popular Gardens in Serra Mesa

Balboa Park
Balboa Park
4.8 (56270 ratings)4.5 (11675 ratings)
Sprawling outdoor destination is home to the city's renowned zoo, 17 museums, gardens & more.
San Diego, CA, USA
ParkFun & GamesHistory museumPlaygroundsGardens
Mentioned by oldtown-inn.com
San Diego Theme Parks - Belmont, Legoland, & More
"Comprising 1,200 acres in San Diego, Balboa Park is the largest urban cultural park in the United States, and also one of the oldest. It features over 15 museums, meandering paths, overflowing gardens, green belts, several theaters, gift shops, restaurants, a carousel, mini railroad, and San Diego Zoo. Admittance to the park is free, as is access to the luscious gardens, trails, The Botanical Building, and Timken Art Museum."
Mentioned by Family Destinations Guide
25 Best Things to Do in San Diego, CA (for 2021)
"The area that Balboa Park sits on used to be home to the indigenous Kumeyaay village, which soon became an 1835 Spanish park, and then an American city park in 1870. It was named after the first European to cross Central America, Vasco Núñez de Balboa."
Japanese Friendship Garden
Japanese Friendship Garden
4.6 (4829 ratings)4 (284 ratings)
Balboa Park's Japanese gardens have koi ponds, bonsai trees, a teahouse, garden tours & more.
2215 Pan American Rd E, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Non-profit organizationNature & ParksCultural centerGardenHistorical landmark
Mentioned by The Atlas Heart
101 Things to do in San Diego, California (From a Local) | Bucket List
"Located in Balboa Park, the Japanese Friendship Garden is a relaxing spot to spend an afternoon in San Diego. The garden was built to represent the friendship between San Diego and its sister city in Japan, Yokohama, and provides a unique and chilled out experience for visitors. Besides its zen atmosphere and impressive garden and architecture designs, the Japanese Friendship Garden hosts regular events throughout the year, such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, and the San Diego Sake Day."
Botanical Building
Botanical Building
4.7 (3699 ratings)4.5 (997 ratings)
Domed building from the 1915 Panama-California Exposition & a garden with more than 2,000 plants.
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Botanical gardenNature & ParksGardens
Mentioned by San Diego 5 days itinerary
5-Day Best of San Diego Itinerary
"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."
Amistad Park
Amistad Park
4.5 (8658 ratings)4 (17 ratings)
Sizable park featuring a manmade lake with boat rides, an open-air theater & areas for exercising.
Blvd. Alberto Limón Padilla 600, Mesa de Otay, 22510 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
ParkOutdoor ActivitiesGardensZoos
Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden
Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden
4.8 (655 ratings)4.5 (41 ratings)
Rose garden & wedding locale showcasing more than 100 varieties, with peak bloom in April & May.
2125 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
GardenNature & Parks
Old Cactus Garden (circa 1935)
Old Cactus Garden (circa 1935)
4.6 (80 ratings)
2150 Pan American Rd W, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Garden
Mentioned by Jasmine Alley
49 Most Instagrammable Places in San Diego in 2021
"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!)"
San Diego Zoo Terrace Lagoon
San Diego Zoo Terrace Lagoon
Zoo, 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Garden
Te Mana Cafe
Te Mana Cafe
4.6 (190 ratings)
Laid-back cafe with an island vibe offering Hawaii-inspired eats, including breakfast & bowls.
4956 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107, USA
RestaurantBarCocktail barCoffee shopEvent venueGardenHawaiian restaurantHistorical landmarkTourist information center
Meditation Gardens
Meditation Gardens
4.9 (540 ratings)5 (479 ratings)
These tranquil gardens at a meditation center feature koi ponds, benches & sweeping ocean views.
215 W K St, Encinitas, CA 92024, USA
Meditation centerNature & ParksGardens

Best Outdoor Activities in Serra Mesa

Children's Pool Beach
Children's Pool Beach
4.7 (172 ratings)4.5 (1225 ratings)
Picturesque oceanfront setting with a small cove beach known for views of adult seals & pups.
Village of La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
BeachOutdoor Activities
Mentioned by Lonely Planet Top Choices
Top things to do in San Diego, USA
"Built in the 1930s, La Jolla’s Children’s Pool was created as a family beach space, but since then it's been descended on by herds of seals and sea lions. Despite the pinnipeds' particularly pungent odor, tourists come in droves to see them larking around, swimming, fighting and mating. Visitors can get extremely close via a concrete platform surrounding the cove, and the seals don't seem to mind – but there's strictly no touching, feeding or selfies to be taken with the seals."
Barona Creek Golf Club
Barona Creek Golf Club
4.4 (143 ratings)4.5 (23 ratings)
Golf course at Barona Resort where rolling hills provide terrain for all skills & ability levels.
1932 Wildcat Canyon Rd, Lakeside, CA 92040, USA
Golf clubOutdoor ActivitiesGolf Courses
La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove
4.8 (1188 ratings)4.5 (12342 ratings)
Popular with divers, this quaint beach houses permanent lifeguard stations, picnic tables & showers.
San Diego, CA 92037, USA
BeachOutdoor ActivitiesParks

Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Serra Mesa

Blue Sky Ecological Reserve
Blue Sky Ecological Reserve
4.7 (684 ratings)4.5 (26 ratings)
Wild 700-acre canyon habitat for myriad flora & fauna, with hiking trails & guided tours.
16275 Espola Rd, Poway, CA 92064, USA
Hiking areaNature & ParksHiking Trails
Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
4.7 (1927 ratings)4.5 (43 ratings)
Built in 1912, this hidden suspension footbridge provides views of the serene valley below.
W Spruce St, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Historical landmarkSights & LandmarksBridgeHistoric Walking Areas
Mentioned by Busy Tourist
57 Best & Fun Things To Do In San Diego (California)
"Stretching for almost 400 feet across open air, the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge is the best way to give yourself a gut check in San Diego. Do you have what it takes to walk the entire length?. Can you handle the swaying motions and the howl of the wind as you travel so far above the ground?"
Mentioned by Jasmine Alley
49 Most Instagrammable Places in San Diego in 2021
"Locals love this hidden spot in the Banker’s Hill neighborhood. Spruce Street Bridge is 70-feet over the canyon below. This charming bridge has an intricate cable design and plenty of trees surrounding it, making it the perfect Instagram-worthy backdrop for your photos."
Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins
4.4 (69 ratings)
Colorful ice cream parlor chain known for its many flavors plus sorbet & yogurt.
7470 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
Ice cream shopCake shopDessert shop

Free Museums in Serra Mesa

The Map & Atlas Museum of La Jolla
The Map & Atlas Museum of La Jolla
4.8 (38 ratings)5 (41 ratings)
7825 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
Art museumMuseumsSpecialty Museums
The New Children’s Museum
The New Children’s Museum
4.6 (1971 ratings)4 (174 ratings)
From creative classes to climbable sculptures, contemporary art for kids, in a bright, modern space.
200 W Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Children's museumMuseumsArt museum
Mentioned by TravelMamas.com
15 Best San Diego Attractions for Kids | Family Activities in San Diego
"With 17 museums at Balboa Park, it’s easy to miss this fun spot for children in the heart of San Diego’s downtown Gaslamp Quarter. Some areas of The New Children’s Museum are age-specific, like Sketch Aquarium for ages 2+ and Reconnecting to Home for ages 6+. Meanwhile, other spaces engage children across age groups."
Mentioned by Fodor's Choice
Sights in San Diego
"The NCM blends contemporary art with unstructured play to create an environment that appeals to children as well as adults. The 50,000-square…"
Fleet Science Center
Fleet Science Center
4.5 (2604 ratings)4 (300 ratings)
Educational center featuring hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, IMAX theater & interactive displays.
1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Science museumMuseumsIMAX theaterChildren's MuseumsObservatories & Planetariums
Mentioned by Crazy Family Adventure
15 Fun and Exciting Things To Do In San Diego With Kids
"We had a great time visiting the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park and actually ended up going twice while we were in San Diego. (Our reciprocal membership made this possible.) It wasn’t the largest Science Center we have been in, but it had a great collection of hands on activities for the kids – including a Lego section. Our favorite part was the Tinker Lab where the kids eyes lit up when they saw tons of cardboard and other fun materials they could use to build whatever they wanted."
Mentioned by Busy Tourist
57 Best & Fun Things To Do In San Diego (California)
"Founded in 1973, it was the first museum to build a planetarium and IMAX dome on site, offering its guests a wide range of entertainment options even as it educated them on scientific subjects. Other museums quickly went “hey, that’s a good idea” and copied the design, and now, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a museum dome. The good news is that the Fleet Science Center is still just as fun as it was in the ’70s."
Mentioned by y Travel Blog
16 Awesome (& Free) Things to do in San Diego With Kids
"The Science Center is an interactive educational playground for the kids. These are the kind of places we look for to check off a few of our homeschooling boxes. The girls learned more about the water cycle, energy and motion, and different knots."

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near Serra Mesa

Blue Sea Beach Hotel
Hotel
$451 /night
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Amazing View, Pool, Nice Condo, Central, Balcony
Condo · 6 Guests · 1 Bedroom
$799 /night*
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3.6 (201 reviews)
Quality Inn San Diego I-5 Naval Base
Hotel
$109.48 /night
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