Botanical Building and Lily Pond
Botanical Building and Lily Pond
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Over 1,200 tropical and flowering varieties of plants are to be found beneath the domed, wooden-lath structure of the Botanical Building.
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Address
Neighbourhood: Balboa Park
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,086 reviews
Excellent
696
Very good
280
Average
97
Poor
10
Terrible
3
Amy P
77 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
A fun place to wander for a morning or afternoon. Soak in the gardens and water features. Learn about the history and architecture along the way. The hop-on-and-off bus/trolley will stop here regularly.
Written 31 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
399benjaminm
19 contributions
Dec 2022
Although closed for total rebuild, the Botanical Building is a marvelous structure. Featuring an eclectic and lovely botanical collection, it is an oasis of quiet and beauty in the city and at the center of Balboa Park.
Written 18 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun K
Wolverhampton, UK165 contributions
Jul 2022
botanical building having some work done on it so it was closed but the pond makes up for that. very nice to sit and chill
Written 14 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arun
Hayward, CA6 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
We had good time there.A lot of history and Mexican food all the vendors excellent.we spend half day in Nature history museum what a amazing place !It was full of excitement with kids know about so much about birds 🦅🦉🦋🦉dinosaurs local birds 🦢 🐻.we thought it never going to end.
They did really hard work on this place .
They did really hard work on this place .
Written 22 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AngieluLuna
Costa Mesa, CA19 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
We love coming here! We also love bringing our dogs. You can't actualy go in the botanical garden with the dogs, but the dogs love looking at the koi fish and walking around the pond and people watching and making new friends. The botanical garden is small but beautiful. It is worth going.
Written 20 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy P
77 contributions
Nov 2021
Took the trolley and hopped off for a stroll around the grounds. Relaxing and beautiful area, full of history and lots of things to photograph...textures, colors, architecture.
Written 22 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DebbieKay57
Allentown, NJ28 contributions
Oct 2021
Good for a ten or 15 minute walk through to see the plants. Lots of begonias but they weren't in bloom. Interesting structure which provides shade for shade-loving plants.
Written 30 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
trra
Madera, CA784 contributions
Aug 2021
The entire area so pretty. Absolutely huge pond with tons of varieties of lilies. Then inside the big beautiful conservatory is all manner of interesting and pretty plants.
Written 21 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher S
Tucson, AZ204 contributions
May 2021
The lily ponds and ducks made my day - the building was closed and needed some tlc - perhaps its on the schedule but a marvel in wood...
Written 16 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bidule05
France1,604 contributions
Sep 2020
In San Diego, we spent one afternoon in Balboa park, which is a beautiful 1,200 acre public park, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
We were amazed by the wonderful view of the Botanical Building with the Lily Pond in the foreground!!!
In the Botanical Building, we saw many colourful fantastic collections of flowers, especially orchids, although there were also cycads, ferns and tropical plants and palm trees!
Altogether, Balboa park is a green paradise in San Diego, with many activities for families and children!!!
We were amazed by the wonderful view of the Botanical Building with the Lily Pond in the foreground!!!
In the Botanical Building, we saw many colourful fantastic collections of flowers, especially orchids, although there were also cycads, ferns and tropical plants and palm trees!
Altogether, Balboa park is a green paradise in San Diego, with many activities for families and children!!!
Written 27 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joy D
Las Vegas, NV5 contributions
I want to know the name of a certain tree. I can supply a photo. And why are most of these not identified???
Amazing botanical garden!!!
Valerie M
Minneapolis, MN56 contributions
Do you have any idea of how much time to allot to leisurely stroll through the outdoor areas of Balboa Park ( not including the zoo) ?
jredwood
San Diego, CA555 contributions
If you stay on the paths, you can enjoy the park in two-three hours. If you have more time, you'll enjoy it more because there are several not-on-paths strolls down and up the hills, and of course enjoying the various museums. We always end up spending at least 4-5 hours there.
Is there any entrance fee for the garden? Just curious =)
jredwood
San Diego, CA555 contributions
I just saw this question. No, no fees. The park is a great family experience, the grounds are free. You pay for the museums throughout though. And the zoo.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Botanical Building and Lily Pond
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Botanical Building and Lily Pond:
- The Private Balboa Park Tour (From ₹ 16,580.57)
- The San Diego Highlights Tour (From ₹ 18,246.96)
- Balboa Park Hidden Gems Tour (From ₹ 4,999.17)
- E-Bike Tour in Balboa Park (From ₹ 16,580.57)
- San Diego Balboa Park Highlights Small Group Tour with Coffee (From ₹ 3,749.38)
- Hotels near Botanical Building and Lily Pond:
- (2.03 km) The Westgate Hotel
- (2.29 km) Hillcrest House Bed & Breakfast
- (2.22 km) The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
- (1.90 km) Urban Boutique Hotel
- (1.22 km) Inn at the Park
- Restaurants near Botanical Building and Lily Pond:
- (0.00 km) Cafe in the Park
- (0.04 km) Prado
- (0.11 km) Panama 66
- (0.13 km) Tea Pavilion
- (0.09 km) ARTIFACT