Balboa Park, a 1200 acre urban park in San Diego was first established in 1835, creating one of the oldest parks in the United States for public recreational use. Over time the park's focus shifted from recreational use to a cultural complex. Crowned a National Historic Landmark in 1977, the park offers a variety of cultural attractions, including museums, theaters, gardens, shops and restaurants, as well as the San Diego Zoo.
   Named for the Spanish explorer Vasco de Balboa, the park played host to the 1915 Panama–California Exposition as well as the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935, both leaving behind many architectural landmarks. El Prado, a long, a wide promenade, runs through the center of the park where most of the historic buildings are found. Many followed a Spanish European-Mexican design, specifically a Spanish Colonial Revival architecture style.
   With its flamboyant decorations, it's easy to see why the Casa del Prado (inset) has endured. During the 1915-16 Expo the majority of the buildings were only designed as temporary, and were not built with enduring materials. One of the first buildings in the park to undergo reconstruction, the Casa del Prado stays active with a number of organizations and a full schedule of activities.
   San Diego's Botanical Building, seen here with dramatic up-lighting and large reflecting pool, creates a vivid nighttime scene. Architect Carleton M. Winslow, credited with the lattice-work design, worked alongside Kate Sessions and Lloyd Wright, the two responsible for landscape design. Once the design work was completed, construction began on the large redwood lath enclosure in 1913. The building style was well received by the public and accepted by professionals throughout the United States. Over time the wooden structure required many periods of restoration. Even with its dwindling footprint and a long list of problems, the southern California community would never part with their beloved structure. Preparing for the city's 200 anniversary, San Diego voters approved the 3.5 million dollar bond issue, creating a new home for the San Diego Botanical Garden Foundation and Floral Society. A proactive committee built molds to preserve the facade and its ornamental features. The Botanical Building renovation was finished in early 2002, replacing damaged lath and defective fixtures. Despite exorbitant refurbishment costs and constant maintenance, the building has endured for over a century.
   Today the park remains a favorite destination for residents and tourists, registering over 12 million guests every year. The Balboa Park Conservancy, a non-profit group, was established in 2011 to promote and preserve the park.

     Park Map