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Balboa ParkvsSan Diego Zoo
Both are endorsed by reviewers writing for major publications. Overall, San Diego Zoo ranks significantly higher than Balboa Park. San Diego Zoo ranks #1 in San Diego with praise from 7 publications such as Fodor's, Travel + Leisure and Concierge.
Balboa Park
Concierge
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Condé Nast Traveler
Michelin Guide
Afar Magazine
National Geographic Lonely Planet
Where Where Show All Reviews
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
From $0/night
Concierge "As Central Park is to New York City, Balboa Park is the center of this out-of-doors city."
Lonely Planet "Balboa Park includes a number of gardens, reflecting different horticultural styles and environments, including Alcazar Garden , a formal, Spanish-style garden." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Besides trails, dog parks, and play areas, the historic Balboa Park is home to such attractions as the world-famous San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Museum of Art." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "It’s pretty much impossible to get bored at this park." Full review
Michelin Guide 3 Stars
"Balboa Park endures as an idyllic sylvan retreat and the nation's largest urban cultural park." Full review
Afar Magazine "Balboa park is a landscape of arts and culture in San Diego, including museums, such as The Natural History Museum, and the Museum of Photographic Arts." Full review
National Geographic "The nation’s largest urban cultural park includes the San Diego Zoo (see below), the Old Globe, 13 major museums, unique gardens, and fanciful architecture that originated with Expos in 1915 and 1935." Full review
Lonely Planet "All attractions are easily walkable, or jump aboard the park's tram to whizz around them all at speed." Full review
Where "At 1,200 acres, this lush green space overlooking downtown San Diego is the largest urban cultural park in the country, home to more than 17 museums, theaters and other cultural institutions." Full review
Where "The cultural heart of San Diego, Balboa Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country." Full review
San Diego Zoo
Fodor's Concierge Lonely Planet Michelin Guide National Geographic Where
Time Out Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Show All Reviews
2929 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
From $0/night
Fodor's "Balboa Park's—and perhaps the city's—most famous attraction is its 100-acre zoo." Full review
Concierge "No other local attraction is more synonymous with San Diego than the Zoo, a 90-year-old institution that lives up to its reputation."
Lonely Planet "This justifiably famous zoo is one of SoCal’s biggest attractions, showing more than 3000 animals representing more than 650 species in a beautifully landscaped setting." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"One of the largest, most diverse and most celebrated zoological parks in the world." Full review
National Geographic "World-renown 100-acre (40-hectare) facility in Balboa Park, with a botanical collection that rivals the animals. Bus tours skirt most enclosures quickly." Full review
Where "It's world-famous for a reason. Visitors can get up close and personal with more than 4,000 creatures from nearly every corner of the world. " Full review
Time Out "Nestled in Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo fully deserves its reputation as one of the finest in the world." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The expansive “habitats” include a tropical rainforest filled with gorillas, a recreated Arctic tundra with polar bears and reindeer, and a Giant Panda Research Station." Full review
Travel + Leisure "This world-famous zoo in Balboa Park houses more than 4,000 animals including giant pandas from China and many rare and endangered species"
San Diego Travel Guide
February 23, 2021
Travel + Leisure "The zoo is home to more than 12,000 animals and more than 650 species and subspecies. Plus, its wildlife alliance arm has made great strides in areas like genetic diversity, reproductive sciences."
14 of the Best Zoos in the U.S.
April 8, 2022
