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Balboa ParkvsSeaWorld
Both Balboa Park and SeaWorld are highly recommended by expert writers. On balance, SeaWorld ranks slightly better than Balboa Park. SeaWorld comes in at 89 with accolades from 6 reviews including Michelin Guide, Where and Travel + Leisure.
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
SeaWorld
Fodor's
Frommer's Lonely Planet Travel + Leisure Michelin Guide National Geographic Where
U.S. News & World Report Travel + Leisure Frommer's
500 SeaWorld Drive, SeaWorld of California, San Diego, CA 92109
From $0/night
Fodor's "SeaWorld is spread over 189 tropically landscaped bay-front acres—and it seems to be expanding into every available square inch of space with new exhibits, shows, and activities." Full review
Frommer's "A big draw for a number of visitors coming to San Diego, the educational pretext of SeaWorld increasingly takes a back seat to slick shows and rides." Full review
Lonely Planet "One of the west’s most popular theme parks, SeaWorld opened here in 1964, and killer whale Shamu has become an unofficial symbol of the city." Full review
Travel + Leisure "This marine-inspired theme park has activities for kids of all ages, including several water rides like Shipwreck Rapids, a tube-style rafting adventure." Full review
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"This waterfront attraction mixes entertainment and education in a venue designed to heighten awareness of conservation issues." Full review
National Geographic "Original branch of the marine-theme amusement park. The “Shamu” orca show in a seven-million-gallon pool-stadium is impressive, as is the heavy dose of patriotism and souvenir peddling." Full review
Where "With San Diego’s connection to the Pacific Ocean, SeaWorld—which is celebrating its 50th anniversary—remains the signature theme park of America’s Finest City." Full review
U.S. News & World Report18.0
"Here you'll get to see a range of animals, including dolphins, California sea lions, California otters and sea turtles...as for the rides, travelers love the lightning fast Manta Ray rollercoaster" Full review
Travel + Leisure "SeaWorld's dolphins, orcas, Beluga whales, otters, turtles, penguins, fish, and other sea creatures entertain, educate, and make us appreciate their beauty and value their presence"
San Diego Travel Guide
February 23, 2021
Frommer's "SeaWorld offers up simulated marine environments, including an arctic enclosure featuring beluga whales and polar bears, sharks looming overhead in a wraparound tank, and four penguin species" Full review
