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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Neighborhood: Balboa Park
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,087 reviews
Excellent
696
Very good
281
Average
97
Poor
10
Terrible
3
mini
Fremont, CA212,261 contributions
Jan 2020
We liked seeing the various plants in the historic botanical building which is located at Balboa Park. The outside water lilly gardens is also very nice. We liked seeing the koi fish. Entrance is free.
Written January 28, 2020
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.
concettah667
376 contributions
Feb 2020
What a lovely setting to sit, read, meditate, and enjoy the flowers, plants and shrubs surrounding. The reflection pool is so beautiful. I didn't realize there were Koi in it, as I was too busy watching the light dance off the surface and reflect the lovely building. My only issue is that the building itself was closed.
Written February 7, 2020
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.
Michael
Woking, UK255 contributions
Feb 2020
Considering that we have visited many botanical gardens on our travels, this was by far and beyond the smallest. It was well maintained and pretty, but you can't really spend more than 20 minutes in the 'botanical building'. It was free which is welcome, but I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to visit it.
Written March 30, 2020
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, CA22 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 June 22, 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.
Michael K
Fort Lee, NJ65 contributions
Dec 2019
Another beautiful little botanical garden that's free to visit. The lily pond in front has fish, frogs, and turtles in it and is a nice area to take pictures. The building that houses plants and flowers is not huge, but worth a visit. Nothing spectacular, but since it's free, why wouldn't you check it out?
Written February 4, 2020
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.
bucketlisttravellers
Sydney, Australia3,646 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
We came here for a brief look around in the way to the zoo. It's a nice building and a good place to sit down and rest for a few minutes. Unless you're really into plants it's not overly interesting.
It's free to enter.
It's free to enter.
Written January 7, 2020
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.
Mohammad Qutishat
Amman, Jordan2,216 contributions
Dec 2019
I love this amazing free garden inside the busy park, it is peaceful with all of the trees and flowers that you can enjoy inside, and the amazing pond outside is something out of this world.
Written October 3, 2020
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.
Laura D
San Diego, CA7 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
This building is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in Balboa Park and my overall favorite spots to saunter through or sit and enjoy the amazing plants and flowers. Watch the schedule as they close early, though.
Written November 21, 2016
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.
Miriannah
Zemun, Serbia36 contributions
Dec 2014 • Solo
Outstanding, small and at no charge! A must when visiting Balboa Park. I was there in December 2014 and the place was full of poinsettias. The visit takes 15min and you get a gorgeous background for your pictures!
Written January 6, 2015
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
France1,952 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 April 27, 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.
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!!!
Written June 17, 2019
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) ?
Written February 5, 2016
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.
Written October 24, 2016
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.
Written October 23, 2016
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