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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Neighbourhood: 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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,087 reviews
Excellent
696
Very good
281
Average
97
Poor
10
Terrible
3
Amy P
80 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 August 31, 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
Cedar Rapids, IA20 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 December 18, 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, UK286 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 August 14, 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, 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.
AngieluLuna
Costa Mesa, CA48 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 April 20, 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
80 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 November 22, 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 October 30, 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, CA769 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 August 21, 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, AZ207 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 May 16, 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
France1,952 contributions
Sept 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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