Guide to Wedding Venues at Balboa Park

Looking to have a wedding with an elegant but unusual setting? Why not host your wedding at Balboa Park at San Diego, a place combining natural beauty, wonderful art, culture and extravagant Spanish Revival architecture in one location. No matter what kind of wedding you want, the Balboa Park can cater to all your needs.

Just minutes from downtown San Diego, Balboa Park is an urban culture park. It takes up 1,200 acre of land, which is the largest urban cultural park in the United States. Placed in reserve in 1835, the park is one of the oldest sites in the nation dedicated to public recreational use. With open space area and natural vegetation green belts, plus a wide variety of cultural attractions, Balboa Park attracts about 14 million visitors to the park per year.

Why is the Balboa Park ideal for weddings?

This cultural complex, just minutes from downtown San Diego, is notable for its vivid displays of seasonal flowers, shady groves of trees and meandering paths through rolling lawns. In the center of the park is a long wide sidewalk and boulevard called El Prado.

Along this EL Prado, there are many historic buildings. Most of these buildings are in the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture style, originally built for the 1915-1916 Panama-California Exposition. It was the first time that this richly embellished, highly ornamental architectural style had even been utilized in the nation.

Many of the park's cultural attractions just line the boulevard. When it comes to the park's cultural attractions, Balboa Park is home to a variety of cultural attractions including 15 major museums (such as San Diego Air & Space museum and Marston House), famous performing arts venues (like Civic Dance Arts and Spreckels Organ Pavilion) and the San Diego Zoo.

There is also a wealth of gardens in the park including Japanese Friendship Garden, Botanical Building, Desert Garden, Zoro Garden, Australia Garden, Marston House Garden and more. To learn more about these gardens, click here:

Gardens at Balboa Park

http://www.balboapark.org/in-the-park/Gardens

Other attractions in various areas of the park include chess and bridge outdoor tables, horsehoe pits, playgrounds, walking and jogging trails, recreation complex and picnic areas.

With picturesque terraces, lush garden settings and elegant ballrooms, most of the park's attractions all could be considered to be a fabulous venue for weddings. The following are some of the select special event venues offered for your reference.

- The Prado at Balboa Park

Covering over 22,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, the Prado at Balboa Park can accommodate groups of 20 - 20,000 guests. The event space features lush historical gardens and a courtyard, elegant banquet rooms and romantic terraces.

Contact Info: (619) 557-9441 *202

Email: doreen@pradobalboa.com

- War Memorial Building

Located at the north end of Balboa Park, War Memorial Building is built to commemorate those who had participated in overseas conflicts. Rentable space in this building for special events includes main auditorium of about 3,150 square feet of wood dance floor and a stage, plus two smaller classrooms. For more info, call 619-235-1169 or visit this page:

War Memorial Building

http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/balboa/warmemorial.shtml

- Marston House Garden

As a formal English Romantic-style garden with California influences, Marston House Garden will give you a romantic wedding. Situated at 3525 7th Avenue in an early 20th century historic district, the garden is really a beautiful example of the Arts and Crafts style. If you have additional questions, call 619-297-9327 or 619-298-3142.

- San Diego Zoo

If you are looking to get married among lions and tigers, San Diego Zoo would be a great wedding venue at Balboa Park. From intimate indoor rooms to exotic outdoor terraces and decks, the zoo provides a variety of distinct venues catered to your unique tastes.

Contact Info: 619-744-3350

Email: dmorehead@sandiegozoo.org

- Japanese Friendship Garden

Combining zen philosophy and style in a fabulous setting, the garden will give you a truly unforgettable wedding. Covering 9 acres of land, the garden offers a variety of beautiful areas for your event, including the Koi Pond and Moon Viewing Deck, the Ceremonial Gate, Ceremonial Plaza and Exhibit House. For more info, call 619-232-2721 or visit this page:

Private Events at Japanese Friendship Garden

http://www.niwa.org/private-events-garden

- Redwood Circle

Want a green wedding? Located on the 6th Avenue / West Mesa side of Balboa Park, Redwood Circle is a large lawn area with a number of shade trees, suitable for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The area use hours are from 8am to dusk, with the maximum capacity of 200 guests. You can contact the Permit Center at (619) 235-1169 for details and fee information.

You can find more venues at the Balboa Park for special events on this page:

Special Event Venues

http://www.balboapark.org/info/events/venues

As a bonus, the Balboa Park also offers a wealth of restaurants (like Albert's Restaurant and Cafe in the Park) and amenities (including ATM Machine, Restrooms, WiFi Hot Spots and visitor center) inside the park. These facilities may benefit your guests to some extent.

Note: To explore info about holding a special event in one of the park's cultural organizations, contact individual cultural institution. However, as Balboa Park is managed and operated by the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department, you need to get the permits for the uses of some of the park's gardens and buildings as well as outside areas from the department. The buildings under the management of the department include:

- Balboa Park Activity Center

- Balboa Park Club

- Casa del Prado

- Municipal Gymnasium

- Puppet Theater

- Recital Hall

- War Memorial Building

All outdoor areas of the park are managed by the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department. To keep the park well maintained and safe for guests, the department sets a series of rules and regulations relating to outside areas. To avoid disappointment and hassle, figure out what is required when planning your event in the park.

General Park Use Permit Rules and Regulations

http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/general-info/rules.shtml

If you plan to have a wedding in either the outside areas of the park or in one of the park's buildings listed above, call (619) 235-1100 or 619-235-1169 for details, or refer to the following page:

Use of Park Buildings

http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/balboa/permitsites.shtml