Strolling Paths Lined with Desert Flora in San Diego
All the gardens in the park are unique and lovely in their own way; however, if you're a "xeriscapist'" at heart and enjoy the weird and wonderful world of desert flora, this garden boasts over 1300 varieties. Stroll paths lined with creosote bush, yucca, beavertail cactus, agave, joshua, and countless colorful flowers and you'll marvel at nature's ability to thrive in harsh conditions. As you exit the garden on the south end, you'll be greeted by the brilliance and contrast of the Rose Garden. Enjoy the trip...just don't pick the flowers. Ouch!
The beautiful and thrilling thing about Balboa Park is that you could visit all the time-and we do-and still find new and different places to explore. The sculpture garden is usually very quiet, not as big of a draw as the more obvious museums and Botanical Garden. The sculptures are impressive and thought provoking, the water features are peaceful and sophisticated. There is a nice minimalist expanse of lawn for your child to run around crazily while you ponder the art, which is both classical and modern. A cafe runs adjacent to the sculpture garden, if you want a nosh, and early in the day especially, even in summer, you will encounter very few other travelers looking for a respite from the heat and crowds.
The Butterfly Gardens transport you back to a time when you were a kid chasing butterflies and believed wholeheartedly that there really was a Wonderland...monarchs dancing in the air together, four and five at a time, and beautiful colors blooming every which way you look. My own kids can't get enough of this place. Get here early in the morning to avoid the photography classes and summer camp field trips, and you might even have the garden to yourself for awhile. Orange wings fluttering all around you, hummingbirds feeding in the trees above you..a small haven of peace and quiet and beauty, created for us to enjoy.
My son and I come here several times a week, after dropping my daughter off at the Museum School. In spring and summer, it's loveliness is unparalleled. Caterpillars, cocoons, and butterflies can be seen in abundance just outside the Botanical Gardens. The golden koi fish in the pond compete with the magenta water lilies for your eye, and if you're lucky, the violinist earning tips with her excellent Mozart will serenade your entire experience.
All the gardens in the park are unique and lovely in their own way; however, if you're a "xeriscapist'" at heart and enjoy the weird and wonderful world of desert flora, this garden boasts over 1300 varieties. Stroll paths lined with creosote bush, yucca, beavertail cactus, agave, joshua, and countless colorful flowers and you'll marvel at nature's ability to thrive in harsh conditions. As you exit the garden on the south end, you'll be greeted by the brilliance and contrast of the Rose Garden. Enjoy the trip...just don't pick the flowers. Ouch!
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