Balboa Park, San Diego

The exhibits in the Museum of Man in Balboa Park were collected by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington from the Indian Pueblos in the southwest of the United States; further excavations were made at the ruins of the Aztec and Mayan settlements in Latin America. Among other things, they illustrate the early history of the human race by portraying prehistoric man.The San Diego Museum of Man in Balboa Park is an anthropology and archeology museum with a focus primarily on cultures in the Americas, but also from around the world. Of particular note are the collections from the American Southwest and western South America, as well as Alaska, the American Northwest Coast and Central Plains, Central America, and North Africa.The museum began with the original collection from the Panama California Exhibition and has expanded over the years to what is now an extensive collection with tens of thousands of artifacts. In addition to the permanent collection the Museum of Man also features changing exhibits.The building that houses the museum is one of the most recognizable buildings in the park. Built for the 1915/16 Exhibition, this Spanish-Mexican style building has an ornate façade around the entrance and the tall California Tower that can be seen from a distance.

San Diego Air & Space Museum, a round building dating from 1930, houses aircraft from the earliest days right up to NASA missiles, including a replica of the "Spirit of St Louis", the aeroplane in which Charles A Lindbergh made the first solo transatlantic flight (the original is in the National Aerospace Museum in Washington). The International Aerospace Hall of Fame in the same building shows photographs and memorabilia of the pioneers of flight.The San Diego Air and Space Museum is one of the city's more popular attractions. Located in beautiful Balboa Park, the museum is centrally located and easily accessible. A visit here can be combined with other attractions in Balboa Park including the Botanical Gardens, the San Diego Zoo, and the Museum of Man among many others.The museum is laid out in chronological order and starts with man's first flight in a hot air balloon in 1783 by the Montgolfier brothers and runs right up to fighter jets and space age flight technology. One of the highlights of the museum is its extensive collection of World War II, Korean Conflict, and Vietnam War fighter jets. Planes of various size and shape can be toured and many of the rarer and delicate models are displayed effectively in action poses hung from the rafters. The museum is considered one of America's finest and is a Smithsonian affiliate.

The San Diego Model Railroad Museum, located in Balboa Park, is the largest operating indoor model railroad display in the world. The heritage of railroading is presented through miniature models of California railroads; the history of model railroading and educating the public regarding the many different aspects of railroading is the mission of the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. An interactive toy train gallery allows children of all ages to play locomotive engineer.The San Diego Model Railroad Museum features displays and layouts of various scenes that will inspire even those not interested in this unique hobby. Since the museum's opening in 1992 it has been very popular with millions of visitors. Staffed and run by volunteers, the Model Railroad Museum is a labor of love.Current operating trail layouts include the Tehachapi Pass, San Diego and Arizona Eastern, Pacific Desert Lines, Cabrillo Southwestern, and Toy Train Gallery. Some of the visual displays include relief maps, the Southern Pacific's Semaphore, and an exhibit detailing Railroad Women. The Model Railroad Museum is located in Balboa Park and a visit here can easily be combined with stops at other famous sights within the park.

Perhaps the most picturesque place in Balboa Park is the Botanical Building and lily pond. It is definitely worth seeing for anyone coming to the park. The Botanical Building is a very organic looking structure with a curved glass roof and walls. The arched entrance that leads into the central dome, looks out over the lily pond. Inside are all kinds of tropical plants bathing in the natural light afforded by the design.The lily pond adds a tranquil element where people can walk or sit on a nearby bench and gaze into what is often a reflecting pond with a scattering of water lilies. The lily pond was used by patients at the US Naval hospital as a swimming pool during the Second World War. Like many of the other buildings in the park the botanical building was part of the 1915/16 Exhibition.

The Reuben H. Fleet Theater and Science Center in San Diego is a planetarium and cinema combined which, by means of a 75ft/23m long, hemispherical dome-projector, gives you the impression that you are floating in space. In the adjoining Science Center you may handle as well as look at the items on display. The demonstrations in the Space Theater (55 mins) take place eight times a day in the summer months and seven times in winter.

This massive open-air organ, was a gift made to the town in 1915 by the sons of Adolph Spreckels, an immigrant from Hanover in Germany, who became a multi-millionaire in America. Since then, except during the Second World War, a concert has been held every Sunday afternoon at 2 pm. The organ has some 4,400 pipes, the smallest being 1.5in./4cm and the largest almost 33ft/10m in length. When the organ is not being used it is protected by a metal curtain weighing 12 tonnes.

The fifteen bungalows of the House of Pacific Relations in Balboa Park, reminiscent of the Mexican colonial period, were each intended for one of the Latin-American countries participating in the exhibition. They have retained their purpose to this day. Viewing of the interiors of the houses is restricted. Folk concerts and dances are held.

The extensive collection housed at the Research Archives documents the people, places and events of San Diego's past. The Booth Historical Photograph Archives of the San Diego Historical Society has over two million images that date back to the 1860s. Other items of interest at the Archives include original maps, manuscripts, architectural drawings and public records.

Next to the Old Globe Theatre are two further units of the Simon Edison Center for the Performing Arts: a theatre for contemporary plays (225 seats), named after the famous 19th century Shakespeare director Cassius Clay, and the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, an open-air stage with over 600 seats, where the Shakespeare Festival is held in summer.

In a number of low-built houses in the Spanish Village and Arts Center, artists and craftsmen (potters, painters, sculptors, gold and silversmiths, photographers and weavers) can be seen at work. The articles and works of art they produce are on sale. Sometimes artists erect their easels in the courtyard where you can also watch them at work.

Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden has over 2,400 rose bushes in 180 varieties. The garden is in peak bloom during April and May, although many roses are in bloom from March through December. The garden is south of the footbridge that crosses Park Boulevard near the Natural History Museum.

The Mingei International Museum of Folk Art displays exhibits of traditional and contemporary folk art from around the world. Materials used include wood, leather, fiber, clay, glass metal, jewelry and bone. There are also displays of furniture, paintings and sculpture.

The Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park is housed in the arcades of the Casa de Balboa and presents exhibits of black and white, and color photographs on specific themes or by well-known photographers, as well as video and film programs from its own archives.

The Natural History Museum in San Diego, established more than 100 years ago, has been housed in its present building since 1932, and displays southern Californian fossils, birds, reptiles, mammals, insects, plants and marine animals. Several life-size dioramas are dedicated to the fauna and flora of the Californian desert.

The Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park was built in 1935/1936 for the California Pacific International Exposition. It is based on Shakespeare's Globe Theater in London in the style of the 15th century, was destroyed by fire in 1978, but was rebuilt and is now the home of the San Diego Repertory Company.

The San Diego Automotive Museum is located in Balboa Park and contains some of the finest automobiles in the world. One of the most popular is the Cyclops-Eyed 1948 Tucker Torpedo, one of only 51 which were built.The museum also contains a research library with books and periodicals on the history of the car.

The San Diego Hall of Champions Sports gives visitors a selection of 40 sports including football and baseball - making it one of the few museums in the United States that combines a number of sports. The Media Center is an interactive exhibit while the theater presents sports films and lectures.

The Museum of San Diego History presents the history of the city from 1850. Operated by the San Diego Historical Society it has exhibits of photographs, artifacts and costumes.

The Timken Art Gallery, built in 1965 on the Panama Plaza, houses an important collection of Russian icons from the 16th to the 19th centuries, works by Italian, French, Spanish and Dutch painters, as well as American art from several centuries.

The Japanese Friendship Garden includes a small entry garden, the Exhibit House, a traditional sand and stone garden, and a picnic area.

The San Diego Art Institute is located in the House of Charm in Balboa Park and displays the work of local artists.

Starlight Musical Theatre presented its first season in 1946. It is one of the oldest continuously producing musical theatre companies in the United States.