San Diego - Botanical Building (Botanical Garden)

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.