Balboa Park Conservancy

Trick-or-Treat! This year, there are a few ways to celebrate Halloween in Balboa Park. This Saturday, October 23, City of San Diego Parks and Rec is hosting a Halloween Drive Boo from 11 am - 2 pm at the Bud Kearns Memorial Pool in Balboa Park. Drive through in a costume and pick up a bag of treats! Meanwhile, the Balboa Park Visitors Center is stocked with fun Halloween gifts like spooky socks, spider earrings, and a haunted guide to San Diego. On Oct. 31, the Visitors Cente...r will hand out treats to costumed trick-or-treaters! #VisitBalboaPark #Halloween #TrickorTreat

Forever Balboa Park Partnership Promises Acres of Possibility! In a special campaign, Lazy Acres Market promised to donate 1% of their brand sales to Forever Balboa Park through 1% for the Planet. This $1000 check will continue outdoor initiatives that benefit Balboa Park like Tree Stewards and historic garden restorations. #MyBalboaPark #LoveBalboaPark #SupportBalboaPark #ForeverBalboaPark

Forever Balboa Park Partnership Promises Acres of Possibility! In a special campaign, @LazyAcresMarket promised to donate 1% of their brand sales to Forever Balboa Park through @1percentftp. This $1000 check will continue outdoor initiatives that benefit Balboa Park like Tree Stewards and historic garden restorations. #MyBalboaPark #LoveBalboaPark #SupportBalboaPark #ForeverBalboaPark

It’s #KidsFreeOctober in San Diego! Head to the Balboa Park Visitors Center in the House of Hospitality for a full list of participating park institutions, like the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, and ways to make the most of Kids Free - including snacks and fun gifts! : sandiegowithkids #VisitBalboaPark #ForeverBalboaPark #FuninSanDiego #KidsFreeOctober #KidsFree #SanDiegoKids

It's officially fall, and we think The Balboa, a park-inspired craft cocktail is the perfect way to transition the season. Henebery Spirits is the lead sponsor for our annual fundraiser, Cultivate Wonder. They even created a special "Balboa Kit" just for you. Don't fretthere is a soft cocktail version too! Mix along with founder Jesse Fanning next Friday night at our big event: https://balboaparkconservancy.org/support/cultivate-wonder/ Cultivate Wonder is free, and Henebery is offering a 10% off code for the ingredients: ILOVEBALBOAPARK https://www.heneberywhiskey.com/products/balboa-kit Balboa Park

BIG NEWS! The Balboa Park Conservancy announces an MOU agreement with Friends of Balboa Park to explore a future merger. Click here for details: https://balboaparkconservancy.org/mou-to-explore-merger-wi/

HEAR SD MAYORAL CANDIDATES DISCUSS BALBOA PARK IN SPECIAL TOWN HALL. On Friday, October 9, at 5pm, join a virtual town hall streamed on Facebook, moderated by Scott Lewis of Voice of San Diego: https://www.facebook.com/events/1425911724466094 Check out our October e-newsletter for details and to learn about other park news: https://bit.ly/36Dt4aF

Looking for a creative outdoor adventure? Explore your park with a private tour! Host up to eight guests, socially distanced of course. Your tour with an expert guide can be customized to your interestsfrom horticulture to history, arts to architecture. For groups of more than nine, we can add another guide and split the group as needed. Contact the Visitors Center to set up your own tour and #getoutside! https://balboaparkconservancy.org//virtual-visitors-center/

Join us for a town hall featuring City of San Diego mayoral candidates Barbara Bry and Todd Gloria on Friday, October 9! Hosted by Voice of San Diego and presented by Friends of Balboa Park and the Balboa Park Conservancy, the virtual event features candidates views on the future of Balboa Park. RSVP via the event below! #BalboaPark #TownHall #SanDiego #Mayor

UPDATE (9/25/2020): The Balboa Park Visitors Center and House of Hospitality building are fully open after yesterday’s closures due to a water main break. Come take advantage of this beautiful late summer weather! Many park attractions are open this weekend. Check our virtual Visitors Center Hub for details. https://balboaparkconservancy.org//virtual-visitors-center/

COVID-safe date night? In Balboa Park? YES PLEASE!! Make it magical on a Friday or Saturday night with The Prado Restaurant four-course menu and wine pairings. You'll score big brownie points when you secure a table at one of the most scenic outdoor restaurant settings in San Diego. The prix-fixe menu changes each weekend, so be sure to visit The Prado’s website to scout the latest chef creations. Advance reservations are required by calling 619-557-9441, ext. 1. #lovebalboapark #balboapark

IMPORTANT NOTICE OF PARK CLOSURES TODAY DUE TO WATER MAIN BREAK: This morning water had been shut off to most parts of the Central Mesa. This is an unintended occurrence related to the ongoing water pipeline work by the City of San Diego under El Prado. As a result, we closed the House of Hospitality building, including the Visitors Center and the Prado Restaurant. We also closed the Visitors Center information tent in the Plaza. Crews continue to work on the issue. The flo...w of water from the rupture has subsided, and there is no standing water in the Plaza. The walkways in front of the Casa del Prado and Botanical Building on the north side and the Casa de Balboa and House of Hospitality on the south side are both open, as is the Lily Pond area. El Prado itself is taped off to non-work crews. The Casa del Prado is open, and the restroom there is open and working. Also currently open: The San Diego Museum of Art and Panama 66 (unaffected by the rupture) Museum of Us (unaffected by the rupture) Japanese Friendship Garden (no restroom, however) UN International Gift Shop Closed: San Diego Air & Space Museum San Diego Automotive Museum We are planning to be open tomorrow as usual assuming expected repairs are complete.

When Sue Varga was hired by the Conservancy in 2006, she felt she could make a difference. This seasoned PR and marketing pro brought with her a ton of community, media, and business contacts eager to partner with her in promoting Balboa Park. Over the years she helped launch and grow several highly successful park activation programs, working closely with the city’s Parks and Recreation department. Sadly, we said goodbye to Sue last month as she takes her well-earned retirement. Here she reflects on some of her favorite memories in Balboa Park and the key initiatives she oversaw: https://balboaparkconservancy.org/sue-varga-reflects-on-14/

Ready for new park adventures? Many of your favorite Balboa Park museums are opening their doors this month. Get the latest updates on re-openings and insights into what San Diegans think are the top priorities for Balboa Park improvements in the Conservancy's September newsletter: https://bit.ly/3bMWOlV

Did you know?... Conservancy members have the opportunity to volunteer across all of our glorious 1,200-acre park? From tree tending to garden growing, our members are able to join the ranks of an expert corps of folks. And members can still volunteer during these turbulent times. In fact, the park needs your help more than ever! Interested in donning your Conservancy badge out in the field as a volunteer? Click below to sign up for a membership or email [email protected] to learn more! https://balboaparkconservancy.org/volunteer/