What Is the Number One Attraction in San Diego?
The number one attraction in San Diego is Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre destination filled with museums, gardens, theaters, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. It captures the culture, beauty, and history that define the heart of the city. As a top San Diego real estate agent, Melina Rissone knows the park’s charm extends far beyond its attractions. She often helps clients find homes in nearby neighborhoods like Hillcrest, Bankers Hill, and North Park, which offer walkable access to the park’s culture, green spaces, and timeless San Diego lifestyle.
Visitors can stroll through Spanish Colonial architecture, explore more than a dozen gardens, and experience some of the best art and science museums in California. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or have lived in San Diego for years, Balboa Park offers something new to discover every time you go.
Balboa Park Fountain
Why Balboa Park Is San Diego’s Top Attraction
Despite the name, this is no ordinary park with some grass and a playground. Balboa Park acts as a centralized hub for San Diego’s art, nature, and community life. Located near downtown and surrounded by appealing residential neighborhoods like Bankers Hill and South Park, it’s easy to see why it’s at the top of every list of places to see in San Diego.
With 18 top-notch museums, vast open green spaces, and historic architecture, the park attracts more than 14 million visitors each year. Cross the iconic Cabrillo Bridge by car or on foot, and you’ll immediately find yourself a stone’s throw from the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ, beautifully maintained gardens, top-rated restaurants, and much more.
Need Things to Do in San Diego? You’ll Find Them in Balboa Park
Balboa Park Gardens
The San Diego Zoo
Inside Balboa Park sits the San Diego Zoo, widely recognized as one of the best zoos in the world. It covers 100 acres and is home to more than 12,000 animals. Families and visitors enjoy up-close experiences and conservation education. For many, the zoo alone is worth a full day’s visit.
Historic Architecture
Balboa Park’s Spanish Colonial Revival design dates back to 1915, when it was originally designed for the Panama–California exposition. Its archways, towers, and courtyards tell the story of early San Diego. The California Tower and the newly renovated Botanical Building with its adjoining lily pond are two of the most photographed spots in the city.
Gardens
The park has more than a dozen gardens, each with its own personality. The Japanese Friendship Garden, Desert Garden, and Alcazar Garden are local favorites. Hiking trails surround the center of the park for an additional dose of natural wonder. Melina Rissone knows this from experience, as her Bankers Hill office lends itself to nearby visits for a quiet walk or a scenic meeting with a client.
Museums and Art
Balboa Park is home to 16 museums, including the San Diego Air & Space Museum, the San Diego Museum of Art, and the Museum of Us. Exhibits range from fine art to science to anthropology, giving every visitor something to explore. There’s even a museum dedicated to popular culture: The Comic-Con Museum, a companion to San Diego’s ultra-popular annual convention, features exhibits from books, comics, games, and film.
Events and Performances
Throughout the year, the park hosts cultural festivals, outdoor concerts, and community gatherings. December Nights, the largest annual event, brings hundreds of thousands of people together for music, food, and lights. The International Cottages regularly host gatherings that bring San Diegans together to showcase the traditions of more than 30 nations, from Turkey to Korea to Colombia.
Why Locals Love Balboa Park
Many San Diegans make Balboa Park an integral part of their everyday lives. They jog, picnic, attend classes, and enjoy the open air. It’s a way of life, especially for those who live nearby.
Melina likes to say that living near Balboa Park connects you to the heart of the city. You can enjoy the museums, cafes, and trails within minutes of your front door.” Homes in neighborhoods like Bankers Hill and Hillcrest are in high demand because of their proximity to the park and downtown.
Real Estate Near Balboa Park
Homes near Balboa Park are some of the most desirable in San Diego, blending historic character with modern convenience. The 92103 zip code, which includes Hillcrest, and parts of Bankers Hill and Mission Hills, offers restored Craftsman homes, mid-century condos, and modern residences with park or skyline views. With a median sale price around $1.5 million, demand stays high thanks to walkable access to museums, cafes, and green space just minutes from downtown.
Living near Balboa Park means enjoying San Diego’s cultural core and a true sense of community. The area attracts professionals, retirees, and families who value local culture. Melina Rissonehelps buyers find homes that fit these goals, using her local expertise to guide them through one of the city’s most competitive markets.
Other Popular Attractions in San Diego
While Balboa Park takes the top spot, San Diego offers plenty of other must-see destinations. La Jolla Cove is famous for its sea lions and ocean views, while Coronado Beach provides wide sandy shores beside the historic Hotel del Coronado.
Old Town showcases the city’s roots with live music and authentic cuisine, the Gaslamp Quarter buzzes with nightlife, and the USS Midway Museum gives visitors a rare look inside a real aircraft carrier on San Diego Bay. While tourists and locals alike could easily spend a full week exploring all of Balboa Park’s to-do list, they have no shortage of options all throughout the city.
Why People Love San Diego
San Diego’s sunshine, beaches, and friendly culture draw millions of visitors and new residents each year. The city seamlessly blends outdoor living with urban convenience, offering endless opportunities for surfing, hiking, and dining across its diverse neighborhoods.
Balboa Park remains the top attraction because it reflects everything San Diego represents: natural beauty, creativity, and a strong sense of community.
Final Thoughts
So, what is the number one attraction in San Diego? Without question, it’s Balboa Park. From its gardens and museums to its theater and zoo, it’s the perfect place to experience what makes this city special.
If you’re planning to move to San Diego, Melina Rissone highly recommends exploring the neighborhoods surrounding Balboa Park and nearby communities like Hillcrest, North Park, and Bankers Hill. Contact her today for expert guidance through the area and a real estate plan tailored to your needs.
Melina Rissone
Having sold properties for more than 20 years and earning various prestigious awards throughout the course of her career, Melina Rissone has more than earned her reputation as one of San Diego's most skilled and trustworthy real estate brokers selling homes and luxury condominiums. Her loyal clientele would share that Melina brings structure and planning to chaos. She specializes in supporting her clients and their referrals; families and individuals going through divorce and seniors and active adults planning their moves and financial decisions during their retirement years.
Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Institute of Luxury Home Marketing certified.
Certified Senior Advisor by the Society of Certified Senior Advisors
RCS-D Designation, a Real Estate Collaboration Specialist for Divorce.
SRES Certification through NAR is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist certification.
Melina is bilingual in English and German.
Recognized as the Top 4% of all real estate brokers in San Diego County in 2021 and the Top 3% of Coldwell Banker International.
Coldwell Banker Presidents Elite Award.
Recognize as the Top 2% of Coldwell Banker West in 2024.
Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Institute of Luxury Home Marketing Certified.
Melina is a true professional! She is responsive and thorough. She offers important insights through the home buying and selling process. She has a network of connections so that specialists may be brought in when needed. Melina was our real estate broker when buying a home in 2017. And she is the person I have returned to as we consider selling. Melina is a top notch broker in San Diego!
-Catherine
