The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
enjoyed Balboa Park,
the nation's largest urban cultural park
just minutes from downtown San Diego, California

May 22, 2015

Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre urban cultural park in San Diego, California. In addition to open space areas, natural vegetation zones, green belts, gardens, and walking paths, it contains museums, several theaters, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. There are also many recreational facilities and several gift shops and restaurants within the boundaries of the park. Placed in reserve in 1835, the park's site is one of the oldest in the United States dedicated to public recreational use. Balboa Park is managed and maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of San Diego. Named for the Spanish maritime explorer Vasco de Balboa, the park hosted the 1915-16 Panama/California Exposition and 1935-36 California Pacific International Exposition, both of which left architectural landmarks. The park and its historic Exposition buildings were declared a National Historic Landmark and National Historic Landmark District in 1977, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Balboa Park sign

Balboa Park Conservancy

Balboa Park is a beloved institution that serves San Diego’s community, forges its regional identity and inspires global appreciation.

Balboa Park Conservancy is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing Balboa Park for future generations. Formed in 2010, the Conservancy is responsible for raising funds, developing public-private partnerships and collaborating with Balboa Park stakeholders to implement capital projects and address deferred maintenance needs in the park.

The Conservancy values collaboration and cooperation, and seeks to work with all stakeholders to continuously improve the natural, historic and cultural treasure that is Balboa Park. The Conservancy, through partnership with the City, facilitates the identification and prioritization of projects for the Park and brings resources together to ensure implementation. As an advocate for the Park, their direct relationship with the City and its decision makers, helps donors and philanthropic organizations navigate the project development and management process.

Ultimately, Balboa Park Conservancy is driven by a simple fact: "We love this Park. Its mission is complemented by and further inspired by organizations and individuals who love and support Balboa Park. The public is encouraged to get involved by donating, advocating for the Park, supporting the project approval and implementation process, and volunteering their time."

entering Balboa Park

entering Balboa Park

entrance to Balboa Park

Below: The San Diego Museum of Man is a museum of anthropology and housed in the historic landmark buildings of the California Quadrangle.

The San Diego Museum of Man The San Diego Museum of Man
The San Diego Museum of Man The San Diego Museum of Man
The San Diego Museum of Man

Below: The two RV Gypsies found a free public parking lot and then they admired the tree and its roots, shown below.

tree roots
tree toots tree with amazing roots
dragon art Karen Duquette and dragon art

Below: Two beautiful fountains in the garden.

fountain fountain
beautiful flowers in the garden

House of Charm sign

art

Below: The plaque on the below piece of art reads, "So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, so long lives this and this gives life to thee."

art

Below: The Sculpture Garden was full of school children on an assignment, drawing the sculptures, so the two RV Gypsies could not photograph many of the sculptures.

welcom to the sculpture garden sign

sculpture

sculpture

sculpture with museum in the background

sculpture sign

sculpture

sculpture sign

sculpture

sculpture sign

sculpture

Below: Views from the sculpture garden

museum

museum

Below: San Diego Museum of Art

San Diego Museum of Art

water fountain

Below: The Botanical Building

The Botanical Building

The Botanical Building

The Botanical Building

The Botanical Building

flower

flower

flower

Below: The turtle below popped part way out of the pond to say hello to the two RV Gypsies. Then the turtle posed beautifully so Karen Duquette could take its photograph.

turtle

turtle

turtle

turtle

Below: A dog spooked the turtle and he went back into the pond.

turtle

turtle went in the pond

pond

duck

Below: Flowers and more inside the Botanical Building

Flowers inside the Botanical Building

Flowers inside the Botanical Building

tree tree
Flowers inside the Botanical Building Flowers inside the Botanical Building
Flowers inside the Botanical Building Flowers inside the Botanical Building
museum museum
water fountain water fountain
Karen Duquette at a water fountain water fountain

Below: The two RV Gypsies ate at the Prado Restaurant and had a nice view from their outside table. The food and service was OK.

Prado Restaurant lunch view
statue plaque
look below

Menu for the two RV Gypsies in California. You may view these 4 sections in any order you choose. There is also a link to Oregon at the bottom of this page.

You do not have to return here to continue from page to page because there is a link at the bottom of each page for further navigation.

Section 1 of 4: San Diego

Entering the state of California

Mount Helix Park

USS Midway (CV-41)
and several memorials

A National Salute to Bob Hope
and The Military

Unconditional Surrender Statues (FL 2013 & CA 2015)

Artwork - "Our Silences"

Beaches in San Diego

Balboa Park (this page)

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

San Diego Botanical Gardens

Cabrillo National Monument

Pio Pico Thousand Trails

Hotels

Section 2 of 4: Los Angeles County

Fairflex Los Angeles KOA in Pomona

Mt. Baldy Park

Los Angles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden

Section 3 of 4: San Francisco

Fisherman's Wharf and the seals

Lombard - The zig-zag street

Golden Gate Bridge - 2009 & 2015

Eureka KOA

Section 4 of 4: The Redwoods - Giant trees & more

Willits - Gateway to the Redwoods

Travel photos and some elk

Avenue of the Giants

The Drive Thru Tree #1

The Drive Thru Tree #2

Beach at Redwood National Park

Trees of Mystery - page 1

Aerial Tram at Trees of Mystery

Tall Tale trail at Trees of Mystery

look below

go to the next adventure of the two RV GypsiesAFTER you have viewed all of the above sections, please continue on to
Florence, Oregon: a dune buggy ride, Devils Churn, Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and more.

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