California Official Visitor's Guide 2018 - 60

San Diego
County

PERFECT DAY IN

Balboa Park
Designated a California Cultural District, this
sprawling urban park is home to world-class
museums and performing arts venues
California Tower

10:30 AM

See the Big Picture
CALIFORNIA TOWER

Get a bird's-eye view of the 1,200-acre park from the top of this tower within the
Museum of Man. After being closed to the public for 80 years, it's now open for guided
40-minute tours. Head seven floors up for the best 360-degree views of the park and
San Diego. Post-tour, peruse the museum's eclectic exhibits and collections.
12:30 PM

The
Prado

Eat Like a Local
THE PRADO

Grab a bite on the terrace of this San Diego dining institution. Soak up the panoramic
park views over spicy calamari fries and a watermelon margarita. Reservations recommended, as this is a popular lunch spot for locals.

Go Wild

1:30 PM

SAN DIEGO ZOO

Spend a few hours meeting some of the park's 3,700 animal residents. Don't
miss the ever-popular Chinese panda exhibit or the new Africa Rocks venue
showcasing penguins, baboons, and lemurs. Other recent additions include
Australian Outback (cute koala alert!), Elephant Odyssey, and Polar Bear
Plunge. Before you go, visit sandiegozoo.org to plot your itinerary and check
out options for behind-the-scenes experiences.
San Diego Zoo

5:00 PM

Sample Local Brews
Get a taste of San Diego's lively craft-brewing scene at this courtyard pub at the
San Diego Museum of Art. The extensive beer list is strictly local, and the food
menu also features local, seasonal ingredients. Order at the bar, then grab
a table overlooking the museum's sculpture garden. Check sdmart.org for
a schedule of live music and for special events-like Art After Hours, when
museum admission is just $5 after 5 p.m. on select Fridays.

7:00 PM

Catch a Show
THE OLD GLOBE

More than 20 productions have gone on to Broadway after getting a
start at this Balboa Park theater-the oldest in the state. Take a seat
at the Tony Award-winning Old Globe, which presents 15 productions annually-ranging from Shakespeare to Dr. Seuss's How the
Grinch Stole Christmas-on its three Balboa Park stages. In the
summer months, the theater company also hosts free film screenings. Find tickets and a performance schedule at theoldglobe.org.
Actor Grantham
Coleman as
Hamlet at The
Old Globe

60 | VISITCALIFORNIA.COM

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PANAMA 66

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of California Official Visitor's Guide 2018