The Instruments of Torture exhibit is located across from the Museum of Man. We saw this exhibit the summer I was pregnant (2000) and found it to be a bit gruesome but fascinating. We saw it once but wouldn't really care to see it again...
Instead, we wandered the park to enjoy the beautiful buildings of what is known as the Smithsonian of the West...
Balboa Park, which is the largest urban park in North America as well as the cultural heart of San Diego, is one of our favorite places in our fair city. There are many beautiful and free sights to enjoy such as the Palm Canyon Trail...
We liked seeing the new open plaza without parking spaces but instead, filled with new seating and the refurbished Plaza de Panama fountain.
The California Tower at the Museum of Man is always a great sight to behold. If you've ever watched the beginning of Orson Welles' classic movie, "Citizen Kane", the tower features prominently as part of Xanadu, the extensive grounds owned by the millionaire protagonist in the movie. The museum recently opened up the tower for viewings (it does cost $$ though) and the views of the city, I'm told (and from what I've seen) are amazing.
The marvelous exterior of the San Diego Museum of Art features ornate architectural details in the plateresque style (meaning in the manner of a silversmith). It was inspired by a doorway at the University of Salamanca in Spain. This year marks the Centennial of Balboa Park which got its start as the site of the Panama-California Exposition of 1915.
View of the newly opened plaza. Since this last visit, they've added even more seating including bean bags, a fake grass area, and more tables with umbrellas.
One of the hallways of the Casa del Prado with its graceful Spanish revival arches. Liberty Station in Point Loma also boasts hallways like this.
The Reflecting Pool and the Botanical Building. During WWI, the pool was once used as a swimming and rehabilitation pool for soldiers. The Botanical Building is one of the world's largest wooden lathe structures. It's gorgeous inside and about 10 degrees cooler as well. If you have never been inside, I highly recommend it. There are so many beautiful and rare flowers and plants in there.
Facade of the Casa del Prado:
Map of the Japanese Friendship Garden which was expanded last year. We missed this year's Cherry Blossom Festival but hope to go again next year.
The iconic Spreckels Organ Pavilion which has one of the world's largest pipe organs. It's beautiful lit up at night (a future post to follow)...
These are just a few of the places we strolled by during my birthday morning.
Links:
City of SD Parks & Recreation
Map
History of the Botanical Building
spreckelsorgan.org
Recent Balboa Park posts:
"The new canyon expansion at the Japanese friendship garden..." March 2014
"Balboa Park - Botanical Garden and Palm Canyon", October 2014
I have a few more Balboa Park posts up my sleeve featuring highlights from the recent Balboa Park Centennial Philippine American Celebration...Stay tuned!
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