Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [242]
SPRECKELS ORGAN PAVILION
Going south from Plaza de Panama, you can’t miss the circle of seating and the curved colonnade in front of the band shell housing the organ said to be the world’s largest outdoor musical instrument. Donated by the Spreckels family of sugar fortune and fame, the pipe organ came with the stipulation that San Diego must always have an official organist. Make a point of attending the free concerts (Map; 619-702-8138; www.sosorgan.com), held throughout the year from 2pm to 3pm Sunday and 7:30pm Monday from mid-June to August.
PAN-AMERICAN PLAZA
The plaza is now simply a large parking lot southwest of the Spreckels Organ. As you approach it from the organ, the UN Building is on your right. Its Unicef International Gift Shop (Map; 619-233-5044; 10am-4:30pm) has a good selection of stationery, jewelry and candy, and donates its profits to world widechildren’s causes. Nearby, the House of Pacific Relations (Map; 619-234-0739; admission free; noon-4pm Sun) actually comprises 15 cottages from the 1915 exposition, inside which you will find furnishings and displays from various countries. When the cottages are open, they often have crafts and food for sale.
Nearby in the Palisades Building, the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater (Map; 619-544-9203; www.balboaparkpuppets.com; adult/child $5/3; ) puts on terrific hand- and rod-puppet shows (11am, 1pm and 2:30pm Wednesday to Sunday in summer, shorter hours rest of year), and also has puppet-making workshops. The San Diego Automotive Museum (Map; 619-231-2886; www.sdautomuseum.org; adult/child/senior $8/5/6; 10am-5pm) has a collection of more than 60 cars and motorcycles, perfectly restored and well displayed, with classics including a 1937 Cord and a collection of motorcycles manufactured by Indians. Special exhibits change quarterly.
The round building at the southern end of the plaza houses the excellent Air & Space Museum (Map; 619-234-8291; www.aerospacemuseum.org; adult/child/student & senior $15/9/12; 10am-5:30pm Jun-Aug, to 4:30pm Sep-May; ), with an extensive display of aircrafts – originals, replicas, models and Charles Lindbergh memorabilia.
At the adjacent Starlight Bowl, the Starlight Opera (Map; 619-544-7827; www.starlighttheatre.org) presents a summer season of musicals and light opera.
The Federal Building was built for the 1935 exposition and now holds the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum (Map; 619-234-2544; www.sdhoc.com; adult/senior/child $8/6/4; 10am-4:30pm), a hall of fame for San Diego sports figures. Permanent and temporary exhibits cover themes as wide-ranging as Ted Williams, skateboarder Tony Hawk and the World Series of Poker. There’s also a media center, in which kids can call the commentary on a game.
CENTRO CULTURAL DE LA RAZA
The center (Map; 619-235-6135; www.centroraza.com; donation requested; noon-4pm Tue-Sun) hosts powerful exhibitions of Mexican and Native American art, including temporary exhibits of contemporary indigenous artwork. The round, steel building, which is actually a converted water tank, sits way out on the edge of the main museum area; easiest access is from Park Blvd.
MARSTON HOUSE
In the far northwestern corner of Balboa Park is the former home of George Marston, philanthropist and founder of the San Diego Historical Society. Built in 1904, Marston House (Map; 619-298-3142; 3525 Seventh Ave; adult/child/senior $5/2/4; 10am-4:30pm Fri-Sun by 45min tour) was designed by noted San Diego architects William Hebbard and Irving Gill, and is a fine example of the American Arts and Crafts style with furnishing and decorative objects.
BALBOA PARK GARDENS
Balboa Park includes a number of gardens, reflecting different horticultural styles and environments, including Alcazar Garden, a formal, Spanish-style garden; Palm Canyon, with more than 50 species