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Botanical Building and Lily Pond, San Diego

4.6
#15 of 65 in Parks in San Diego
Garden · Hidden Gem · Nature / Park
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Take a break from the city at Botanical Building and Lily Pond, home to Balboa Park's most delicate plant species. See orchids, tropical flowers, ferns, and exotic trees that thrive in the hothouse environment. Admire the reflections of these plants in the clear lily pond--a centerpiece in the conservatory. Admission to this protected paradise is free. Planning San Diego trip won't be overwhelming when you use Klarna Trips's itinerary maker.
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Botanical Building and Lily Pond reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
1,085 reviews
Google
4.7
TripAdvisor
  • Although closed for total rebuild, the Botanical Building is a marvelous structure. Featuring an eclectic and lovely botanical collection, it is an oasis of quiet and beauty in the city and at the... 
    Although closed for total rebuild, the Botanical Building is a marvelous structure. Featuring an eclectic and lovely botanical collection, it is an oasis of quiet and beauty in the city and at the...  more »
  • botanical building having some work done on it so it was closed but the pond makes up for that. very nice to sit and chill 
    botanical building having some work done on it so it was closed but the pond makes up for that. very nice to sit and chill  more »
  • We had good time there.A lot of history and Mexican food all the vendors excellent.we spend half day in Nature history museum what a amazing place !It was full of excitement with kids know about so... 
    We had good time there.A lot of history and Mexican food all the vendors excellent.we spend half day in Nature history museum what a amazing place !It was full of excitement with kids know about so...  more »
Google
  • We have visited the Botanical Building at Balboa Park many, many times, bringing friends and family who are visiting. It's the iconic building in the back of most photos taken at Balboa Park, set back behind the Koi Pond. It's now being renovated, and they tell us it will reopen during the summer of 2023. Why they couldn't have conducted these renovations during the two years of Covid quarantine is beyond me. (eyeroll) Now you will just have to enjoy these gorgeous photos taken inside the arboretum and whet your appetite for its reopening next year.
  • It's the 3rd time I am here. Due to covid, the building is empty and being repaired. The lily pond is still beautiful.
  • I felt that it was enchanting. The building itself is amazing. Adding all of the plants was memorizing. I hoped to see more flowers saw one flower. Loved the entry arcs. There was also a man outside playing the guitar very beautiful music which added that obviance. Plus best part is that it was free free and free. If your in the area definite must. Let's you escape just a little.
  • A very comfortable place even on a nice sunny warm day. A nice breeze flows throughout the airy slatted building with various plants and colorful flowers. Admission is free, and I was able to take a few pictures.
  • It's under restoration but pond with water lillie's and koi fish were nice to see as well as the other flowers around the area

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