As 2015 begins, Balboa Park visitors will have something extra special to look forward to. After nearly 80 years of being closed to the public, the famed California Tower in Balboa Park will reopen on January 1st! This beautiful San Diego attraction is sure to please the whole family. For the first time since 1935, the tower will be open to the public for guided tours. Attached to the San Diego Museum of Man, this architectural marvel provides a beautiful view of Balboa Park and the Southern California landscape beyond. It’s a great way to see unexpected vistas of the park and the unique buildings that populate its expanse – including landmarks like the Casa de Balboa and even the San Diego Zoo.
Image copyright Museum of Man
Along with the rest of the Museum of Man, the California Tower was built in 1914 and officially opened in 1915 as part of the Panama-California Exposition. If you’ve visited Balboa Park before or seen photographs of their many attractions, you won’t be surprised to learn that like much of Balboa Park, the Museum of Man buildings were inspired by Mexican and Spanish architecture, particularly churches. However, after the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition, the Tower was closed to the public while the Museum of Man remained open through to the present day.
Image copyright Museum of Man
Fortunately for all you history lovers out there, the California Tower is back in business! 40-minute tours guided by expert curators run daily; be sure to buy your tickets in advance to guarantee availability. You’ll also want to arrive early to deal with parking – you don’t want to miss your scheduled tour time because you ended up having to park too far away! Tickets are for designated timeslots, so you won’t be able to take just any tour of the day; remember to plan that into your itinerary so you can be sure to include all the
San Diego attractions you want in your perfect day at Balboa Park. While you’re in the area, be sure to check out some of the numerous wonderful attractions, museums, gardens, and event spaces that beautiful Balboa Park has to offer. From the famed San Diego Zoo, to the
San Diego Air and Space Museum, the San Diego Museum of Art, and the Reuben H.
Fleet Science Center, to the lush Botanical Building and
Japanese Friendship Garden, you can find practically any style of attraction in this urban cultural park. Pick up an all-inclusive
Go San Diego Card to see all of these top Balboa Park attractions, or pick just a custom few with a
Build Your Own Pass. Don’t forget your camera – those shots from the top of the California Tower are going to be just fantastic!