Closed for nearly two years, Balboa Park’s Botanical Building & Gardens reopened in December 2024. San Diegans and tourists have flocked back to the picturesque spot to see mango trees, feijoas (a fruit-bearing plant with edible flowers, also known as pineapple guava), and lots more floral offerings.
The Sun visited the resurrected attraction to collect anecdotal opinions from visitors.
San Ysidro resident and Southwest High School teacher Daisy Cortes Guzman was able to explore the garden for the first time during the school’s annual field trip to Balboa Park.
“A lot of the student population we work with, many of them have never been to Balboa Park, and many of them have never seen the Botanical Gardens,” Guzman says. “This experience for them is to also see what’s around their home.”
The field trip was actually a visit to the Museum of Us. Visiting the garden wasn’t in the itinerary, but along with Guzman, Southwest High School student Lynette Garcia chose to spend her lunch break here.
Back when it was time for her quinceañera photo shoot, Garcia says, the Botanical Gardens were being rebuilt, so she didn’t get to see it. “I really enjoyed seeing the mango tree [today] because I hadn’t seen it before,” she says. “I didn’t know the significance of them until I scanned the QR codes.”
Southwest teacher Cory Zapata had been to the gardens before, with her four children. “It’s a very Zen atmosphere,” she says.”
Zapata remembers the gardens from pre-restoration – before the flowerbeds were raised, and the walkways became wider and more accessible. Note: The project is still ongoing. Phase 1 was restoring the building and gardens. A Phase 2 planting effort, led by Forever Balboa Park, is underway.
Visitors from all over the world come to see the gardens.
German tourists Thomas and Peggy Baier came on a recommendation from a friend. Thomas says his favorite part was the trellis creating the dome of the building.
Danielle and Livio Ramondelli are here at the gardens on a whim. The pair are from Sherman Oaks, with time to kill before their cruise ship departs.
Danielle was pleasantly surprised. “I like Balboa Park,” she says. “I didn’t realize they had renovated this area – it looks really beautiful.”
Kensington resident Ernie New has volunteered as a guide with Forever Balboa Park for eight years.
A horticulture expert who used to own a wholesale plant nursery, New initially volunteered for the rose gardens in the park — but is happy to spend time volunteering at the Botanical Gardens.
“I’m stoked at the reactions of people who come in here and are just in awe,” New says. “Civic pride feels good. Somebody from Vienna, Austria or Middleboro, Kentucky is here, and they’re just like, ‘Wow.’” SDSun
