Art and Architecture in Balboa Park

Even if your knowledge of art is limited to one art history class in college and various trips to art museums, like mine, you can not help but be impressed by the amazing art and architecture that is located throughout Balboa Park. I often found myself stopping in my tracks to admire the extraordinary details carved into the buildings. I will be highlighting four of the most impressive buildings.

First up, the Spreckles Organ Pavilion, which houses the Spreckles Organ. The organ has more than 5,000 pipes, ranging in size from a pencil to over 32 feet long. Free weekly concerts are given here every Sunday, as well as additional concerts during the summer. The Pavilion was designed in the Italian-Renaissance style in 1915. Unfortunately, my visit did not coincide with a concert.

Next up is the California Building which houses The Museum Of Man. The California Tower and dome are covered with colorful mosaic tiles and glass beads, as well as, intricate carvings. It is quite the eclectic building as it has features of many different architectural styles including: Baroque, Plateresque, Churrigueresque, and Rococo. At the time of my visit you could climb up the tower with admission to the Museum of Man; however, the tower will be closed throughout most of 2019 in order to do some ‘seismic retrofitting’.

The Casa Del Prado is remarkable. It is designed in the Spanish-Colonial Baroque style. It is adorned with elaborate carvings, columns and arches.

The building was designed by Carelton Winslow with the elaborate carvings created by the artist H. R. Schmohl.

The building is currently used by the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, the San Diego Junior Theater and other performing arts groups.

So much to appreciate in this building.

The attention to detail is exceptional.

My favorite building in the park is the San Diego Museum of Art. Its elaborate facade was simply phenomenal. It was designed in the Spanish-Renaissance Plateresque Style by William Templeton Johnson and Robert W. Snyder.

The life-sized sculptures of the Spanish artists Velázquez, Murillo, and Zurbarán were created by the artist Chris Mueller.

The view of the pond and Casa del Balboa and the House of Hospitality is my favorite view in the park. The Prado Restaurant as well as the Prado Perk Coffee Shop are both located in the House of Hospitality. The Prado Restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, offers lunch and dinner and suggests reservations. I had a pastry and tea at the Prado Perk Coffee shop for breakfast and a late lunch at the Prado Restaurant. I recommend them both. There are also various vendors throughout the park selling lemonade, ice cream and various snacks.

Last, but certainly not least, is the Spanish Village Art Center. A quaint collection of cottage style stores for various artists and designers.

Here you will find artists set up throughout the park drawing and painting.

The hours are from 11-4 but many of the shops were not open when I was there. The shops that were had many different specialties. There were shops with paintings, sculptures from wood, glass and metal, jewelry, pottery, stained glass and photography.  In the next post I will highlight three of the gardens/trails in the park.  As always, wishing you happy travels and fantastic adventures in this thing called life.

(All pictures are available for purchase as Fine Art Prints and Digital Downloads through Alamy. If you see something you like, click on the link. If you are unable to find it, use the Contact Me page and I will make sure the image is available.)

More California Adventures

Visiting Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Sea Lions Galore at La Jolla Cove

Joshua Tree National Park – One Day Whirlwind Itinerary

Japanese Friendship Garden

 

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