Elizabeth

Balboa Park

The following is text from Elizabeth's book:     Chapter 1 There are many important buildings in Balboa Park. Most of the buildings in the park's southern palisades area were constructed for a fair: some of the buildings are the Conference Building, the Ford Building, the Starlight Bowl, and the Municipal Gym. Other buildings constructed at this time were the Spanish Village Art Center, the House of Pacific Relations (seventy cottages) and the United Nations Building. The Spanish Colonial Revival style prevailed in the building designs for this expo, which were undertaken by well known architect Bertam Grosenor Goodhue. Completed for this expedition was Garill Bridge, the California Building, the house of Charm, the House of Hospitality the Cease Balboa, the Casa Del Prado, the Balboa Park club, the Alcazar Garden. The California Building and the Speckels Organ Pavilion were the only buildings designed for permeant use.   Chapter 2 The House of Hospitality is a very important building in Balboa Park. The house was built by the City of San Diego to be a center piece of the 1915-1916 Panama California Expedition. This two-year festival was held in Balboa to promote San Diego and to celebrate the 1914 opening of the Panama Canal. The House of Hospitality Association has existed for many years. The House of Hospitality Association Inc., was formed in 1921. A twenty member Board of Directors administrates the House of Hospitality Association and its programs, the Balboa Park Visitors Center, Balboa park Promotions office, and the website of Balboa Park. Jane Reel was the first re-elected president of the Board of Directors of Balboa Park's House of Hospitality. Additional members of the board are Teresa Beck, Pamela Crooks, Patricia Fry, Cynthia Furlong, Lynne Kennedy, Brian Matthews, Mike McDowell, Belle Nunley, Bett Peabody, Shirley Philips, James Puracll, Gonzalalo Rojas, Paul Rose, Jeannne Safford, and Pellet Willet. David Kimely is the Executive Director of the House.   Chapter 3 Another important building in Balboa Park is the Natural History Museum. The NHM (Natural History Museum) occupied three different buildings in the park before celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. Community leaders recognized the need for a permanent museum of adequate size. San Diego's leading architect, Willian Templeton Johion (1877-1957) was commissioned by the by the Society of the Natural History to design its new museum building on Balboa Park's East Parado. Johnson had earned his reputation with his design of the Fine Arts Gallery (now the Museum of Art) and the downtown San Diego Trust & Savings Bank, among other buildings. The society of Balboa Natural History Museum was a very important part in San Diego history. Founded in 1874, the San Diego Society of Natural history is the oldest scientific institution in southern California, and the second oldest west of the Mississippi. In its initial years the Society was the region's primary source of scientific cultures and services a small but growing community eager for information about its natural recourses. Early society members established a weather station, petitioned to create Torry Pines State Reserve, and gardened support for the new San Diego Zoological Society. In June 1912, the Society met for the first time in its new quarters in the Hotel Cesili recently built on Sixth Street in San Diego. Later that same month exhibits created by Frank and Kate Stephens were installed in a single room and a joining level, and were open to the public several times a week. The society had opened their first museum! In 1917, the society purchased a vacant Balboa Park Building from the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. Here the Society moved its growing collection and library to create the San Diego Natural History Museum. The Board defined its commitment "To educate and help people know and love nature" and began a variety of educational programs, many of them using specimens from museum collections in the city and county schools The San Diego Natural History Museum's building had other uses than a museum. The Society was notified on March 5, 1943 that the U.S. Navy wished to take over the Natural History Museum for Hospital use at once. After the war the new $175,000.00 Natural History Museum Building was formally dedicated on January 14, 1933.   Chapter 4 There are many different buildings in Balboa Park. Some of them include: Albert's Restaurant, located near Gorilla Tropics at the San Diego Zoo. On there menu they offer entrees including: pastas, steak, seafood, pizza, salad, and sandwiches, as well as a children's menu. This full service entry bar is located beside a tropical garden, and offers indoor and outdoor dining. Albert's is open year-round for lunch and serves dinner during the "Nighttime Zoo" experience. The restaurant is named after a famous zoo resident, Albert the Gorilla, who died in 1979. Cafe in the Park is a delightful, friendly cafe located in the lobby of Casade Balboa. Breakfast snacks, freshly made and "quick-to-go", sandwiches, salads, espresso drinks, iced teas, soft drinks, and ice cream is served. Galileo Cafe offers healthful alternatives to traditional fast food. They offer cold sandwiches, hot roast beef, salad, pasta, ice cream, pizza, and snack items. Located off the new east rotunda in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center with tables outside next to the fountain. Lady Carolyn's Pub is the Old Globe Theater's outdoor food and beverage pavilion. Try one of their hearty soups in a sourdough bread tureen; a cool, crisp salad; or a warm fruit crumblier. Sip on an icy juice squeeze, a cappuccino, a robust Merlot, or a steaming cup of Irish coffee. The Prado at Balboa Park, located in the House Hotplate, is a full-size restaurant offering indoor and outdoor seating and is open daily for lunch and dinner. The unique decor blends the historic assets of the House of hotplate and whimsical accessories inspired by the Parks Museum collection areas. The diverse Latin-Italian fusion cuisine includes an array of appetizers, salads, pinini sandwiches, and imaginative entree selection. The lounge combines a taps menu with a wide vanity of margaritas and other beverages. Time Out cafe, located in the Hall of Champions Sports Museum, is a full service delicatessen offering a variety of soups, salad, and sandwiches named for some of San Diego's greatest athletes. You can sit in their comfortable indoor area or their outdoor benches and evening phone-in "to-go" for if you are in a rush. The Tea Pavilion at the Japanese Friendship garden serves a traditional Japanese green herbal and specialty teas as well as sushi, Japanese noodles, rice bowls, miso soup, salads, and snacks. Enjoy the magnificent views from inside the Tea Privilion or from the outdoor courtyard and deck. Unique imports food, beverages and gifts, as well as imported bull teas, are available for purchase. The Villa Grill is located on the corner of Villa Place in Old Globe Way. They serve hot dogs, hamburgers, and other fast foods items made on the site. Sit at a tile-decorated table under the shady umbrellas and enjoy casual dining. Waters Cafe at SDMA . The San Diego Museum of Art has partnered with Waters Fine Catering to open a new cafe in the Sculpture Court. Building on Waters' award winning reputation for creating fresh, natural, gourmet dishes. Waters Cafe at SDMA offers hand crafted soups and breads, lively salads, unique sandwiches and tempting desserts. A casual, family-friendly eating experience.   Chapter 5 Along with restaurants there many different gardens in Balboa Park. Trees for Health is a educational garden that promotes a better understanding of the values and uses of medical plants, as well as to develop public appreciation of local and global conservation through this living collection of plants. Located on the West Mesa, on the corner of Balboa Dr. and Quince St. A self-guided walk brochure is available at the Balboa Park Visitor Center or the Balboa Park Administration Office. The garden is maintained by the City San Diego, it is open and free all year. Inee Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden is south of the footbridge that crosses Park Boulevard and the Natural History museum. This is an award winning All-American Rose selection Display Garden containing over 2,400 roses in 180 varieties. Recently honored by the top 12 public rose gardens in the world, one of only 2 in the U.S.A. to receive this distinction. The garden is in peak blooming from March thought December. This garden is one of the most popular wedding spots in the park. This garden is open all year.   Chapter 6 Families with plenty of time and money and families with a tight schedule and a budget will both enjoy their time in the Park. Opportunities and values for children and families abound in Balboa Park. Butterfly Ride: Located just inside the entrance of the Zoo Place. It is an airplane and butterfly ride for children age five years and under.   .

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