Is balboa park the greatest park in america?

Balboa Park - Google Map Site

Balboa Park is the essence of San Diego. A stunningly beautiful park, chock full of things to do and experience. A common tourist attraction and rightfully so. Here is a list of attractions, museums, gardens, recreation areas, restaurants, trails & more

• You can ride the Balboa Park Miniature Railroad "which takes a 3 minute, 1/2 mile trip through four acres of Balboa Park. It is operated by the San Diego Zoo Department of Transportation."
• The Balboa Park Carousel, "which was built in 1910, is a sure thing if you have kids. The carousel is one of the few in the world that still offers the brass ring game for everyone taking the 5 minute ride."
• The House of Pacific Relations International Cottages puts on a wonderful display of little 1935 style Exposition cottages. "32 Groups promote multicultural goodwill and understanding through educational programs. Sundays from March through October, feature music, dance, traditional costumes, arts, crafts, and ethnic foods. Annual special events: the annual Ethnic Food Fair, and the International Christmas Festival at Balboa Park December Nights"
• Of course we have to add the San Diego Zoo. "Home to more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species and subspecies, the San Diego Zoo is a world famous conservation organization where visitors view exotic animals in habitat environments."
• Sefton Plaza "Features several bronze statues that provide a look into Balboa Park's history. A bronze statue of horticulturist Kate Sessions, often referred to as the "Mother of Balboa Park". You can stroll around the plaza and also enjoy some nice garden scenery."
• The Spanish Village Art Center hosts daily art demonstrations featuring contemporary fine arts and crafts directly from San Diego County's largest community of artists. 37 working artist studies and galleries working in collaboration to bring the public a little taste of Spanish culture.
• Believe it or not, there is a United Nations Building which houses the United Nations Association of San Diego,  the Eleanor Roosevelt Global Classroom, and the International Gift Shop. It is used for educational and administrative purposes. 
• There are over 19 gardens that you can get lost in. Meander your way through some of the most beautiful gardens in San Diego. The most notorious garden is the Botanical Building which has a very nice lily pond.
• For recreational purposes, there is the Balboa Park Activity Center. It is a multi-purpose gymnasium. The Balboa Park Golf Complex, which is a city golf course situated atop Balboa Park's East Mesa. The Balboa Tennis Club includes 24 hard courts, a stadium court with seating for 4,000 & more tennis related amenities. Go dancing or learn to dance thanks to The International Dance Association of San Diego County. A non-profit organizations dedicated to promoting and encouraging dancing as a social recreation. Express Yourself! Have you ever heard about Lawn Bowling? Me either, but apparently it's a thing. Balboa Park's Lawn Bowling Area was organized in 1931 with 5 founding members and is still going strong with over 100 members today. Just like bowling, but in the grass. The San Diego Mineral and Gem Society "is an extensive fossil, mineral and lapidary society that offers classes in cabochon cutting, faceting, silver fabrication, casting & many other activities in association with minerals."  
• Bird Park at Ceder. "This small play area is great for young children aged 2-5. Its sand and cushioned flooring provide a safe area for kids and toddlers who love running." Bird Park at Upas. "This small, partially enclosed play area is great for toddlers and little ones still learning how to walk." Kids 5-12 can enjoy Morley Field Playground with plenty for room for families with dogs can hang out and play.
• One of my favorite restaurants is The Prado at Balboa Park. "An award-winning restaurant located in the House of Hospitality. It offers charming outdoor and indoor dining. The diverse cuisine includes an array of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and imaginative entrées."
• Craveology. "Treat your craving to an array of salads, sandwiches, wraps, flatbread pizzas and paninis. And if you’re looking to rejuvenate from your busy day, order a fruit smoothie, frappé or one of their specialty coffees."
• Panama 66 is a "restaurant that embraces the open-air setting of the San Diego Museum of Art's Marcy S. May Sculpture Garden. The focus is on locally sourced, hand-crafted food and drink, from salads and sandwiches to seasonal cocktails and more."
• Casa 1915 Mexican Grill offers fresh local pastries, gourmet coffee, burritos, bowls and salads. I've heard that the horchata latte is one of the best in San Diego.
• Balboa Park offers 65 miles of trails of various difficulty, scenery and length. Traverse over dirt trails and into remote areas of the park or move through the museums and performing arts areas. Leave no trail untraveled! 
• The Japanese Friendship Garden "originated as a teahouse during the 1915 Panama California Exposition. Enjoy the beautiful garden's winding path which are a Zen garden for meditation. There is a koi pond, bonsai exhibit, ceremonial gate and a Fujidana. Weekend classes are offered in sushi making, bonsai, calligraphy, and conversational Japanese."
• Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. I always enjoyed going here as a child and on school field-trips. "The Fleet is home to Southern California’s only IMAX® Dome Theater and 100+ hands-on science exhibits for all ages. Watch immersive giant-screen films and amazing planetarium shows in the Eugene Heikoff and Marilyn Jacobs Heikoff Dome Theater and experience eight galleries of fun, interactive exhibits."
• San Diego Hall of Champions is "the nation's largest multi-sport museum boasts memorabilia reflecting San Diego's sporting legacy. More than an archive of San Diego sports, this 70,000-square-foot facility on three levels is a center that encourages visitors to be participants as well as observers." Take a seat and enjoy a ride through the history of some of the most memorable and legendary sports icons of San Diego.
• The San Diego Museum of Man is truly an eye opening experience. "It is the city's only museum devoted to anthropology. A key focus of the museum is to create and display dynamic and educational anthropological exhibits about people and places throughout the Americas and around the world."
• The Veterans Museum & Memorial Center holds a special place in San Diego because of it's ties with the Military. San Diego is a big Military town with most of our Pacific Fleet located right here! "Located in the historic Old Navy Chapel, the museum preserves and honors the memory of men and women of the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and Wartime Merchant Marine."
• The World Beat Center is dedicated to promoting and preserving African, African-American and other indigenous cultures of the world through art, music, dance, education and technology. 

Balboa Park is extremely fun to go to and even if you have been here 100 times I can guarantee that you have not experienced nearly half of the things there are to do here. I have lived here for 27 years and I have not even scratched the surface to this place! If you live here I must say get out and have some fun, if you don't live in San Diego then this is definitely a place that you will want to come visit. Balboa Park is one of the greatest parks in America.