Desert Garden — Attraction in San Diego

The Desert Garden at Balboa Park is a lovely spot for anyone interested in cacti and succulent plants. The garden showcases a spectacular array of these resilient plants, with hundreds of species from around the world. It’s fascinating to see the variety of shapes, sizes, and colors that these desert-dwellers come in, and the garden is well-maintained, making it a peaceful place to explore.

However, while the Desert Garden is certainly interesting, it’s not what I would consider an absolute must-see, or "incontournable," if your time in the park is limited. It’s a great addition to a day spent in Balboa Park, especially if you have an interest in unique plants, but there are other attractions in the park that might offer a more comprehensive experience of what Balboa has to offer. That said, it’s still worth a visit if you have the time and enjoy exploring...

This has to be the best kept secret desert garden in San Diego! It is soo fun to wander among the gorgeous and unique sci fi like desert plants and see their amazing shapes and incredible sizes. We visit all times of the year but spring is super cool with all the desert plant flowers and fruits.

There's a place to picnic down at the end by the rose gardens and incredible views of the mountains beyond. No bathrooms so go before you get there or go across the street to Balboa Park. Not dog or little kid friendly since there are a lot of prickly things.

Parking is across the street in the public lots. To walk there, you can either cross Park Street by the carousel or enter from the bridge over Park Street by the Natural History Museum. Great for a romantic stroll on a San...

A little bit of a hidden gem, this attraction is over the bridge/across Park Blvd from the museum's and fountain.

Many desert plants I'd never seen before, some seeming completely alien. Even with plants I had seen before, the sheer size and age of the ones here were pretty awe inspiring.

I really wish there were signs or plaques to identify more plants. Maybe there's a tour map I didn't look up. Definitely want to go back when it's a bit cooler and spend more time.

Oh. And if you're new to San Diego or visiting: you will usually see some homeless folks here and there. I go to the area very often and have never had any issues. Just maybe be prepared to answer questions from the kids about why the lady with the suitcase is sleeping...