🌸 Complete Guide to the Balboa Park Cherry Blossom Festival 🌸

🚀 A spring-limited cherry blossom paradise where you can enjoy sightseeing, shopping, and photography all in one place! Every March, the Cherry Blossom Festival in the Japanese Friendship Garden of Balboa Park is incredibly beautiful! With a full garden of cherry blossoms, numerous activities, and delicious food, one day is simply not enough! ✨ 📅 Cherry Blossom Festival Dates: 3/13 - 3/16 (20th Anniversary) 💰 Ticket Price: $20 per person (10% OFF for online reservations) Operating Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 🔖 Upper Garden | Non-stop Craft Market 👀 Japanese Handicrafts : Teapots, fans, hairpins, and Japanese-style accessories... Every stall makes you want to splurge! 🎁 Super Enthusiastic Vendors : The vendors we met actively introduced their teapots and even gave Miles a little gift. What a great find! 📸 Photo Corners : Under the cherry blossom trees, there are small pavilions and Japanese lanterns. Every casual shot feels like a picturesque moment! LOWER GARDEN | Traditional Cultural Activities Galore New programs every hour, absolutely satisfying to watch! • 🥉 Genbu Taiko Drumming : The powerful drumming makes you feel like an anime protagonist in an instant! • 🎸 Shamisen Performance : Classical instruments playing Japanese melodies—live performances are truly breathtaking! • Kimono Display : Models walk gracefully in exquisite kimonos, stunningly beautiful! • Kendo Performance : Swordplay with sharp and clean moves, super cool! • Cosplay & Dance : Classic anime characters and traditional Japanese dances, the atmosphere is off the charts! 🍡 Japanese Food Street | Non-stop Eating! Tired from playing? Time to eat! There are so many Japanese snacks that you'll want to take them all home! • 🦑 Takoyaki (Octopus Balls) : Crispy on the outside, tender inside, and bursting with flavor! • 🍙 Rice Balls & Teriyaki Rice : Simple yet comforting, with generous portions and affordable prices! • 🍛 Japanese Curry : Rich and slightly spicy, a perfect match with rice! • 🍧 Shaved Ice : Colorful syrup poured over shaved ice, refreshing and perfect for cooling off! • 🍩 Mochi Doughnuts : Chewy and soft, the more you chew, the more delicious they get—you'll want more! ⚠️ Helpful Tips • 🌸 Best Flower Viewing Time : Late March, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom! • ⏰ Avoid Peak Crowds : It's best to arrive at opening time (10 AM) or after 4 PM for fewer people and better photo opportunities! • 🥛 Essential Items : Sunscreen, sun hats, and water bottles—the SoCal sun can be intense! • 🪑 Bring a Picnic Blanket : Find a grassy spot to sit, enjoy the flowers, and snack—it doubles the fun! #LosAngelesTravelTips #LosAngelesSurroundings #CherryBlossomSeason #SanDiegoTravel #SanDiegoFood #SanDiegoWeekend #LosAngelesDayTrip #LosAngelesItinerary #LosAngelesTours