The Museum is located at
1450 El Prado, Balboa Park,
San Diego, CA 92101.
Walk, bike, bus, trolley, or drive. There are countless ways to get here.
Best access to the Museum is via Park Boulevard or the historic Cabrillo Bridge.
Directions
From the North
- Interstate 5 South
- Exit on Sassafras Street, which is the airport exit.
- Turn left onto Laurel Street, which has a stoplight.
- Follow Laurel Street into Balboa Park. You will cross Cabrillo Bridge into the center of Balboa Park.
- Laurel Street ends at the Plaza de Panama, adjacent to the Museum.
From the South
- Interstate 5 North
- Exit on Sixth Avenue.
- Turn right onto Sixth Avenue.
- Turn right onto Laurel Street, which has a stoplight
- Follow Laurel Street into Balboa Park. You will cross Cabrillo Bridge into the center of Balboa Park.
- Laurel Street ends at the Plaza de Panama, adjacent to the Museum.
From the East
- Interstate 8 West
- Exit onto State Highway 163 South.
- Exit onto University Avenue. Make no turns and you will be on Sixth Avenue.
- Turn left onto Laurel Street, which has a stoplight.
- Follow Laurel Street into Balboa Park. You will cross Cabrillo Bridge into the center of Balboa Park.
- Laurel Street ends at the Plaza de Panama, adjacent to the Museum.
From the West
- Follow North Harbor Drive until it becomes Laurel Street as you cross Interstate 5.
- Follow Laurel Street across Cabrillo Bridge into the center of Balboa Park.
- Laurel Street ends at the Plaza de Panama, adjacent to the Museum.
PARKING
The Museum is located in the heart of historic Balboa Park, on the Plaza de Panama. Parking options are available throughout the park. The closest parking lot is in the Alcazar lot, located South and West of the Museum and just a short walk away. The Organ Pavilion parking lot has abundant parking located a 10-minute walk from the Museum. Additional parking may be found in the Inspiration Point, Palisades, Federal, Balboa, Natural History, and Zoo parking lots. Trams run daily from parking areas at Inspiration Point, on Pan American Plaza, and behind the Hall of Champions, stopping at the Plaza de Panama in front of the Museum. View directions, view a Balboa Park map, or call 619.232.7931 for additional information.
Paid parking in Balboa Park is scheduled to begin Jan. 5, 2026, as approved by the City of San Diego. Monthly, quarterly, and annual parking pass options for verified residents of the City of San Diego and for non-residents will soon be available. For those not purchasing passes, parking will be available at parking meter kiosks on Balboa Park roads for $2.50 an hour, and in the Balboa Park lots for daily fees ranging from $5 to $16. For the latest information on available parking lots, parking pricing tiers, parking passes, trams and shuttles, and more, please visit https://www.sandiego.gov/parking/balboapark.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) provides easy access from downtown and Mission Valley.
- Maps and Routes
- Review the times for Route 120, Route 7, and Route 215, the main bus routes that serve Balboa Park
BALBOA PARK TRAM
Free tram service is available to bring visitors from four Balboa Park parking lots to the center of the Balboa Park Cultural District. All trams are equipped with ADA-accessible ramps; ask the conductor for assistance. With stops in or near four parking lots (Alcazar Parking Lot, Organ Pavilion Parking Lot, Palisades Parking Lot, and Upper and Lower Inspiration Point Parking Lot), the free Balboa Park Tram loops around the Cultural District making 5 stops throughout the day to get visitors within a 10-minute walk to many of the Cultural District’s most popular destinations. Trams operate daily and leave from the Inspiration Point parking lot at Park Boulevard and Presidents Way every 10 to 15 minutes. The free Balboa Park Trams operate daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (with extended hours beginning Jan. 5, 2026).
CHARTER BUS
Looking to travel with a large group? Consider booking a charter bus for all your exclusive tour bus travel needs.
