During the holidays, some people like to reflect on the past year. "No, thank you. Please pass the booze." Okay, it was a challenging year, but surely we can set aside some time to apprec... "Seriously, where's that rum? This eggnog isn't gonna knock me out all by itself." ** As difficult as 2020 was … Continue reading Balboa Park in Bloom: The Best of 2020 →

If you’re like many people these days, you’re wondering when you'll get back to your old social life and don't know when you'll travel next. And you still haven't made up for those travel plans you cancelled. Why not tour one of the most magnificent urban parks in the United States without looking up from … Continue reading Balboa Park in Bloom: December, 2020 →

If you’re like many people these days, you’re still partly sheltered-in-place and desperate for a diversion. And really want to make up for those travel plans you cancelled. Why not tour one of the most magnificent urban parks in the United States without ever looking up from your phone? Balboa Park contains thousands of beautiful … Continue reading Balboa Park in Bloom: November, 2020 →

Balboa Park is home to an award-winning rose garden, free and open to the public year-round. The Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden is situated on the eastern edge of Balboa Park’s Central Mesa, along Park Boulevard. It was built in segments, beginning in 1973, and has been recognized multiple times for its beauty. Nationally … Continue reading Balboa Park in Bloom: Stop and Smell the Roses →

She referred to plants as her children and used to say that a fifty cent tree should be planted in a five-dollar hole. Kate Sessions (1857-1940) is the “Mother of Balboa Park.” She earned the title by decades of labor, care, and support that transformed what was once City Park, a 1,400- acre tract of … Continue reading Happy Mother’s Day, Kate Sessions! →

Have you ever wished someone would write a step-by-step guide through Balboa Park so you could learn its plants and trees? Chauncy Jerabek, known as "The San Diego Tree Man," made that wish come true... over 80 years ago. In beautiful Balboa Park there are crowded many interesting plants from nearly every country of the … Continue reading Balboa Park: The San Diego Tree Man’s Hidden Treasure →

Bunya-bunya. How can you NOT love that name? Bunya-bunya trees are evergreens, native to Australia and impossible to confuse with anything else (https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/araucaria-bidwillii). Southeastern corner of Golden Hill Park, aka the southeastern corner of Balboa Park Credit Miss Kate Sessions with their presence in Southern California. "The name 'Bunya' comes from the aboriginal name for … Continue reading Balboa Park: The Bunya-Bunya Trees →