# Balboa Park Official App

> Interactive guide to Balboa Park's attractions, events, and amenities. (iPhone/iPad app by Balboa Park Online Collaborative.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/balboa-park-official-app/id970502543 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Balboa Park Online Collaborative](https://appshunter.io/developer/518386777)
- Category: Travel
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 182 App Store ratings · 32 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 318 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified, China), European Spanish
- Released: 2015-03-05
- Data updated: 2026-07-05
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/balboa-park-official-app/id970502543/reviews.md

## What is Balboa Park Official App?

Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

Balboa Park brings you an interactive guide the nation's largest urban cultural park. Home to 15 major museums, renowned performing arts venues, beautiful gardens and the San Diego Zoo, the Park has an ever-changing calendar of museum exhibitions, plays, musicals, concerts, and classes—all in the beautiful and timeless setting of this must-see San Diego attraction.

App includes:
- List of over a 100 things to do in the park

- Photos to show you what to expect at each location

- See map of the entire park and where all the things to do are located

- Utilize Detailed mapping and directions capabilities

- Locations of parking, restrooms, ATM’s, picnic areas and viewpoints

- Schedule of upcoming events and festivals

- Build and Track your personal list you want to do while in the park

- Add your personal Tips, Things To Do and Photos 

- Keep family and friends informed of your travel around the city

## Key features

- Interactive park guide
- Over 100 things to do
- Park-wide map with directions
- Event and festival schedule
- Personalized to-do lists
- Location of amenities (parking, restrooms)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 32)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/balboa-park-official-app/id970502543/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Frustrating app

*2026-04-16, version 5.3.5*

When tapping “want to visit” it from the Alcazar Garden, took me to the veterans garden. Then when trying to navigate around the park, the lack of street names appearing on the map made it difficult. Lastly, despite selecting satellite display for the map, it would not show it. The satellite view would have made following the map a little easier.

### 1/5 — Why still up?!

*2025-06-16, version 5.3.5*

Hasn’t been updated in 4yrs, ie, abandonware. So why is this still in the Apple Store?!

### 5/5 — Really improved

*2024-09-11, version 5.3.5*

The Balboa Park only provides tons of useful information, and lets you share that with friends. Every museum is listed with cost and operating hours. There are even links to the few museums that have their own apps. There is even a find your car option. 

I like that you can create an account and save favorite activities or museums. This is really useful for the iPhone smaller screen. If you have a computer or an iPad, the balboapark.org website will provide all the same information.

### 1/5 — Out of date, messy

*2024-01-25, version 5.3.5*

Too messy. If you want to see what exhibits are on, you click on the museum’s icon and go to a page about that museum. (If you tap the “Exhibits” button there you get sent back to the app’s home page.) Then you need to go to each museum’s website for current exhibit info. Food: out of place and out of date. You can’t eat at Alfred’s, it’s in the Zoo. And Tobey’s is far away in the golf course. And there’s a new place in the NAT. And you missed the place in the Fleet Science Center. 

The Events section seems to be the best bet for current special exhibits - if it’s up to date… It shows opening dates only, so some may be closed already.

The narration part of the trails section is neat. It only plays when the phone is held by your ear. Move the phone away and it stops. Walk to the next location, put the phone up to your ear and it picks up where it left off.

### 1/5 — Out of date, messy

*2024-01-19*

Too messy. If you want to see what exhibits are on, you click on the museum’s icon and go to a page about that museum. (If you tap the “Exhibits” button there you get sent back to the app’s home page.) Then you need to go to each museum’s website for current exhibit info. 

 Food: out of place and out of date. You can’t eat at Alfred’s, it’s in the Zoo. And Tobey’s is far away in the golf course. And there’s a new place in the NAT. And you missed the place in the Fleet Science Center

The Calendar section seems to be the best bet for current special exhibits - if it’s up to date… It shows opening dates only, so some may be closed already.

### 2/5 — Dysfunctional map

*2023-10-21, version 5.3.5*

The map never shows the text. Some fancy 3D overlay always covers whatever text that comes up no matter what I do.

### 1/5 — Does not work on OS 16?

*2023-02-28, version 5.3.5*

Don’t understand why it wants access to my mail?  Hasn’t been updated in 2 years.  Does not seem to work on OS 16?

### 1/5 — Calendar

*2021-06-25, version 5.3.5*

I downloaded this app specifically to plan a trip. If you want me to turn on my location and Bluetooth, then fix your calendar so when I put in the specific dates, you show me events on those SPECIFIC DATES and not EVERY SINGLE EVENT BETWEEN NOW AND THEN. It negates the entire action of me entering in my specific dates and it’s the only reason I Downloaded the app in the first place. Do better.

### 1/5 — App was probably good awhile ago

*2020-01-20, version 4.6*

Now app only features The Museum of Man, and nothing else. I want to tour other parts of balboa park but I’ll have to do it without this app as it is useless unless I want to buy tickets to a museum I don’t care to see.

### 5/5 — Spectacular

*2019-10-04, version 4.6*

This app is spectacular. Truly one of the most useful, informative, user-friendly apps I have ever used. Really enables you to enjoy fabulous Balboa Park to its utmost.

## Frequently asked questions about Balboa Park Official App

### What does the Balboa Park Official App do?

This app serves as an interactive guide to Balboa Park, the nation's largest urban cultural park. It helps users discover over 100 things to do, including museums, gardens, and performing arts venues. You can also find event schedules, maps, and essential amenities.

### What are the key features of this app?

Key features include a comprehensive list of over 100 attractions, detailed park maps with directions, a schedule of upcoming events and festivals, and the ability to create and track personal lists of desired activities. It also highlights locations for parking, restrooms, ATMs, and picnic areas.

### Is the Balboa Park Official App free to use?

Yes, the app is completely free to download and use. It does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements, allowing for an uninterrupted exploration experience.

### What kind of information can I find on the park map?

The park map provides a comprehensive overview of the entire park, showing the locations of all listed attractions, museums, gardens, and performance venues. It also pinpoints essential amenities such as parking areas, restrooms, ATMs, and designated picnic spots.

### Can I plan my visit with this app?

Absolutely. You can build and track a personal list of things you want to do while in the park, ensuring you don't miss any key attractions or events. The app also provides event schedules and detailed mapping to help you navigate efficiently.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.3.5 — 2020-11-12

Ready to get back to traveling and having new experiences? Check out some improvements of our highlights and virtual tours to pick your next trip.

### 5.3.4 — 2020-08-20

Ready to get back to traveling and having new experiences? Check out some improvements of our highlights and virtual tours to pick your next trip.

### 5.3.3 — 2020-06-19

Ready to get back to traveling and having new experiences? Check out some improvements of our highlights and virtual tours to pick your next trip.

### 5.3.2 — 2020-04-22

Feeling isolated? Escape for a bit and take a virtual vacation to one of San Diego's most popular tourist attractions, Balboa Park.  We recently added virtual tours of the Park's popular destinations. The tours include 360-degree images so you really feel like you're in sunny San Diego. These virtual tours also provide helpful planning tips when it's time to travel safely, along with a brief moment of wonder and escapism.

### 5.3.1 — 2020-04-05

Feeling isolated? Escape for a bit and take a virtual vacation to one of San Diego's most popular tourist attractions, Balboa Park.  We recently added virtual tours of the Park's popular destinations. The tours include 360-degree images so you really feel like you're in sunny San Diego. These virtual tours also provide helpful planning tips when it's time to travel safely, along with a brief moment of wonder and escapism.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-05.*