Places to Host an Event in Balboa Park
Welcome to the definitive guide to places for a wedding in Balboa Park! I’ve done the research for you 🙂
#1 – Administration Building Courtyard –
The Balboa Park administration building is across the street from the rest of the park. There is sort of a cluster of administrative buildings over there and the courtyard is a large lawn/garden-y area in the middle. It has a lovely fountain and other photo-worthy features for a wedding in Balboa Park.
- Ceremony Site – Yes
- Reception Site – No (no food/drink allowed, no bathrooms)
- Capacity – 200 guests
- Parking – Dedicated lot
- For pricing contact, 619-239-1169. According to a comment on Wedding Mapper, it costs $275 (fee for a park permit).
- Visit this Balboa Park wedding site’s Yelp page or website
- Real wedding at the Balboa Park Administration Courtyard: Christina & Carlitos
#2 – Balboa Park Club (Ballroom or Santa Fe Room) –
The Balboa Park club is removed from the hustle and bustle of some other areas of the park. It boosts a 13,000 square foot wooden dance floor! Chairs and tables are included, plus there is a kitchen. It also has a gorgeous fountain out front as well.
- Ceremony Site – Appears to be indoor only
- Reception Site – 2 options: the Ballroom + the Santa Fe Room
- Capacity – 120 guests (SF Room), 500 (ballroom). Click here to see the floor plan diagram.
- Parking – Unknown
- For pricing contact, 619-239-1169.
- Visit this Balboa Park wedding site’s Yelp page or website
- Real weddings at the Balboa Park Club: Sarah & Greg
#3 – Centro Cultural de la Raza – 2004 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
You have probably driven by the Centro Cultural de la Raza many times–the building is bright, colorful, and right on Park Blvd. Inside this quaint, simple space are paintings, photos, and artifacts relating to Latin American culture. Use of the space includes tables, chairs, risers, and a projector.
- Ceremony Site – Indoor only
- Reception Site – Yes
- Capacity – 200 guests
- Parking – Not immediately near the building (would be across the street in the administration lots or in one of the other general lots)
- Request a price quote here or call (619) 235-6135.
- Visit this Balboa Park wedding site’s Yelp page or website
- Real weddings at the Centro Cultural de la Raza: Cara & Pete
#4 – Japanese Friendship Garden – 2215 Pan American Rd E, San Diego, CA 92101
The Japanese Friendship Garden is between The Prado and the organ pavilion. The Ceremonial Plaza, where a reception would be, overlooks the zen rock garden. This is a popular place for a wedding in Balboa Park.
- Ceremony Site – Yes (the Koi Pond Deck or the Ceremonial Gate)
- Reception Site – Yes (the Ceremonial Plaza)
- Capacity – 200 guests
- Parking – No dedicated lot, use any of the general lots
- For pricing contact, 619-232-2721 x100 or email: events-mktg@niwa.org.
- Visit this Balboa Park wedding site’s Yelp page or website
- Real weddings at the Japanese Friendship Garden: Kim & Brian, Taylor & Todd, Lauren & Drew
#5 – Marston House Gardens – 3525 7th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
The Marston House, built in 1905, is removed from the main area of Balboa Park and sits on 5 private acres of gardens. Your guests are welcome to tour the inside of the house during your wedding–added bonus! There is no prep area on-site so you’ll need to get ready elsewhere. They are also very strict about not starting private events while the house is still open to the public (until 5:00 PM).
- Ceremony Site – Yes (multiple)
- Reception Site -Yes
- Capacity – 200 guests
- Parking – Nearby on Balboa Dr.
- For pricing contact, (619) 297-9327 or email Weddings@SOHOsandiego.org. $3,500-$5,000 for ceremony + reception (depending on day of the week). $1,500 ceremony only. $2,000-$3,500 reception only. For full pricing info, click here.
- Visit this Balboa Park wedding site’s Yelp page or website
- Real wedding at the Marston House: Jo & Kim (featured on Style Me Pretty), Neil & Kimberly (featured on Wedding Chicks), Gemma & Danny, David & Jennifer
#6 – Mingei International Museum – 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
The Mingei does NOT host wedding ceremonies or receptions (despite being available for corporate and private events).
#7 – Recital Hall/Palisades Building/Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater – 2130 Pan American Rd W, San Diego, CA 92101
The Recital Hall is a 5,000 sq. foot banquet room in the Palisades Building, which is also home to the puppet theater. The Recital Hall includes a dressing room and a stage with a piano but no storage rooms, kitchen, or screen.
- Ceremony Site – Just in the hall (nothing outside)
- Reception Site – Yes
- Capacity – 200 guests
- Parking – Nearby general lots only
- For pricing contact, 619-239-1169.
- This Balboa Park wedding venue’s Yelp page or website.
- No photos of or links to real weddings at the Recital Hall could be located.
#8 – Redwood Circle – lawn area east of Balboa Drive near Nutmeg Street
There is no alcohol allowed at the Redwood Circle, so even though it’s available for both ceremonies and receptions, it is realistically just a ceremony site. The nearest bathroom is across Balboa Drive.
- Ceremony Site – Yes
- Reception Site – No (no alcohol allowed)
- Capacity – 200 guests
- Parking – Street parking only
- For pricing contact, 619-239-1169 or 619-236-5555. According to a comment on Wedding Mapper, it costs $275 (fee for a park permit).
- This Balboa Park wedding venue’s website
- Real weddings at the Redwood Circle: Sylvia & David, Molly & Melissa, Zola & Derrick, Chelsea & Seth (engagement shoot)
#9 – Reuben H. Fleet Science Center – 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
The science center is home to southern California’s only dome IMAX theater. They requires that you choose a caterer from their list of 8 local catering companies and use their one approved beverage service. They offer chair, table, A/V equipment, and dance floor rentals for an extra fee. In order to use a vendor not on their approved list, you must get permission.
- Ceremony Site – Yes (indoor and outdoor)
- Reception Site – Yes (multiple options)
- Capacity – 1000 guests
- Parking – Nearby general lots
- For pricing contact, (619) 685-5728 or specialevents@rhfleet.org.
- This Balboa Park wedding venue’s Yelp page or website
- Real weddings at the Reuben Fleet Science Center: Dave & Vickie
#10 – San Diego Air & Space Museum – 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
The San Diego Air + Space Museum has the largest event space in Balboa Park–their rotunda (“Pavilion of Flight”) can hold 600 sit-down dinner guests. Crazy enough…I have DJed a wedding here with 600 guests! Access the museum exhibits during your event. A non-approved caterer must do a walk-through of the venue prior to your wedding.
- Ceremony Site – Yes (indoor only)
- Reception Site – Yes
- Capacity – 600 guests
- Parking – Dedicated lot
- For pricing contact, 619-234-8291 x1117.
- Visit this Balboa Park wedding site’s Yelp page or website
- For real weddings, videos, photos, tips, and pros/cons of getting married at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, click here.
#11 – San Diego Art Institute – 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Not much is known about the San Diego Art Institute as a wedding venue other than that they have one 5-star review (as of January 2016) on Wedding Wire.
- Ceremony Site – Apparently
- Reception Site – Yes
- Capacity – Unknown
- Parking – Nearby general lots
- For pricing contact, email kfreligh@sandiego-art.org or call 619-236-0011.
- Visit this Balboa Park wedding spot’s Yelp page or website.
- No videos of or links to real weddings at the San Diego Art Institute could be located.
#12 – San Diego Automotive Museum –
The Automotive Museum is right next to the Air & Space Museum. They offer rentals/equipment and both indoor and outdoor space.
- Ceremony Site – Yes
- Reception Site – Yes
- Capacity – exhibit floor 200, car park 500,
- Parking – Dedicated lot
- For pricing contact, 619-398-0308.
- Visit this Balboa Park wedding spot’s Yelp page or website.
- No videos of or links to real weddings at the San Diego Automotive Museum could be found.
#13 – San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum – 2131 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
The Sports Museum offers audio-visual equipment, lighting, and rentals.
- Ceremony Site – Yes (indoor)
- Reception Site – Yes (multiple)
- Capacity – 500 guests
- Parking – There are general lots on 3 sides of the Hall of Champions
- For pricing contact, 619-699-2309. See their event guide here.
- Visit this Balboa Park wedding spot’s Yelp page or website
- Real wedding at the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museums: Lindsay & John
#14 – San Diego History Center – 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
The San Diego History Center is located in the heart of Balboa Park. It is affiliated with the Junipero Serra Museum located outside of Balboa Park at 2727 Presidio Drive, San Diego, CA 92103. The history center was a 2015 Wedding Wire Editor’s Pick for best museum wedding venue. You may only use one of their approved caterers. Renting the space includes rehearsal time, security, & tables/chairs.
- Ceremony Site – Yes
- Reception Site – No (apparently it’s not allowed to have your ceremony inside the museum…just your reception)
- Capacity – 100 guests
- Parking – Nearby general lots
- For pricing contact, call 619-232-6203 x109 or email events@sandiegohistory.org. Receptions prices range from $2,000-$4,000. Check out their event guide here.
- Visit this Balboa Park wedding spot’s Yelp page
- Real wedding at the San Diego History Center: Summer & Landon
#15 – San Diego Museum of Man/St. Francis Chapel – 1350 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
The Museum of Man is a real find…it has it’s own non-denominational chapel (and not just any chapel, a drop-dead-gorgeous-historic-landmark chapel) AND built-in “beer-o-logy” bar!!! Unfortunately, you must use one of their approved caterers (no exceptions). Additionally,your DJ/band is “subject to museum approval.” The location also has a dressing room on-site. You must become a member of the museum.
- Ceremony Site – Yes (multiple)
- Reception Site – Yes (multiple)
- Capacity – 500 guests (100 guests max in the St. Francis Chapel)
- Parking – Nearby general lots (If you rent the chapel, you get 5 reserved parking spaces close to the facility.)
- For pricing contact, call 619-239-2001 x31 or email tsaffon@museumofman.org. The chapel ranges from $750-$2,500. The reception locations range from $1,250 to $10,000 depending on the space, # of guests, and date. See more the museum’s wedding policies here and prices here.
- Visit this Balboa Park wedding site’s Yelp page or website.
- Real weddings at the San Diego Museum of Man: Jennifer & Bryan (featured on Offbeat Bride), Millie & Ernie
