A student’s guide to Balboa Park

Affordable art and experiences can be found at one of San Diego’s cultural gems  

Lizzy Jennings / Arts & Culture Editor / The USD Vista

Affordability and art hardly go hand in hand, especially in a place like San Diego, which is ranked as the twelfth most expensive city in the United States. With tickets for attractions like the popular WonderSpaces exhibit or the San Diego Zoo costing anywhere from $20 to $50, it can seem as if the art scene in San Diego would require an extensive budget, which almost no college student has. From textbooks to La Paloma noodles, it sometimes seems as if there are things other than art that we should be spending our money on.

However, being an arts and culture lover in a city as diverse as San Diego does have an upside, as there are often more options available at every price point. Local museums and attractions have discounts and free events, all aimed at the student on a strict college budget. Making a little extra effort to find these deals means that the San Diego art scene can be accessible to anyone.

Central to the affordable art scene is Balboa Park. Understanding the ins and outs of this 1,200 acre area is key to getting the best experiences for the lowest prices. In fact, much of what the park has to offer is free, including its garden facilities and many of the gallery or museum spaces on the park’s grounds. Rich with history, even walking around the grounds of Balboa Park can be an experience on its own. 

Senior Lexie Michel has enjoyed exploring the park on her days off this summer, especially the Friday food truck festivals the park hosts.

“Balboa Park is a great place to go if you’re looking for an afternoon of fun museums, vendors, street performers, and more,” Michel said. 

Michel especially enjoyed that the park has a variety of free activities available to the public. 

“I get to do something out of the ordinary without spending any money, which can be rare in San Diego,” Michel said.

If students want a more structured visit to Balboa Park, they can visit the San Diego History Center. There, one can learn all about San Diego’s extensive past with an especially appealing donation-based admission to the center. This means attendees can pay what they wish, with a suggested donation of $5.

To appeal to the artist, the park is home to a variety of exciting museum spaces. One of these spaces, the Timken Museum of Art, has free admission, which is its attempt to provide a barrier-free experience for those who wish to experience art. Recognized as one of the finest small art museums in the world, the Timken Museum is the perfect option for a college student looking for accessible art in San Diego.   

Another museum housed on park grounds is the Museum of Photographic Arts. The current and upcoming exhibits will be showcasing art from Australia all the way to China. Similar to the Timken Museum of Art, the Museum of Photographic Arts has a donation-based admission. Visitors can pay what they wish, which ensures the museum is accessible to almost everyone who wants to visit. 

Finally, one cannot overlook the San Diego Museum of Art when considering what Balboa has to offer to an art lover. Housing both permanent collections and rotating exhibits, the San Diego Museum of Art is full of art that can appeal to every interest. Though pricier than the other two art museums in Balboa Park, the museum offers discounted $8 tickets for students who show a school ID. Setting aside less than $15 would provide any student access to three of the finest art museums in the United States, and would likely cost less than what most people spend on one trip to Tu Mercado. 

At the University of San Diego, it can sometimes feel like students are living in a bubble. Shuttling between Mission Beach and campus makes it is easy for students to miss out on all the rich culture and experiences to be had beyond campus. Anyone can make San Diego their home without breaking the bank by taking advantage of all of the affordable opportunities the city and its sights are eagerly offering.

 Whether one is at Balboa Park or elsewhere, sometimes getting the real culture of San Diego simply means getting outside and enjoying the natural beauty of the city and all it has to offer. No matter your budget, places like Balboa Park make it possible to be a student and enjoy art and culture in San Diego.