Top Rated Parks to Visit in Black Mountain

"You’ll keep returning to this 1,200-acre urban park for its world-class zoo, restful cultivated areas, museums in refined Spanish Revival buildings and live shows. There’s a tapestry of gardens around the park, planted with more than 350 plant species hand-selected at the turn of the 20th century by the botanist Kate Sessions, the “Mother of Balboa Park”. An emblem for the park and San Diego is the Botanical Building, one of many splendid holdovers from the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition."

"Comprising 1,200 acres in San Diego, Balboa Park is the largest urban cultural park in the United States, and also one of the oldest. It features over 15 museums, meandering paths, overflowing gardens, green belts, several theaters, gift shops, restaurants, a carousel, mini railroad, and San Diego Zoo. Admittance to the park is free, as is access to the luscious gardens, trails, The Botanical Building, and Timken Art Museum."

"Balboa Park is one of the most Instagrammable parks in San Diego!. While you’re there, don’t miss the lily pond!. This reflection pool is not your average little lily pond."

"Located on the sands of Mission Beach, Belmont Park takes you back to when amusement parks were simpler. Carrying on the tradition of old-time family fun, San Diego's only beachfront theme park is home to the historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, as well as other classic rides like Beach Blaster, Chaos, Krazy Kars, Vertical Plunge, Tilt-A-Whirl, Liberty Carousel, Crazy Submarine, and Thunder Boats. Popular in the 1930s and 40s, the park received a $2 million renovation and reopened in 1990."

"3146 Mission Boulevard San Diego, CA 92109 858-488-1549 Ride Hours: Monday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Tuesday-Thursday: 11:00am-8:00pm Ride Hours: Friday & Saturday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Sunday: 11:00am-9:00pm Store hours vary 5 Stores plus multiple kiosks Major Attractions: Roller Coaster, Beach Blaster, Wave House and Specialty Shops"

"The once-abandoned amusement park between the bay and Mission Beach Boardwalk is now a shopping, dining, and recreation complex. Twinkling…"

"This park has an excellent history museum in the Robinson-Rose House at the southern end of the plaza. You’ll also find a diorama depicting the original pueblo at the park’s visitor center, where you can pick up a copy of the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Tour Guide & Brief History ($3), or a presentation tour (free) at 11am and 2pm daily. Personal tours cost $10 and depart at 11:30am and 1pm."

"Spend a long morning in Old Town State Historic Park, exploring the adobe buildings and browsing the many gift shops. You’ll be tempted to sit down for a Mexican lunch at one of the tourist restaurants, but save your appetite for a more genuine experience at El Indio, just up the street in Mission Hills."

"There are numerous historic buildings located in this area, dating back to the early 1800s. It was the first European settlement in California. One notable building is Whaley House which Travel Channel named as the most haunted house in America."

"Just fifteen minutes’ drive west of downtown San Diego, you can find a stunning stretch of coastline known as the Sunset Cliffs. Now protected as a natural park, the area is named for its steep coastal cliffs that look out over the ocean and is a very popular place to watch the sun set over the Pacific. Tumbling their way down to the ocean, the sheer cliffs and craggy coastal bluffs certainly make for a dramatic sight with hidden coves, tidal pools, and beaches lying at their foot."

"Sunset Cliffs Natural Park encompasses 68-acres of resource-based land that is situated along the western edge of Point Loma. Here you will find sea caves, arches, and coastal bluffs, and you’ll be privy to stunning ocean views. From the cliffs (be careful), you might be lucky enough to catch the California seasonal whale migrations and dolphins but be sure to see the sunsets."

"For the best ocean views in town, visit Sunset Cliffs Natural Park: a 68-acre park where people do indeed come to take in the colorful sunsets. The promise of a gorgeous Pacific panorama has made the area incredibly popular with hikers, surfers and birdwatchers."

"Named after Frances Ryan, a former teacher at Escondido High School, Ryan Park is a 67-acre park that’s been developed for sporting events. While the park is home to the Escondido Youth Soccer club—which would explain the five soccer fields—there’s also a playground area, baseball fields, and a concession stand."

"Situated in the center of the action sport industry in Alicante Road, Carlsbad lies the 32-acre Alga Norte Community Park. It includes the skate park which opened in January 2014, boasting its urban plaza theme merging a color palette that reflects its prevalent Spanish style architecture, and a transition arch influenced by the form of Carlsbad’s historic mission."

"The park was named after Christopher (Kit) Carson, the famous scout who guided Captain John C. Fremont over the Sierra Nevada Mountains during a government exploration expedition. The City of Escondido acquired the land for its largest regional park from the City of San Diego in 1967. Address:3333 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92025"

"Let your little one splash around this pirate-themed spray park on a hot summer day. The park has a large open space and grass, which is perfect for the crew. Even more, the large playground nearby has tons of swings."

"It has one of the best views of the San Diego Skyline and yet this small pocket park is seldom visited […]"

"You can hike, bike, and ride horses on 11 miles of trails set on 784 acres of natural woodland. There are picnic areas and scenic spots, and the reserve is staffed with docents and park rangers who give guided tours and share ideas for self-guided activities. That’s not all that brings people to this Escondido attraction, however."

"Somehow, they find the creepy crawlies fun, mysterious and intriguing. If you have a kid that loves bugs, Bill the Bug Guy is for you. Bill Burkhardt is a docent at the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve and has been fascinated by bugs since he was a child."

"The reserve provides hikers with two ways to access the hiking trails. Going uphill is one way and the other is crossing over the creek, via large rocks. Even with hiking boots you must take caution because the rocks are quite slippery."

"With a menu based on the principals of Dr. Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet, this relaxed eco-chic concept caters to a variety of diets, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. Lunch and dinner menu standouts include the bison burger, sweet potato hash and kale crunch salad with avocado and grapefruit. Libations, including handcrafted cocktails like the ginger margarita and vegan Thai piña colada, plus organic wines are also not to be missed."

"In addition to sandwiches, salads (Mediterranean quinoa, seared albacore) and pizzas (Brussels sprout & wild mushroom, house-made chicken sausage), you’ll find perfectly portioned entrees, including a pan roasted chicken and Scottish steelhead salmon on the menu at this health-conscious café. Stay refreshed with tonics, teas and sodas like the Honey Bee Ginger Beer or enjoy a lunchtime tipple with a Citrus Skinny Margarita"

"Such good food that anything you choose on the large menu will leave you happy. Worth it for the portions!"

"Walk back to Girard Avenue and continue south to Ark Antiques, founded in the 1970s as the dream of two women decided to start a business based on their two passions, antiques, and animals. Today, it’s one of the most lucrative non-profits in La Jolla. This specialty shop sells every kind of consigned item you could want including antique jewelry, silver, china, paintings, lighting, furniture, and more."

"Tuna Dockside Market is a hidden gem - a pop up fish market on the pier between Seaport Village and the USS Midway, more or less, is a fishing pier where the local fishermen bring in their catch every Saturday morning from 8AM to 1PM. Everything here is fresh, there’s no fake prop fish or fresh frozen fish here. If you are on vacation it’s fun to see what the local waters have provided (and if you’re a local you would be wise to bring a cooler) and there’s always a stand there serving up ultra fresh fish tacos, typically two for $13."