The Prado at Balboa Park
Californian restaurant · San Diego ·
Californian fare & happy hour deals in a hacienda setting
Californian fare & happy hour deals in a hacienda setting
"Full of charm and history, the Prado in Balboa Park sets a romantic scene in a Spanish California style. From the hacienda-like courtyard to the tree-lined amphitheater and hand-painted wooden stencil designs, the entire venue is adorned with beautiful Spanish, Moorish, and Mexican motifs. Since 1915, this national historic landmark has brought couples together, providing more than 22,000 square feet for events that can accommodate up to 500 guests in verdant gardens, terraces, and an elegant ballroom. Menu highlights include Spanish dishes like the Prado Paella with fish, mussels, shrimp, calamari, scallops, chicken, and chorizo in a saffron broth." - Roxana Becerril
"For a historic Spanish California vibe, Prado in Balboa Park is a beautiful option in the spacious hacienda-style courtyard or tree-lined amphitheater with a soothing fountain. The venue can accommodate anywhere from 40 to 500 guests. Menu highlights include Spanish dishes like Prado Paella." - Helen I. Hwang
"Beautiful Restaurant in Balboa Park After exploring Balboa Park for a few hours, this is the place to be for a cocktail or lunch. The food is really good, and the chef has won multiple awards over the years. They've got great mojitos, and my new favorite drink, the caipirinha (sugar cane liquor). I really like the beet salad, which consists of different varieties of beets sprinkled with goat cheese. There's indoor and patio seating, but who wants to sit inside on a beautiful San Diego sunny day? The outside patio overlooks part of the park and inside is filled with eclectic decor. The zoo is right next door, so when we have out of town guests, we'll just walk over after exploring the zoo and have lunch or an early dinner. The Prado does have online reservation system and I recommend using it or calling ahead unless you are going to be here right when they open at 11 a.m. It can get crowded really quickly, especially on the weekends."
"Sprawling over more than 1,200 acres, this urban cultural oasis is a photographer’s dream with museums, botanical gardens, flower-filled plazas, charming architecture and plenty of playful scenes—plan on at least a full day (or two) to capture its highlights." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"The Cohn Restaurant Group, which operates Balboa Park’s Prado Restaurant and Tea Pavilion, is leading the charge to place a temporary observation wheel in the Plaza de Panama in front of the San Diego Museum of Art." - Kelly Bone
