Balboa Park began in 1868 when San Diegos civic leaders dedicated 1400 primeacres to create an urban oasis. Originally the land crisscrossed with canyonsand dom... » 

Balboa Park began in 1868 when San Diegos civic leaders dedicated 1400 primeacres to create an urban oasis. Originally the land crisscrossed with canyonsand dominated by native scrub was called simply City Park. In later yearsBalboa Park hosted two successful world expositions the 19151916 PanamaCalifornia Exposition and the 19351936 California Pacific InternationalExposition. The unique evolution of the park included occupation by the U.S.Navy a zoo a Native American village and even a nudist colony. Balboa Parkalso suffered periods of neglect and demolition before citizens groups unitedto save and restore the beloved Spanish Colonial Revival buildings. «