Balboa Park luggage storage

About Balboa Park

Balboa Park is one of the oldest parks in the United States and has 1,200 acres of greenspace in San Diego, California. The park was opened to the public in 1868 and was known as City Park at the time. In 1892, Kate Sessions, a famous American botanist, agreed to donate 100 trees and shrubs to the park every year in return for 32 acres for her own commercial nursery. That is why she was given the title “Mother of Balboa Park” at the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935.

The historical park was also used as a home to the troops During World War II and the Great War. It was the training ground and barracks for the Navy as well as the Marines during those times. It was even named Camp Kidd after Admiral Isaac Kidd during WWII. And the park was also used as a hospital for many after the Pearl Harbor attack. 

This lush green space is not just a park. It boasts museums, gardens, Balboa Stadium, the Old Globe Theater, San Diego Zoo, and much more. The movies Citizen Kane, Rocky III, Top Dog, Scavenger Hunt, and National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze were all filmed in some part of the park. It was also the cover photo of one of the Beach Boys’ albums. 

Fun Fact: The park was named for Spanish traveler Vasco Núñez de Balboa, who was the first to spot the Pacific Ocean during an exploration in Panama.

Things to do in Balboa Park

There are many things to do in Balboa Park, but there are some that you should not miss. It is almost impossible to enjoy it all in one day, so just choose a few of your favorites and save the rest for your next visit. To save time so you can see more, take advantage of the Balboa Park Tram. It is free and stops at many of the most popular spots in the park. 

• Visit a few of the museums in the park. Some of the most popular ones are the San Diego Air & Space Museum, the Automotive Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Model Railroad Museum. 
• Get some selfies at one (or more) of the 17 gardens located all over the park. If you want to visit several close together, try the Zoro Garden, Rose Garden, Desert Garden, and Moreton Bay Fig Tree Garden. 
• Go to the Casa de Balboa, where you can see several attractions in one place. They host three museums, the Balboa Art Conservation Center, the Committee of 100, Café in the Park, and the San Diego Historical Society Research Archives. 
• Take a ride on the Balboa Park Carousel. It was built in 1910 and has handcrafted horses and other animals you can ride on like zebras, camels, lions, and even roosters. 
• Right next to the carousel is the San Diego Zoo, and you cannot pass up the chance to go there. They boast over 250 species from the African Giant Pouched Rat to the Zebra. 
• Eat your way through Balboa Park. There are 11 eateries in the park, including the Prado, the Flying Squirrel, and Café in the Park. 
• Go shopping at one of the awesome shops. There are 19 gift shops and souvenir kiosks located all over the park.
• Play table tennis at the Balboa Park Activity Center just off Park Boulevard by the Administration Building. 

Transit Options in Balboa Park 

• San Diego Transit Bus Route 7, 120, or 215
• Metro Transit System Trolley
• Rideshare app or Taxi

Luggage Storage Near Balboa Park

Visiting Balboa Park should be fun, but it will be a hassle if you have to drag your luggage. Bounce feels your pain. After all, we've experienced the burden of bags ourselves. We came up with a luggage storage company to help you out. With partners all over the world like museums, restaurants, and hotels, we have convenient locations everywhere to store your bags while you have fun. Download the Bounce app, find the nearest Bounce affiliate, and drop off your things for safekeeping. 

Luggage Storage Options Near Balboa Park

• Coronado Central Beach: Coronado Central Beach Park was voted the number one beach in the United States by Dr. Beach. Many people come to surf, swim, and paddle, but you can also enjoy the day just sitting on the beach looking at the beautiful ocean. Drop your bags off with one of our Bounce partners, so you don’t have to drag them through the sand. 
• Petco Park: Petco Park is the home of the San Diego Padres baseball team. If you are lucky enough to be in town during one of their home games, grab a ticket and head for the stands to enjoy a fun day at the ballpark. 
• Embarcadero Marina Park South: Enjoy some fun at the park. On Marina Park Way, four miles southwest of the park, you will find a waterfront park space with piers, hiking paths, basketball courts, picnic tables, and a concession stand. 
• Old Town San Diego State Historic Park: This is a historic site, so you can find all sorts of memorials and several museums to explore. They also have hiking trails, concession stands, and interpretive exhibits. You cannot bring your bags here, so stop by a Bounce location first to drop them off. 
• K1 Speed Indoor Karting: How about some go-karting? You can find the K1 Speed Indoor Karting on Main Street off of CA-75 about three miles south of the park. Race against others, or just try to beat your own lap times. Make sure you drop off your belongings with one of our Bounce partners on your way. 
• Piazza Pescatore: Want to do some shopping? The Piazza Pescatore has over 70 retail shops to choose from in one little area. Some of these include India Street Antiques, Kapreeza, and the Atacama Surf Shop. We can watch your bags for you at one of our locations nearby, so you don’t have to drag them along with you. 
• Seaport Village: If you didn’t find what you wanted at Piazza Pescatore, try Seaport Village on West Harbor Drive four miles from Balboa Park. They boast over 50 shops related to the San Diego area. You will need to leave your bags with Bounce so you can carry all your purchases. 
• USS Midway Museum: This fantastic museum can be found on North Harbor Drive in the San Diego Bay. Yes, it is in the bay because it is on an aircraft carrier, which is what makes it so unique. With over 30 restored aircraft as well as dozens of displays and exhibits, you could spend all day here. Be sure to grab your camera out of your luggage before dropping it off with one of our Bounce partners.