Balboa Park, San Diego: A Peaceful European Vibe
After taking a brief walk with a friend and saying our goodbyes, I headed over to the plaza on the opposite side by myself. The expansive lawn, palm trees, and the round Balboa Park stone marker were glowing in the morning sunlight. The park seems to have quite a deep history, as I noticed an old bronze plaque on one of the walls dated 1868. The quiet, peaceful atmosphere of the park put my mind at ease the entire time I was walking.
Following the path, an incredibly ornate building that looked like a cathedral appeared. Wow, it felt like I had been dropped into an old European city rather than the US. It was designed by architect Bertram Goodhue in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, and I learned it's currently used as the Museum of Us, an anthropology museum. Looking at the intricate carvings covering the exterior walls of the entrance, it definitely felt like I was standing right in the middle of Spain or Italy.
I passed through a long corridor of arched columns and looked around the front of the San Diego Museum of Art. Just like exploring San Diego's historic park a few days ago, San Diego seems to be a city that holds unique, un-American landscapes all over the place. Walking through the shaded corridor, a cool breeze brushed past me pleasantly.
Coming out toward the plaza, people were gathered together under red parasols. They looked like an art club, with their easels set up, each quietly painting in such a relaxed manner. It was quite impressive to see a scene where no one was rushing, just spending their own time in the shade.
Next to that was a large fountain, ignored by most, but coolly shooting out water all on its own. The cloudless, clear blue San Diego sky and the streams of the fountain went together perfectly. Before heading to the train station, I was glad to be able to take a pleasant, albeit brief, rest in this Europe-like place. If your San Diego itinerary isn't too packed, I highly recommend coming here for a light morning stroll.
