I was planning to enjoy the day at Balboa Park. The sprawling urban oasis boasts lots of museums, gardens and trails, and the San Diego Zoo. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

San Diego Zoo Parking Lot, Balboa Park Zoo Place will be exit only during the event; use Zoo Drive to access the parking lot. Recommended access - from southbound Park Blvd. to Zoo Drive.

Save money with a Balboa Park Explorer Pass, which offers discounts at park museums. – Sharael Kolberg Home to the renowned San Diego Zoo, this 1,200-acre park is the city's cultural hub.

Annual passes from the zoo, or the Balboa Park-wide Compass Pass, could also include parking, Laing added. "This is a big nut ...