Phone: (619) 268-6307
32.719638, -117.141187
Hike: There are multiple trails on this land Level: Each trail varies in level of difficulty
Dog-Friendly: Yes Kid-Friendly: Yes
Golden Hill Park is actually an extension of Balboa Park and contains the oldest remaining feature in the entire park. An old, stone fountain is listed by the National Register as the oldest feature, designed by architect Henry Lord Gay. The fountain is on SOHO’s most endangered list.
Other attractions in the area include a children’s park, walking trails, and a redwood bird aviary. Make sure to check out the Victorian homes around the corner too!
The site was developed in 1907 and the fountain is actually a rustic Arts & Crafts-style inglenook with benches, rock double stairways, walls and radiating trails. There is a community garden right next to the fountain which you can appreciate from the outside and plenty of rolling hills and grass for a lovely picnic!
The landscaping here is beautiful and I highly recommend walking around, especially for plant lovers. There are Bunya Pines from Northeastern Australia located here and Moreton Bay Figs with the cascading roots that draw so many people in. There is also a beautiful view of the city that I would imagine to be a photographer’s dream spot.
There is a nice community garden here:
Evan
They’re in the process of re-doing this and will have running water in the fountain!
September 28, 2015
khylli
i was sent here by faze rug and holy love it had me shaking !!!!
July 18, 2016
Kary
The wooden benches are back, the area has been landscaped, and we are just awaiting the return of the water!
September 5, 2016
Anonymous
Golden Hill Park has a number of unusual trees, bushes, and palms in it. I haven’t identified them all, but the large pines on the south side are Bunya Pines from Northeastern Australia. The gardeners have to harvest the cones from those trees when they grow, to prevent the huge 10 pound cones from falling on people. The cones produce large seeds that are edible and the trees are sacred to the Aboriginal people.
August 24, 2019