Named after the Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the Balboa Park stands on a 490 hectare land in San Diego, California. It is a recreational area as well as a historical landmark located in the heart of San Diego. In 1915, the Panama-California Exposition was built in the park as well as the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935. These architectural creations gave the park its unique charm since these buildings were based on the Pueblo Revival and Mission Revival style of structural design. In 1977, both the Balboa Park and the exposition buildings were acknowledged as National Historic Landmarks and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Balboa Park stands as one of the oldest preserved public recreational sites in America. Visitors can enjoy its wide open areas, gardens, museums, shops, theaters and restaurants. You will also find the world-renowned San Diego Zoo inside the park.