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Free Traveling Guides » States » California » San Diego
Plaza de Panama
Plaza de Panama is the central point of Balboa Park. On the east of Plaza de Panama is the main street of the park, El Prado, and this is closed to traffic. Plaza de Panama also has the San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park Tram stop, the free tram of the park, and small parking areas.
On the Plaza de Panama is the beautiful Plaza de Panama fountain. The fountain is surrounded by colorful flowers and is one of the most photographed spots by visitors visiting Balboa Park.
The Plaza de Panama was the focal point of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. The plaza extended south to the Plaza de los Estados right in front of the Organ Pavilion. The Plaza de Panama was used by dignitaries for speeches, the armed services for drills, acrobats, athletes, bands for concerts, and civilians for dances.
Today, there are many building skirting the Plaza de Panama and one such building is the House of Charm which is across the Plaza. The House of Charm is built in the Franciscan style of the Basilica de Guadalupe in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The Balboa Park Visitors Center can also be found on the Plaza de Panama in the historically reconstructed House of Hospitality. The center has brochures, photos, maps and information about the attractions in Balboa Park and the San Diego area. You can also get a free timetable about the Balboa Park Tram from the center.
There are three museums ringing the Plaza de Panama. One can see the San Diego Museum of Art with its collection of European, American and Asian art. Then there is the Mingei International Museum, home to folk art, both contemporary and historical, from around the world; and finally there is the Timken Museum of Art with its small but fine collection of paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, El Greco, Pissarro and Cezanne.
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