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Up above city of San Diego, close to Charles A. Lindberg Airfield, is Balboa Park, one of most unique large southern California city parks. There is more to do here for kids and adults than many other attractions in Southern California area.

The cool breezes blow through arroyos that are thick with green vegetation and bright flowers in summer. I have visited Balboa Park on many occasions, and you always see people under shade trees and playing catch and other activities you do at a city park. But Balboa is different. This is a cultural park as well. Maybe because of richest, most influential people in San Diego lived in an area called Bankers Hill, located right next to park, has something to do with prestigious buildings within park that house art, sciences, culture and Performing Arts.

This jewel of a city park to me is like Yellowstone is to National Park System. Possibly only Golden Gate Park competes in categories of arts and science and and cultural museums such as Asian Museum. Both parks were completed during a period of American enlightenment, by enlightened powerbrokers, for their local citizens

Balboa Park is also one of most secure parks in United States, with a live camcorder in about every bush and tree. It is therefore somewhat of a safe park during day, and they have security at night roving grounds. There are a few nice restaurants within and outside park, including a couple of national chains.

Mrs. Wallis Simpson lived in neighborhood, and maybe this is where she first met future deposed King Edward III, but word has it, it was on his royal Yacht berthed in beautiful San Diego Harbor.

Following is a listing of park buildings and themes. Many have a website lixk, so click on colored heanline to go to website. The best time is anytime in Balboa Park, and you can see Pacific from heights. See you there

THE BALBOA GARDENS —

One of most largely planted urban parks in America; Balboa Park is a horticultural paradise offering a magnificent backdrop for cultural attractions. The relaxing atmosphere created by stately rows of palms, forested lawns, and ever-changing floral displays greatly enhances a visit to park. The City of San Diego's Park and Recreation Department manages and maintains grounds of spectacular public resource.

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A cool, tropical breeze gently rocks me in my hammock as I overlook Tortuguero Canal, listening to hush of stormy Caribbean in distance. It's overcast and mildly humid in this part of Costa Rica, almost chilly; linen pants and a shirt keep me just warm enough when breeze stirs air. Chirps and squeaks and whistles fill air of lush green jungle all around me. A bottle of Imperial sweats on table next to me, a napkin wrapped around its neck. Tired from day's journey, I lean my head back and close my eyes. I'm asleep in an instant.

Flashback - 7:45 am.

Rude awakening to say least. With traces of Imperial lingering in my mouth, I board small shuttle headed for Tortuga Lodge on northern Caribbean coast and meet half-dozen others already on board: a pair of quiet Swiss girls, an older English couple and an American couple from California. We drive through San Jose in a drizzly morning and before long we are climbing through a misty cloud forest in Turrialba National Park, one of many volcanoes found in Costa Rica. It is exactly as I would imagine it: wispy white clouds shrouding steep green mountainsides. Prehistoric ferns lining small waterfalls cascading off sheer cliffs. The air is warm, a little stiicky, but by no means uncomfortable. The cool tingling rain on my skin keeps it fresh.

We eventually turn off paved road onto a dirt road through jungle which makes me regret last round of tequila last night. Miguel, our guide, intermittently points out various birds and wildlife lurking in trees, a howler monkey, an egret, a caiman. One particular sloth hunkered down against drizzle, it's fur matted and green with moss, is not nearly as excited to see us as we it. We pass through banana plantations and several small towns, villages only in sense that scattered collection of small, faded houses are only signs of civilization in otherwise uninhabited jungle.