Spanish Village Art Center
Located in Balboa Park, the Spanish Village Art Center is filled with art studios, each one home to a creative soul. The center sits between the San Diego Zoo and the Museum of Natural History featuring multicolored cobblestone in their courtyard. As a visitor to the Village, you can see real artists creating real pieces of art, right before your very eyes! Witness the remarkable focus and concentration each artist invests in each unique piece. Come watch art in action every day!
Take a stroll through the historic working studios featuring over 200 local artists of all different mediums. If you’re looking for a hands-on art experience, the artists at the Spanish Village provide classes as well. As an art lover or an artist yourself, you simply cannot miss a visit to Spanish Village in Balboa Park. Free admission, a priceless experience!
Jessica Riggleman
22:39 19 Feb 22
Wow, what an unexpected, very cool place! My boyfriend and I were visiting for the weekend and I wanted to visit Balboa Park. We randomly ran into the Spanish Village Art Center. I am not sure if it should be advertised more or if it is Balboa Parks best keep secret. My boyfriend is a glassblower and surprisingly there was another one there. We walked through like 8 times! Love it and the artisans are amazing.
Frank Juhasz
21:35 07 Feb 22
This collection of working artist shops is unique in my experience and a treasure.
After the 1935 exposition the Spanish Village was reopened as space for local artists to create and sell their work and has continued in that spirit to this day. Artists must be recommended to the self governing board by two independent members of the local artist community. Once accepted an artist is there for life.
After the 1935 exposition the Spanish Village was reopened as space for local artists to create and sell their work and has continued in that spirit to this day. Artists must be recommended to the self governing board by two independent members of the local artist community. Once accepted an artist is there for life.
Ruthie R
05:26 04 Jan 22
If you're going to Balboa Park, spend some time here. Cute little village full of artists and art that is accessible to everyone's budgets. Come look at the bomb pottery, handmade jewelry, or the live glass-blowing demonstration. Easily the best part of Balboa Park.
Mariella Jorge
23:22 10 Dec 21
This place is awesome. There are so many studios selling their beautiful creations. The colorful plaza is picture perfect and relaxing since it's not too crowded nowadays. It's a long drive for me personally but I would totally visit again.
Tim Flagg
23:28 07 Dec 21
While most of the studios were open only a couple had artists actually working. It was a Monday so perhaps they need a rest sometimes like the rest of us. The center had very few visitors early in the morning making for an uncrowded experience. I would not hesitate to go back!
Amanda K.
17:27 01 Oct 21
Great place to visit. Some really amazing talent here. All sorts of disciplines on showcase. Block print making, Oil and watercolor paintings, woodwork, glass blowing, jewelry fabrication, sculpture and some pretty astounding ceramic sculptures on display as well. There are unexpected things like basket weaving and incredible felting tapestries. Its really a great place for everyone young and old. Gets the creative juices flowing. Photos are from the sculptures guild.
Alan
00:55 11 Sep 21
Very nice place with a lot of local artists/artisans. Good place to chill and Daniels coffee stand is here. Part of Balboa Park and very close to the Zoo. The ground is very colorful and the whole place has an artistic vibe. There are tables here as well as benches.
Keven Jeffery
13:21 15 Aug 21
Artists can rent a little shop to show their handmade goods. It's a nice place to find a gift or souvenir that's a little different. There's lots of variety, so something for everyone. The prices didn't seem outrageous.
Nhan Pham
20:29 28 May 21
Really cute place if you are into crafts. Need cute stuff to decorate your home that's unique. Well this is the place for you. Not my cup of tea, so 3 stars. Vibrant atmosphere and very colorful.
Julia Aussenard
00:11 28 May 21
I had a fabulous day going through the artist shops in the Spanish village of Balboa Island. This is a wonderful place to go and spend the afternoon! So relaxing with so many wonderful objects of Art. It's a great place to relax and enjoy and has much to offer!
Sandy Mccluskey
01:11 13 May 21
A lot to see. We arrived at 4pm . Last entry is at 430pm. This should be cut off to 330pm. Too much to see. They start chasing you out at 440pm, with 20 min reminders they are closing. The lady in the gift shop was already counting her money at 4:50 pm and asking if we were the last people. I felt really uncomfortable . The museum is great. Give yourself at least 3 hours. We missed a lot
Chris Gilligan
16:30 03 May 21
I was pleasantly surprised by this little Art Village. I visited on a Friday and it was pretty empty due to the heat but it was so worth it. I bought the cutest earrings from one of the artists and I have not stopped received complements when I wear them. All the artists were so nice and eager to talk about their STUNNING works. I will definitely come back here next time I'm in San Diego.
Eva Granahan
06:48 12 Apr 21
This is one of the sweetest little attractions for art, packed full of so many great artists! They do their thing right in front of you, too. It's the coolest place for the whole family and the little drink stand is perfect! You can't beat drinking your favorite surrounded by art of all kinds...plus the colors on the ground and small buildings! Feels just magical. You have to see it in order to believe it.
Ana Ordaz
05:29 12 Apr 21
Love this place, so colorful and vibrant. There's a great number of artists showcasing and selling their beautiful art, from cat paintings to glass jewelry and wood puzzles. It's one of my favorite spots in Balboa Park and Daniel's Coffee is a wonderful added bonus.
Pamela Hope
02:05 05 Apr 21
Gorgeous art center/village, a man does woodwork here,.including mini child size benches you can have a name chiseled into, but also incredible quill pens with the handle made out of wood, beautiful. (Must buy your own ink) .
Jake Pedersen
06:49 27 Mar 21
It's a nice little Village like area. There is a couple different shops but my favorite was a little mineral store and museum. Outside there's a couple different things on display and it was a colorful and pretty place to walk around.
Danzo the Manzo
18:21 14 Nov 20
Wonderful area full of artists and their craft!! Not only can you purchase hand made goods but you can watch the artists work too!! Every city should have one of these centers, highly recommend!!!
Also, check out Daniel's Coffee while you're there!
Also, check out Daniel's Coffee while you're there!
Gloria Laffey
22:18 03 Nov 20
We were in San Diego for couple of days and visited most of the museums at Balboa Park, except the Spanish Village. It was unseasonably hot that day, so under different circumstances, it could have been much more pleasant. Walking from vendor shop to vendor was not enjoyable. The smoothies were great. The painted cement floor was nice. We even encountered a wandering woman from Argentina who sang to us. That was nice and not a panhandler. I had spotted something towards the entrance and wanted to buy it, but not walk around with it. Less than an hour in the middle of the afternoon we were prepared to leave, but the shop had closed early. No sale there. To be honest, there are similar objects for sale in Old Towne. I also prefer the atmosphere there. A number of places to dine. The Spanish Village wasn't enough to hold our interest. A small number of stores surrounding a huge plaza on a hot day was not fun and apparently a number of people felt the same. Maybe some other time when the weather is normal to San Diego.
Kelly Heffern
00:08 11 Oct 20
We always find delightful items here at the Spanish village. The craftsmanship of the art is magnificent.
Jessica Rodas
00:05 29 Sep 20
This place makes u feel like you're back home in your pueblo. Lots of little shops and cute spots for pictures.
Natasha Kreutz
22:01 12 Sep 20
What a beautiful setting. With gorgeous scenery 360* views it's very easy to stay here longer than expected. I love all the artwork and shops.
Drew Kroft
00:07 10 Sep 20
I was looking for birthday gifts - nice, affordable, unique.
Something local to help struggling community businesses.
Plenty of great options here.
I wound up buying a pendant and ring from two different shops for reasonable prices.
Something local to help struggling community businesses.
Plenty of great options here.
I wound up buying a pendant and ring from two different shops for reasonable prices.
Christopher Andres Nunez
04:43 25 Aug 20
This is one of the best places in Balboa Park. Grab a coffee from Daniel’s and then start your art adventure! Deathly check out the different guilds and societies within the village. You should absolutely buy something and support local artists!! Enjoy.
K Moss
02:52 19 Aug 20
Gorgeous place! Restrooms & benches available. Usually a coffee cart on one end as well.
Katie Alino
17:52 14 Aug 20
I love the beautiful handmade art. In a lot of shops you can even see the artists at work!! If you are strolling Balboa Park this place is a must see!
EBH
14:08 29 Feb 20
Watching the artists at their craft, and being able to discuss their process with them was truly a draw. Bought myself quite a few gifts. Lots of choices, lovely to just stroll around in the warm San Diego sunshine.
Errol lee White
23:55 26 Feb 20
This place has an amazing variety of artists shops and neat things to do. I'm a member of the gem and mineral society and I take classes here for cutting gem stones. This place is right next to the san Diego zoo and there is an old fashioned carousel.
D Carrillo
17:00 19 Jan 20
This place is beautiful, I travel here several times a year as Balboa park has so much natural beauty from the botanic gardens, to beautiful architecture in the buildings, and a plethora of museums to get lost in. My son loves using the tiles at this location to tell us what colors he know. Highly recommend checking it out. The people here are extremely warming and friendly.
george simon
21:02 16 Jan 20
Quaint little village like area next to the San Diego zoo. Lots of shops and galleries of all kinds of art. Especially liked the glass blowing shop. Wish I'd had time to wait for her to show how she makes her glass items, but it group was on a time schedule.
Will definitely go back the next time I'm in San Diego.
Will definitely go back the next time I'm in San Diego.
Anne Qu
01:10 12 Jan 20
We were completely amazed by this little area of art stores which is like hidden in Balboa Park. We initially just try to take our dog to the antique carousel and then followed the sign of the Spanish coffee shop. And then here it is a whole collection of various art studios. And a perfect place for photo taking. Most of the art products are reasonably priced but hand made. There is even a Chinese water color studio offering art classes.
K Sam
06:29 10 Jan 20
I loved this place. Great place to get art when in SD. Got my a Christmas gift for daughter and wife here. Artsy stuff is reasonably priced too. Lots of variety here. You'll love it too.
Petra Boeree
15:17 06 Dec 19
Amazing place. It's a small village with shops containing local artists' work (and being sold by the actual artists). Everyone is super friendly and willing to tell more about their art.
The village itself is also very cute and colourful. I would definitely recommend visiting if you're in Balboa park. Opening hours are 11AM - 4 PM. I got there too early but it was worth the wait.
The village itself is also very cute and colourful. I would definitely recommend visiting if you're in Balboa park. Opening hours are 11AM - 4 PM. I got there too early but it was worth the wait.
