A few more yards, and you'll notice the large Lily Pond and the picturesque Botanical Building beyond. he view of the Botanical Building with the Lily Pond in the foreground is one of the most photographed scenes in Balboa Park and a "must-see" destination in San Diego. This spot is a favorite for wedding pictures and for watercolor artists. And you've probably noticed the building in movies such as "Traffic."
Built for the 1915-16 Exposition, along with the adjacent Lily Pond, the historic building is one of the largest lath structures in the world. The Botanical Building plantings include more than 2,100 permanent plants, featuring fascinating collections of cycads, ferns, orchids, other tropical plants, and palms.
Farther along El Prado, you'll come to the Timken Museum of Art, which houses old masters paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens, among others. Just beyond, to the right of the traffic circle (watch out, it's no longer pedestrian-only), is the San Diego Museum of Art, the region's oldest and largest art museum. The Museum of Art is the place to see the biggest of the traveling exhibitions, as well as special ongoing exhibits.
Just west of the museum is the Waters Cafe, set amid the museum's sculpture garden - a great place to stop for a quick, casual bite to eat. Or you can just grab a hot dog from the carts usually situated across the traffic circle.
