Expanding Your Central Mesa Walk

Riesling writes: Dear Cosmos, as much as I love sniffing around the historic buildings along Balboa Park’s Central Mesa, I’m getting a bit tired of the same sights and smells. Are there any paths nearby I can guide my human companions toward during our regular walks?

Cosmos: As our bipedal walking buddies tend to be drawn to the picture-postcard scenery around the Central Mesa, it’s easy for them to miss some easily accessible and equally scenic routes along the way. Sure they may see the alternate routes, but because they feel unsure of where it will take them, they stick to the tried and true trail.

But there are two paths in particular that even the most timid travelers should feel comfortable taking: Palm Canyon and Gold Gulch.

If you’ve ever wondered what lies beyond the wooden bridge and staircase behind the Mingei Museum, that would be Palm Canyon. This lush oasis was actually one of the first sections of the Park to be developed. Home to over 450 palm trees of 50 different varieties (hence the name), it’s a veritable cornucopia of trees, glorious trees—and other plants, too!

While more intrepid hikers may want to climb the steep trails at the opposite end toward the Old Cactus Garden, the main canyon-bottom path dead ends, at which point your pack can quickly return the way it came.

The Gold Gulch, which can be accessed via the Zoro (Butterfly) Garden next to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, is another shady tree-lined ravine. Walkers can follow its paved path through great views of the Japanese Friendship Garden’s cherry trees in full bloom come springtime.

Here too, there’s nothing in the canine code to prevent you from returning the way you came once you hit the cherry trees, but a more adventuresome walk will take you past the police horse stables and on to President’s Way.