The closest parking lot to JFG is the Organ Pavilion Lot located off of President’s Way.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
From north San Diego via CA-163 South
Exit 5 South/Park Blvd
Left on Park Blvd
Left on Presidents Way
Second right into parking lot
From north San Diego via I-5 South
Exit 10th Street
Left on A Street
Left on Park Blvd
Left on President’s Way
Second right into parking lot
From south San Diego via I-5 North
Exit 6th Street, turn right
Right on El Prado
Cross the Cabrillo Bridge
Drive past the Organ Pavilion and turn left into the parking lot directly behind it.
TAKE THE BALBOA PARK TRAM
We encourage visitors to use the free Balboa Park tram. This free service which will take you from parking lots located at Inspiration Point, behind Spreckels Organ Pavilion, east of the Comic Con Museum, or in front of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. To get to the JFG, ride the tram to the stop next to the Organ Pavilion. Then walk East past the front of the Organ Pavilion to get to the JFG front entrance.
Click here for more information!
TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The Metropolitan Transit System buses 3, 7, 120, and Rapid 215 serve stops on the East and West sides of Balboa Park.
To enter from the Park’s West side, take bus Routes 3 or 120 (which travel on 4th and 5th Avenues) to the stop on Laurel Street, and then walk East on Laurel Street, past 6th Avenue to El Prado which goes over the historic Cabrillo Bridge. Then Make a right and walk South on Pan American Rd E. The Japanese Friendship Garden will be just to the left of the Organ Pavilion.
Routes 7 and Rapid 215 operate on Park Boulevard on the Park’s East side and stop both at the stop by the Rose Garden (Route 7) and the San Diego Zoo (Rapid 215 and Route 7). From either stop, cross Park Boulevard and into the Park to El Prado and continue to walk west. Then Make a left and walk South on Pan American Rd E. The Japanese Friendship Garden will be just to the left of the Organ Pavilion.
MTS routes to Balboa Park connect with all MTS Trolley Lines and most other MTS Bus and Rapid Routes. In downtown San Diego, Rapid 215 is an easy connection from Amtrak and COASTER trains at the Santa Fe Depot and the Cruise Ship Terminal. For MTS fare and schedule information visit www.sdmts.com.