San Diego: Balboa Park Adventure
🔒 Instant Access: Book now and start immediately. No need to wait for a guide.
⏱️ Total Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume whenever you want.
🧩 Gamified Discovery: Solve 12 location-based puzzles to unlock hidden stories and secret spots.
📍 Starting Point: Balboa Park Carousel, 1889 Zoo Pl, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
🛡️ Free Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours before your planned start for a full refund.
🌐 Available In: 🇬🇧 English 🇪🇸 Español
Single Mission
Just looking for a single adventure?
San Diego City Pass
The complete San Diego adventure.
Annual Pass
Play any quest in 1000+ cities for the price of a dinner for two.
Places you will visit
12
It will take you
97-127 mins
You will walk
5390 steps
Total distance
4.1 km
Route you will explore
Starting point Balboa Park Carousel
1889 Zoo Pl, San Diego, CA 92101, USAFinish point Rex Roar
1900 Zoo Pl, San Diego, CA 92101, USAAbout this quest
Discover a whole new world in the heart of the city. Follow the clues and solve riddles to learn fun facts and the many secrets within the park and structures, some constructed more than a century ago! Keep your eyes peeled and be ready! You might just bump into an adventure.
Highlights
Check out the largest cantilever bronze animal statue in the world
Wander through thousands of roses with hundreds of varieties
Discover a fountain with a waterspout designed to change with the winds
Marvel at the garden grotto’s colourful resident butterflies
The mission: Your story in San Diego
They say entrepreneurship; they say they support us.
“If it were anywhere else,” they say. I say beeswax! Enough! Down with the park!
Good to know before you play
- We recommend not playing at night
- No attractions ticket(s) required
- Route may be affected by temporary ongoing construction work
Tips & Recommendations
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You will be walking throughout the city, so comfortable footwear is essential for enjoying the experience.
Charge Your Phone
Make sure your smartphone is at least 60% charged. The quest runs through the Questo app, and you will be using it throughout.
Check the Weather
This is an outdoor activity. Bring an umbrella or sunscreen depending on the forecast.
Bring a Camera
You will discover photogenic locations and hidden gems perfect for capturing memories.
Stay Hydrated
Bring water, especially during warmer months or longer quests.
Play with Friends
While you can play solo, quests are more fun with friends or family. One ticket works for a group.
Ratings and Reviews
241 ratings
Beat the best: Top San Diego explorers
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Compare Questo vs. Guided Walking Tours
Flexibility
Regular Guided Tours
Fixed schedules & no pausing
Questo
Start, pause, and resume anytime
Privacy
Regular Guided Tours
Crowds of up to 30 strangers
Questo
Private experience for your group only
Pricing
Regular Guided Tours
$30-$40 per person
Questo
Affordable per-group pricing
Availability
Regular Guided Tours
Requires advance booking
Questo
Instant access 24/7/365
Experience
Regular Guided Tours
Passive listening to a guide
Questo
Active gamification; you solve the mystery
| Feature | Regular Guided Tours | Questo |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | Fixed schedules & no pausing | Start, pause, and resume anytime |
| Privacy | Crowds of up to 30 strangers | Private experience for your group only |
| Pricing | $30-$40 per person | Affordable per-group pricing |
| Availability | Requires advance booking | Instant access 24/7/365 |
| Experience | Passive listening to a guide | Active gamification; you solve the mystery |
Frequently asked questions
What’s the story I’ll be living here?
You’re the Lead Botanist. Someone’s left a note threatening to shut down the park. You’ve got to follow clues across gardens, fountains, and hidden corners to stop it—preserve the beauty before it’s too late.
Do I need to pay for Balboa Park attractions to do this?
Nah, you don’t need attraction tickets. The route is outdoors through gardens, fountains, statues—mostly free public spaces.
What are some highlights I’ll see during the adventure?
Big ones: rose gardens, the fountain that changes with wind, the bronzed animal statue, the garden grotto with butterflies. Lots of beauty and little surprises.
Is this a good thing for families or kids?
Yeah, especially older kids who like exploring. The gardens are beautiful, there’s fun stuff to spot (butterflies, fountains, statues), so it keeps things engaging.
Could this be a good plan for a date?
Definitely. Strolling through gardens, solving puzzles together, stopping by fountains or views—it’s calm, beautiful, charming.
What if I want to stop mid-way for photos, snacks, or rest?
Go ahead. The quest is flexible; you can pause whenever you want and resume. Plenty of picturesque spots to chill.
