Four Points Bulletin

Just a few minute walk from the San Diego Zoo are a couple more San Diego treasures (as if going to the zoo itself isn’t enough…). The Balboa Park Miniature Train has been operating since 1948. The model G-16 train (a semi-rare antique) takes you on a three minute loop through four acres of Balboa Park. With the wind running through our hair on this bright, beautiful day, we sure are happy we live so close to San Diego.

The Balboa Park Carousel is even more antique than the train. It was constructed in 1910, and moved to several locations in California before finding its home in Balboa Park in 1922. Everything about the carousel screams fun. As you enjoy the five minute ride cruising at a cool thirteen miles per hour, you have plenty of time to enjoy the sights. The murals are all hand painted, and all but two of the hand carved animals are originals. It is one of the only carousels left in the world that offers a brass ring game, as further incentive to take another turn. I fondly remember playing when I was younger, but as an adult I understand why having kids leaning over, desperately reaching in hopes of grabbing onto a brass ring may be a bit of liability issue. Although I cannot wait until my daughter is old enough to tempt fate with me, for now, just the ride is exciting enough.