Balboa Park Tours: Kate Sessions and Balboa Park, Part 1

Forever Balboa Park offers thematic park tours that focus on the park’s unique biodiversity and highlight the park’s horticultural wonders on the second Saturday of each month. Led by park volunteer and horticultural enthusiast Bill Edwards, the free tours leave from the Visitors Center at 9:30 a.m. unless otherwise indicated. Walks last 1.5 to 2 hours and are typically less than 1 mile on level terrain.

April 13 Tour: Kate Sessions and Balboa Park, Part 1 (Tour begins at Kate Session Statue on West Mesa)

Named the “Mother of Balboa Park,” Kate Sessions had a major impact on the flora of San Diego at the turn of the century and continues to influence the plants seen today. This walk explores one of her “hidden gardens” from when she had a nursery/experimental demonstration garden in Balboa Park. Along the way her remarkable accomplishments in shaping the landscape with plants brought from around the world will be discussed. A citizen scientist, entrepreneur, and horticulturalist, Sessions devoted her life to learning and disseminating knowledge. Meet at the Kate Sessions Statue located one block east of 6th and Laurel Street.