h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Balboa Park is located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley in Southern California, USA. It is easily accessable from two major freeways, the 101 and the 405. Located over 16 square blocks, it has tennis & basketball courts, baseball diamonds, a golf course, a bird sanctuary, a Japanese style garden, children's playgrounds, and a lake, at which you can rent paddle boats.

There are trails for walking, skating, jogging and biking as well.

Two blocks north of the park is a marine base, which, if you drive past, you'll be afforded a nifty view of some military antiqities.

Balboa Dam Recreation Center derives it's name from the low level at which the land sits. (the road thru the park is flooded at least once a year.) It was refurbished entirely following the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

I highly recommend the lake and golf course as spots to see. I also reccomend that you drive Burbank Blvd. on the south side of the park at dawn if you get the chance. The clouds sit over the empty fields, and it's very serene and peaceful.

I also reccomend that you avoid the area all together after dark. While not dangerous, there are a few unscrupulous characters hanging about.

Enjoy your stay at Balboa Park.