The Prado at Balboa Park

The Prado at Balboa Park is an absolutely gorgeous venue and one of my favorites in San Diego.    I have been coordinating events there since 2006 and each event there has been spectacular!  The historical element of Spanish, Moorish and Mexico that is reflected is beautiful.   There is so much history at this venue.   The Prado is located within the House of Hospitality and is a National Historic Landmark.  It was built for the 1915-1916 Panama California Exposition.   That Exposition was a two year festival celebrating the 1914 opening of the Panama Canal.  There are accessories throughout the Prado that are inspired by the Park Museum.  The décor reflects the historical aspect of the House of Hospitality which was restored in a Spanish Colonial Style.  The House of Hospitality began its’ renovation in 1997 and it took three years.  The Prado opened in 2000.  The Prado has a beautiful ceremony site called Casa Del Rey Moro Gardens which is a replica of a Moorish King’s home in Southern Spain.  The cocktail hour for weddings is held in the courtyard.  The courtyard is blocked off for the wedding guests to enjoy the bar and appetizers. The courtyard has a limestone sculpture and fountain.  The sculpture is called “Women of Tehuantepec.”   The Prado has several options for wedding receptions.  The Grand Ballroom is the largest venue which has 27 foot high hand stenciled ceilings, chandeliers, skylights and the capacity is up to 380 guests.  The Loggia is the medium sized room which is on the second floor and the capacity is up to 80 guests.  This room has open beam ceiling, French doors that open to a private balcony overlooking the gardens.  The third room is the Alhambra Room which is their smallest.  All the event spaces are spectacular!  The Spanish, Moorish and Mexican architectural design was kept during the renovation.  The venue offers more than 22,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space and can accommodate up to 20,000 guests.   Every event I have worked here has been provided with impeccable service by the entire staff at The Prado and no detail on their part is ever over looked.  They have always gone the extra mile in their service.  The most recent wedding I coordinated here was on May 14, 2011.  I worked with Andrea Pena throughout the process then the banquet captain, Maria on the wedding day.  What is great is that anything that is needed whether a trash can for the cigar roller or wine to the bridal room or a rolling tray for the boxes of set up items…is always quickly provided by the staff at the Prado.  Everything is always done with a smile too!  I have been fortunate to work many events here and I look forward to many more!  All photos courtesy of Studio Duva Photography!

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