In the heart of Balboa Park, you'll find the world's largest outdoor pipe organ, housed in an ornate Italian Renaissance style pavilion. With over 4,500 pipes that range from the size of a pencil to lengths up to 32 feet, the spectacular pipe organ sends celestial sounds soaring.
In 1914, the Spreckels brothers, among the wealthiest and most powerful in San Diego County, gifted the organ pavilion to the City of San Diego. It was built for the 1915 Pan American Exposition, and still remains to enjoy today.
The organ’s 4,518 pipes create rich, full sounds that combine into majestic harmonies ringing throughout the pavilion every week. Every Sunday, park-goers can enjoy free public organ concerts by Civic Organist Dr. Carol, the only woman civic organist in the United States. During the summer, the pavilion hosts the International Organ Festival on Monday evenings, as well as the Park Concert Series on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.
The Spreckels Organ Pavilion was designed by architect Harrison Albright, who also designed the U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego. In 1981 the Pavilion was restored, and in 2002, the organ was expanded from 3,400 pipes to 4,518. The pavilion also hosts concerts, graduations, weddings and special events throughout the year and seats up to 2,400 people on plaza benches.
- Ray Lapena
Attraction Information
- Hours:
- Daily: 8am - 10pm
- Admission:
- Free
- Contact:
- Location: Balboa Park, corner of President's Way and Pan American Road East
- Website: www.sandiego.gov
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