New York City had Frederick Law Olmstead, considered to be the father of landscape architecture, to design Central Park, and San Diego had Kate O. Sessions.

Kate Sessions (1857-1940) is known as the “Mother of Balboa Park” because of her work as a botanist, horticulturist, and landscape architect. In 1892, she leased 30 acres in Balboa Park to use as “growing fields.” As part of the lease agreement, Sessions agreed to plant 100 trees a year in Balboa Park and 300 trees a year throughout the rest of San Diego, and Balboa Park today owes much to her efforts over a century ago.

Kate Sessions Memorial Park is located in Pacific Beach and is a neighborhood park in tribute to the work that she did. It’s perched high on a hillside with a commanding view of Mission Bay and the city skyline. I imagine it could be quite magical to watch the city lights come aglow after sunset.

Much of the park is just wide-open grassy areas where visitors pulled up chairs and blankets to just enjoy the day. There are several concrete picnic tables scattered around the park, and I say only one permanent barbecue grill on my walk. (There could be more that I just didn’t see.) There’s also a playground area for kids, and restrooms at the top of the hill.

Parking is limited, so plan to arrive early. I parked on the street on Soledad Road and walked up a steep sidewalk from the intersection of Soledad Rd. and Loring St. to the top of the hill.

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What You Need to Know

Location:	5115 Soledad Rd, San Diego, CA 92109
Transit:	Bus 27 to Grand Ave. & Lamont St. will get you to about a mile from the park. The walk will be all uphill.
Hours:	7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone:	N/A
Website:	N/A
Cost:	Free
Tips:	Parking is limited, so get there early. Dogs are permitted, but they must be leashed at all times. No alcohol is allowed.
Date Visited:	10 November 2024