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Spreckels Organ Pavilion

1549 El Prado, Suite 10, San Diego, CA 92101-1661
619 702 8138
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Ranked #22 of 199 attractions in San Diego
Type: Performances
Owner description: The Spreckels Organ and San Diego Civic Organist, Dr. Carol Williams. This organ with 4,518 pipes, was a gift from the Spreckels brothers to the city... more » Owner description: The Spreckels Organ and San Diego Civic Organist, Dr. Carol Williams. This organ with 4,518 pipes, was a gift from the Spreckels brothers to the city of San Diego on January 1, 1914. Come visit for a free concert every Sunday at 2pm and afterwards you are invited inside the building to view the pipe chambers and historic photo gallery. « less
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147 reviews from our community

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La Jolla
Senior Contributor
41 reviews 41 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2013 NEW

Taking a free concert on a Sunday afternoon down at the organ pavilion is magical. Take the day, picnic in Balboa Park, walk through the gardens and a museum or two then finish up the day listening to a concert, what could be better?

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See 11 more reviews by nadiwo for San Diego
San Diego, California, United States
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 15, 2013 NEW

The pavilion is at the center of Balboa Park, San Diego's Jewel in the Crown. On Sundays you can sit on the benches and listen to an organ concert. In the summer (July & Aug) on T, W, Th eves you can hear area musicians play a wide variety of music from jazz to country to military bands to folk... More

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See 10 more reviews by Jeffree I for San Diego
Portland, Oregon
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
11 attraction reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 4, 2013

There was a poetry reading on the day we were there...very dramatic, not my cup of tea. However, the Organ itself is very cool.

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See 10 more reviews by Rob S for San Diego
boston
Top Contributor
127 reviews 127 reviews
55 attraction reviews
Reviews in 52 cities Reviews in 52 cities
58 helpful votes 58 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 30, 2013

On our recent visit to San Diego, we were fortunate enough to attend a free concert here as Mr. Speckles, who donated this unique organ containing over 4,000 pipes housed within an ornate vaulted structure, did so with the one requirement that these concerts were to be performed for free on every Sunday and they have been going on since... More

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See 10 more reviews by nala22 for San Diego
San Diego, California
Senior Contributor
41 reviews 41 reviews
22 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 28, 2013

This is a wonderful San Diego attraction. The setting is gorgeous, with all of Balboa Park awaiting your visit. Make sure you go on a Sunday afternoon at 2 PM to hear the free concert. The sound is magnificient, and the organist very talented.

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See 8 more reviews by OldBigBob for San Diego
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 14, 2013

Balboa Park will keep you busy for many a day, but make sure one of those days is Sunday. At 2pm every Sunday, there is a free organ concert at the Spreckles Organ Pavilion. The concert is about an hour long, and includes info about the Pavilion and the Spreckles brothers in addition to a varying program. This is a... More

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See 3 more reviews by lcrandall30 for San Diego
San Diego, California
Senior Contributor
35 reviews 35 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 13, 2013

The Sunday concerts (2:00 p.m. ??) are the best kept secret in San Diego. The outdoor organ pavilion is right in the middle of Balboa Park with tons of close parking. The volume of sound and the talent at the keyboard are both phenomenal. If you're visiting S.D., put this on your itinerary. You'll love it. No tickets required. Come... More

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See 10 more reviews by Tom K for San Diego
Sowerby Bridge, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
64 reviews 64 reviews
17 attraction reviews
Reviews in 34 cities Reviews in 34 cities
31 helpful votes 31 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 8, 2013

Like the model railway museum (q.v.) this was below our pre-visit radar and discovered during the trolley tour we took to get orientated on our first, slightly jet-lagged day in San Diego. It is truly amazing and we were fortunate enough to hear a recital by Carol Williams, the UK-born city organist, joined for a few pieces by a prodigiously-talented... More

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See 10 more reviews by CanalFan for San Diego
Chula Vista, California
Top Contributor
76 reviews 76 reviews
22 attraction reviews
Reviews in 33 cities Reviews in 33 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 7, 2013

There is an organ which is played on many special occasions. Must see when visiting Balboa Park. Make it a day there.

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See 9 more reviews by ldo96 for San Diego
Washington DC, District of Columbia
Top Contributor
252 reviews 252 reviews
138 attraction reviews
Reviews in 51 cities Reviews in 51 cities
58 helpful votes 58 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 6, 2013

I didn't get to hear the weekly concert on this but saw it from afar and thought that would be something I'd do next time.

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See 12 more reviews by TolerantTraveler for San Diego

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