Dorothea Laub Balboa Park Carousel

A Timeless Treasure in the Heart of Balboa Park

Step back in time with a visit to the Dorothea Laub Balboa Park Carousel, a beloved San Diego landmark delighting families for over 100 years. Built in 1910 by the Herschell-Spillman Company of North Tonawanda, New York, this original menagerie-style carousel is one of only a handful in the United States still operating much as it did over a century ago.

Located next to the San Diego Zoo, the carousel features hand-carved, hand-painted animals—including horses, lions, frogs, and mythical creatures—all but four of which are original. The carousel still boasts its historic military band organ and vibrant, hand-painted murals that wrap around the canopy, immersing visitors in early 20th-century charm.

One of just 12 carousels in North America still offering the nostalgic brass ring game, the Balboa Park Carousel invites riders on the outer ring to reach out and try their luck—catch the brass ring and win a free ride!

After making stops in Los Angeles and Coronado’s Tent City, the carousel found its forever home in Balboa Park in 1922. It was relocated to its current site in 1968 and has been lovingly preserved by Forever Balboa Park, who now owns and operates this historic gem. In 2021, it was officially recognized as a historical resource by the City of San Diego and renamed in honor of philanthropist Dorothea Laub.

Each year on National Carousel Day (July 25), the carousel celebrates its enduring legacy with free rides for all—a festive tribute to generations of joyful memories.

Tickets: $4.00 per ride | 4 rides for $14.00
Location: Adjacent to the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park
Operated by: Forever Balboa Park