Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
4.5
About
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.
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4.5
328 reviews
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traveltheworld012
Rochester, MN16 978 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Visiting San Diego and staying at a harbor hotel. I was at Balboa Park about 20 years ago. On Thursday, November 16, 2023 I wanted to visit again. I walked over about an hour walk to get there. I was amazed and surprised at the beautiful Pavilion. I did not remember seeing the last time here. From reading about it, this is the oldest still standing and in use building in Balboa Park. I would really enjoy attending a performance here. Being a Thursday, it was very quiet, but I enjoyed taking photos.
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trip553155
5 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The organ concert was amazing!!! We parked in the lot behind the pavilion which is very convenient, but get there early or be patient for someone to leave. The organist is excellent and charming and so, so talented. It was sunny and there are some shade seats, but take a hat because you look into the sun. It is worth any effort you make to get there.
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Redtigress79
Orlando, FL260 contributions
I have seen the Speckles organ pavilion a few times and wasn't ever able to be in town for the concert. So this time when we planned our itinerary I was really excited to add it to our trip. The thing is....the music sounded horrible. It was like off tempo and out of tune carnival music. I stayed through half of the hour long concert but I really didn't enjoy it. I respect that it is a 100 year old organ and all but it was not at all what I thought it would sound like compared to an organ concert at a cathedral. It's weird because you are in a beautiful relaxing setting but then the organ sounds like your are in the bowels of hell like in Phantom of the Opera! Lol if you are already in the park on a Sunday then go ahead and check it out but don't plan your whole day around going to the concert.
Written 24 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oleh K
Ukraine150 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
The outdoor concert completes the perfect day in Balboa Park. Either organ or orchestra, just check the schedule of free concerts at SOP and enjoy the classy performance of musicians. As the San Diego airport is almost in downtown, the landing planes will accompany the show just above the pavilion construction.
You may arrive only for the show, one of BP parking lots is behind the pavilion, southbound.
John and Adolph Spreckels made a generous gift and contributed the organ and pavilion on 1915 year’s eve to the people of San Diego and people of all the world. We, the people, thank you, gentlemen!
You may arrive only for the show, one of BP parking lots is behind the pavilion, southbound.
John and Adolph Spreckels made a generous gift and contributed the organ and pavilion on 1915 year’s eve to the people of San Diego and people of all the world. We, the people, thank you, gentlemen!
Written 24 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MVCA0Traveler
Mission Viejo, CA663 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
Every Sunday afternoon at 2 pm there is an organ concert. During the summer months they hold special performances on Monday evenings at 7:30 pm. The concerts are a lot of fun - music is energizing for all music tastes. The Civic Organist, Carol Williams, is very interesting to listen to. She has stories to tell throughout the performance.
Plenty of seats. Or you can bring chairs/small tables. Bring your own refreshments or there are snacks and coffee for sale along the sides of the pavilion.
Parking in Balboa Park on a Sunday afternoon can be tough. I found a good area in the lot behind the Air & Space Museum. Lots of spots and you can walk to the pavilion in about 5 minutes.
Plenty of seats. Or you can bring chairs/small tables. Bring your own refreshments or there are snacks and coffee for sale along the sides of the pavilion.
Parking in Balboa Park on a Sunday afternoon can be tough. I found a good area in the lot behind the Air & Space Museum. Lots of spots and you can walk to the pavilion in about 5 minutes.
Written 3 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ahnold o
San Diego, CA1 contribution
Oct 2012 • Family
Oct 7 2012. Guest organist, Martin ? played. Music was powerful, but selection was abysmal if not irritating. Flute and Alto singer (very high male voice) accompanied to perform selections of songs that made the audience feel like they were being punished in church. No songs were recognizable and most were in minor keys - very depressing music. The organ sound and venue is great, but I feel my ears were violated. Had to turn on car radio immediately with happy music to get out of funk mood. I will return when Dr Carol Williams returns.
Written 9 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SuzanneSanDiego
San Diego13 contributions
May 2011 • Friends
Sundays at 2:00 PM the San Diego "City Organist" (yes there is one), puts the unique and gorgeous Spreckels Organ through its paces - All this in usually sunny Balboa Park. Occasionally at other times, there are concerts in the evening by top organists. Check local entertainment guides to see if you are lucky enough to be in town for one of these. And it's FREE.
Written 25 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bikingfarmer
Holland, MI318 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
Silent movie night with organ accompanyment. We were treated to a 45 minute premovie concert of mixed genre pieces, then the original 1924 Peter Pan silent film with organ. Thoroughly enjoyable evening. Public transportation was efficient to use.
Written 14 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
isabellekane2000
New York City, NY223 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
Very impressive organ in the open air. The acoustics is not perfect but it is still nice to watch a performance in the surrounding beauty.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz H
Boston, MA55 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
I dropped in on a Sunday afternoon to hear this huge outdoor organ. Apparently it is only played one day a week for the public, and it is worth exploring. The Spanish conductor was entertaining, and I never knew an organ could produce so many different sounds. It was fun, only an hour, no cost involved and we were invited to see the pipes after the concert. I'd do it again.
Written 12 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Terri. What would you like to know about this attraction?
I understand that this is a very nice attraction, which is very crowded. If the program starts at 2:00, what time would you suggest to arrive? Thanks.
Written 25 March 2017
1:45 is plenty of time. Give yourself 20 minutes ahead of time if you're going to be parking.
Written 28 March 2017
They also have Monday night in the summer.
Written 20 August 2018
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