As a DJ, I always love working at beautiful venues. The Prado at Balboa park is one of the most visually stunning venues in San Diego. It offers a huge array of photo opportunities and areas for your guests to explore before and after your wedding or event.
The Prado offers three different room options for your reception or event. In addition, they have separate outdoor areas that can be used for your ceremony, cocktails, or outdoor event. Below are descriptions and pictures of the different options available at this fabulous venue.
Also, every time I DJ at the Prado I always love working with their staff. Everyone is very helpful, courteous, and friendly. They really go above and beyond to treat their guests to a five-star experience. I highly recommend you consider them!
DJ Will Chitwood
Grand Ballroom
This elegant and unique ballroom features beautiful hardwood floors, a 27-foot high hand-stenciled ceiling, custom lacy chandeliers, skylights, a fully equipped theatrical stage and bride’s dressing room. Located adjacent to the Courtyard, the 5500 square foot ballroom can seat up to 320 guests.
The Prado Grand Ballroom with Up-lighting, Monogram, & Table Pinspots
The Prado Grand Ballroom Up-lighting & Table Pinspots
Fountain Courtyard
As the pre-function space for the Grand Ballroom, this traditional, Spanish Colonial courtyard offers a lush garden setting. The famous Donal Hord sculpture, “Woman of Tehuantepec,” sits as the centerpiece of the Courtyard.
The Prado Fountain Courtyard
The Prado Fountain Courtyard Up-lighting
Loggia Room
Overlooking Balboa Park’s Plaza de Panama, this charming second floor room will comfortably seat up to 100 guests. Vaulted ceilings with colorfully stenciled beams, Spanish floor tile and French doors, which open onto the two adjoining rooftop terraces, add to the ambiance.
The Prado Loggia Room
The Prado Loggia Room Uplighting
Alhambra Room
Located on the second floor, this attractive room accommodates up to 80 seated guests. Carpeted floor, an open beam ceiling and French doors that open to a private covered outdoor balcony overlooking the beautiful Casa del Rey Moro Gardens create a contemporary atmosphere.
The Prado Alhambra Room Uplighting
The Prado Alhambra Room
Casa del Rey Moro Gardens
Booked in conjunction with a wedding reception, these picturesque terraces accommodate 320 guests for a wedding ceremony. This space can also be used to host a reception style event. The multi-level terraces, which feature historic fountains, reflecting pool, wishing well and beautifully landscaped gardens have made this the premier wedding site for generations of San Diegans.
The Prado Casa del Rey Moro Gardens Weddding Ceremony
The Prado Casa del Rey Moro Gardens
Testimonials for The Prado
“The evening was magical! The food was fabulous, the wait staff was excellent and the room and the venue speaks for itself. Our guests said it was the most beautiful wedding they had ever attended.” –M.N., Mother of Bride
“The Prado is an amazing venue with unbelievable décor. The food was also amazing and I couldn’t ask for anything more. My dream wedding did come true.”— S.J., Bride
“We had our wedding at the Prado on 8/23/14 and we could not have imagined a more beautiful wedding. The food was AMAZING, the grand ball room was beautiful, and our ceremony area at the wishing well was GREAT. Everyone from the wedding event coordinators to the table bussers were fantastic, helpful and professional. #1 place in San Diego to get married in our opinion.” – Michael S., Groom
“We were extremely pleased with everything about the venue. Being in the heart of Balboa Park, the setting is beautiful with an abundance of gorgeous photo spots. Using the wishing well garden for the ceremony, the fountain courtyard for the cocktail hour and the Grand Ballroom for the reception worked perfectly. The food including the appetizers was excellent. I can’t say enough about how great the Prado staff was to work with.” – Nanette B., Mother of the Bride
About The Prado
The Prado at Balboa Park is a National Historic Landmark which was originally built for the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition. This two year festival was held in Balboa Park to promote San Diego and to celebrate the 1914 opening of the Panama Canal.
In 2000, The House of Hospitality reopened after a complete reconstruction and modernization. The 3-year renovation restored the building’s architecture, artwork, sculptures, alcoves, gardens and fountains. Every effort was made to historically renovate the House of Hospitality in keeping with its original Spanish, Moorish and Mexican architectural design. This is evident in over two dozen, original, hand-painted, wooden stencil designs on doors as well as the intricate hand stenciled ceilings and beams. The Donal Hord sculpture, “Women of Tehuantepec” still remains in the fountain of the building’s restored central courtyard.
The renovated House of Hospitality features lush historical gardens and a courtyard, elegant banquet rooms, romantic terraces and the outdoor grandeur of the historic Casa Del Rey Moro Gardens. The Prado at Balboa Park offers more than 22,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space and can accommodate groups of 20-20,000 guests.
