Indie writes: My family’s yard needs some serious TLC. Is there some place in Balboa Park where they can get ideas on the best trees to plant for my benefit and theirs?

Cosmos: Funny you should ask. I just took advantage of one of Balboa Park’s free Offshoot Tours and gained valuable insight into some of the best types of flora that thrive in San Diego’s climate.

This particular tour, offered on the second Saturday of the month, focused on the Park’s majestic palm trees. The volunteer tour guide, Steve Wichmann, was a landscape designer by trade and served up a wealth of information on the dozens of varieties of palms around the Park’s Prado area and Botanical Building. In addition to showing us how to identify the different palm trees and their parts, he discussed growth rates, maintenance requirements, and ideal growing environments.

Though they all suit our canine purposes equally well, I can now tell the difference between a Californian and Mexican palm and a King and Queen palm, among others.

If your family would like to branch out even more, there are also Offshoot Tours that explore other types of trees in Balboa Park (third Saturday) as well as the cactus and succulents housed in the Desert Garden (fourth Saturday).

These pet-friendly tours, which meet in front of the Balboa Park Visitors Center each Saturday morning at 10am, are a great way for you to exercise your legs while your family members exercise their brains.

Logan and Roxy write: Dear Cosmos, we know you’re privy to insider knowledge about Balboa Park’s gardens. So tell us what this spring’s hot spots are?

Dear Logan and Roxy: Since every garden in the Park would pretty much qualify as a “hot spot” during the spring, I’ll try to limit my response to floral features that may not get as much attention for their springtime beauty.

First I’ll point out that Balboa Park is fortunate to have several varieties of coral (Erythrina) trees, which are native to the tropics, thanks to our mild climate. There’s of course the Naked Coral Tree near the Desert Garden kiosk mentioned in a recent blog post; another variety in the same area by Village Place; one by the House of Italy; and a spectacular Coastal Coral Tree near the Lawn Bowling Green. These colorful trees will bloom through May and their nectar attracts a diverse range of birds, my sources tell me.

Speaking of the Lawn Bowling Green, my sources also inform me that the ornamental peach trees south of the green will be blooming through April. In addition, ten Hong Kong Orchid Trees are being planted west of the Bowling Green and several Crape Myrtles to the east, promising even more blooms for seasons to come.

Lastly, thanks to all the recent rains, Florida Canyon will be lush and green this year with native coastal sage scrub and California Poppies blooming throughout. As you hike the canyon’s trails, be sure to enhance your coat’s natural scent by brushing up against the sweet-smelling sage.

Cash and Georgia write: Dear Cosmos, two weeks into the New Year and my family is already neglecting their New Year’s resolutions. What should they do to stay on track?

Cosmos: New Year’s resolutions, particularly those involving a fitness program or spending more time outdoors with loved ones, are hard to start and keep up given the wintery time of year. However, anyone living in sunny San Diego, which boasts the continent’s largest urban park, has little excuse, I’m afraid.

Any fitness regimen begins one step at a time. And what better way to move your body than by exploring miles and miles of trails that wind through Balboa Park’s 1,200 acres? From short strolls on pavement through lush gardens to long hikes on dirt trails in steep canyons, there is an endless variety of challenge and scenery for you to work up a good pant.

For any bipeds wishing to pick up a new sport or revisit an old one, Balboa Park also offers excellent facilities for swimming, tennis, golf, archery, cycling, and softball at the Morley Field Sports Complex. They can even work on their throwing skills playing fetch with you in one of the Park’s three off-leash dog parks.

But getting outside and exercising is always more fun with friends and family, especially if food is involved. Fortunately, Balboa Park has numerous parks within the park that feature large open grassy spaces and picnic tables, including Pine Grove, Redwood Circle, Bird Park, and Golden Hill Park.

That should be plenty to keep anyone from getting off track.

Jack asks: Dear Cosmos, If I have to chew on another Barbie doll, mp3 player, or sheepskin slipper this holiday season, I think I’m going to hurl all over the new Berber carpet. Where should my family go to find truly unique gifts this year?

Cosmos: Well, Jack, while I can’t encourage chewing on your family’s nice holiday presents, I can help you direct them to the many stores in Balboa Park that offer the widest selection of one-of-a-kind gift items.

For starters, mom will love the original work of the many featured jewelry designers in some of Balboa Park’s stores. The Mingei International Museum right now is displaying fine jewelry by Arline Fisch, whose sculpture is currently on display in that museum’s galleries, and the San Diego Museum of Art is offering a rare collection of resin-inlay jewelry by the Los Angeles-based designer Sean Hill (pictured).

Many stores, including the Spanish Village Art Center and San Diego Art Institute, not only sell handcrafted jewelry, but paintings, prints, pottery, glassware, and other types of home décor by local artisans. For a more international selection, they can try the World Beat Center or United Nations Association Gift Store.

For dads, hobbyists and the younger set, the stores at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Natural History Museum, Air & Space Museum, and Automotive Museum have an incredible selection distinctive games, toys, books, models, and inexpensive stocking stuffers that will suit anyone’s tastes—except apparently yours, Jack.

Leroy writes: Dear Cosmos, now that all the kids are spending their weekdays in school, can you suggest some ways my family can share quality time together on the weekend in Balboa Park so I can get some quality naptime at home.

Cosmos: I’m so glad you asked as I would like to put to bed the common misconception that summertime offers the most opportunities for families in Balboa Park. Thanks to the many cultural institutions that present family-oriented programming year round, the park-wide Family Day, and other special programs, there is an endless supply of family fun throughout the Park.

To start, I suggest your family picks up some Balboa Park Passports at the Visitors Center. They are discounted for children ages 3–12, and one option includes a visit to the Zoo. Then, for example, if someone in the pack wants to see planes, they can all head over to the Air & Space Museum. Trains? The Model Railroad Museum, of course. Dinosaurs? The Natural History Museum. Playful folk arts? The Mingei Museum. You get the picture. And be sure to check the Balboa Park Web site’s calendar page for special activities just for kids.

But wait there’s more! The San Diego Junior Theatre and the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater are always presenting quality entertainment for kids of all ages. And if it’s too cold to go to the beach, everyone can still enjoy the great outdoors at any number of scenic picnic areas in Balboa Park, which feature green lawns for throwing and chasing a ball and even safe play equipment to climb, swing, and crawl around on.

So I see no reason that you should have to go off your regular catnap schedule this fall.