Ask Cosmos

Rayne writes: Dear Cosmos, If you could only visit one garden this spring in Balboa Park, which one would you choose?

Cosmos writes: That’s a decision I hope I’m never actually faced with, but since you’ve asked, for the brightest selection of spring colors and scents, I would have to go with the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden.

Why? For me spring is all about color. And given our canine limitations to perceiving certain hues, the more colors I’m exposed to, the better chance I have of enjoying some. Fortunately, when it comes to garden walks, such limitations are more than made up for by our superior snouts…

This time of year just about every bush in the Rose Garden is in full bloom, and this burst of literally thousands of roses means the air is filled with an unimaginable number of fresh floral colors and smells. Colorful, often edible-sounding, names of many of the varieties (over 200 in all) gives you some idea of what I’m barking about: Mardi Gras, Pumpkin Patch, Gourmet Popcorn, Pillow Fight, Apricot Drift, Rainbow Sorbet, etc.

As an official All-America Rose Selection display garden, the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden proudly highlights any varieties that were distinguished by the world’s highest rose award for superior qualities. The 2012 selection is a lovely pale yellow bud known as “Sunshine Daydream.” Other winners include Julia Child (2008), Moondance (2007), Wild Blue Yonder (2006), and the aforementioned lickable Rainbow Sorbet (2006).

If you’ve never been, the Rose Garden is located just across the pedestrian bridge on Park Boulevard, east of the Natural History Museum, and is always dog — and people — friendly. Just follow your snout.

Riesling writes: Dear Cosmos, as much as I love sniffing around the historic buildings along Balboa Park’s Central Mesa, I’m getting a bit tired of the same sights and smells. Are there any paths nearby I can guide my human companions toward during our regular walks?

Cosmos: As our bipedal walking buddies tend to be drawn to the picture-postcard scenery around the Central Mesa, it’s easy for them to miss some easily accessible and equally scenic routes along the way. Sure they may see the alternate routes, but because they feel unsure of where it will take them, they stick to the tried and true trail.

But there are two paths in particular that even the most timid travelers should feel comfortable taking: Palm Canyon and Gold Gulch.

If you’ve ever wondered what lies beyond the wooden bridge and staircase behind the Mingei Museum, that would be Palm Canyon. This lush oasis was actually one of the first sections of the Park to be developed. Home to over 450 palm trees of 50 different varieties (hence the name), it’s a veritable cornucopia of trees, glorious trees—and other plants, too!

While more intrepid hikers may want to climb the steep trails at the opposite end toward the Old Cactus Garden, the main canyon-bottom path dead ends, at which point your pack can quickly return the way it came.

The Gold Gulch, which can be accessed via the Zoro (Butterfly) Garden next to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, is another shady tree-lined ravine. Walkers can follow its paved path through great views of the Japanese Friendship Garden’s cherry trees in full bloom come springtime.

Here too, there’s nothing in the canine code to prevent you from returning the way you came once you hit the cherry trees, but a more adventuresome walk will take you past the police horse stables and on to President’s Way.

Simba writes: Dear Cosmos, With Balboa Park being home to three dog parks, should I just go to the one that’s closest? Or is one better than the others?

Cosmos: Just as no two dogs are alike, no two dog parks are either, even when they are located in the same “park.” Though convenience is obviously important to “on the go” hounds such as yourself, you should be aware of each dog park’s distinctive personality.

For example, Nate’s Point, the granddaddy of all dog parks in Balboa Park, reflects the hustle and bustle of its Banker’s Hill location. There’s lots of activity and buzz here, as cars cruise down and people walk along the adjacent Cabrillo Bridge, a main thoroughfare into Balboa Park’s busy Central Mesa area. But while Nate’s Point is the only one of the three dog parks that is entirely fenced in, it’s also the only one without its own parking lot.

For pups with poor parking karma, Morley Field boasts the largest lot of all the dog parks. It’s accessed from a side road off the main entrance to the Morley Field Sports Complex. With no fences and surrounded by canyons and playing fields, this dog park has a very open feel to it. Just as Nate’s Point makes for an excellent off-leash pit stop on your way to the museum mall, Morley Field provides a nice segue to numerous hiking trails and human play areas.

Unlike the other centrally located dog parks, Grape Street Dog Park takes visitors off the beaten path into a quiet residential area, which gives this park its unique neighborhood charm. In spite of this feeling of intimacy, Grape Street is actually the largest of the three dog parks; so big, in fact, it’s also the only one with its own restroom. Not surprisingly, the South Park neighborhood where it’s located is quite pet friendly, and its quaint business district offers many eateries with outdoor seating.

With all that said, ultimately it’s the people and their pooches that make the biggest difference when it comes to good dog parks. So I suggest trying them all out to see which neighborhood pack fits your personality best.

TJ writes: Dear Cosmos, as much as my family and I can’t wait to hit the waves this summer, we want to make sure we don’t miss any great activities in Balboa Park. Can you give us the heads up on this summer’s must do’s?

Cosmos: From May through September, my calendar fills up quickly with near-daily concerts, festivals, and performances throughout Balboa Park. Thankfully, many summertime activities are scheduled afterhours (5 p.m. or later), and some museums even offer extended hours, so beach hounds like you can enjoy the best of both worlds!

Near the top of my list of “mutt musts” is the free Twilight in the Park concert series in the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, which presents a wide range of musical genres on three weekday evenings each week—all species welcome. The Organ Pavilion also hosts the International Summer Organ Festival on Monday nights.

While you’re napping off a full morning of dog paddling, bi-pedal members of your pack should check out The San Diego Museum of Art’s summer blockbuster From El Greco to Dalì (opening July 9), a showcase of five centuries of Spanish master paintings. The San Diego Museum of Art will also present my favorite pet-friendly outdoor film series, Screen on the Green.

Speaking of films, your animal-loving family will definitely want to shake the sand out of their sandals long enough to see Born to Be Wild in IMAX at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, which I’ll review next week. They can then extend their break from the summer heat by chilling out in the Natural History Museum’s newest exhibition Ends of the Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins.

That’s of course just a drop in the beach bucket. Stay tuned to this blog for more tips on how to make the dog days of summer what they really ought to be—dawg days.