Experts Reviews
Balboa Park Carousel logo

Balboa Park Carousel

4.7 ★★★★★ · 425 Google reviews · 22 photos
Amusement park ride · Chula Vista, CA

Balboa Park Carousel at a glance

Reviewers praise the historic carousel's fast speed, long ride duration, and brass ring game, noting the staff is friendly and the attraction is well-maintained. Common criticisms focus on the requirement for accompanying adults to purchase tickets, which many view as unfair for parents supervising young children. Additionally, several visitors report difficulties finding parking and instances of incorrect operating hours or closed rides.

  • Google rating: 4.7 out of 5 from 425 reviews (79% five-star).
  • Reviews on this page: 425 Google reviews (207 with written comments, 41 with photos).
  • Owner responses: the business replied to 5% of reviews.
  • Most recent review: October 25, 2026.
  • Service: Amusement Park serving Chula Vista, California.

Data from Google, last updated October 25, 2026.

Photos

Customer reviews

4.7
★★★★★
425 reviews on Google
5★334
4★66
3★12
2★1
1★12

Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).

ben wildLocal Guide · 22 reviews
★★★★★

Love this Carousel. Play the brass ring game

  • Visited on: Weekend
  • Wait time: No wait
  • Reservation recommended: No
Review from Google · view on Google
Jesus Alejandro Castro DieguezLocal Guide · 78 reviews
★★★★★

Long ride for a fair price

Review from Google · view on Google
JonBon KinerLocal Guide · 23 reviews
★★★★★

We got the golden ring! Can you? I love love love this place!

Review from Google · view on Google
Perla Dallana Escalante Trasviña2 reviews
★★★★★

Muy bonito lugar, pasamos un tiempo muy agradable en familia, necesitamos regresar pronto

  • Visited on: Weekday
  • Wait time: No wait
Review from Google · view on Google
Dave LutnessLocal Guide · 126 reviews
★★★★★

Pay per rider per ride and parent has to also buy a ticket. It is a classic and historic carousel that literally has someone with a crank making it go and stop. Pretty cool.

  • Visited on: Weekday
  • Wait time: No wait
  • Reservation recommended: No
Review from Google · view on Google
Griffin’s Workbench (griffinsworkbench)Local Guide · 34 reviews
★★★★★

We took our son to the carousel. He is the fourth generation of our family to ride this landmark attraction. It was a great place for a four year old!

  • Visited on: Weekday
  • Wait time: No wait
  • Reservation recommended: Not sure
Review from Google · view on Google
Matt ShepherdLocal Guide · 37 reviews
★★★★★

Fast and fun! Best carousel we’ve ridden with the kids

Review from Google · view on Google
B McLocal Guide · 62 reviews
★★★★★

Beautiful old carousel. Was $4 per ticket, but as carousel rides go, the spinning was a pretty fast speed and the ride went fairly long - so our family of 4 all enjoyed. While old, was very well maintained and the staff was very friendly.

  • Visited on: Weekend
  • Wait time: No wait
  • Reservation recommended: No
Review from Google · view on Google
Rob JamesLocal Guide · 39 reviews
★★★★★

Nice, historic carousel. Fun to ride and pretty accessible for most people.

  • Visited on: Weekend
  • Wait time: Up to 10 min
  • Reservation recommended: No
Review from Google · view on Google
HD HancockiiiLocal Guide · 307 reviews
★★★★★

Nice nostalgic carousel Check it out

  • Visited on: Weekday
  • Wait time: Up to 10 min
  • Reservation recommended: Not sure
Review from Google · view on Google

Balboa Park Carousel on Google Maps →

Business details