Japanese Friendship Garden

The Japanese Friendship Garden is a garden and museum in the heart of Balboa Park, San Diego. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, it brings together Japanese garden design and native Californian planting. For weddings, it offers a calm setting of koi ponds, waterfalls, wisteria arbors and wooden bridges, a world away from the city around it.

Why it suits LGBTQ+ couples

The garden limits how many private events it hosts each year to protect the landscape. That keeps each celebration feeling personal rather than one of many. It also offers smaller formats, including minimonies and private morning events, which suit couples who want a quiet, meaningful ceremony with just the people who matter. We think it is a beautiful choice for a wedding grounded in nature and calm.

Ceremonies

Several parts of the garden are used for ceremonies and photos. Options include the Lower Garden, the Earth Bridge, the Maple Bridge and creek, the Pavilion deck, and an arch and courtyard. You can see the Lower Garden on a 360-degree tour before you visit. Private morning events let you use the garden before it opens to visitors.

Receptions and food

Food for private events must come from the garden's list of required caterers, which covers a range of San Diego companies and styles. The garden also keeps lists of preferred vendors and coordinators, which helps when you are building your team. Talk to the private events coordinator about which spaces work for dinner and drinks with your numbers.

Getting there and the area

The garden is on Pan American Road East in Balboa Park, next to the Spreckels Organ Pavilion and a short walk from the park's museums. Downtown San Diego and the airport are about ten minutes away by car. Hillcrest, North Park and downtown all offer plenty of hotels and places to eat for guests staying the weekend.

Good to know

• Dates book up to 18 months ahead.
• Caterers must come from the required list.
• Minimonies and private morning events are offered.