The House of Pacific Relations (HPR), founded in 1935, is a not-for-profit community organization dedicated to furthering cooperation and understanding between national groups in the United States.

HPR consists of 32 national groups, many of which have their own small cottage in San Diego’s Balboa Park. These cottages, furnished and staffed by group members, offer visitors a delightful window into each country’s culture, history and traditions. The cottages are open to the public every Sunday afternoon for four of the five hours between Noon and 5:00 PM. Refreshments are served and donations are welcomed to defray costs.

On Sunday afternoons between March and mid-November, Lawn Programs and other Special Events are held on the outdoor stage in the cottage area for one hour beginning at 2:00 PM. Each national group has its own Lawn Program featuring the songs and dances of that nation.

Twice a year, HPR sponsors major festivals. The Ethnic Food Fair, held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, features food, drink and entertainment from all of our national groups. The cottages also participate in Balboa Park December Nights, the first Friday and Saturday nights of December, with food and festivities inspired by winter holidays from around the world.

The Hall of Nations adjoins the cottage area and features exhibits of national groups. The Hall is open on Sundays from Noon-4:00 PM and is hosted, on a rotating basis (see schedule), by national groups that do not have a cottage of their own. The Hall of Nations is also available for rental by outside groups (see here).

In addition, many of the cottages are open from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Call for information.

HPR sponsors a Ladies Auxiliary for HPR members and their guests that meets on the second Wednesday of most months.

HPR also sponsors a cultural and educational service organization for young members of the Houses. The HPR Queens Organization fosters a spirit of understanding, tolerance and goodwill between all races and nationalities, and prepares its members to be adult members of their Houses. The Queens act as "goodwill ambassadors" of HPR and present the music and dance of various ethnic groups at events throughout San Diego County.

Please visit us soon! For more information, call (619) 234-0739 or email info@sdhpr.org.

Co-sponsored by: City of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation.

Click here to view a PDF version of the HPR flyer.