World Beat Cultural Center
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Hello everyone! This is a friendly reminder that any of these fun places we may visit, we are a guest at. Please treat both businesses and trails with the utmost respect. We here at Hidden San Diego follow the 'Leave no Trace' mantra, meaning whatever you bring with you comes back with you. If you see trash on a trail, please do your part to help remove it. Remember, we are not picking up trash from another person but instead cleaning up for Mother Nature. Happy adventures!
2100 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 230-1190
32.727186, -117.149615
Dog-Friendly: No Kid-Friendly: Yes
Hours: 11:30am-9pm daily Cafe Hours: M-Th- Closed F-Su- 11AM-6PM
CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE ON ALL THE HIDDEN GEMS IN BALBOA PARK FOR AN AMAZING DAY TRIP!
About the center: The World Beat Center is a non-profit multi-cultural arts organization dedicated to promoting, presenting & preserving the African & Indigenous cultures of the world through Music, Art, Dance, Education & Technology. They are located just on the outskirts of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park.
Their goal is to raise consciousness through the community by promoting peace within the San Diego community and on-going programs that nurture the spirit of children, the elderly, and everyone in between. Their main goal is to create unity within diversity.
Once you step inside, be ready to be transported into another world! Every inch of this place is bursting with artwork and culture and love. The murals you will see were created by local artists (the Egyptian mural was painted by my buddy Anh Pham), commemorating important leaders and historical cultures.
There are multiple galleries with locally sourced goods, artwork and artifacts. Flags from all nations fly from the ceiling over the dance floor which has hosted hundreds of famous and upcoming acts, artists, and events
History: The center in which we know today was actually once a 1 million gallon water tower. It was later repurposed and revitalized with founder Makeda 'Dread' Cheatom at the forefront of the vision. Over 30 years later, the center continues to thrive and expand.
While you're in the area, make sure to check out the Centro Cultural de Raza nearby!
About the Worldbeat Café: You absolutely MUST try their food at least once in your life. Yes, everything is vegan, but even if you you don't give yourself any type of food label, trust me and try their food. Many of the ingredients are picked fresh from their organic garden every day. Food just tastes SO much better when it's just been picked from the vine.
We watched them go out to the garden and harvest a bunch of the ingredients in our meals and drinks right in front of us! They even have a moringa tree which I had never seen before! Check out the menu with photos here.
Children's Peace Garden: The garden is here teach teach anyone with a willingness to learn about the role of plants in society today, while also learning the relationship of plants in the local and global indigenous cultures of the past.
In 2015, in coalition with the local Kumeyaay, the World Beat Center embarked on a multi-level terraced garden of endemic and indigenous plants that are part of the Kumeyaay lasting traditions.
The unique organic herb, fruit, and vegetable garden honors the memory of George Washington Carver, and is dedicated to teaching young people about the role of plants in society. Gardening classes are available to schools, youth programs, individuals and families by booking a workshop or requesting a docent at the WorldBeat Center
Our
Not only was our delicious meal cooked by Makeda herself, but we even got to enjoy our meal with her! 
Makeda also gave us a tour of the Children's Ethnobotany Peace Garden: 
