A Walk on the Wild Side:
The San Diego Zoo

Since 1916, the San Diego Zoo has enthralled its visitors with exotic animals and scenery. This zoo covers 100 acres and houses close to 4,000 animals. The atmosphere of this zoo is incredible, projecting an ambiance of true nature and the wild. Animals live in spectacular habitats that have been specially constructed to mimic natural ecosystems. The zoo is renowned for its amazing botanical displays of exotic and rare plant life in addition to its vast array of animal species.

The San Diego Zoo offers a glimpse into numerous habitats from around the world, from Australian koala bears to macaws from the Amazon. See tigers prowling in an Asian jungle. View animals from the Artic in their icy surroundings. Lazy hippos float in a balmy African river and orangutans swing playfully from the trees. The exhibits are constructed with the purpose of providing an optimum view of the animals in their natural environments, and the experience is as authentic as it can get without actually venturing into the wild.

One of San Diego Zoo’s most famous attractions is the Giant Panda Research Station, where pandas have successfully bred in captivity. This exhibit offers what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to glimpse into the lives of these endangered animals.

Although the entire zoo is a great experience for children of all ages, the Children’s Zoo was especially designed for the kids. Here, they can visit goats and bunnies in the petting zoo or see some of the adorable baby animals in the two nurseries. Everything at this attraction is made for kids, so count on them being captivated with this part of the zoo.

Walking the park is the best way to get up close to the incredible wildlife, but the zoo’s steep hills may be a little too strenuous for some, especially if you have small children along. The zoo provides speedy guided tours in open two-story buses, or you can travel across the zoo more quickly using the express buses or Skyfari Aerial Tram.

Delicious food can be found at any of the numerous fast food shops throughout the zoo. A fine dining experience is available at Albert’s Restaurant. Gift shops can also be found throughout the zoo, so be sure to stop by and pick up an exotic souvenir.

The San Diego Zoo attracts quite a number of visitors, so avoiding crowds can make your visit all the more enjoyable. Try to catch the most popular shows and exhibits early in the morning or late in the evening. As usual, holidays are not the best times to visit if you are trying to stay away from the masses.

For convenience and savings, checkout the Go San Diego Card. Get unlimited admission to over 45 attractions including the San Diego Zoo, LegoLand, Wild Animal Park, Knott's Soak Water Park, Harbor Excursions, Birhc Aquarium and much more. The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park.