A must-stop on our family’s California vacation was the San Diego Zoo. This zoo is one of the few zoos in the world with open air exhibits designed to look like natural habitats. If you are planning a San Diego visit, don’t miss out on a chance to go to one of the best zoos in the whole world. My kids are still talking about our trip to the San Diego Zoo!
We were first in line when the Zoo opened and started our day with the Guided Bus Tour. The bus tour takes about 45 minutes to an hour and was a great way for us to get a feel for the Zoo’s layout. We even saw lots of animals right from the bus. I think the bus tour is a great way to figure out which animals you want to be sure to see.
TIP: Be prepared to do a lot of walking at the Zoo. If you get tired of walking, you can take bus rides. The Kangaroo Express buses are constantly making the rounds to different bus stops in the Zoo.
Ride the Skyfari
The Skyfari ride is included in your ticket price. It is a fun way to get a bird’s eye view of the Zoo as well as get from one side of the Zoo to the other side of the Zoo without walking.
There is So Much to See at the San Diego Zoo!
You will not run out of things to see at the Zoo. Some of our favorite attractions at the Zoo included Giraffes, Koalas, Gorillas, Orangutans, Polar Bears, Flamingos and a rare Fossa. Panda Canyon was the busiest exhibit on our day at the Zoo. We waited in a line for about 20 minutes to walk past the Pandas. The San Diego Zoo has the largest number of giant pandas in the world and is definitely one Zoo attraction not to miss.
I could sit here all day and list animals that you should go visit at the Zoo. They are all wonderful! It is a unique experience to see Zoo animals living in natural outdoor habitats.
One little known fact about the San Diego Zoo is that in addition to being one of the best Zoos on the planet, it is also a world-class Botanical Garden. So be sure to take notice of all the diverse plant species you see growing all around the zoo grounds.
The Most Amazing Thing We Saw That Day
I think my kids will agree that the most amazing thing we saw that day at the Zoo was at the Elephant Odyssey. Majestic, the Zoo’s largest elephant, took a pee right in front of the crowds. You cannot imagine the sheer volume of pee we saw coming out of this elephant. The best way I can describe it is that we thought that a fire hydrant had burst.
Truly, I did think that a water main had burst at the zoo until I realized what was REALLY going on. All of us Zoo guests – parents and kids alike – stood for at least a solid minute in total amazement at this elephant taking a pee. It was an unforgettable sight! My kids STILL talk about it.
San Diego Zoo Tickets
The easiest way to get tickets is right there at the San Diego Zoo gates. Current San Diego Zoo prices are listed on their website. Kids under 3 get in free.
If you are shopping around for San Diego Zoo discount tickets, you may want to consider purchasing the Go San Diego Card or a 3-for-1 Pass. These cards/passes let you visit other great San Diego attractions in addition to the Zoo.
Other ways to save money at the Zoo:
Bring your own drinks and snacks into the Zoo. There are places to buy drinks and snacks inside the Zoo, but you’ll save money if you have your own. Zoo guests are allowed to bring food and drink in the zoo. However, you cannot bring in a large cooler.
Have you ever been to the San Diego Zoo? What is your favorite Zoo attraction? Share your tips and tricks for visiting the San Diego Zoo in the comments below.
Thank you to the San Diego Zoo for providing us with complimentary tickets. All opinions expressed are my own.
