2012 summer vaca
- Thread starter jusko88
- Start date
azcheetah2
Well-Known Member
In a nutshell? A lot of walking! The San Diego Zoo is quite hilly, but the map will show you the easiest routes. The Safari Park is big and spread out and has sort of an upper and lower area. It's easiest to see what's in the upper area, walk down to the lower area then ride (it's free) the Great Rift Lift (it's sort of an elevator) back up to the top.this year for me and gf vaca were doing San Diego zoo, Seaworld san diego and San Diego Safari park. What should i expect? Im hoping alot of rare animals.
As for a lot of rare animals? There's some, but I don't know about a lot. They do have some that aren't at other zoos if that's what you mean by 'rare'. The Safari Park is cool in that they have several large field exhibits. The only way to see them is taking the Journey Into Africa tram. Those animals are pretty much allowed to breed freely so you could take the tour Saturday and see some animals then take it again the next day and there'll be a baby. I think you'll enjoy it, though.
Sea World...well, Sea World is Sea World. No rare animals there. hahahaha.
It depends when you go. If you are going during the summer, what you can expect is the largest collection of Homo sapiens you have seen in your life. Sea World and the zoo are crowded almost to the point of being unenjoyable. HOWEVER, if you go in mid to late summer, both of these stay open late (zoo until 9pm and Sea World until 9 or 10pm).
Although I am not a fan of Sea World (last went about 20 years ago, left after half a day and would never go back), the zoo at night is a truly great experience. If you do not desire to stay from open til close (9am to 9pm), then I would suggest go for the first two hours (9am-11am), get a hand stamp, go enjoy lunch near the harbor and a rest at the motel (or one of the many museums next to the zoo), then return to the zoo from 4pm until close.
If you are not going in summer, then of course all of the above is irrelevant (but if you are going this Spring I would try to avoid weekends if you can). For the safari park, plan on staying from open until close and plan on LOTS of walking (very worthwhile walking). Again, a weekday is better than a weekend. If you want to see the cheetah run (very worthwhile), plan on getting there at least 45-60 minutes ahead to get a spot along the railing (unless you want to pay extra for the VIP viewing area, which includes meeting the cheetah up close afterwards).
Depending on when you go, the Safari Park will close at either 6pm or 7pm. However, if you arrange your walk to be near the bottom at closing, you can work your way back up and not be at the exit gates until almost an hour later - in my experience, they will not kick you out. Likewise, although the zoo closes at 9pm, you can stay in the front plaza well past that - the gift shop stays open until at least 9:30pm ususally.
If you want some less formidable animal attractions, there are a couple smaller ones in the area. Birch Aquarium is a nice small aquarium on an oceanside cliff in La Jolla (just north of San Diego). The California Wolf Center (or something close to that) is in the foothills just east of the Safari Park. If you really want to be adventurous, there is a small but relativley new zoo in Tijuana, Mexico.
Although I am not a fan of Sea World (last went about 20 years ago, left after half a day and would never go back), the zoo at night is a truly great experience. If you do not desire to stay from open til close (9am to 9pm), then I would suggest go for the first two hours (9am-11am), get a hand stamp, go enjoy lunch near the harbor and a rest at the motel (or one of the many museums next to the zoo), then return to the zoo from 4pm until close.
If you are not going in summer, then of course all of the above is irrelevant (but if you are going this Spring I would try to avoid weekends if you can). For the safari park, plan on staying from open until close and plan on LOTS of walking (very worthwhile walking). Again, a weekday is better than a weekend. If you want to see the cheetah run (very worthwhile), plan on getting there at least 45-60 minutes ahead to get a spot along the railing (unless you want to pay extra for the VIP viewing area, which includes meeting the cheetah up close afterwards).
Depending on when you go, the Safari Park will close at either 6pm or 7pm. However, if you arrange your walk to be near the bottom at closing, you can work your way back up and not be at the exit gates until almost an hour later - in my experience, they will not kick you out. Likewise, although the zoo closes at 9pm, you can stay in the front plaza well past that - the gift shop stays open until at least 9:30pm ususally.
If you want some less formidable animal attractions, there are a couple smaller ones in the area. Birch Aquarium is a nice small aquarium on an oceanside cliff in La Jolla (just north of San Diego). The California Wolf Center (or something close to that) is in the foothills just east of the Safari Park. If you really want to be adventurous, there is a small but relativley new zoo in Tijuana, Mexico.
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azcheetah2
Well-Known Member
When I saw this about the California Wolf Center I quickly went in search of more information because I'll be in San Diego in 2 weeks for my birthday. And while I'll be there on Sunday, when they do the year-round tours, it's at least an hour from the airport and you have to check in 30 minutes before the tour. I'd never make it in time. Bummer. Maybe I'll spring for a photography tour in December...
Thank you for mentioning this place.
team tapir
Well-Known Member
We would almost recommend not visiting SD in the summer.As ArizonaDocent pointed out crowds can be awful.Weather in SD is basically ideal year round so a fall or winter trip would be just as nice.As far as the zoo itself concerned no doubt its awesome and a must see for any zoo enthuisist we would put both the Bronx and Omaha ahead of it.
Team Tapir
Team Tapir
azcheetah2
Well-Known Member
There is also a sanctuary in a town about 30 minutes away (Alpine) called Lions Tigers and Bears. If your trip to San Diego includes a Saturday, they give tours that day.