San Diego Zoo Visiting SDZ - any best route?

amur leopard

amur leopard

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
I think I may be visiting the zoo in late August next year, so I'm planning ahead. Is there any particular way through the zoo that you would recommend? I may well be spending two days there and another day at the safari park to see the platypuses, but I would like to be as efficient as possible even so and cherish every moment.

So I wondered whether anyone here had a favourite itinerary around the zoo which made it more likely to see particular animals? I don't have any favourites in particular, I just want to see as much as possible.
 
This was my route from my visit 2 years ago: I started by quickly walking through the Outback area to get to Africa Rocks (at the time brand-new). I then looped back through Sun Bear Forest and the bear grottoes before going through Elephant Odyssey. From EO I saw the Northern Frontier exhibit, then I walked down the hill of hoofstock enclosures and saw Panda Trek (which had Pandas at the time. I then back-tracked to the Bashor Bridge, where on the other side I had lunch at the terrific Albert’s restaurant, which I’d wholeheartedly recommend. I then wandered around in the Lost Forest section before emerging and seeing the reptile area then Children’s Zoo.

Looking back, there are a few changes I’d make to this route. I’d still see Africa Rocks first, but then I’d rush to see the Owens and Scripps aviaries as they are tremendous. I’d then go to the reptile area before seeing the rest of the list forest.

I had one day at the zoo, so obviously I had to prioritize certain things, although I did see almost everything. It’s doable in one day, but two is definitely recommended.
 
TZDugong said:
This was my route from my visit 2 years ago: I started by quickly walking through the Outback area to get to Africa Rocks (at the time brand-new). I then looped back through Sun Bear Forest and the bear grottoes before going through Elephant Odyssey. From EO I saw the Northern Frontier exhibit, then I walked down the hill of hoofstock enclosures and saw Panda Trek (which had Pandas at the time. I then back-tracked to the Bashor Bridge, where on the other side I had lunch at the terrific Albert’s restaurant, which I’d wholeheartedly recommend. I then wandered around in the Lost Forest section before emerging and seeing the reptile area then Children’s Zoo.

Looking back, there are a few changes I’d make to this route. I’d still see Africa Rocks first, but then I’d rush to see the Owens and Scripps aviaries as they are tremendous. I’d then go to the reptile area before seeing the rest of the list forest.

I had one day at the zoo, so obviously I had to prioritize certain things, although I did see almost everything. It’s doable in one day, but two is definitely recommended.
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Thank you!
That is really helpful. Do you happen to know whether any of the shows are worth it?
 
Go to the left of the flamingo pond and follow monkey trails until you hit the elevator. Take it down and follow tiger trail to hippo trail to the main road. Turn right and head into the leopard exhibit, then come out on the main road and follow it through Africa rocks. Go through the outback and head back to lost forest to see the primates and aviaries.
 
Here's what I did, feel free to modify for more hours.

Entrance, flamingo lagoon closest to entrance, Monkey Trails, take the stairs down to Tiger River, go through Tiger River, go through Ituri Forest, go through (what was formerly) Panda Trek with the snow leopards/Amur leopards, red pandas/Mangshan pit vipers/takin, pass the "African Wetlands" exhibit (the one with the Pink-backed pelicans IIRC), go through Eagle Trail, Polar Bear Plunge, Elephant Odyssey (modifying so you go through Africa Rocks, I went through the kopje then passed it while it was still under construction), go through Africa Rocks in such a way so the penguins are the finale, go through the rest of Asian Passage with Sun Bear Forest and the other grottos, go through Urban Jungle and the Australian Outback exhibits, then go through the ape complexes via the Fern Canyon, fill in the Aviaries if you have time, the Reptile House/Reptile Walk (we didn't go as it was almost closing time, we had lunch at the Sabertooth Grill), and you should be fine. Again, feel free to modify as the Bashor Bridge is now a thing, but... yeah.
 
Sadly, it seems that I won't be going to SDZ at all, or California for that matter :( :(

I'm sorry I wasting your time; I got ahead of myself, even though the trip was almost guaranteed, it just got cancelled like Prague and Berlin got cancelled last year. :(

I'm sorry for wasting your time.
 
If it helps, I'm planning to visit sdz and the wildlife park this may and I definitely plan to revisit this thread in order to make the most of my trip.
 
amur leopard said:
Sadly, it seems that I won't be going to SDZ at all, or California for that matter :( :(

I'm sorry I wasting your time; I got ahead of myself, even though the trip was almost guaranteed, it just got cancelled like Prague and Berlin got cancelled last year. :(

I'm sorry for wasting your time.
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It is a pity that you won't make it to California next year.

This thread is still valuable though, as you will not be the last person who has stared at the SDZ map and try to come up with a plan.
 
First, thanks to @amur leopard for starting this thread and I hope is ok to ask some general SD questions.

I am planning to visit SD for 4 days between 14 and 18th of February.

Is it a 2 day Zoo, 1day SP, and 1day SeaWorld optimal schedule ?

Shall I buy 3 day San Diego Go + 1 day zoo entrance?

Do I need a whole day in SeaWorld, if not using the rollercoaster? Do I need to book the Orca show in advance?

When is the best time of the day to visit the Platypus?

I am hesitating, between Asian cart safari and Caravan Safari. Is the last worth the money?

Any different recommendations will be highly appreciated :)
 
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I am privileged to actually be visiting the zoo for the first time tomorrow! Does anyone have any last minute amendments to @TZDugong’s (very helpful) plan, specifically regarding activity of animals in Lost Forest and the aviaries, and time constraints?
Further, does anyone have any recommendations regarding best path for the safari Park, and whether the African tram is worth it?

Thank you so much in advance!!
 
twilighter said:
Is it a 2 day Zoo, 1day SP, and 1day SeaWorld optimal schedule ?
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I think 2 days at the zoo is worth it, at a pinch you could see it it one day but with 2 days you can have a much more relaxing visit. The Safari Park can be done in around 5 hours.
twilighter said:
Do I need a whole day in SeaWorld, if not using the rollercoaster? Do I need to book the Orca show in advance?
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I haven't been to SW San Diego, but I've been to the one in Orlando and it's around a 3-4 hour visit, with rides it's a full day.
twilighter said:
When is the best time of the day to visit the Platypus?
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Probably as soon as the zoo opens; there will be less crowds and the Platypus will presumabley be more active.
savethelephant said:
Further, does anyone have any recommendations regarding best path for the safari Park, and whether the African tram is worth it?
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The African Tram is definitely worth it. It's the only way to see the huge field exhibits which are incredible. For a route I'd say see the Platypus first, then the African Tram. After that the order doesn't really matter.

Have a great trip!
 
TZDugong said:
I think 2 days at the zoo is worth it, at a pinch you could see it it one day but with 2 days you can have a much more relaxing visit. The Safari Park can be done in around 5 hours.

I haven't been to SW San Diego, but I've been to the one in Orlando and it's around a 3-4 hour visit, with rides it's a full day.

Probably as soon as the zoo opens; there will be less crowds and the Platypus will presumabley be more active.

The African Tram is definitely worth it. It's the only way to see the huge field exhibits which are incredible. For a route I'd say see the Platypus first, then the African Tram. After that the order doesn't really matter.

Have a great trip!
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Thank you @TZDugong !
I will keep the SeaWorld for the last day as a buffer. If something happens I can revisit the Safari park instead.
 
savethelephant said:
I am privileged to actually be visiting the zoo for the first time tomorrow! Does anyone have any last minute amendments to @TZDugong’s (very helpful) plan, specifically regarding activity of animals in Lost Forest and the aviaries, and time constraints?
Further, does anyone have any recommendations regarding best path for the safari Park, and whether the African tram is worth it?

Thank you so much in advance!!
Click to expand...

I wish you great time tomorrow @savethelephant and hope you will share your thoughts after.
 
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