San Diego Zoo
Location: 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101; (619) 231-1515; www.sandiegozoo.org
Price Range: $
Pros: One of the most diverse collections of wild animals in the world
Cons: Very hilly. Bring your walking shoes!
To begin, you'll want to book a hotel near San Diego Zoo. San Diego zoo hotels are located near Balboa Park, such as the Sheraton Suites San Diego and Best Western Cabrillo Garden Inn, but there are plenty of other great options. A few of our favorites are Paradise Point in Mission Bay, and Loews Coronado Bay Resort in Coronado. For a big splurge, consider the Hotel Del Coronado.
It's always nice when you can get a good deal during your visit. For San Diego Zoo coupons or San Diego Zoo discounts, you have a few options. Military personnel in uniform get free admission, and AAA members get 10 percent off tickets. Another good source is the Southern California CityPass, which offers great discounts for packages to the zoo, Sea World and Disneyland.
San Diego Zoo is free for kids under 12 in October.
Once you purchase your San Diego Zoo tickets, head straight to the Giant Panda Research Station. This is the most popular exhibit, so try to arrive early. The endangered pandas are on temporary loan from China and each baby returns back to the country's control after its third birthday.
During
your trek through San Diego Zoo ca, you'll pass by beautiful waterfalls,
tropical flowers and numerous natural-styled environments.
Approximately
4,000 animals make their home at San Diego Zoo San Diego, but the koala
exhibit from Lone Pine Sanctuary in Brisbane seems to win over the
hearts of most guests. Here, you'll find the largest number of koalas
outside of Australia. Though they sleep much of the day, you may get
lucky and find these adorable gray marsupials eating the tender eucalyptus leaves from their trees.
Folks
in wheelchairs or couples with small children may want to consider
purchasing the zoo's Bus Tour tickets, which include a guided 35-minute San Diego zoo tour through about 75 percent of the park. You can rent wheelchairs
and strollers inside the zoo entrance.
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| One of the most popular places to stay in San Diego is Seaport Village. |
Our favorite place to eat is Albert's Restaurant, a treetop-styled fine dining experience in Gorilla Tropics. On a sunny day, dine outside by the waterfall, or cool off in the interior dining room with a cold bottle of specialty beer and a fresh grilled ahi sandwich. An ATM is located outside the Reptile House.
Other
must-see attractions at the park include the 3-acre Monkey Trails and
Forest Tales Exhibit, and the Children's Zoo, where little folks can
enjoy petting small goats and sheep in the Petting Paddock.
Plan
to spend a whole day at the zoo to enjoy everything it has to offer. On
your way out, don't miss the foot massager tucked next to the zoo gift
shop. After all of that walking, it's a great way to rejuvenate your
feet before the drive home.
Next
time you're in San Diego, make sure to check out this world-class zoo.
It's a day trip that's sure to be educational and rewarding.
San Diego Zoo is located at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101; (619) 231-1515; www.sandiegozoo.org
