San Diego Zoo

The Tuesday after President's Day, we spent the day at San Diego Zoo. We were staying in a hotel half way between the Zoo and Sea World, so it was a quick ten minute trip on a couple of freeways to get there. We arrived just as it opened at 9:00am, so parking was close, avoiding that annoying fifteen minute trip from the parking area to the actual park you get at places like Disney Land.

None of us had been to this Zoo before. A friend at work suggested that we take two days to look it over. If it was just us adults, I'd totally agree with him, but never under estimate the ability of small children to be totally uninterested in what you want to see or do, and have the attention span of a gnat. Because of this, we ended up not seeing a large portion of the zoo. We also decided at the end of the day, that we wouldn't go to the Wild Animal Safari Park later in the week, but do something else.

In hindsight, the first thing we should have done was take the guided open-topped double-decker bus tour around the zoo. We ended up doing this later in the day and had to wait in line for about 15 minutes just to get on the lower deck (the upper deck was about a 30-45 minute wait). The 35 minute tour covers a large part of the zoo, stopping at several interesting animal exhibits and gives you a very good overview of where everything is. The commentary from the driver/guide was entertaining. Somebody with a good sense of humour.

Apparently it's a requirement that all of these animal parks have a small pond lake surronded by flamingoes. San Diego Zoo was no exception. Right at the entrance. After seeing that we headed off to Absolutely Apes. This was one of those exhibits where I could have happily sat down and watched them for hours. Duncan on the other hand was done after about 40 nanoseconds and wanting to move on.

There were lots of frisky animals while we were there that day. Those crocodiles above for example. Luckily we didn't have any awkward questions to answer. No poop flinging to report or photograph either. Bet Duncan would have happily watched that for a while!

The big hit was the Skyfari Aerial Tram which goes from one end of the park to the other. You really need this. The zoo is on 100 acres. This is a quick and enjoyable way to get to the other side without walking the distance (they also have express buses which are great for getting up the hilly parts). We snuck in a tram ride just as it opened (at 10:00am) and the line was relatively short. It got very popular as the day wore on. While we were at the other end we got to see the Giant Pandas before that line got long. We ended up going on the aerial tram three times. I suggest getting the Best Value Admission to the zoo, which allows you to go on the guided tours and the aerial tram an unlimited number of times without extra cost.

Another of my favorites was the peccaries, with their frolicking in the mud. Duncan though wanted to keep moving. He did enjoy the childrens zoo and the Reptile House (especially the lizards). The childrens zoo had a porcupine on a leash. I'd hate to have been the keeper who'd had to train the animal to do that.

Also at this time of the year, it's a relatively short day (the zoo closed at 4:00pm). The Balboa Park Miniature Railroad was closed. We didn't see the shows or some of the more interesting animals like the Galapagos Tortoises. The Hummingbird Aviary was a disappointment. I reckon we have more hummers in our garden then they had in their exhibit. Unless they were all hiding or hibernating or something.

All those things aside, this is one of the best zoos I've ever visited. We will return when Duncan is older and can hopefully appreciate it more.

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( Mar 01 2006, 07:05:08 AM PST ) [Listen] Permalink