Enjoy it while visiting San Diego in California
Located within the vast Balboa Park, covering an area of 100 acres, the San Diego Zoo holds the distinction of being one of the largest zoos in the United States. It is renowned for its extensive collection of rare and endangered animals, boasting over 12,000 animals in total. Among these fascinating creatures, you’ll find Amur leopards, jaguars, red pandas, giraffes, elephants, and even koalas (which make up the largest collection outside of Australia). To explore the zoo, you can follow various trails like the Monkey Trail, the Hippo Trail, or the Tiger Trail, each leading you to different exhibits. Prepare to encounter captivating animals along the way, such as hippos and bonobos in the Lost Forest, polar bears in the Northern Frontier, rhinos in the Urban Jungle, and Chinese alligators in the Discovery Outpost. With so much ground to cover, make sure to bring your energy and a map (or use the zoo’s smartphone app) to fully experience everything it has to offer. If your feet get tired from exploring, don’t worry! The zoo provides a 35-minute guided bus tour that takes you around the park. For a unique perspective, you can also hop on the Skyfari Aerial Tram, which transports visitors from one end of the park to the other, granting a bird’s-eye view of the exhibits below. Additionally, the zoo hosts daily animal presentations and animal encounter programs, allowing you to learn more about these incredible creatures. And before you leave, don’t miss the chance to watch educational wildlife films at the zoo’s 4D movie theater.
The San Diego Zoo is consistently praised by travelers as the top zoo they’ve ever been to. Recent visitors were amazed by the wide variety of animals and the numerous activities available. Many even felt that a whole day isn’t sufficient to see everything. To fully enjoy your visit, it’s advisable to wear comfortable walking shoes since some exhibits are quite far from each other. Some suggestions from fellow travelers include taking the Kangaroo Bus that stops at four different areas in the park, going on the guided bus tour, or simply riding the Skyfari for the breathtaking views. While a few reviewers mentioned concerns about the amount of walking required and the high prices of admission and food, most visitors agree that the experience is definitely worth it.