I read somewhere that the two finest zoos in America were the San Diego Zoo and the Bronx Zoo, but not in that order.
The SDZ is really nice zoo; it's located in Balboa Park, which is a really nice area very close to downtown. IT's very family oriented nad is the city's museum district. There's a lot of Spanish-influenced architecture that was build for a world's fair in the 20s. There is a huge variety of animals at the zoo (even a two-headed snake!).
The Animal Park is kind of a hike from downtown, but it's away from the hustle and bustle of southern california. The animals there are mostly African, but you get to see them in habitats that are as close to normal as they can get it. A large part of the AP is accessible on tha train, where many of the animals just roam about in huge pens, almost like free range livestock.
At the San Diego zoo you can see the Pandas! And that is a reason to go all by itself. But in the end it is a Zoo, so most the animals are in relatively small areas.
But, the Wild Animal Park is a bit like an African safari. Although, you can get up close and personal for a bit more $$, it is very nice to just ride on the tram and see lions and rhinos and much more. It is very nice to see the animals in a more relaxed environment and not in tiny cages.
I'm a San Diego native and totally think the zoo is better then the wild animal park! the exhibits are a lot closer and there is so much to see...at the wild animal park there is lots more walking between animals, and with the exhibits being so large you don't always get a good glimpse of the animals. plus the zoo is so much closer to other attraction and amazing places to eat afterward with downtown and hillcrest right around the corner...i like to hit up extraordinary desserts after or the corvette diner! have lots of fun ♥
la zoo in griffith park. almost as many animals as san diego zoo, and admission is only $13 for adults, $8 for kids. plus the railway museum is right around the corner (north)
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I read somewhere that the two finest zoos in America were the San Diego Zoo and the Bronx Zoo, but not in that order.
The SDZ is really nice zoo; it's located in Balboa Park, which is a really nice area very close to downtown. IT's very family oriented nad is the city's museum district. There's a lot of Spanish-influenced architecture that was build for a world's fair in the 20s. There is a huge variety of animals at the zoo (even a two-headed snake!).
The Animal Park is kind of a hike from downtown, but it's away from the hustle and bustle of southern california. The animals there are mostly African, but you get to see them in habitats that are as close to normal as they can get it. A large part of the AP is accessible on tha train, where many of the animals just roam about in huge pens, almost like free range livestock.
It just depends what you're looking for.
You should see both!
At the San Diego zoo you can see the Pandas! And that is a reason to go all by itself. But in the end it is a Zoo, so most the animals are in relatively small areas.
But, the Wild Animal Park is a bit like an African safari. Although, you can get up close and personal for a bit more $$, it is very nice to just ride on the tram and see lions and rhinos and much more. It is very nice to see the animals in a more relaxed environment and not in tiny cages.
I'm a San Diego native and totally think the zoo is better then the wild animal park! the exhibits are a lot closer and there is so much to see...at the wild animal park there is lots more walking between animals, and with the exhibits being so large you don't always get a good glimpse of the animals. plus the zoo is so much closer to other attraction and amazing places to eat afterward with downtown and hillcrest right around the corner...i like to hit up extraordinary desserts after or the corvette diner! have lots of fun ♥
la zoo in griffith park. almost as many animals as san diego zoo, and admission is only $13 for adults, $8 for kids. plus the railway museum is right around the corner (north)