San Diego Zoo and Safari Park are two of the most popular and famous attractions in California, with millions of visitors every year. They are also two of the most respected and influential zoological institutions in the world, with a long history of excellence and innovation.
The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park are both part of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a non-profit organization that aims to save wildlife worldwide. The San Diego Zoo started in 1916 and has over 12,000 animals from more than 650 species. It is one of the largest and most diverse zoos in the world, with over 100 acres of natural habitats. The San Diego Safari Park opened in 1972 and has over 3,000 animals from more than 300 species. It is one of the largest and most adventurous zoos in the world, with over 1,800 acres of land that offer safari experiences.
This article will compare and contrast the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park in terms of their hours, prices, and animals. You will learn more about these two attractions and decide which one is best for you.
Opening Hours and Directions: San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
If you want to visit both parks, here is some information on their opening hours and directions:
- The San Diego Zoo is open every day of the year, including all holidays. The zoo’s hours vary depending on the season and the day of the week. The zoo is located at 2920 Zoo Drive in Balboa Park, just north of downtown San Diego. Time: 9 am – 5 pm
- The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is also open every day of the year, including all holidays. The safari park’s hours vary depending on the season and the day of the week. The safari park is located at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road in Escondido, about 30 miles north of downtown San Diego. Time: 9 am – 5 pm
To get to the zoo from nearby cities:
From Los Angeles (northbound): Take Interstate 5 South to the Pershing Drive exit. Go straight at the signal at the end of the off-ramp, then turn left onto Florida Drive. Turn left at the stop sign onto Zoo Place to Park Boulevard. Turn right onto Park Boulevard and head north; the Zoo parking entrance is off Park Boulevard on the left.
From Mexico (southbound): Take Interstate 5 North to the State Route 163 North exit. Exit at Park Boulevard and turn left. Head north on Park Boulevard; Zoo parking entrance is off Park Boulevard on the left.
From Arizona (westbound): Take Interstate 8 West to State Route 163 North. Exit at Park Boulevard and turn left. Head north on Park Boulevard; Zoo parking entrance is off Park Boulevard on the left.
To get to the safari park from nearby cities:
From Los Angeles (southbound): Take Interstate 5 South to State Route 78 East in Oceanside. Proceed east to Interstate 15 South and exit at Via Rancho Parkway (Exit 27). Follow the signs east to the safari park.
From Mexico (northbound): Take Interstate 5 or 805 North to State Route 163 North. Proceed to Interstate 15 North and exit at Via Rancho Parkway (Exit 27). Follow the signs east to the safari park.
From Arizona (westbound): Take Interstate 8 West to Interstate 15 North. Exit at Via Rancho Parkway (Exit 27). Follow the signs east to the safari park.
Prices: San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park are two amazing attractions that offer visitors a chance to see and learn about wildlife from around the world. If you want to visit both parks, you have several options to choose from, depending on your budget and preferences. Here is some information on tickets:
- The most basic ticket is the 1-Day Pass, which includes one visit to either the zoo or the safari park, a guided bus tour, a kangaroo express bus, a skyfari aerial tram, and all regularly scheduled experiences at the zoo; or Africa tram, cheetah run, and all regularly scheduled experiences at the safari park. The price of this ticket varies depending on the day of your visit. You can choose between Any Day or Value Days tickets, which are cheaper but only valid on select days. The prices for adults (ages 12 and older) are $69 for Any Day and $67 for Value Days, while the prices for children (ages 3 to 11) are $59 for Any Day and $57 for Value Days.
- If you want to add more fun to your 1-Day Pass, you can opt for the 1-Day Pass Plus, which includes all the features of the 1-Day Pass, plus one 4D Theater Experience at either park. The prices for this ticket are also different depending on the day of your visit. You can choose between Any Day or Value Days tickets, which are cheaper but only valid on select days. The prices for adults are $76 for Any Day and $74 for Value Days, while the prices for children are $66 for Any Day and $64 for Value Days.
- If you want to visit both parks in one day, you can buy the 2-Park Pass, which includes one visit to both the zoo and the safari park on the same day. This ticket is valid for any day within one year from the date of purchase. The price for adults is $99, while the price for children is $89.
- If you want to visit both parks more than once, you can buy the 2-Visit Pass, which includes one visit to both the zoo and the safari park, or two visits to either park. This ticket is valid for any day within one year from the date of purchase. The price for adults is $118, while the price for children is $108.
- If you want to explore more attractions in San Diego, you can buy the San Diego 3-for-1 Pass, which includes visits to both the zoo and the safari park, plus SeaWorld San Diego. This ticket is valid for one visit per attraction, three total visits, by the same person on any and all days within seven consecutive days from the first visit. The price for adults (ages 10 and older) is $190, while the price for children (ages 3 to 9) is $180.
- If you want to discover even more attractions in San Diego, you can buy the Go San Diego Pass, which gives you access to over 55 top San Diego attractions, including both the zoo and the safari park, SeaWorld, USS Midway, Speedboat Adventures, and more. You can choose between different pass options, ranging from one day to seven days, and save up to 60% off admission prices.
Animals: San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
One of the most exciting things you need to consider when visiting the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park is their animals. The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park have different numbers, variety, and uniqueness of the animals, as well as different exhibits and habitats.
Some examples and descriptions of the most popular and interesting animals at each attraction are:
At the San Diego Zoo, you can see:
The San Diego Zoo has more animals than the Safari Park, with over 12,000 animals from more than 650 species and subspecies. It also has more variety and uniqueness of animals, with many rare and endangered species that are not found in other zoos, such as giant pandas, koalas, polar bears, etc.
The San Diego Zoo also has more exhibits and habitats that recreate the natural environments of the animals, such as the Elephant Odyssey, the Panda Trek, the Polar Bear Plunge, etc.
- The giant pandas are black and white bears that live in the bamboo forests of China. They are one of the most endangered animals in the world, with only about 1,800 left in the wild. The San Diego Zoo is one of the few zoos in the world that have successfully bred and raised giant pandas. You can see them at the Panda Trek exhibit.
- The koalas are marsupials that live in the eucalyptus forests of Australia. They are not bears, but rather relatives of kangaroos and wombats. They spend most of their time sleeping and eating eucalyptus leaves. You can see them at the Australian Outback exhibit.
- The polar bears are large and powerful bears that live in the Arctic regions. They have thick fur and fat to keep them warm in cold climates. They hunt seals and fish on the ice and in the water. You can see them at the Polar Bear Plunge exhibit.
At the San Diego Safari Park, you can see:
The Safari Park has fewer animals than the Zoo, with over 3,000 animals from more than 300 species. However, the Safari Park has more space and freedom for the animals, with many of them roaming freely in large enclosures that simulate their native habitats. The Safari Park also has more adventurous and interactive experiences for the visitors, such as safari tours, zip lines, balloon rides, etc.
- The giraffes are the tallest land animals in the world. They have long necks and legs that allow them to reach high branches and leaves. They live in savannas and woodlands of Africa. You can see them at the African Plains exhibit or get close to them at the Giraffe Feeding Station.
- The Rhinos are large and heavy mammals that have horns on their noses. They live in grasslands and forests of Africa and Asia. They are threatened by poaching and habitat loss. You can see them at the Asian Savanna exhibit or join them at the Rhino Rescue Center.
- The cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the world. They can run up to 70 miles per hour in short bursts. They live in open areas of Africa and Asia. They hunt small to medium-sized prey such as gazelles and impalas. You can see them at the African Outpost exhibit or watch them run at the Cheetah Run.
The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park are two great attractions for animal lovers. They have different features and benefits that you should know.
The San Diego Zoo has more animals, variety, and exhibits. It is open every day and has special events. It cares for its animals and the environment. The San Diego Safari Park has fewer animals, but more space and freedom. It is also open every day and has safari activities, also protects and preserves wildlife and their habitats. It also has adventurous and interactive experiences.
If you are looking for a fun and educational experience, you should visit both the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. You will not regret it. They are both worth your time and money.
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