San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal (Safari) Park Review

 Fennec Fox at Safari Park

I have to admit that when it comes to zoos, I am spoiled. The first zoo experiences I ever had were at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park (now called the Safari Park, but will always be WAP to me). Since then I have had the opportunity to at least see a couple other zoos, such as the Minnesota Zoo and the only zoo in Connecticut, Beardsley Zoo. Neither of them hold a candle to the zoos in San Diego for the diversity of animals and the size/setup of the enclosures. I know there is a whole dialogue that can be had about animal rights and whether or not it makes sense to put animals in zoo and on display, but you can't deny that zoos like the San Diego Zoo have done a lot for preservation of animals. That out of the way, let's talk about the Zoo and Park.

Educational encounter at Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park. It winds over a set of tree-lined hills with multiple valleys. The designers have setup the park so that as you walk down various trails you travel through different environments. You'll move through the Monkey Trail, Sun Bear Trail, Panda Canyon, Africa Rocks, etc. The zoo is home to many diverse animals from Giant Pandas, Gorillas, Elephants, Tigers, Meerkats, Fennec Foxes, insects, birds and reptiles. My favorite part is the Children's Zoo, where they have Meerkats and Fennec Foxes and a pretty wild insect house. My wife loves the monkeys and gorillas and could sit and watch them for hours. One of the best parts of the zoo is that they have setup some open areas like the Gorilla and Hippo exhibits where you can get very close to the animals with only a large window between you and them. In other areas they have some older enclosures that really need an upgrade, but they are working on it.

 Leafcutter ants at the San Diego Zoo

Other insect examples at the San Diego Zoo

The Wild Animal Park is a much larger zoo in North San Diego County. Way out on the east edge of Escondido, the WAP is a massive place with huge areas built out to be reminiscent of the Asian and African plains with herds of animals that would be found in those areas. Want to see giraffes and rhinos, this is the place for you. The WAP also boasts a great lion exhibit that uses the same window technique to let you get close to the mama and papa lion and their cubs. They also have a nice bird show and often have animals out with handlers giving up close educational opportunities. To help you get out to see the animals in the African exhibit, there is a tram tour that will take you around there. Unfortunately, the 45 minute monorail ride that used to show you both the African and Asian exhibits is gone. The only way to see the Asian exhibit is a lot of walking, paying a lot or a zipline ride or pay a lot for a caravan safari on a truck out to the exhibit where you get up close an personal with the animals. They also have the new lemur walk letting you go into a large enclosure with the lemurs.

Both of these zoos have a wide array of amazing animals on display. I used to think the WAP was the better of the two, but since seeing both of them recently, I think the Zoo is actually better. The Zoo is cooler (being closer to the ocean) and has more shade as you get a massive amount of exercise walking and seeing the animal. Both are great for that exercise. I also think the Zoo has slightly better animal diversity (less herding animals) but some of the enclosures are better at the WAP. One big downside of the WAP is that it has gone very commercial with things like their flight line safari, which will run an adult $75 (after park admission costs). Not to mention the safari tours that will run $50 - $155 a person. I appreciate that they need to support the park, but to have the best way to see the animals be an up sell from the park admission is a bit annoying. That isn't the case at the Zoo.

Fennec Fox at San Diego Zoo

(this little guy needs more space and no mesh fencing and a friend)

If you are in San Diego or live here and don't know about these parks, you should go if you like animals. The best way is to get a zoo membership that will allow you access to both parks. If you can go multiple times, it is the best deal and makes it easier to see everything as that is difficult in a single trip. Next time you're around the area, go check in on my Fennec Fox friends. The Zoo and WAP get 4 Mick Happies.