San Diego Wild Animal Park
Categories: Amusement Parks, Zoos, Parks [Edit]
15500 San Pasqual Valley RdSan Diego, CA 92027 (760) 747-8702
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - Good for Kids: Yes
76 Reviews for San Diego Wild Animal Park
I went to the Zoo a few years ago, and I thought it was very nice. I thought this place was great, but it was very, very hot. We went on the ride around part of the park, which was very cool. I was hoping they would come to a complete stop so I could take photos, but it seemed like they give you about 20-30 minutes on the trail.
We then walked to see the lions and the elephants, which was very good. The poor elephants were trying to stay cool, especially the baby elephants.
They do a great job of having mist machines to keep you cool, so it was a great experience overall.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Now this is cool. You won't see near as many animals as you'd see at the San Diego Zoo, but, the ones you do see appear to be a little more comfortable. The enclosures are much bigger, and in some cases, are giant fields. The only drawback is that it gets crazy hot in Escondido, which really only leaves about 6 months out of the year where I'd want to go to the WAP.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I think the San Diego Wild Animal Park is decent.
The Tram ride around the Park is a must do for a few reasons. It gives you a chance to sit for a bit, and when the wind blows across the park, a nice place to get a sweet coastal breeze to cool off.
It's hot on the savannas of the San Diego backcountry. If it's 70 deg in central SD, it is 85 deg out there. How is it in the winter, who knows?
Yeah this sister park to San Diego Zoo is worth the trek out if you are an SD Zoological member and it comes with your Annual Pass. But cruisin out here is a journey and an investment of both gas and time.
Is it worth it? Maybe...but nine bones for parking (six for members)? That's a bit steep. At least you can park at the zoo for free.
My major complaint though is the heat.
To combat this, the WAP has wisely added misters throughout the park to give some relief, and in a genius move for kids an area where water shoots through comical lions and elephants and more misters!
Even decked in my non-water sport leisure wear, I was compelled to take care of my little toddler in this area getting my relief from the sun.
Pick a day and learn to love the WAP.
Although like many Zoo experiences animals may or may not been spied...the true wild life on display at the WAP are the many Cougars, Pumas and other little Kitties toting young ones and strolling through the park in Maclarens and Buggaboos. It is a Lions dream!
Guys, if the name WAP doesn't make you come out to the backcountry, will you be lured by the promise of "The Land of MILFs and Honeys".
It's here boys...start hunting!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
VIP TOUR - My 17 year old sister and her friend were visiting from Ohio and we had planned on attending the Wild Animal Park. We ended up taking a VIP tour which cost $350 for up to 10 people. The three of us rode rode around on an electric cart that can accomodate 10 passengers. Our tour guide was an 8 year vetran of the park and was extremely knowledgeble about every species and every aspect of the park.
We started with the Journey into Africa tour where we were able to stop the tour and get out for pictures at any time. Second, we headed over to Lion Camp for an experienc of a lifetime. There were no Lions in the outer areas of Lion Camp so the trainer/keeper decided to allow us into the far back area of the facility. Our tour guide/educator became very excited because she had never been to this area of the park before. We ended up spending 30 minutes on the human side of the indoor cages... only 2-3 feet from a 450lb male 2 grown females and 5 8mo. old cubs!!! It was incredible! We took picture the entire time. The keeper indicated that since there were only three of us, we had no children in our party, and the area was cleaned up she decided to let us go into the back.
Our third stop was at Elephant Camp where we were able to go behind the scenes and watch how they move elephants around the facility and provide daily examinations of their feet.
Finally, we ended in their behavior compound where the "animal embassadors" dwell . These are the animals that the zoo uses in its up close presentations to park visitors or off site presentations. During our visit here we were able to come in close contact with a kangaroo, a bintouron, and an owl. Incredible!
The whole tour lasted for 2hr and 45 min and I tipped the educator about 15%... which she said would be taken as a donation to the park.
Highly reccomended!!!!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
First visit to the WAP way back when (sometime during the 90's) with the family was forgettable. We had visited the Zoo earlier in the day so by the time we got to the WAP, the sun was setting and it was getting windy and cold. From what I remember, all we had time for was the railway tour. My dad, being the stingy grouchy old fart he is, vowed never to come back, saying it was boring and a waste of time and money. Duh, that what happens when you visit a park for only two hours.
Flash forward to last Wednesday. 10+ years (I swear) has passed. My cousins from Canada have come down to visit and one of the places we decide to go visit was the WAP. Equipped with my fancy new digital SLR camera (but lacking a long lens), I am eager to go.
It was a much more enjoyable experience this time around. No bitching Dad was a bonus, though we did have to drag our Bob Bummer cousin around. I took enough photos that my batteries ran out. The first thing we hit was the Journey into Africa Tour. Instead of the old railway, it was now a tram tour. I was wondering if the railway was still there but apparently they replaced it. We had lunch at the Okavango Outpost, which served some delicious and light food (salads and wraps) that was perfect for the weather.
Compared to a zoo, I feel better for the animals here. Big open spaces for them to roam around in rather than the less open displays at the zoo. Gives them sort of a natural experience. But I do feel bad for birds in any sort of enclosure, especially the Bald Eagle. I just think that birds should be free as...well...a bird. They've got wings.
Overall, I say we had an enjoyable experience.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
So, I went here on a first date with a girl which some might say was a bit over the top. To make a long story short, we'd been talking for a while, but I wasn't being the most assertive guy about the situation. Basically, I messed up big time this one weekend, but she gave me one more chance, so I decided to run with it. Which now brings me to the zoo...
So, it had to be something like 100 degrees when we went which was both good and bad. I mean, it was good because there was NO ONE at the park (and it was a Saturday) but it was bad because, well, it was HOT. Luckily, there was this water park, designed for little kids, which was by the Malawi Picnic Area which had the typical things like water shooting out of the ground. Also, there was this other area by the tortoise and where you can feed the ducks (which is now $.50 now) where these buckets of water would dump on you. That was probably the coolest thing we did all day.
Also, BE SURE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS ON THE INTERNET because that way you don't have to pay for the African Safari Tour. Yes, that's right, it's absolutely FREE (it's usually $10). Note, NO WHERE does it says this on the internet when you buy them, just be sure to sure your ticket at the African Safari Tour ticket booth.
In terms of what you'll see at the park, this is probably the coolest thing. It's also kind of cool because you'll see the deer, which are the natural inhabitants of the area, drinking water with the rhinos. Like others have said, you should do this tour last because it might ruin your expectations for the rest of the park.
Other cool things at the park besides playing in water:
-Go to Condor Ridge to check the Condors -- they're pretty funky looking.
-Go check out the African Lions and you can watch them lay around dreading the heat
-Go to Lorikeet Landing and buy some nectar ($3) to feed to the birds. This is area is cool because it's covered by a lot of tress and it's kind of fun having the birds jump up on your arm to get the nectar.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
WAP is my favorite "zoo" of all because the animals are liberated and seem happier here, which makes for an optimum experience for visitors. In fact, sick animals from the San Diego Zoo are brought here and nursed back to health. Not only is the variety of animal species at this park extensive and beautiful to look at, so are the grounds designed like realistic habitats, more so than at any other zoo where the flamingos exhibit lies right next to the polar bears. The layout of this park can be overwhelming at times but has a logical flow, which makes it easier to navigate.
I definitely recommend checking out the Lion Camp, safari rides, baby elephants (so cute!), and the Journey Into Africa tour - esp. that last one. Also, if time permits, there are overlooked botanical exhibits all along the way that might be of interest. The hot air balloon ride costs extra and looks lame (it is secured to a tether and you just go straight up and come back down). It'd be cooler if the balloon actually flew you around the entire park. On your way out, feed the ducks waddling along the ground and take a stroll around the lagoon admiring the swans perched close by. Perfect way to end the day.
The park also accommodates over-night camping at Kilima Point, near the Lion Camp/Africa exhibit, which includes activities for both the kiddies and drinks for adults. Alcohol in the park, after dark? That could be fun. And dangerous.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
Owned and operated by the San Diego Zoo the Wild Animal Park is located about 45 minutes outside San Diego. Or is it? As you approach, it says "San Diego City Limits" just before you arrive. Weird.
Since we had our San Diego Go Cards, we were eligible for the package that included park admission and a narrated tour on the trolly bus that they call a "safari". The tour was actually quite cool, and lasts about 20 minutes going around their fabricated African savannah chock full of herbivores who are able to peacefully co-exist (think giraffes, elephants, antelope, rhinos, zebras, and so on).
I really couldn't imagine coming here and not going on that tour at the least. There are any number of ways to spend lots more money including a private jeep safari or riding up on the "hot air" balloon platform.
Everything's pretty expensive, but the good news is that the money goes to species preservation, and they really do a great job advocating for the animals, which is cool to be able to support.
It can get hot out here (it's inland). Hey, it's supposed to be Africa, so of course it's hot!
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Funny (3)
Cool (6)
What a white person is thinking while looking at the animals "Hrmm.. I wonder what their skin feels like when you touch them."
What a Vietnamese person is thinking while looking at the animals "DUU! Dinner time!"
In short I was really torn between whether giving this place a 5 star or a 1 star. On the one hand my best friend enjoyed his day trip to the zoo very much and we had fun feeding some pretty damn crazy animals, on the other hand I felt like it was the equivalence of blue balls for men.. I did not want to feed the animals.. I wanted to feed on them... what!? I'm just keeping it real... I was almost banned from this zoo if not for my favorite white person constant reminder me that I'm no longer in Vietnam and animals are not always for food... they're there for you to look at and go "ooh awww" WOW! what a concept... I think I'm going to call my travel agent and book the next one way flight back to Vietnam.. =(
People thought this was:
Useful (13)
Funny (16)
Cool (13)
I woke up one morning super excited because I was going to Africa away from Africa. That's right: the San Diego Wild Animal Park -aka Africa!
We drove about 40 miles outside of SD on a sunny weekend morning and promptly found ourselves in a long queue to get into the lot. Nevertheless it was an organized affair. Parked, got our tickets and started our "safari."
Fantastic array of birds, Rhinos, elephants, elk, but the animals that stole the show were the monkey exhibits and the baby lions. This is one of the only places where one can get super close to African animals. There are two different tours and I recommend paying the cashish for the truck that gets you within 5 feet of the animals instead of the more controlled, distant route.
Either way it's a full day of adventure.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
We are so lucky to have such wonderful animals so locally to us san diegoans.
I loved this park and I thought it was so awesome!! I love it when in winter and they bring out the "snow" for the children to go sledding in.
I love seeing all the animals here in their "habitats" and just walking around seeing all the new things that they have going on.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
i've never been to the zoo. not because i'm an extreme animal activist, not because i don't live near one, and not because i'm scared of the monkeys. my mom just never took me.
for that, i am thankful. she finally took me to the wild animal park once i was a grown-up big girl. what i love about this park is that you won't see poor animals locked up in a tiny cage, ready to escape and bite your little head off. their habitat mocks one similar to the wild. it seems like that is how these animals should be living; roaming free throughout a large pasture of (man-made) hills, trees for shade and plenty of natural surroundings.
we took the train around the park to check em out. it was so nice. it felt more like we were the ones on display, not them. they looked so much less disturbed than ones you would find in a zoo.
note: of course it's hot, it's in escondido. please, don't let the temperature affect your review. if you so, try www.yelp.com/mothernature.. give HER two stars..
I took my parents when they came down and was BOWLED OVER by how friendly the workers were!
Everyone said hello, asked if we needed help anywhere, was polite and informative. Every single person we talked to was Friendly with a capitol F.
Places like this one makes you really notice how long good customer service can go.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
My last visit to San Diego I said that I wanted to go to the Wild Animal Park not the Zoo. My brother pipes in and says NO the Wild Animal Park sucks! I'm like shut up it does not; the Wild Animal Park is cool! He's like you haven't been there in forever it sucks. I'm like whatever dude I'm going and taking your boys with me oh and by the way you're going to and driving because I'm too doped up on meds to drive.
We get there and things still look the same from the last time I was there. I head back to where the tram use to be and it's not there, WTF where did it go? My brother laughs, it's down in BFE land now. So we head down there, taking forever and two days to get there. Once we get there it's no longer free, yes it's been that long since I've been to the Wild Animal Park. They are members so they are free I'm not so I pay for my ticket and we get in line.
Oh look new car tram thingies. Off we go. Five minutes into it I'm ask does this get any better. I'm told no and hear a remember I told you the Wild Animal Park sucks now. The tram safari ride is over; I check out the map and realize I how much things have changed. You now have to hike all over the place to see the animals. Up mountains, down hills, round corners and sometimes all you're seeing are plants not even animals. I was disappointed in how things changed. I did see the Congo fishing village, lowland gorillas, giraffes, elephants, birds, more birds, and than some more birds. Oh and I forgot I saw some lions too.
So over all I wasn't a fan of the new and improved Wild Animal Park, plus all I wanted that day was a churro and every churro stand was out of them, how could a churro stand be out of churros?!?! The Zoo is never out of churros ever! Next time I'm going to the Zoo because I know the Zoo does not suck.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (3)
Cool (3)
Two free tickets brought me out to the Park for the first time in probably 20 years. I think I was the only guy there not pushing a stroller.
I wanted to hate the experience. I had heard they got rid of the monorail ride (true) and I was prepared to bad mouth these guys.
Alas, I had a really good time. The monorail ride was converted into this long string of parking lot shuttle cars and it is only 25 minutes long whereas I think the monorail tour was about 45 minutes. It wasn't as good as it was before, but it was still pretty decent.
Here's a tip--if you are not into or tired of shows, skip them all and go directly to the eastern end of the park where they have a series of trails where you can see condors, bald eagles, lions and tigers and bears. Well, maybe not bears.
Finally, and not surprisingly, the food sucks. We tried to go "upscale" and found a place that served panini sandwiches. They can't screw that up, right?
"Hey, buddy, what's in the Italian panini?"
Blank stare. Eyes blinking. "Um. It's like a pizza."
"Oh yeah? Well, I asked what's in it. Are you saying it has pepperoni and mushrooms or something?"
More eyes blinking. Cashier disappears and returns with a laminated nutrition information card.
"Um, not really what I was asking, but whatever, just bring me one."
It sucked. But all food at parks sucks anyway, so whatever.
Again, if possible, skip the shows and just check out the animals on your own. Oh, and $9 for parking sucks, too.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
Even though I had been told this place wasn't that great, I had to see for myself.
Sat. afternoon my wife and I finally made the decision to go see the wild animal park (out in Encinitas). It's about 30 minutes from us, but we figured we had to go see it.
Much like any other San Diego attraction on the weekend, this place was PACKED. we had about a 20 minute hike (uphill) to the gate entrance. Since we have season passes to the zoo, parking was only $6 ($9 for non-members, and an additional 10 for "preferred parking").
When we got there, we got a map of the place (which looked oddly like the map of the San Diego zoo). DIRECTIONALLY CHALLENGED PEOPLE BEWARE: this place is even more confusing than the zoo to navigate, plus there aren't that many signs to let you know if you're on the right trail.
I think one of the biggest disappointments is that to see a lot of the "cool" animals up close (giraffes, rhinos, lions, etc..) you have to go on the safari trip ($10), otherwise you get only get a "view" of the animals from about 1/4 mile or so out. Plus everything is spread out pretty far, so expect to walk quite a bit.
Overall I'd say if you have limited time- check out the zoo. Sure it's a lot of walking too, but there are more things to see, and it's closer to downtown San Diego than the wild animal park, that's for damn sure.
When are you ever gonna get a chance to feed and pet a rhinosaurus mom and baby??
When are you ever gonna get a chance to feed a 17 feet tall giraffe??
When are you ever gonna hear a real lion roar right in front of your face?? Okay fine...the glass was protecting me from this amazing beast...but still.
Well I got to do all these things cuz my BF took me on the photo caravan tour here and it was really amazing. You get so close to the animals...it's frightening yet so awesome. You get in an open truck and go on a safari through "Africa" and "Asia" to watch, feed and pet animals in their, I guess, natural habitat.
I learned that this place is a breeding facility so you get to see lots of baby animals and sometimes if you're lucky...how they're produced. Kekeke. It's a really fun and amazing experience.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
One of the best animal parks I've been to any place in the world. The variety of animals is top notch, but the method of display really lets you observe the animals, in many cases with multiple species sharing a single display area. Better than the San Diego Zoo by far!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
For a totally different experience from a regular zoo, head here. It's got wide open spaces where the animals roam instead of being couped up in cages. And you do a ton of walking so bring your walking shoes and prepare to burn some calories.
Take the new Journey to Africa tour. It replaced the Wgasa (I like to think that Wgasa stands for "Who Gives a Shit Anyway?") railway tour. It's now a 2.5-mile tram-like ride through the open spaces to see giraffes, gazelles, rhinos, African cranes and other animals that have horns. The driver is your narrator and the guy we had was very knowledgeable. Think of a more serious Jungle Cruise but with less cheesy humor. The only downside of the tour is that it costs $10 on top of admission. I hate how theme parks are charging more and more for things that used to be free.
As for the culinary experience, the food is ok. Nothing special. Just expect to pay high prices for average quality cafeteria food. A chicken sandwich for $7 and drinks for $4.
Oh, and parking costs $9.
Be sure to see the elephant exhibits and Lorikeet Landing. Feed the lorikeets too. Just watch out for the poo. They squirt rockets straight down with no warning.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
it was hotter than balls when we were there last weekend but it's still as awesome as ever. since spring has officially sprung in 'dido, it was chock full of adorable baby animals. the highlights:
baby elephant giving itself a bath
brand new baby giraffe
7 baby lion cubs, one of whom was stranded on top of the range rover in the exhibit
yay, wild animal park!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
San Diego Wild Animal Park - Safari Ride. SO CUTE! Yes, it was kinda warm, bumpy, and the animals you feed slober on you, but WHAT A GREAT EXPERIENCE!
You walk around the park for a while, go to the safari ride orientation thingy, get into your truck, sit in the bed of the truck with side panelling of course, and go into the jungle of animals!!! Some come up to the truck and some are far away, but it's so cool either way!!! I felt like I was in Africa!
I got to feed the Rhinos and the Giraffe. It's interesting looking at them so close and looking into their mouths. I never really realized how big giraffes really are!!!!!! The tour guide drives you through different terrain and supplies you with the apples to feed the animals. :) SO CUTE!
O. Ostrichs (is that the spelling?) are scary dude!!!!!!!!! Scary looking little beady eyed monsters. hahaha :)
By the way... it's better to walk around the park first and then do the safari tour because walking around after the tour just wasn't exciting. Still beautiful though!
If you have time, go to the Wild Animal Park and go on the Safari ride, then go to downtown SD and party! :) What a good day or weekend!
:D
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Wow, never new this place exsisted!! Took a caravan tour for about a hour and 15 min around the park and saw cape buffalos, wildebeest, huge orstiches that came right up to our caravan. Fed giraffes and hung out with the rhinoceros that sharped his horn on the truck. All the animals in harmony just like in Africa except no predators. They have their own areas with are pretty cool too. Must see!!
Go see the two baby elephants; they are so cute. (Get a map when you enter the park and walk to the "elephant outlook." Arrive early (9am) to see them up close.) The babies are Khosi, born September 11, 2006, and her half brother, Punga, born March 11, 2007. Two more babies are due this fall.
The baby elephants are part of a program to help the Swaziland's Big Game Parks. Our bull and six girls were flown here in August 2003. Web cam link: http://www.sandiegozoo...
The park elephants eat about 125 pounds of food each day (hay, herbivore pellets) and drink about 30 gallons of water. Elephants use their trunks to drink but the water doesn't go all the way up the trunk like a straw. Instead, they suck water part way up the trunk, curl it toward their mouth, tilts their head up, and lets the water pour in.
Other things to do besides the elephants:
- tram ride called "Journey into Africa Tour"
- Lion Camp (you and the lions are inches apart separated only by a pane of glass)
- Nairobi Village (25 cents buys a hand full of duck food - great fun)
- Condor Ridge (a short walk just past the elephants)
- Lorikeet Landing (beautiful birds landing on you - happy)
People thought this was:
Useful (22)
Funny (12)
Cool (22)
Probably one the best experience yet. It was amazing!!! There are so many wonderful things to do here, its sooooo much better than sea world.
I went on a Sunday and it was not packed at all, it was very spacious.
We did the "cheetah run safari" and that was an unbelievable experience, you get to see a cheetah run 70 mph, how crazy is that??? It was amazing and then the cheetah was laying down next to us, it was just breathtaking.
I can go on forever about this park. But you must do the cheetah rubn safari and the african journey ( a lil pricey but def,. worth it).
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (3)
After this scam, I am considering it my duty to inform the public so that you too are not taken advantage of... First of all, I think that my neighbor has a better Christmas light display than the Wild Animal Park. Second... why are you going to advertise a hot dog and sloppy joe buffet (yes it is true) as a Serengetti BBQ buffet?!? That wasn't the worst of it either. They are charging people 20 bucks for a stinking hot dog and sloppy joe buffet! I could go on about it and even offer more legitmate criticism but I think this will detour most people from the scam.
Update 02/12/08: This review was of the Wild Animal Park's Festival of Lights. I labled the review "Festival of Lights, San Diego Wild Animal Park" but the Festival of Lights portion has spontaneously disappeared.
We enjoyed visiting the Wild Animal park. Much of it was disappointing, trying to find the sleeping animal in the large paddock. Empty displays.
The tram was nice, get up closer to the animals and see more than you could without the tram, some animals would not be visible at all without the tram.
We ate at one of the restaurants and the overpriced food was not very palatable.
Ironically, the zoological society that runs both the zoo and wild animal park says that they maintain the social structure of the animals... This is uber-BS. The animals are not together. For example, one can see the main male lion, or 2 young lions depending on what day it is.
More irony, the park is for breeding the animals, yet one of the guides told us the females are on birth control. Kinda hard to reproduce that way.
I LOVE this place more than the zoo. I think it's because the animals seem to be in a more natural habitat. There is MORE walking than the zoo but that's okay it's well worth it. I'm so glad I have a membership :) I was a little disappointed that the new safari ride actually cost money to non-members where the old one didn't but i'm sure once it pays itself off it will probably become free. **fingers crossed**
I first visited here years ago as a kid during the first few weeks it was open. It was way cool then and it's way cool now. I've been on a safari in South Africa, and I can tell you that this is the closest you will get to a real safari this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Be sure to visit the condors. They are HUGE birds (bigger than you think) and chances are you'll never see one anywhere else.
During the summer be sure to do the tram ride at night. The animals are usually more active then, and the driver lights them up with a spotlight. You get the feeling you are really out in the bush on safari.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
The only "zoo" experience I've ever enjoyed is the Wild Animal Park in San Diego. That place is amazing - animals have acres and acres of natural habitat to roam in along with other (non-predator) animals from their native lands. Visitors take a tram around the outside of the natural area and can watch the animals run in herds, as nature intended. I wish more zoos would strive for this sort of experience. You can actually watch the animals and not feel bad for them as you do in so many other zoos.
BOTTOM LINE: Don't go to the San Diego Zoo - head here for a much more memorable, and natural, experience.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Another stop during our PCH road trip. It was really nice, but we weren't able to get up close and personal with the animals. I guess it was for their and for our protection. We went to the Spongebob Squarepants 4-D show, which I already saw at Great America, but it was still fun. It's a great place to take the kids, but remember to wear sunscreen!
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
so i was here this summer and i would have to say that instead of going to the zoo go i suggest going to this one i had so much fun. Even on the savanna tour which me and my boyfriend got on for free because out city pass it was so much fun being so up close to animals. I loved it.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
My mom has been taking me here since I was little and I love it still! I love the tour you can go on and the exhibits are so cool!
Go here people- you won't be disappointed!
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (3)
If you're like me and you live in an apartment in the city, you know how important it is to be able to find parking. So when I heard about this place I immediately hitched up and rode over here.
When I attempted to park in one of the stalls, some security guard came up and said, "Sir, I'm afraid you can't park your giraffe here." I pointed out to him that this was the "wild animal park" and that I fully intended to park my wild animal here. He said that the parking was for "cars only" and forced me to leave.
Talk about deceptive advertising! They should call this the "San Diego Car Park" if that's the business they are in! Meanwhile, if anyone is aware of a suitable place where I can park my giraffe please PM me.
People thought this was:
Funny (5)
Cool (2)
I love, love, love this place. Much better than any zoo, even the SD one. The main part is a huge open range where the animals are all together and living as they would in the wild. They really make an effort for it to be as real as possible for the animals. Obviously, the tigers arent with animals it will eat, but all the others like rhinos, giraffes, etc are together. You have to take the train around it. There is also exhibits you can walk to, and see the animals close up.
The Park itself is out in the boonies, but I have never been there when it gets super crowded. Avoid summers though, soooooo hot. The best trip I had was in the rain. It was empty and the animals were playing in the mud, and super active. It was awesome.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
WOW! Now this is what a "zoo" should look and feel like. Free-ranging animals, for the most part. And the best personal experiences around, an extra cost to your entrance fee, the Photo Caravan Safari!!! Ride around in the back of an open air truck and see the animals of the savanna, feed a giraffe or get up and close to an elephant or rhino!
One of the real special exhibits at the SDZWAP are the Pandas!! Yup, black and white and direct from China! This is the only place on the West coast where you can see them. Check out the Panda-cam website: http://www.sandiegozoo... they are just so darn cute!
Plenty of parking, easy access for the handicap, and plenty to do and see. This is not a theme-park so don't go expecting to ride a bunch of "make me sick" rides, go to enjoy the environment, the educational experience and the chance to see wild animals in something other than a cage or cement structure.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
The Wild Animal Park is much more fun than visiting the zoo. The Journey into Africa gives you chance to come up close and see 51 species of animals. I love the Lorakeet Landing where you can feed the little birds nectar. We pretty much had a chance to see all the animals and right now you can see the 2 new baby elephants- they are so adorable!
If you go now there's a deal for $22 if you purchase and print your tickets at home. The "Best Value" price includes adult admission (at the kids price), Journey into Africa admission ($10), and a carousel ride ($2). It's a great deal!
But be prepared it's hot out there!!! The stands will refill your water bottles for free so bring a re-usable water container.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
The Wild Animal Park is a must see. It is hard as hell to find though. Maybe I went some odd way, but more signs leading to it would be great. It's a pretty long drive from San Diego. But worth it.
You drive through hills and hills on small roads with nothing in sight. You wonder where you are going. Then you fall upon the park.
All of the animals are amazing and the reasoning behind the park are even better. I recommend taking the train in the park before seeing anything, because then you really appreciate everything they have done for the animals. Also sit on the Right side of the train...much better view.
If you like gardens, this place not only has aided in animal conservation, but also with plant conservation. They have some amazing gardens and lots of endangered plants.
The animals are all so happy and you learn a lot about them. I think I watched the lions for a good two hours. Go at Dusk...it's when the animals are most active. I got some national geographic quality photos here. Plus less people later on.
It's a great conservation and educational effort.
It is expensive, but I totally felt warranted giving my money to save the animals.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
It's the "WAP." Hadn't been there in a coupla years and was suprised to learn that ye olde monorail has gone to the great amusement park in the sky ("It was too old!" said the young woman at the gate when I complained). It's been replaced by a similar, car based ride (they run on bio diesel). The most significant practical impact of this switch is that the location of the old tram was right in the heart of the "developed" region- so that you could go and take the tram without ever really breaking a sweat.
NOW- the new ride is at the bottom of a long walk- a long, hot, insanely sweaty walk. They've added some other attractions- a little kiddie water attraction (nice!) and some other stuff I didn't look at.
I miss the mono rail- it was the coolest part of either zoo park in San Diego. Boo.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)