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The Living Desert
Categories: Active Life Zoos Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Zoos, Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
47900 Portola AvePalm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 346-5694
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
Cynthia S. said: "This is one of my favorite places to stay at when I visit Palm springs/Indio... Lets start with how friendly the staff is here... They always get you more then what you ask for just to make sure they meet your needs. Super friendly…" read more »
94 reviews for The Living Desert
94 reviews in English
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Review from Gordon D.
Phoenix, AZ
1/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
We went to the Light show here over the holidays - it was a great time, my 3 year old loved all the music and lights well worth the cover.
During the day this is a great zoo - we took kids in the Safari cart and they loved all the animals even tho some of them were hibernating (it was December after all)
Cool giraffes, water buffalo and the big cats, not to mention a petting zoo!
I would definitely go back and recommend going to anyone with kids. -
Review from Fannie G.
Arlington, VA
11/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Here's the thing, when you have kids, you go to a lot of zoos, amusement parks, playgrounds, theaters, shows, carnivals, parades.... you get the picture. Indeed, just two days before we visited The Living Desert, we had been to Sea World San Diego (review forthcoming; I know you await anxiously).
Quick: when was the last time you visited some place like this without paying for parking? Got ya; trick question. You ALWAYS pay for parking. Except here. Did you you know you can bring your own food here? No, I don't mean infant formula; you can really bring your own picnic. Ok, here's another one: name a zoo/nature park where a family of 4 can gain admittance for under $100? Ok, ok.... my peeps from DC know that you can go to ANY of the Smithsonians AND the National Zoo for FREE; this is true. However, having just shelled out about $200 for the 4 of us to go to Sea World, I was kind of shocked when I learned that adult tickets were only $15 and kids were only $7 to get into LD. I actually was so impressed with the low ticket price that I didn't even whip out my AAA card for a deeper discount; well, I also figured that my ticket price went to feeding, sheltering and caring for the amazing animals. And yes; the animals are amazing. But let me touch on something here that really sets this park apart from the numerous others I have visited. The setting is absolutely spectacular. Stunning. Unique. Beautifully tended and thoughtfully planned. Nestled on a gorgeous property amongst native palms and cacti, the grounds are just incredible. What is so cool is that you are just as likely to see indigenous "wild" life cavorting around (hummingbirds, butterflies, lizards) as you are "resident" animals. The park has wisely given you the opportunity to see both african as well as northern american desert animals. Cheetahs! Mountain Lions! Giraffes! Jaguars!
For an East Coast girl, this was an absolute thrill. Seeing native flora and fauna in the amazing desert setting is truly memorable.
Oh, and by the way....unless you have a disability or you are visiting between June and the end of September, don't take the carts. Honestly, people; walking won't kill you and you will definitely NOT get the up-close-and-personal experience with hummingbirds and other natives if you are bumping around on those overgrown golf carts with 10 other people chatting around. -
Review from Nino R.
Today I saw a cheetah, hyena, desert eagle, mexican wolf, and two leopards. It was a great day. It was a great day because I had no expectations. It was a great day for animals. It was a great day for humans.
There's a picnic area where you can enjoy a home-packed lunch under some shade. I highly recommend bringing food to the park. I literally and figuratively paid the price when purchasing a cheeseburger combo for $12. What comes with the combo? A kids burger on an adult-sized stale bun, a side of homemade chips, and a soda.
If you're visiting with teenagers, they'll probably enjoy the African tour and the eagle den. You can probably skip the carousel and gecko land. I'd also steer clear of taking the tram tour as the park just isn't large enough to justify the $6 charge for adults and $3 charge for kids.
All of the plants and trees are staged perfectly and make trail walking a serene experience. There's actually a 3.5 mile trail that wraps around the south side of the park that I'd recommend during the week, but may get crowded on the weekend.
'twas a great day for mammals... -
Review from Lisa Z.
11/1/2011 3 Check-ins Here
The Living Desert is definitely alive! We loved it so much we bought an annual membership because as many times as we've been there, my kids never get bored. In fact, every time we visit, we see something new.
The last time we went, we took our time looking at the birds and going in the walk-in aviary. I've never seen a raven so close-up and two different kinds of eagles. Really cool stuff.
The place is huge, which is great because it can house so many animals and exhibits, it never feels crowded and the animals seem to have so much room.
One bummer is the butterfly area is no longer enclosed. They said the cost was too high, so now it's just an open exhibit and although there are butterflies around, not nearly as many and it just seems sort of sad and abandoned.
However, a wonderful place and I'm sure we'll renew our annual pass when the time comes. -
Review from Teresa K.
1/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place was terribly boring. The hospital was interesting but nothing exciting. I add a star because the random train model in the middle of the place was fascinating and there were some cool plants to see. But really unless you have small children you won't be very entertained.
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Review from Philip T.
10/31/2011
Pretty awesome zoo.
If you come in the summer, it's an empty place as its very hot, best time is fall as crowds are still small, even on weekends.
Best exhibit is the giraffes as you can get VERY close
The exhibits are all very well designed to get you access to the animals. the viewing areas are near where most of the animals hang out (shade and watering holes)
they have an AAA discount. -
Review from Deron R.
11/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
One of the best spots in the desert for a family adventure. This open air zoo not only has a great number of animal exhibits, but also an outdoor kids play area called " Gecko land' which is full of tunnels and such, an indoor kids discovery zone and the best outdoor scale railroad setup in the history of mankind! The railroad is set up over an acre area and is a sight to behold. Tunnels, bridges, cars, trains, towns, and other sights dot the railroad landscape. I think the grown up kids get more of a kick out of the trains than the little ones.
Back to the animals- the animal area I like the most is called "Eagle Canyon." The birds of prey exhibit was spectacular, including a black as sackcloth Raven and the largest golden eagle I have ever seen.!
Lastly, our day was complete upon seeing the badger sacked out in his den enjoying a mid morning nap. What a life!
To sum up- a great number of desert dwelling animals, flighted, hooved and otherwise, great stuff for the kids and the amazing railroad system that truly is the best. -
Review from Wendy B.
La Quinta, CA
10/19/2011
I love the Living Desert!!! You can't beat the annual membership for all you get. The animals are very cool but this zoo offers so much more than that. The train is absolutely amazing. The newest attractions are cool too (the carousel and camel rides.) Members can enter at the crack of dawn to take advantage of the hiking trails.
One of my family's favorites each year is the Wild Lights. We have a blast looking at all the lights, visiting Santa, drinking cocoa/making smores, doing crafts.....
I highly recommend the Living Desert to all my friends, with or without kids. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that the food is not so great. The prices for a meal aren't bad but the food is nothing special. -
Review from Jonah K.
1/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Somewhat boring, but good to walk around. There are much better zoos out there for sure. Good for kids for sure.
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Review from ReBecki P.
Cerritos, CA
9/27/2011 1 photo
I went when the summer hours kicked in, so arrived and had only 30 minutes to explore and it was worth it! I know there's a lot to see, but I made sure to visit the giraffes, zebras, and wildcats.
Next time, a longer visit and updated review! -
Review from Soo C.
Alhambra, CA
12/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
This zoo is more for adults in my honest opinion. The kids had a good time but it didn't have the attractions like the bigger zoos. I love it here because it's not too big and because of the gardens. The price is also very reasonable! Show your AAA card for a discount!
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Review from Lauren W.
Seattle, WA
12/21/2011
Despite some initial reservations and protestations, our family of 3 adults and a 16 year old had a wonderful afternoon exploring this beautifully designed and maintained park. Interesting animals, impressive restricted environments (with some exceptions) for animals, and magnificent landscaping. Gorgeous setting with the mountains in the background, and beautiful vistas. Well worth the entrance fee.
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Review from Christopher L.
Millbrae, CA
11/7/2011
It's just OK. What they DO have is great, but that includes a lot of empty space... a lot of the exhibits were empty. HOWEVER, do take some time to search for the animal before saying there's nothing. I saw SO many visitors walk by pens that HAD animals in them muttering, "oh, this one's empty". If you simply take some time to look around for them, you'll either see find them hiding, or well camouflaged.
Don't be lazy and pay the $6 for the option of riding the carts that pass by. Also, try to be there for the animal shows, it's pretty cool. 3 stars because there aren't as many animals as you would think, and I wasn't blown away by anything. You really gotta have something special if you want people to drive all the way out. -
Review from Kevin D.
12/15/2011
Call me nuts, but I think this place is boring. Those who wrote great reviews must have never been to a zoo or a botanic garden before, as this is a lame example of both. If it was a few dollars a person, I would give it 2 stars... But for $18 pp?! Please.
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Review from Brendon K.
Palm Springs, CA
8/27/2011
I *heart* the painted wolves...
The Living Desert is on our "must" list of things to do when you're a Valley first-timer. For an animal lover, this place is absolute heaven. My only complaint is that in all of my visits I've yet to spot the elusive cheetah as he always seems to be hiding when I'm there. Maybe he doesn't exist, or maybe my Jean Paul Gaultier is too strong for him... -
Review from Julie D.
7/10/2011
I was so totally disinterested in visiting here. This was all my bf's idea and I was none too happy about it. And this turned out to be an awesome experience!
I don't want to give a play by play, but here are some of the best parts of our visit. They have a model train display complete with the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore. We got to see them feed the giraffes. Loved the ostriches They have very nice animal sculptures thru out the park. The petting kraal was interesting, the highlight was the big horn cattle. The big horn sheep are amazing. It was so nice to see them in their environment. We really enjoyed the show in the amphitheater and the butterfly exhibit.
The paved paths are fairly flat and easy to navigate. But we also took advantage of the shuttle service. Well worth the extra $6. Especially if you have limited time to visit like we did. This little park is so well done. The flora and fauna of the desert is very intriguing. This is really a great place to visit. -
Review from Sherry A.
Los Angeles, CA
6/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Who knew theres a ZOO in the middle of the desert? Well .. Living Desert knew ...and you better watch out because they have two of every animal. Wolves, donkeys, giraffes, cheetahs, ostriches, wild dogs, zebras, owls, birds, camels, and much much more. Check out the reptile section and the butterfly haven. They even had a cool atrium where you can enter and see a vulture super close to your eyeballs. That was kind of scary ..but hey, .. your at the Living Desert! Live a little!
This zoo was a great, relaxing stroll through beautiful gardens, hummingbird pavilions and various animals ..caged up .. but hey .. you can see animals up close and personal. By the third hour, i was about almost done with walking through the whole park and i was.. TIRED! Bring a sandwich and an extra water bottle to eat and drink on the benches while you watch butterflies suck on nectar for lunch! -
Review from Jennifer L.
Palm Springs, CA
7/12/2011
Great place for any age. I brought my Girl Scout Troop here and we had so much fun! The kids get hot and it can take all day so plan on bringing water, hats and sunscreen.
The animals are amazing and their home is great! They all seem happy and healthy.
The staff is all very knowledgable and friendly. They all want to be there. You can tell they love it. Our faveorite is Kevin. He's great!
The giraffes are my favorite because you can feed them and get kisses.
The butterfly garden is amazing. They land on you...this...is just so fun! -
Review from Kay D.
5/6/2011 9 photos
This was a really great find out in the desert near the cute downtown area of Palm Springs. It offered a great chance for photography, and there was a surprisingly large amount of different wildlife here. As far as zoos go, it's definitely on the small side, but it offers a unique desert feel that I've never seen at any other zoo...and it's quite pretty!
I probably wouldn't come out of my way to go here, nor would I come here in the summer (WAY too HOT!), but if I am traversing the desert by Palm Springs then I would suggest a stop! If you live in OC, this can easily be done as a day trip there and back, and you'll be able to see everything.
I LOOOOOOOVED the giraffes! -
Review from joseph y.
Garden Grove, CA
7/12/2011
Flora and fauna
from deserts around the world.
Life is amazing. -
Review from Michelle T.
Bellflower, CA
10/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had a wonderful day visiting The Living Desert. Bought the tram tickets and started off taking the tram around the entirety of the park first. I was surprised by how peaceful and quiet the park was, nothing like the SD or LA zoos. Although it was in the low 90s, it was still a pleasant day. As for the zoo, I especially enjoyed the desert tortoises, all the butterflies, and, of course, the zebras. My husband liked the big horn sheep, the giraffes, and the enormous miniture trains The botanical garden part kept my husband engaged the whole day. All in all, we had a lovely day in The Living Desert.
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Review from Josie M.
Philadelphia, PA
2/23/2011
I generally don't like zoos but I LOVED this one.
Me and my boyfriend are both in our early 20's, so it's definitely something cool for anyone to go to. We went on a Wednesday afternoon in mid-February and we were basically the only ones there under 80. the weather was really nice too.
All the animals are really interesting (its also really cool to see them bumming around the dessert with the gorgeous CA mountains in the background) and the little mini gardens are all really cool too so don't just run past them! the huge train set they have there is pretty neat too:) -
Review from jamie m.
Encinitas, CA
9/11/2011
way more fun that i gave it credit for going in. there were a lot more animals than i expected and the butterfly/hummingbird atrium was very cool. this place it great for photographers. we went in late spring/early summer and it was VERY hot! i can't imagine going here in the middle of summer. it was so hot that a lot of the animals were trying to cop some shade for most of the time we were there (i would have liked some, too!), but you could still see them if you looked hard enough. there were also some closed exhibits that looked pretty cool, including a surprisingly fancy animal care facility where you can watch animal surgeries, examinations, etc., through large windows and on tv screens.
due to the time of year we visited, there were tons of beautiful and unique flowers blooming all around the zoo (again, perfect for photographers like me) and the animals that were out and about looked happy and healthy. regardless of the time of year you go, i would recommend bringing some water. it's a lot of walking, palm desert is hot, and they don't really have very many snack or drink carts scattered throughout the park.
if you have the better part of a day available, this place is worth a visit! -
Review from Jeremy P.
West Palm Beach, FL
5/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I first went here when I was in middle school back in the 80s, so when I was in town for an extended visit with family it seemed like a great place to check out. All in all, I'm glad I went and I'm glad they're still around and contributing to wildlife education. The place wasn't crowded (well, it *was* a Monday) and the weather was just beautiful. We really enjoyed walking from zone to zone and seeing the animal exhibits. It's apparent they've been hard at work adding new elements, so it's nice to see a non-profit like this still prospering.
We enjoyed the big cats, the bighorn sheep, the small animal & reptile room (which really does need some TLC, I have to say...), as well as the bird exhibits. It looks like they also have a good number of kid-focused attractions and exhibits, which is nice to see.
Having worked at a non-profit educational museum in California a few years ago, I understand how a down economy can really slam their ability to function, educate and serve the community. As endowments dry up and people cut back on philanthropic giving, it can deprive valuable institutions like this one of critical operating revenue. To that end, please pay them a visit and consider becoming a member.
You'll be glad you did. -
Review from Esther P.
Ventura County, CA
6/3/2011
We love this place and have been coming here for years. The kids have a blast and it's a great way to spend the day with the family.
We visited Memorial Day weekend and it was slightly disappointing. What should be more obvious is they actually close many exhibits, like the Butterfly Sanctuary and a few others from May - October. Before paying the entrance fees it would have been nice to know that some exhibits are closed, giving us the choice to visit another time. Also, if some of the exhibits are closed, it would be nice if they offered a discount entrance fee. Either way, if the entire park isn't accessible, it should be made obvious at the entrance gate.
The good news is a zebra was born 2 weeks before we visited - she weighed 108 lbs at birth and was out and about taking a little stroll when we arrived. She was the highlight of the day!
We are Living Desert fans, but will make sure to visit when all of the attractions are open! -
Review from Mharljoy M.
Long Beach, CA
4/24/2011
A must see when you are in the area - Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City and of course Palm Desert.
Nature at it's best - hiking, learning, immersion to desert life.
Must see - camels and the butterfly and hummingbird pavilion.
Breath taking views.
Ride the shuttles to see an overview of the area - then you can walk, hop on and off the shuttles. $6 is well worth it.
Will go back for sure!
For all ages! -
Review from Chris O.
San Luis Obispo, CA
4/17/2011
What a new place to visit! My favorite part is that it's completely doable on 1/2 a day. We arrived at the park at 2pm and made it just in time for the Wildlife show, which is close and upfront. Make sure you hold onto the little ones because the birds and critters are up close!
I enjoyed the displays however there were quite a few animals that weren't in their areas or a little difficult to locate.
I had no idea you could go hiking in the back trails so I might get an annual pass to experience this more often! -
Review from Judy H.
San Gabriel, CA
5/2/2011
This place is amazing! My family enjoying all of the animals and the scenaries. My daughter loved that she can ride the camels, and follow the train set. The animals here are not the ordinary animals that you see in the zoos. They are animals from the deserts! You have to see it to experience it!
Since it's in the desert, sun block, hats, and sun glasses are must! -
Review from Jon S.
Sacramento, CA
1/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Talk about a hidden gem in Palm Springs! I had an afternoon free while I was down in the desert for a conference when I decided to Yelp what to do in the area. The Living Desert popped up, so I really wanted to see how good of a place this was. I could tell that there is plenty of funding to keep a place like this open for years. The parking lot was empty and the entrance was really clean with nice landscaping. From what I understood, it was like a zoo, but with other activities as well. I was immediately drawn to the tram that takes you around the park, but was disappointed to learn that it only stops every 20 minutes. Being that I was maybe 1 of 20 people in the entire park that afternoon, I decided to take my chances and walk the park; taking advantage of the cool 65 degree weather.
The toy trains were awesome. The outdoor train town features die cast cars and buildings with tracks and bridges that sprawled several hundred feet. The biggest and best attraction at TLD are the giraffes. Imagine watching a scene from the Lion King where a giraffe stands at the top of a mountain with the sun beaming behind it. It felt like you were watching the giraffes in their natural habitat with a ton a acreage for them to run freely. In fact, all the animals were well kept and seemed very healthy. I actually had a lot of fun and spent a good 2.5 hours walking around the park. It made me feel like a kid again.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The Living Desert is a great place to stop by even if you don't have kids. It is a very quiet and serene park, which is a great escape. The also offer an entrance fee discount for AAA members. Highly recommended! -
Review from Amber E.
San Diego, CA
4/9/2011 6 photos
It's like walking around in a beautiful springtime desert, where there happen to be marked paths, labeled plants, flowers and cacti, and various desert animals from California and Africa scattered throughout.
The whole family loved it. I'd recommend getting there right when it opens, if possible, so you're there at the coolest part of the day and beat some of the crowds (don't forget the hats and sunscreen so you don't get fried); also, there are discounts online and for AAA, seniors, kids and military.
It was especially beautiful in the Spring w/ so many flowers, trees and cacti blooming. One of the highlights was feeding the giraffes. This is FREE; they give you a pellet, and the giraffe actually leans down w/ it's long neck and LONG purple tongue and plucks it from your hand - the girls loved this (check shedules in advance - I believe right now it was just 10am-10:30 am).
The kids also loved riding a camel - just $5 each, and lines weren't too long, since we did it right after giraffe-feeding and I think many of the kids were still there. Other favorites were the butterfly pavilion where we were surrounded by beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds (and the girls were even able to let them perch on their fingers if they were patient), the hands-on discovery center (just opened in Nov.), and the frong pond w/ thousands of little tadpoles swimming around. I liked our walk through the palm canyon oasis. A very enjoyabe way to experience nature in Palm Springs. -
Review from Brittany N.
Newbury Park, CA
11/1/2010
What a wonderful hidden treasure in the desert! I surprised my husband by scheduling a trip to The Living Desert during a weekend getaway. The admission price was decent (12.95 for AAA members), which was perfect since we only got to spend a couple hours exploring.
Although a handful of the animals were hiding, we were able to see many of the wildlife exhibits and look forward to returning to be able to enjoy everything we missed. The desert landscape was absolutely gorgeous. I highly recommend visiting during the Fall & Winter since our weather was a perfect 74 degrees and breezy. There is also a hiking path that we plan on tackling next time.
I especially enjoyed the impressive outdoor model train exhibit as you enter the park. A unique addition to the zoo!
If you're in the area, enjoy zoos and/or having children, I recommend a stop at The Living Desert. It's not as huge and impressive as San Diego but it's just as beautiful.
Enjoy! -
Review from Leza B.
Campbell, CA
1/27/2011
Maybe I had really high expectations, because I was a little disappointed. The only reason is I thought there was going to be more animals. There were quit a few empty cages or cages where we couldn't see anything.
On a positive note, it was a beautiful day, it was nice walking around outside and the animals that they did have were cute! They also had a show which they show cased some birds (falcon, hawk and eagle) and a few other animals. It was entertaining. They also have a petting zoo with the most adorable goats. The butterfly house was really pretty, they even had these tiny humming birds. SO cute!
I'm glad we went, it was something nice to do but i was slightly disappointed and had hoped to see more animals. -
Review from J B.
San Bernardino, CA
11/26/2011
Small zoo with some giraffe, a cheetah, some zebra etc. Nice place to push a stroller for an hour. you can see some endangered bighorn sheep. Way too expensive for the size of the attraction. main disappointment was they advertised a light display. We went at 3:00 and planned to stay to see the lights and leave. They did not say that the park closes at 5:00 and everyone has to leave. They then reopen at 6:00 with the lights and you have to pay again to enter. What a huge rip -off. No other attraction does that.
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Review from Jefferson M.
San Jose, CA
12/3/2010
The Living Desert is quite a unique place to visit. The park itself is split up into a few different sections: main entrance and gift shop/food area, North American animals and plants, African animals and plants, and a HUGE wilderness hiking trail system.
Near the main entrance is an expansive LGB train setup, with a bunch of different tracks and trains.
I toured the African section first, which had all different types of animals, including Big Horn Sheep, Gazelles, Zebras, Cheetahs, Camels, Warthogs, Giraffe and Ostrich, to name just a few.
I then hiked the wilderness trail system for an hour or so. I didn't even get halfway through it! It was a wonderful hike around the area and quite peaceful!
To wind up the day, I went through the North American area, where they had Wolves, Fox, Bobcats, Mountain Lion, Golden Eagle, Coyote, and all sorts of birds and plants from around the area.
The last part of the day was a visit to their brand new Wildlife Hospital & Conservation Center. It is really a unique building and tour!
Overall, this place is great for taking the kids to learn about wildlife and plants. They also have a tram running throughout the park, in case you get tired, or can't walk very far. You can easily spend the whole day there.
Only thing I had an issue with was their map they give you. It's horrible! Worst park map I have ever seen. It had trails that weren't there, and didn't have other trails marked that were actually there! I got turned around at least 2 - 3 times trying to find things!
Oh well, I still had fun! And ask about their AAA discount! -
Review from Thomas F.
Santa Monica, CA
11/14/2010
The Living Desert Botanical Garden/Zoo is near Palm Springs. It has plants and animals of all the different types of desert in the world. That means mountain lions and giraffes. Throughout the whole day are animal talks, demonstrations, and chats with animal keepers.
First thing you have to know is that this is primarily for children and secondarily for old folks. There wasn't a single hump-able female human being. The children, oh the children, they ran around and keep bumping into you. "Don't touch the glass. Nothing. Don't touch the glass. Nothing. Don't touch the glass. Nothing. COME HERE. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH." "You look tired and cranky. Rest and sit in the stroller. No, I want to walk - WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH."
There is a wilderness trail with labeled plants. I was really excited about that. I imagined that if I were studious, I could finally recognize all the common desert plants and know cool uses for them, e.g. this makes tea, this is a make do soap. Sorry, no. The signs are so sun bleached that they are barely readable. There are only a few signs in the beginning. And, they are clearly simplified and geared towards kids.
All the talks are really geared toward kids. The keeper talk of the snakes had me expecting to get secret tips on keeping my own rattlesnakes that are not found in any book. Nope. The keeper didn't even get as far as explaining how to identify a rattler by the head shape.
Overall, it is a neat place with a lot of well maintained plants and animals to walk around for a whole day and have a pleasant time. -
Review from jackie v.
San Francisco, CA
10/21/2010
If you're going to be in the area you must come here! We had such a great time. We were there for about 3 hours and didn't even see everything. We got to feed giraffes little snacks, pet goats and brush their hair, meet some camels... it was so cool!
While we were there the temperature was in the low 80s. I don't think I would have enjoyed it if it was summer because a lot of the trails were in full sun.
Wear sunscreen, bring sunglasses and water. If you go with children or have a hard time walking long distances there is also a shuttle that will take you around. I'd like to come back and check out the rest of the gardens and animals we didn't have time to see. -
Review from Kasia K.
Pleasanton, CA
10/17/2010
We loved this place when we went a few years ago! Despite the fact that it was about 115 degrees outside in the summer, it was a great place with lots to see. My only regret is that we went too late and it was going to close, so we didn't get to see everything that we could have.
Nice staff, lots of parking, tons to see and somewhat different than what I'm used to. My favorite was the gardens and the cactus'. Overall, great place and we will be back. -
Review from Joyce L.
Rancho Mirage, CA
5/20/2010
I HEART THIS PLACE! The KIDS LOVE IT. The train rules. The animals are for for everyone to see and they look like they are cared for. MUCH better then the SD Zoo by far.
Tip: Use your AAA Club card for a discount! -
Review from Gus L.
5/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a wildlife park more akin to the "Wild Animal Park" in my hometown of Escondido then to a classic Zoo. The Living Dessert focuses on many animals and plants that call the desert home, and shows them off pretty well. If you are looking to see tigers and bears and hippos in a tank then this isn't your place, yet. But if you want to go for a walk and see everything from Camels, Giraffes, Mountain Goats and all manner of lizards and insects than please, come on in! In the spring they have a great Butterfly exhibit as well as a camel ride for the kids and many many different trails that wind thru the large and small exhibits and enclosures. They also have the largest and coolest scale railroad that I have ever seen! Not sure it really keeps with the whole "Living Desert" theme, but it is pretty damn cool.
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Review from Megan C.
Yucaipa, CA
I didn't know this place existed until my gf said she wanted to go there for her birthday last year. Since then we have been back once (only because of the one hour drive to get out there) and had fun on both trips. It looks like this place seems to be more popular with the people in their golden years so you can go and avoid families with screaming children that want to touch everything. Don't get me wrong, there are families there but they arrive early and leave by 1ish when little Susie is tuckered out.
General admission is just under $15 but you save $2 if you are a AAA member. From Oct.1-May 31 they are open 9 am - 5 pm and if you have balls of steel + several liters of water you can brave the heat between June 1 -September 30 when they are open 8 am - 1:30 pm. Now while there is a lot to see at The Living Desert as long as you don't have any knee/hip problems or aren't carrying a small child you can save your $6/person for the shuttle.
Some other fun tidbits I have picked up during our trips out there:1) If you want to feed the giraffes get to the enclosure 30 minutes before hand minimum. This allows you to listen to the docent give their spiel and head over to get in line to feed the giraffes before everybody walking by realizes whats going on. 2) The Fanciful Fliers exhibit is beautiful to walk through but only open from October - April and watch out for the battle royale going on between the hum birds in there. You could lose and eye! *j/k* 3) If you decide to take on the Wilderness Trail loop (located near the Discovery Center) make sure to wear sunscreen + hat, bring at least two full water bottles per person and start from the south side? (there will be a picnic bench right before you start the hike). The south side involves more rock "scrambling" which is something I know I didn't want to do at the end of the hike. And watch out for bees, they are all around pollinating flowers in between the rocks on the south side.
*Both visits were in March-April on a weekday and weekend to avoid the heat.Listed in: Columbia/North Face
