San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park?

Question

Which is better to go to at this time of year? I'm taking a six year old and an eight year old.

Answer 1

The animal park is not what it appears to be. It is not a drive through park with animals that roam freely and jump on the hood of your vehicle. There are exhibits just like a zoo, they do have a ride that drives you through the "natural" African habitat and you can see all sorts of animals mingle together. It is a great time of the year for the animal park (as where it is located in Escondido, it is extremely hot in the summer)...however, I am a huge fan of the Zoo. If you can only do one while you are in San Diego, I highly suggest it. It is a LOT of walking, but just pay attention to the maps and they show which trails go uphill and which go downhill. I take the same route each time I go to avoid my 4 year old getting sick of trudging up hill the whole time. Also, if you are visiting the city, the Zoo is much more conveniently located in Balboa Park whereas the Animal Park is about 30-45 minutes north (depending on traffic) in Escondido.

Answer 2

I don't know what Wisher and Ariel are smoking, but obviously neither one knows anything about the San Diego Zoological Association and all the wonderful things they do for their animals and how they keep hundreds of species from going extinct around the globe.

Anyways, I recommend the Zoo for young children like yours because the Wild Animal Park is awesome BUT there is LOTS more walking and they'd have to sit on the train for a long time there. The Zoo is 100 acres while the Wild Animal Park is around 1800 acres, so the Zoo has more animals that you can get to quickly. I think the Wild Animal Park is more of a cool place for adults to walk around and enjoy because it has such amazing plant life and hikes, but there aren't the variety of animals that the Zoo has.

The one thing that's really cool if you do go to the WAP is Lion Camp though. Last time I was there it was late afternoon feeding time and the male lion was pacing right in front of the glass and then he jumped on the door where the food came out and he was just breathtaking to see up close. I was just at the Zoo last weekend and they have more amazing exhibits than I can mention!!!

Take the kids on the bus tour and sit on top - they'll love it!!

Answer 3

The best part of the Wild Animal Park is riding around in a tram thing for about an hour looking at the gazelles run around. The line for this is typically long and then you're sitting for a really long time. There are a couple good shows. And that's about it. I would strongly advise going to the zoo. If something is boring you can just walk to the next thing. The place is so big you can't cover it all in a day. They do have a bus that gives tour of the whole zoo which costs a few dollars. My favorites are the pandas (which always have a line but it moves quickly) and the hippos.

Answer 4

I agree the first few posters have never been to the SD Zoo as they have very very few cages; almost all exhibits are open areas. I think they are talking out of their....posteriors.

Both places are good for a 6 and 8 year old. Because of recent fires it does smell somewhat smoky in the San Pasqual Valley (Animal Park) but last few days not bad at all. There was some fire on their property but limited.

For all those talking about the trams/trains at the WAP, they are out of date. The trams have been replaced by motor vehicles and you get much closer to the animals than the old tram allowed, since they are on dirt roads and not on a track. Much better experience in my opinion.

Both the zoo and WAP can involve lots of walking, or less walking if you take more of the sit down tours. With your kids I'd want to take the sit down tours and minimize walking. The maps at the Zoo can be deceptive as they don't really fully explain the uphill and downhill aspects. Beware of the Hoof and Horn Mesa there as it has a steep hill. I always get winded hiking that area.

If you plan return trips to SD and you'll have a car, I'd chose the WAP to go to now, as the weather is no longer stinking hot like it gets between late spring and mid fall. During those 5-6 months of the year it's too hot to go to the WAP and enjoy it. The zoo however is pretty pleasant, weatherwise, all year long. So if you would imagine coming back here in summer, say, I'd do the WAP now and save the zoo for the dog days of summer.

Answer 5

The San Diego Zoo is fun for the kids. It is also close to downtown San Diego in Balboa Park. The Wild Animal Park is about 30 minutes north of San Diego.

Answer 6

I agree that the first few posts were garbage. They obviously have never been to either one of them. The zoo is better in my opinion because there is more for kids to see I would think. The wild animal park has big open spaces so it can be a little different. If you go to the zoo get the bus ticket as well. This allows to to tour all the areas that take a lot of walking to get to. You can usually find deals for this type of ticket online.

Answer 7

If you go to the wild animal park you are going to be smelling smoke ALL day. There is much to see and do at the San Diego Zoo. Its a wonderland. The posters way above do not know what they are talking about, have been a zoological member for years.

Answer 8

just to add to some of the other comments: the zoo is nicer for kids because it is a little less tiring. there is a cable car they can go on and if you get a bus pass, you can get on and off the bus whenever you feel tired.

the wild animal park also gets very warm in the summer... much warmer than the zoo. I only go to the animal park in the winter because it gets to be unbearable some days during the summer.

this time of year it's hard to predict. if there are Santa Ana winds blowing, you will regret going to the wild animal park. believe me.

Answer 9

The Zoo and the Wild Animal Park are two different worlds. At the zoo, the animals are confined. At the WAP, you are confined. They are both fun places. Don't listen to those PETA people, for if they had their way, ALL animals would be roaming the streets competing with the human wild animals.

Answer 10

The Wild Animal Park because the animals are more active!!!