Welcome to the finest and largest Zoo in the US, the San Diego Zoo. Located in Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo affords you the chance to see one of the largest collections of wild, endangered and displaced animals in one place. Founded in 1922 by Dr. Harry Wegeforth, the San Diego Zoo has been teaching, displaying and thrilling millions of guests for all these years. The San Diego Zoo offers so much to se and do its almost an impossible task to get the most from you time here without a little inside help. With this in mind lets visit 5 of the 12 main ZOO exhibits, the Polar Bear plunge, Giant Pandas, Bonobos (pygmy chimps), Sun Bear forest and Absolutely Apes for a quick overview and what you can expect from your time spent here.
Address: 2920 Zoo Drive., San Diego, CA 92101 
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Hippos in heaven!
Come and get up close and personal with these waterborne gentle giants here at the San Diego Zoo.
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PLEASE!!! Feed the elephants
This is something that you do not hear everyday, nor is it something that you get to do. Come grab some snanks and have some fun with these playful and inquisitive pacaderms.
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Lions n tigers n bears...OH MY!!!
The great thing about the San Diego Zoo is that it is one of the finest zoos anywhere in the world. So you can be face to face with lions, tigers, bears and a whole multitude of earths fellow creatures.
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Polly want a cracker???
Well, you cannot feed the birds here in the Rain Forest Aviary, but you can come and have a look at their fantastic collection of rare and exotic species from around the globe.
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Come visit some of our Chinese friends.
We have had our pandas here give birth sucessfully, which is the first time that this has happened outside of China. If you enjoy these cuddly guys like we do stop on by and say "Ni Hao" (that's Hello in Chinese!).
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Experience SKYFARI!
SKYFARI is your chance to see the San Diego Zoo from a unique perspective, that is from above. This aerial tour of the Zoo offers one a great chance to see the grounds and enjoy a great San Diego day. What better way to give your feet a rest and still see the sights.
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Little friends from "Down Under"
Across from Elephant Mesa, the Koala Exhibit always attracts a crowd. These popular bears (no,they are not REALLY bears) have the ability to cast spells over those who come for a visit, so stop on by and say G'day!
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Check out Groilla Tropics
One of the main attractions here are the Bonobos. or pygmy chimps. These highly intellegent primates are living La Vida Loca in their 6,000 square foot inclosure. Big rock outcroppings, a picturesque waterfall and palm trees offer up a good time for all those involved, including you!
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Polar Bear Plunge
If you are looking to cool off a bit and check out an artic enviroment then the "Plunge" is for you. This fantastic exhibit offers you a chance to see Polar bears, Siberian reindeer, Pallas cats and native plants in an natural enviroment. There is also an underwater viewing room for your added enjoyment
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Here's looking at you, kid.
Our quick tour complete, now is the time to experience the San Diego Zoo for yourself. Enter this magical world and experience the beauty and diversity that this planet has to offer.
Ready to Go?
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Our first stop is the Polar Bear plunge, a small piece if the artic here in San Diego. The polar bear plunge is a 2-acre enclosure that not only contains the bears, but Siberian reindeer, Pallas' cats, northern birds, and native plants. The main piece to this artic paradise is the plunge itself, a 130,000-gallon (494,000 liters) of 58°f (14°c) replication of the artic ocean. What is great about this exhibit is that not only can you get a wonderful outdoor view of the beans, there is also an underground (water) viewing area where you can get great views of the bears in the favorite habitat, water. The viewing area is protected by a 5-inch (127-millimeter) thick acrylic panel that really offers you an in-depth view of these polar bears in action. There is also a large sandbox and other open spaces on the banks of the plunge replicate the artic tundra and offer a cozy place for the bears to snuggle up and take an afternoon nap in the sun.
One, if not the most popular and most famous of the exhibits has to be the Giant pandas. These iconic creatures from China have not only opened up relations with the 2 countries, but has given us a chance to take a peek into the world of one of the most endangered species on the planet and the steps that are being taken to help it survive. The San Diego Zoo currently has 3 pandas on display, Bai Yun (female), Gao Gao (Male) and the newest addition the our family, little Mei Sheng (Male) who was born on 19 August, 2003.
Getting Here and Getting Around
From North San Diego County/Orange County/Los Angeles:
From I-5 South, take the Pershing Drive exit and follow the signs.
From North San Diego County Inland/Temecula/Las Vegas:
From I-15 South, take SR 163 south to the Park Blvd./I-5 South exit. Exit at Park Blvd. Turn left on Park Blvd. and head north; Zoo entrance is off Park Blvd at Zoo Place.
From San Diego East County/Calexico/Phoenix:
From I-8, take SR 163 south to the Park Blvd./I-5 South Exit. Exit at Park Blvd. Turn left on Park Blvd. and head north; Zoo entrance is off Park Blvd at Zoo Place. From State Route 94, proceed into downtown San Diego to 12th Avenue. Turn right on 12th Avenue (which turns into Park Blvd.) and proceed north. Zoo entrance is off Park Blvd at Zoo Place.
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San Diego Zoo |
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Balboa Park
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San Diego Zoo Parking & Park Information
Regular Parking Rates: Autos - $7.00, Busses & RV's - 10.00, Motorcycles - $4.00, Preferred Parking - $14.00. Busses & bicycles are ALWAYS free!
Locker Information: Coin-operated lockers are available to guests on grounds behind the Reptile House, near Wegeforth Bowl.
Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs): These conveniences are located near the front of the Reptile House, at the Treehouse Trader, and next to the Canyon Cafe.
Security Office and Lost and Found: Visit our Security Office, located at the Zoo's main entrance, if you have lost an item or child. Open daily to closing.
Guests with disabilities: The San Diego Zoo provides special parking, rest rooms, telephones (including TDD at the Security Office), and access to shows, tour buses, and exhibits for guests with disabilities. There are ASL "signed" bus tours available for the hearing impaired; please call in advance to arrange for an interpreter (619) 232-1515 ext. 4318. Please note there are steep grades in parts of the Zoo, and assistance is recommended for those with limited mobility. A free shuttle bus operates inside the Zoo for those with limited mobility. Click here for more disabled access information at the San Diego Zoo. Note: For information about service animal access, please call (619) 231-1515 ext. 4200, Monday through Friday.
Stroller, wheelchair, and motorized wheelchair rentals: Available for rental in the front plaza near the entrance. Prices: strollers $6, double strollers $11 ($2 deposit required); wheelchairs $6; electric scooters $30 ($100 deposit w/credit card required).
Parking availability and prices subject to change.
