Alice Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 (edited) Hey, we are going on a California trip this May. We are definitely including a trip to San Diego but are trying to decide between the Zoo and the Safari Park. Any thoughts? So far people we know who have been have said "do both" but I'm not sure that is possible in the time we have or in our budget. Which one would you do if you could do just one? It made me laugh because Dh is our trip planner and just called out to me "Hey can you ask the WTM? Someone there will know." ":) Edited January 27, 2017 by Alice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 We went to both. For a day trip, we liked the San Diego Zoo followed by the free pipe organ concert at Spreckels Organ Pavilion a short walk away. https://spreckelsorgan.org My parents liked the skytram and the double decker bus rides inside the zoo. Reuben Science Center is at Balboa Park too. http://www.rhfleet.org We bought the San Diego 5 day city pass from Smart Destinations as we were going Legoland for a day on our way to San Diego. http://www.smartdestinations.com/san-diego-attractions-and-tours/_d_Sdo-p1.html?pass=Sdo_Prod_Go&allInc=true We went to UTC for dinner and the UTC Ice Sports Center ticket is included in our pass but none of us can ice skate except my husband. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stibalfamily Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 We have annual passes, if I had to pick on I would pick the zoo. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCal_Bear Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 I live here and have an annual pass...so it depends on what you want. SD Zoo is a world class zoo that features animals from all over the world including pandas! If you want to see animals in more of a natural setting like wide open spaces. These would be animals that you would find in more arid climates so a narrower variety on purpose. Then choose Safari Park. It is the closest you can get to a natural setting for animals. That being said, Safari Park is not in San Diego. It's about 30 minutes north of downtown in Escondido. Both are well worth the visit. If you go for one of those multi attraction passes, it might be more affordable for you. If you buy a go pass through costco...you get 4 days for the 3 day price that is listed at smart destinations. This is a pretty good breakdown of the differences. http://www.smartdestinations.com/blog/san-diego-zoo-vs-safari-park/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three4me Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 You really can't go wrong with either. If you're staying in the city I'd probably just recommend the zoo. If you have more time and want to see more of the area, do Safari park. Escondido is beautiful and really nice that time of year. But both parks are wonderful! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 I vote zoo plus Balboa Park. Enjoy SD! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justme824 Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 I asked my kids and they voted for the Safari Park. We have annual passed and this is what they always choose. But the zoo is just as great too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momto4inSoCal Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 I like the safari park much better but I'm not a big fan of zoo's in general. It's sort of depressing to me to see such great animals pinned up in little cages. It was really nice to see animals with a little room to roam. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted January 27, 2017 Author Share Posted January 27, 2017 Thanks everyone. Sounds like we can't go wrong either way. We are going to California for a graduation (nephew from USC). We're doing about a 10 day trip from LA to San Fransisco and back. Dh has it all planned out so he is much more aware of our schedule and timing. San Diego will be at the end of the trip after the graduation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 Thanks everyone. Sounds like we can't go wrong either way. We are going to California for a graduation (nephew from USC). We're doing about a 10 day trip from LA to San Fransisco and back. Dh has it all planned out so he is much more aware of our schedule and timing. San Diego will be at the end of the trip after the graduation. Congrats to him, and Fight On! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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