Driving frokm DL to the San Diego Zoo????

[Bob O]

How long should it take to drive from DL to the San Diego Zoo???? We are undecided if we should go on a week day or a weekend, we want to go when driving should be easier. The park opens at 900am and closes at 400pm(grr, too early) and we plan on being there before it opens so we can see as much as possible. Whats your best advice and what time should we be on the road to be their on time, be it week day or weekend day??

 

[Dana_Buckley]

I can't help much with local Anaheim traffic, but it should take 2 - 2.5 hrs. You can ride in the carpool lane from DL for about 45min (I think) it should help if there is rush hour traffic during the week. There will be less traffic on weekend, but more crowds at the zoo, but the crowds move well, if you think that would be better. Actually, zoo Saturday would be better than DL on a Saturday.

As for route, I would take 5 S to 805 S to 163 S to Park Ave Exit and follow signs to zoo. It is a wonderful zoo! Be sure to see the koalas, pandas, hippo underwater, polar bears underwater and I like the tigers, too. There is a sit down restaurant called Albert's in the treehouse, if you want to take the time out. They have great sandwiches, cajun chicken, portabello mushroom, etc. but about $7.95 - $10.95ish.

Before you head back, you could have dinner in Old Town, good Mexican places there.

Have a great vacation!

Have a great time!

 

[KaitlinsMom]

It should take about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. That is if you do not drive in rush hour traffic. Rush hour in the AM is 7:30 - 9 and in the PM it is about 4:30 - 6:30 -

Car pool lanes are great for driving in. You didn't say when you will be visiting. If you are coming in the off season, you should be able to get everything done. Just plan out the order of shows you want to see. If you don't, you may miss a show you are really interested in.

I agree with Dana, Go out to dinner after Sea World. Old Town is great. Also the Gas lamp district. You could go have dinner until the traffic cools down. Or you could spend the night and go to the San Diego Zoo the next day!

Enjoy your trip!

Karen

 

[Bob O]

Kaitlins Mom-We will be visiting the first week of Dec, getting in on Nov. 30th. So we would go for 1 week day or weekend day, just trying to decide what would be best to see as much of the zoo as possible, and when it best to drive.
Also are the narrated tours/sky tram worth the money??

 

[KaitlinsMom]

The hours might be be longer on the weekend, I am not sure though - The traffic will be lighter on the weekend. Although late on Sunday, the traffic will be tough as for all the people coming home from weekend aways to San Diego and Mexico.

The narrated tour is nice to take because it does take you all over the zoo and you can see everything in one tour. From that, you can decide what you thought looked cool and where you would like to start. The zoo is really big and there is a lot of walking. My only complaint about the San Diego zoo is that they make it look so much like the animals natural habitat, that sometimes it is hard to see the animals! It is a beautiful zoo and the landscape is unbelievable! You would really enjoy it!

The crowds will be lighter during the week, but it still won't be too bad on the weekend.

Have a great time!

Karen

 

[Tink33]

The Zoo closes at 4 pm to new arrivals. I think the official park closing is either 5 or 6 pm.

And I highly recommend the Kangaroo Bus Tour. These Express Buses are double- or single-decked buses with green signs on the sides, allowing guests to hop on and off at five different stops throughout the Zoo. They will go by the stops every 20 minutes or less. The Express Bus is mainly for quick transportation around the Zoo.

And I would chose a weekend for travel to the Zoo.

 

[year2late]

Weekend crowds at the Zoo beats tackling weekend crowds at DLR any day. If you go to the zoo during the day, you can still head back to DLR during the night to catch a parade or fireworks.

 

[Bob O]

I was surprised the Zoo closes so early, 400pm. I would have thought at least on weekends it would be open later. has us wondering if it is worth the drive due to the hours, but makes it very important to get their on time to see as much as possible.
Even though we love Zoo's so we will proably do and see as much as we can and hit our highlights first.

 

[Dana_Buckley]

BobO, although the park hours say 4pm, that's when the gates close to new guests, you don't have to leave until 5pm, if that helps any.

 

[MarkRG]

We went on a weekday, twice, and the traffic was all going the other way both going to SD and back. The zoo itself is very crowd light during the week. Mostly the typical school groups(if in session) and such,. but very pleaseant.

DEFINTIELY get the Kangaroo bus and I'd actually recommend the whole thing and get the sky buckets too, the overhead(and it goes WAAAAY up there!) views are fantastic. They have a combo ticket with both. The bus will be needed, because the zoo is in an extremely hilly area, you won't easily be able to walk the whole thing.

But definitely worth it - here's a picture, I call 'I got a stick'

 

[Bob O]

Great photo and thanks for the info!!!
We say panda's at the dc zoo and are looking forward to seeing them in San Diego.