Going to SW, help me decide zoo or park?

[mrs.ariel]

Hi,
We live in the Bay area and my boys were devastated when Shouka, the Orka at Six Flags, moved to Sea World. They are happy she has friends to play with but they will miss seeing her every summer.....so, we are planning a trip to Sea World this summer!!!

I see the ticket packages include the zoo or the safari park...which would you recommend? We have been to the San Francisco and Oakland zoos, I am wondering if the park might be a new, exciting experience?

Thanks!!

 

[Baliezer]

I would do the zoo. We did the safari park a couple of years ago and it just was not that interesting, in my opinion.

 

[danaesacto]

Just a couple of posts down is a thread about zoo, SW or safari park- tons of good input in there. We have done both. We loved the safari park- but it is very dependent on time of day, time of year and your kids- watching the giraffes roam around free- will that be more interesting or less than being up close?

The SD Zoo is about the same amount of acreage according to their descriptions as the SF Zoo, but they say they house over 600 species while SF lays claim to over 200- they just squeeze so much more into the SD Zoo. Last time we were at SF Zoo was Oct 2011- and we were impressed with some of the improvements, pleased with our visit- but it was very laid back, very relaxing. The SD Zoo was go, go, go all day. I haven't been to Oakland in about 8 years- but it is small and SD Zoo will feel very different. There is a new Panda baby at the zoo too

We very much enjoyed the safari park too- and now they have this new ropes course- don't tell my girls or they will want to head there too! lol When we were there it was fall, the animals were active, the lion was just maybe 30 feet from the fence and we watched him stretch, take a bath and fall asleep- too cute. During summer you would want to get there at opening while it is still cooler. My girls are science nerds (wonder where they get that from ) and we got the biggest kick out of seeing the rhino's and tigers out just doing what they do...

I truly believe you can't go wrong either way- it really depends on your kids I guess... have fun!

 

[Camonkeygirl]

I would also say it will depend on transportation. The Zoo and Sea World are easily accessible by public transportation. The Safari Park is not.

There are good and bad about both parks. Pandas are at the Zoo only, and the animals are closer to you.

At the Safari Park, the animals are in huge exhibits that are closer to their natural habitat, but you get to see the animals forming herds. This park is also A LOT larger than the Zoo, so more walking.

My suggestion would be to look at the website for both parks and see what interests you the most. I like both parks because they are different. Also, most of the tickets that are offered with Sea World tickets are for both the Zoo and the Safari Parks.