One Day At The San Diego Zoo

[jhaig]

How long will it take to hit the highlights at the zoo?

Has anyone done the early morning panda tour, and is it worth the $$$?

 

[Simba07]

We usually go from opening to about 2pm, but we have been many times so don't feel like we need to do everything. We haven't done the panda tour, but every program we have done there has been great, especially ones that go behind the scenes. Try to do the introductory bus tour regardless as it gives you a nice overview and saves you from feeling like you have to walk to all the areas. It lets you use the hop on hop off buses later too. Like Disney, rope drop is your friend!

 

[ncc1701]

Nev

How long will it take to hit the highlights at the zoo?

Has anyone done the early morning panda tour, and is it worth the $$$?

Never did the Panda tour but my one suggestion is to use the buses to hit the highlights and/or get there quicker than walking. Depending on your interest it can take a whole day, however we saw what we wanted in several hours . Go to their website and look over what you and your party want to see. My one suggestion is to get there as early as possible. On our visits we got there around openning which made getting on the bus tour easier than a few hours later.Our party was just DH and I so we no longer feel the need to see everything a place offers just what appeals to us.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I recommend first riding the bus around the zoo to get your bearings, and then walking around. It's pretty hilly there. If you have a day, 10a-5p will give you a lot of time to take things in. I wouldn't spend less than 5 hours at the zoo.

 

[BumbleB]

We usually spend opening to 4pm wandering around. I didn't even know they had a panda tour, so that's something to look into the next time we go.

 

[adisneymama]

My family is planning our first trip out west. Possibly considering a side trip to the San Diego zoo. But looking at cost for our family of 5, I'm beginning to question it. We live near two great zoo's. Both a simple day trip for us. Is it really worth the cost and detour to go to San Diego?

 

[BumbleB]

My family is planning our first trip out west. Possibly considering a side trip to the San Diego zoo. But looking at cost for our family of 5, I'm beginning to question it. We live near two great zoo's. Both a simple day trip for us. Is it really worth the cost and detour to go to San Diego?

San Diego is an awesome zoo, and I think it's worth the cost of a ticket. They have pandas, a honey badger (which was NUTS the day we visited), and a ton of animals we don't have at our zoo (Detroit). Maybe look at the website and compare exhibits with your zoos to help decide? Which zoos are near you?

 

[Purrkins]

As others said, ride the bus tour 1st. Then pick your highlights and walk to them another idea is to take the Skyfari ride to the back end of the park then walk back to the entrance.

The zoo to me is worth it (but I'm biased, I live across the street from it). It is a great zoo. The animals AND plants are simply amazing.