San Diego Zoo Preferred Day to Visit

[Mabel67]

Hi.

We are planning on being in San Diego September 20-24.
We plan to do Coronado, Seaport, Cabrillo, Padres game, Old Town.
We would also like to add in the zoo.. We could do it on Sunday, with Seaport in the evening or Monday with ball game in the evening.

We have done all of these places before so know what we want out of each one. So my question is whether Monday or Sunday would be better. I would guess Monday would be a bit quieter after the weekend but are unsure whether there would be much difference?

Also, is there any good eats at the zoo? Though, I find it weird eating at a zoo or seaworld. I wonder if the daily special is a failed exhibit. Haha. JK.

Any input is appreciated! Thanks.

 

[sonnyjane]

Hi.

We are planning on being in San Diego September 20-24.

We have done all of these places before so know what we want out of each one. So my question is whether Monday or Sunday would be better. I would guess Monday would be a bit quieter after the weekend but are unsure whether there would be much difference?

Also, is there any good eats at the zoo? Though, I find it weird eating at a zoo or seaworld. I wonder if the daily special is a failed exhibit. Haha. JK.

Any input is appreciated! Thanks.

Monday will be less crowded than Sunday at the zoo, but during that time of year, the Sunday crowds won't be too awful so really just do the zoo on whichever day fits into your schedule the best.

As far as food at the zoo, they have revamped it lately. There is the new Sandwich Company near the front, Sabertooth Grill at Elephant Odyssey is good, and Hua Mei Cafe near pandas is good too. I promise no zoo animals are harmed in the making of your lunch lol.

If you visit here, you can see the menus for the individual restaurants http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/dining

 

[Mabel67]

Monday will be less crowded than Sunday at the zoo, but during that time of year, the Sunday crowds won't be too awful so really just do the zoo on whichever day fits into your schedule the best.

As far as food at the zoo, they have revamped it lately. There is the new Sandwich Company near the front, Sabertooth Grill at Elephant Odyssey is good, and Hua Mei Cafe near pandas is good too. I promise no zoo animals are harmed in the making of your lunch lol.

If you visit here, you can see the menus for the individual restaurants http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/dining

Thanks Sonnyjane! I has hoping you would see this.

I will check out those menus but if I see anything close to 'zebra bake' or 'flamingo club wrap' I'm out!!!

 

[Mabel67]

One more question. At DL carts they have the frozen lemonade in a cup. I recall SD zoo having similar but with an option for root beer. We absolutely loved these!! Are they still available?

Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

One more question. At DL carts they have the frozen lemonade in a cup. I recall SD zoo having similar but with an option for root beer. We absolutely loved these!! Are they still available?

Thanks!

Oh boo I don't recall seeing root beer! I know at the zoo they have regular frozen lemonade, strawberry lemonade, and ORANGE as well, which some people get excited about lol.

 

[Mabel67]

Oh boo I don't recall seeing root beer! I know at the zoo they have regular frozen lemonade, strawberry lemonade, and ORANGE as well, which some people get excited about lol.

Maybe it was at Seaworld. But pretty sure it was the zoo. And they were FABULOUS!!! Must be about 10 years ago though. We will still check but I guess we won't get our hopes up.

 

[sonnyjane]

Maybe it was at Seaworld. But pretty sure it was the zoo. And they were FABULOUS!!! Must be about 10 years ago though. We will still check but I guess we won't get our hopes up.

You haven't been to the zoo in ten years!?!?!? Then you have TONS of new things to see!!!!!! It's almost a new zoo!

 

[Mabel67]

You haven't been to the zoo in ten years!?!?!? Then you have TONS of new things to see!!!!!! It's almost a new zoo!

Well that's all I needed to hear! We will definitely be going now! Especially considering the price is so reasonable too!

Are we ok to jus together there and wander or should we have a specific plan?

 

[sonnyjane]

Well that's all I needed to hear! We will definitely be going now! Especially considering the price is so reasonable too!

Are we ok to jus together there and wander or should we have a specific plan?

If you buy the regular 1-day pass it will include the guided bus tour, the Kangaroo Express bus, and the Skyfari tram. They also have a 4D movie theater but that is $6 extra and not included with the regular general ticket.

I'd recommend going to the pandas first thing because that's the only thing that can get a line (although you'll be going in off-season so it won't be anything like what we've been experiencing all summer!). We have two panda babies - one 3 and one just turned 1 - so they attract a crowd. After you see the pandas, then I'd recommend coming back to the front of the zoo and getting on the bus tour. That will give you a good overview (it covers 70% of the exhibits) then you can get off and explore on your own. Some of the recent exhibits that have opened in the last few years (and definitely since your last visit) are Elephant Odyssey, Panda Trek, Polar Bear Plunge, and new this year is the new Australian Outback exhibit. They are doing construction in the Children's Zoo as well but I don't know if that will be open by the time you're here.

 

[Mabel67]

If you buy the regular 1-day pass it will include the guided bus tour, the Kangaroo Express bus, and the Skyfari tram. They also have a 4D movie theater but that is $6 extra and not included with the regular general ticket.

I'd recommend going to the pandas first thing because that's the only thing that can get a line (although you'll be going in off-season so it won't be anything like what we've been experiencing all summer!). We have two panda babies - one 3 and one just turned 1 - so they attract a crowd. After you see the pandas, then I'd recommend coming back to the front of the zoo and getting on the bus tour. That will give you a good overview (it covers 70% of the exhibits) then you can get off and explore on your own. Some of the recent exhibits that have opened in the last few years (and definitely since your last visit) are Elephant Odyssey, Panda Trek, Polar Bear Plunge, and new this year is the new Australian Outback exhibit. They are doing construction in the Children's Zoo as well but I don't know if that will be open by the time you're here.

This sounds like a plan we can follow. Thank you for you expertise.

 

[sonnyjane]

This sounds like a plan we can follow. Thank you for you expertise.

Unfortunately I'll be on a cruise to Alaska during those dates or else I'd have you come visit me!

 

[Mabel67]

Unfortunately I'll be on a cruise to Alaska during those dates or else I'd have you come visit me!

Oh have a wonderful cruise! My parents will be on Princess to Alaska at this time too! Have you been before? It's a great experience.

Have fun.

 

[sonnyjane]

Oh have a wonderful cruise! My parents will be on Princess to Alaska at this time too! Have you been before? It's a great experience.

Have fun.

Never! It's just hubby and I for my 30th birthday we will be on Holland America.

 

[Mabel67]

Never! It's just hubby and I for my 30th birthday we will be on Holland America.

Well enjoy! It's an awesome time.
And Happy Birthday!

 

[sonnyjane]

Well enjoy! It's an awesome time.
And Happy Birthday!

Thanks! And have fun at the zoo. WEAR COMFY SHOES!