San Diego Zoo Question

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Hello!

I am a fairly new resident of the greater LA area. I was thinking about taking my dd (6) to the San Diego Zoo. I was wondering is this type of trip doable in a day or would I need to stay overnight. It would be just dd and I and we live in Pasadena CA. We love car trips but I am not sure if this could be made into a day trip.

Thanks for your help!

 

[grumpyvet]

Yes, the day would be doable if you get up super early to avoid some of the traffic.
Traffic into downtown is pretty awful coming south as early as 7:15 AM. It can be really really bad as the morning progresses. If you came on a weekend day, traffic wouldn't be that horrible, but the zoo would be more crowded.
The zoo can be seen in a day, particularly with a 6 year old. (not as likely to need to see each bird in each enclosure).
But, if you come down for the zoo, you might want to consider seeing other parts of San Diego and spend the night!!
I feel like a LegoLand pusher, but if you haven't seen LL yet, I highly recommend it!! 6 is a really good age for it! I've been offering coupons for LL in the southern ca theme park section if you have any interest!!

 

[eduk8r26]

We've taken the train from Union Station to San Diego for the day. At the San Diego train station, we caught a bus that stopped at the entrance to the zoo. It's a great way to avoid the traffic.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Yes, the day would be doable if you get up super early to avoid some of the traffic.
Traffic into downtown is pretty awful coming south as early as 7:15 AM. It can be really really bad as the morning progresses. If you came on a weekend day, traffic wouldn't be that horrible, but the zoo would be more crowded.
The zoo can be seen in a day, particularly with a 6 year old. (not as likely to need to see each bird in each enclosure).
But, if you come down for the zoo, you might want to consider seeing other parts of San Diego and spend the night!!
I feel like a LegoLand pusher, but if you haven't seen LL yet, I highly recommend it!! 6 is a really good age for it! I've been offering coupons for LL in the southern ca theme park section if you have any interest!!

We have been to San Diego before - it is a beautiful place! We have not been to LL yet I had been concerned that it was a little to old her! It is good to know that it is not. What type of coupons are you offering?

We've taken the train from Union Station to San Diego for the day. At the San Diego train station, we caught a bus that stopped at the entrance to the zoo. It's a great way to avoid the traffic.

Good idea!

Thanks for the tips!

 

[grumpyvet]

I am a big fan, have been a member since my DD was 2---so lots of good memories there. She is now 7, and we still go.
I have coupons that are good until 12/31/07..buy an adult admission and get a child in for free. If you would like one, PM me and I will give you my address to send me a SASE to send you the coupon. It will save you $42!!! Not bad!

 

[culdesac]

I am a big fan, have been a member since my DD was 2---so lots of good memories there. She is now 7, and we still go.
I have coupons that are good until 12/31/07..buy an adult admission and get a child in for free. If you would like one, PM me and I will give you my address to send me a SASE to send you the coupon. It will save you $42!!! Not bad!

do you have anymore coupons? going on the 12th of august and looking.
thanks

 

[CanadianPaco]

bump...

 

[brodyjen]

You could, but it would only give you a few hours in the zoo, and it's far too big to really get to see it in a few hours. It probably depends on how many hours you think DD would enjoy it - my girls (7 and 3) would stay all day and all night if we let them - and how late you want to drive home. If you go during summer hours, then it's open until 9pm (10pm?), and you could be back in Pasadena before midnight. Otherwise, they close 5-6pm, and then you'd hit peak traffic driving home.

In any case, I really recommend it - it's a beautiful park, the animals are incredible.