San Diego Zoo vs. Portland, OR Zoo

[Oregonluvsdisney]

Hi. I'm trying to get an idea how steep the hills are at the San Diego Zoo compared to the hills at the Portland, OR Zoo. Anyone out there been to both and can compare them for me? We are going in November, with 2 DDs (so a double stroller) and I'll be 26 wks pregnant.

Thanks for any help you can send my way.

 

[darph nader]

Splurge and get the shuttle option. The hills can get 'steep' real quick at SDZ.

 

[JaxsonsMom]

The Hills can get quite steep at the end of the day, never been to the OR Zoo, but I know from hearing tourists that the SD Zoo can be quite the workout. I would suggest studying the map. It is easy to make sure that you really only walk down hills.

Also like the PP stated, it is worth your while to buy the guided bus tour, it's a 45 min. tour on a bus and will help you see stuff that maybe you don't to walk back to later.
When you buy that bus ticket it also included the express bus. This bus has 5 stops and can take you from the bottom canyon to the top main plaza.

It just takes some planning, but I did the zoo nurmerous time pregnant and never had any issues.

Let me know if you have any more questions...

 

[wrknmom2]

I've been to both zoos (we live in PDX and grandparents live is SD) the San Diego Zoo seems so much bigger. I agree, do the shuttle first and go back to where you want.
Have fun!

 

[Oregonluvsdisney]

thanks for all of the input. We are planning to do the bus tour, but don't really want to do the express buses because we would have to fold up our huge stroller. Just seems like a lot of hassle. We are used to walking alot, but I just didn't know how steep the hills were and thought maybe a comparison between both of the zoo's hills would be helpful in my obsessive planning!

 

[JaxsonsMom]

thanks for all of the input. We are planning to do the bus tour, but don't really want to do the express buses because we would have to fold up our huge stroller. Just seems like a lot of hassle. We are used to walking alot, but I just didn't know how steep the hills were and thought maybe a comparison between both of the zoo's hills would be helpful in my obsessive planning!

We don't do the express buses either because of the stroller and my mom is in a wheelchair. Believe me, I avoid hills constantly. Remeber the moving walkways, I don't know what kid of stroller you have but it does fit a
"graco travel system" stroller. If you have a double... sorry. There are hills that are less severe and you can locate those on the map. They are often marked for Handicap accesible routes.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Oregonluvsdisney]

We have a sit and stand stroller, so luckily its not a double wide one. I'll just look over the map really well and try to make a game plan according to suggested must sees. Thanks to all. Only 84 days till we leave....can you tell I'm a bit excited for the trip?

 

[mishela]

I grew up in San Diego. That zoo is built on a canyon. I know you don't want to fold up a stroller but the hills are extremely steep in a good portion of the zoo. I mean steep to the point that you have to keep yourself from running in many places. I would recommend the kangaroo hopper or at least plan on taking the gondolas back across. Hope this helps.

 

[splash5]

Hey we live near Portland too. We went to the San Diego zoo about 10 years ago and I don't remember a lot of hills - I think you should be fine if you pace yourself. As previous posters have stated, take the bus or gondolas and you should be fine. Just take breaks as needed. I remember it was pretty sunny and warm at the SD zoo, not as many trees as Oregon Zoo. The scenery is amazing though!!

 

[cmwade77]

I have not been to the Portland Zoo, but we do have an Annual Member to the San Diego Zoo. I strongly recommend getting the Guided Bus Tour, this also allows you access to the Express Busses all day. Please note that this option is included on many ticket packages now, otherwise it is $10 per adult and I think $5.00 per child (Members pay about $2.00 less). It is WEL worth it, the Zoo is HUGE and has a ton of STEEP hills. There are many that are steep enough that you can not take even an electric wheel chair up or down them, so a stroller would be impossible to be safe on them.

 

[Oregon Traveler]

We are annual passholders to the PDX zoo and have been to the San Diego Zoo a few times. We always buy the bus option. The hills are quite a bit steeper at the San Diego Zoo multiplied by the fact that the zoo is also bigger. We feel that the bus option allows us to stay in a better mood as we tour. Either way you'll have a ball. Enjoy your trip.