SD zoo or LA zoo's?

[Kuffam]

We have one "down day" during our DL in June. I would like to go to a zoo or aquarium, but I promised the family I would not make it an all day experience. How is the LA zoo or aquarium? or should I make the trek our to SD?

 

[SMD]

Long Beach Aquarium is probably the closest to DL. Going to SD will eat up a half day just in travel. If you're not going to do a full day at the LA Zoo you could add Griffith Observatory or Travel Town. It's a long way to go for just a half day at the zoo without doing something else in Griffith Park or the surrounding area. There's also the Santa Ana Zoo, which I don't know much about, but may be even closer than LB Aquarium.

 

[ImDMous]

The San Diego Zoo really does take all day to see properly. If you count the 3 hour travel time and you don't want to make it all day, that doesn't leave much time to be there.

 

[DWillowBay]

Another vote here for Long Beach Aquarium , especially given your time constraints. Good fun. Not far away.

 

[Camonkeygirl]

The Santa Ana Zoo is very nice, but will only take a couple of hours. The Long Beach Aquarium is very nice also

 

[Plasticletters]

As said earlier, the San Diego Zoo is an all day experience even when you're not driving 90 minutes to get there.
Santa Ana Zoo is very small - so that might be your best bet. It's also the closest option. LB Aquarium is a bit further away.
Have you considered checking out animal sanctuaries that are close by? They would not be an all day event (usually just a few hours for tour) and you'd be supporting animal conservation/rescue. None of these are super close, but they're some ideas -
http://www.gibboncenter.org/
http://lionstigersandbears.org/
http://www.farmsanctuary.org/the-sanctuaries/los-angeles-ca/

 

[cinderella313]

Being someone from San Diego, I would have the say the San Diego zoo. My husband is from LA and he said that San Diego kicks LA's Zoo's butt! It seems like it would be a lot closer to Anaheim to drive to LA but with traffic, it is sometimes quicker (time wise) to go to San Diego. I've been to both Zoo's and I have to say that I do like both of them. Either way, I think you will have a great time at either Zoo!