irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
So over a year ago we went to the San Diego Safari Park:http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,2021.0.html
This year, since we decided on a Staycation for the holidays, and the kids wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/san-diego-zoo-san-diego
I don't even know if I have ever been there... even as a kid because we would go to the LA Zoo. After walking around a bit, it didn't trigger any neural synapses so I think it was my first time.
The Mrs, who doesn't like zoos, noted that this one seemed better than the others we have visited because the animals seemed more engaged and active. We're not sure if it's the time of the year... or how this zoo is laid out.... but I do think the SD zoo has a better environment for the animals than other zoos. She always feels sorry for the animals because they are "trapped"... I try to tell her that she needs to consider the other side where in the wild, these animals would probably not live as long and have harder lives... where as in a zoo, they are pampered, admired by many and don't have to hunt or are not hunted. At least.... that what I tell the kids.
All in all, it was a fun experience, everything was walkable and you can see many of the animals well. Food was sort of expensive (about $8-10), drinks were very expensive ($5 for a soda).... but kid meals were okay ($7.70 including a drink).
We bought tickets at AAA.... you get a 10% discount buying ticket at the zoo with your AAA card... but if you buy them from AAA, you get about a 12% discount (we bought ours at the AAA on Alton and Culver). If you plan to visit the zoo more during 2013, you can upgrade your tickets in the park to an annual membership for only $55 per 2 adults and $11 per child.
For a souvenir, the kids wanted to buy a plush in the gift shop, but instead we did the AdoptAnAnimal program where you donate $15/20/25/50 and you get an adoption certificate, a picture of the animal, a small tote bag and a small plush of the animal. The money goes towards buying food and misc items for the animals in the zoo.... something we thought was better than just buying something from the gift shop.
EDIT: Ticket prices for 1-day are $44 for adults, $34 for kids (before discounts).,
This year, since we decided on a Staycation for the holidays, and the kids wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/san-diego-zoo-san-diego
I don't even know if I have ever been there... even as a kid because we would go to the LA Zoo. After walking around a bit, it didn't trigger any neural synapses so I think it was my first time.
The Mrs, who doesn't like zoos, noted that this one seemed better than the others we have visited because the animals seemed more engaged and active. We're not sure if it's the time of the year... or how this zoo is laid out.... but I do think the SD zoo has a better environment for the animals than other zoos. She always feels sorry for the animals because they are "trapped"... I try to tell her that she needs to consider the other side where in the wild, these animals would probably not live as long and have harder lives... where as in a zoo, they are pampered, admired by many and don't have to hunt or are not hunted. At least.... that what I tell the kids.
All in all, it was a fun experience, everything was walkable and you can see many of the animals well. Food was sort of expensive (about $8-10), drinks were very expensive ($5 for a soda).... but kid meals were okay ($7.70 including a drink).
We bought tickets at AAA.... you get a 10% discount buying ticket at the zoo with your AAA card... but if you buy them from AAA, you get about a 12% discount (we bought ours at the AAA on Alton and Culver). If you plan to visit the zoo more during 2013, you can upgrade your tickets in the park to an annual membership for only $55 per 2 adults and $11 per child.
For a souvenir, the kids wanted to buy a plush in the gift shop, but instead we did the AdoptAnAnimal program where you donate $15/20/25/50 and you get an adoption certificate, a picture of the animal, a small tote bag and a small plush of the animal. The money goes towards buying food and misc items for the animals in the zoo.... something we thought was better than just buying something from the gift shop.
EDIT: Ticket prices for 1-day are $44 for adults, $34 for kids (before discounts).,
