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San Diego Zoo (United States)

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San Diego Zoo, {CATEGORY}

This world-famous establishment is clearly no ordinary zoo. Walk or ride a double-decker bus throughout this expansive park, home to over 4,000 rare and exotic animals exhibited in beautiful garden habitats. More than a park, San Diego Zoo is a major research facility although it is cleverly disguised with entertaining shows and inspiring exhibits like Polar Bear Plunge and Hippo Beach.

Practical Information

Address: 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-1646

City: San Diego

State: California (CA)

Country: United States

Phone 1: +1 619 231 1515

Official site: www.sandiegozoo.org

Opening hours: Sept to mid-June daily 9am-4pm. mid-June to Aug daily 9am-8pm

Entrance fee: Admission $29 adults, $19 children 3-11, free for children 2 and under and active-duty military (U.S. and foreign), Best Value package (includes guided bus tour, round-trip Skyfari aerial tram) $35 adults, $31 seniors, $26 children, free for children 11 and under in Oct

Credit Card Payment: American Express, MasterCard, Visa

Access by bus: Bus 7. I-5 S. to Pershing Dr.

Hotels nearby

1,194 yd - Inn at the Park

With its central location, Park Manor Suites Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in San Diego (CA).The Park Manor Suites Hotel boasts a convenient location wiRead moreth modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service.Each guestroom is fully equipped with non smoking rooms, air conditioning, bathrobes, desk, hair dryer, ironing board, in room safe.To suit guests' convenience, this San Diego (CA) accommodation offers 24hr room service, shops, elevator, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning.These top-class facilities are complemented to excellent services to meet the needs of visitors to San Diego (CA). To proceed with this reservation at the Park Manor Suites Hotel, please enter your visit dates and follow our secure online booking form.Hide

1,298 yd - Britt Scripps Inn

Discover all that San Diego (CA) has to offer with Britt Scripps Inn as a base.The Britt Scripps Inn boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service.Each guestRead moreroom has air conditioning, bathrobes, hair dryer, ironing board, separate shower and tub.To suit guests' convenience, this San Diego (CA) accommodation offers shops.This hotel is characterized by a combination of modern comfort and traditional element of San Diego (CA), making it a distinct accommodation. To proceed with this reservation at the Britt Scripps Inn, please enter your visit dates and follow our secure online booking form.Hide

1 mi - Americas Best Value Inn-Downtown/Convention Centre

The Americas Best Value Inn-Downtown/Convention Centre is located in San Diego (CA) making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. All the modern facilities are available in all of the hotRead moreel's 92 rooms. Each guestroom features amenities such as internet access – wireless (complimentary), air conditioning, television, ironing board. This San Diego (CA) accommodation features on-site facilities such as business center, Wi-Fi in public areas, pets allowed. For a more enjoyable stay, guests can take advantage of a variety of recreational facilities, including garden. This hotel is characterized by a combination of modern comfort and traditional element of San Diego (CA), making it a distinct accommodation. To book a room easily at the Americas Best Value Inn-Downtown/Convention Centre, please submit your travel dates and proceed with our secure online booking form.Hide

1 mi - Americas Best Value Inn

The Americas Best Value Inn Hotel is located in San Diego (CA) making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town.The Americas Best Value Inn Hotel boasts a convenient location with modern amenRead moreities in every guestroom and superb service.Each guestroom is tastefully appointed with non smoking rooms, air conditioning, desk, hair dryer, ironing board, television, separate shower and tub, mini bar.Services and amenities available for guests at this San Diego (CA) accommodation consist of 24hr room service, shops, elevator, laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities, room service.Leisure and sports facilities available on the hotel's property comprise garden.The hotel provides a warm and welcoming service of international standard.To make a reservation at the Americas Best Value Inn Hotel San Diego (CA) with our secure online booking form, please choose your preffered period of stay.Hide

1.1 mi - Hotel Occidental

With its central location, Occidental Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in San Diego (CA).The Occidental Hotel boasts a convenient location with modern amenRead moreities in every guestroom and superb service.Room amenities include hair dryer, daily newspaper, non smoking rooms.The amenities and services offered at this San Diego (CA) accommodation include safety deposit boxes, 24hr room service, laundry service/dry cleaning.To unwind, guests can enjoy the leisure facilities provided on the hotel's property, including garden.Being one of the good quality hotels in San Diego (CA), guests staying at this hotel will find its convenient location and tranquil atmosphere pleasurable. To make your reservation at the Occidental Hotel via our secure online booking form, please submit your visit dates. Hide

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San Diego Zoo, {CATEGORY}

More than 4,000 creatures reside at this celebrated, influential zoo, started in 1916 and run by the Zoological Society of San Diego. In the early days, the zoo's founder, Dr. Harry Wegeforth, traveled around the world and bartered native Southwestern animals such as rattlesnakes and sea lions for more exotic species. The zoo is also an accredited botanical garden, lavished with more than 700,000 plants, "Dr. Harry" brought home plants from every location where he acquired animals, ensuring what would become the zoo's naturalistic and mature environment. The zoo is one of only four in the United States with giant pandas - including the most recent arrival, Zhen Zhen, who was born here in 2007. Many other rare species are here as well, including Buerger's tree kangaroos of New Guinea, long-billed kiwis from New Zealand, wild Przewalski's horses from Mongolia, lowland gorillas from Africa, and giant tortoises from the Galapagos. Monkey Trails and Forest Tales is the largest, most elaborate habitat in the zoo's history, re-creating a wooded forest full of endangered species such as the mandrill monkey, clouded leopard, and pygmy hippopotamus. An elevated trail through the treetops allows for close observation of the primate, bird, and plant life that thrive in the forest canopy. Absolutely Apes showcases orangutans and siamangs (black-furred gibbons) of Indonesia, while next door is Gorilla Tropics, where two troops of Western lowland gorillas roam an 8,000-square-foot habitat. Despite the hype, I find the Giant Panda Research Center not worth the hassle when there's a long line (lines are shortest first thing in the morning or toward the end of the day). More noteworthy is Ituri Forest, which simulates a central African rainforest with forest buffalos, otters, okapis, and hippos, which are viewed underwater from a glassed-in enclosure. At the Polar Bear Plunge you'll find a 4 1/2-acre summer tundra habitat populated by Siberian reindeer, yellow-throated martens, and diving ducks, as well as polar bears. The Children's Zoo features a nursery with baby animals and a petting area where kids can cuddle up to sheep, goats, and the like, there's also a sea lion show at the 3,000-seat amphitheater (easy to skip if you're headed to SeaWorld). Opening summer 2009 is Elephant Odyssey, which will feature a herd of Asian elephants as well as life-size replicas of prehistoric animals. If a lot of walking - some of it on steep hills - isn't your passion, a 35-minute Guided Bus Tour provides a narrated overview and covers about 75% of the facility. It costs $10 for adults, $7 for children 3 to 11, it's included in the so-called "Best Value" admission package. Since you get only brief glimpses of the enclosures, and animals won't always be visible, you'll want to revisit some areas. Included in the bus ticket is access to the un-narrated Express Bus, which allows you to get on and off at one of five different stops along the same route. You can also get an aerial perspective from the Skyfari, which costs $4 per person each way, though you won't see many creatures. An ideal plan is to take the complete bus tour first thing in the morning, when the animals are more active (waits for the bus tour can be long on a busy day), after the bus tour, take the Skyfari to the far side of the park and wend your way back on foot or by Express Bus to revisit animals you missed.

San Diego Zoo, {CATEGORY}

More than 4,000 creatures reside at this celebrated, influential zoo, started in 1916 and run by the Zoological Society of San Diego. In the early days, the zoo's founder, Dr. Harry Wegeforth, traveled around the world and bartered native Southwestern animals such as rattlesnakes and sea lions for more exotic species. The zoo is also an accredited botanical garden, lavished with more than 700,000 plants, "Dr. Harry" brought home plants from every location where he acquired animals, ensuring what would become the zoo's naturalistic and mature environment. The zoo is one of only four in the United States with giant pandas - including the most recent arrival, Zhen Zhen, who was born here in 2007. Many other rare species are here as well, including Buerger's tree kangaroos of New Guinea, long-billed kiwis from New Zealand, wild Przewalski's horses from Mongolia, lowland gorillas from Africa, and giant tortoises from the Galapagos. Monkey Trails and Forest Tales is the largest, most elaborate habitat in the zoo's history, re-creating a wooded forest full of endangered species such as the mandrill monkey, clouded leopard, and pygmy hippopotamus. An elevated trail through the treetops allows for close observation of the primate, bird, and plant life that thrive in the forest canopy. Absolutely Apes showcases orangutans and siamangs (black-furred gibbons) of Indonesia, while next door is Gorilla Tropics, where two troops of Western lowland gorillas roam an 8,000-square-foot habitat. Despite the hype, I find the Giant Panda Research Center not worth the hassle when there's a long line (lines are shortest first thing in the morning or toward the end of the day). More noteworthy is Ituri Forest, which simulates a central African rainforest with forest buffalos, otters, okapis, and hippos, which are viewed underwater from a glassed-in enclosure. At the Polar Bear Plunge you'll find a 4 1/2-acre summer tundra habitat populated by Siberian reindeer, yellow-throated martens, and diving ducks, as well as polar bears. The Children's Zoo features a nursery with baby animals and a petting area where kids can cuddle up to sheep, goats, and the like, there's also a sea lion show at the 3,000-seat amphitheater (easy to skip if you're headed to SeaWorld). Opening summer 2009 is Elephant Odyssey, which will feature a herd of Asian elephants as well as life-size replicas of prehistoric animals. If a lot of walking - some of it on steep hills - isn't your passion, a 35-minute Guided Bus Tour provides a narrated overview and covers about 75% of the facility. It costs $10 for adults, $7 for children 3 to 11, it's included in the so-called "Best Value" admission package. Since you get only brief glimpses of the enclosures, and animals won't always be visible, you'll want to revisit some areas. Included in the bus ticket is access to the un-narrated Express Bus, which allows you to get on and off at one of five different stops along the same route. You can also get an aerial perspective from the Skyfari, which costs $4 per person each way, though you won't see many creatures. An ideal plan is to take the complete bus tour first thing in the morning, when the animals are more active (waits for the bus tour can be long on a busy day), after the bus tour, take the Skyfari to the far side of the park and wend your way back on foot or by Express Bus to revisit animals you missed.

San Diego Zoo, {CATEGORY}

This world-famous establishment is clearly no ordinary zoo. Walk or ride a double-decker bus throughout this expansive park, home to over 4,000 rare and exotic animals exhibited in beautiful garden habitats. More than a park, San Diego Zoo is a major research facility although it is cleverly disguised with entertaining shows and inspiring exhibits like Polar Bear Plunge and Hippo Beach.

San Diego Zoo, {CATEGORY}

This world-famous establishment is clearly no ordinary zoo. Walk or ride a double-decker bus throughout this expansive park, home to over 4,000 rare and exotic animals exhibited in beautiful garden habitats. More than a park, San Diego Zoo is a major research facility although it is cleverly disguised with entertaining shows and inspiring exhibits like Polar Bear Plunge and Hippo Beach.