My first reaction upon arriving at the San Diego Zoo was I understood wearing running shoes was a great decision. Having checked the Zoo’s website I knew there was at least 1200 acres of lush plants, wild animals, shops and restaurants to explore but who thought about all the walking, not me.
I thought riding a horse around the grounds as Dr. Harry Wegeforth, the founder, did would have been fun but I opted for a balloon ride, went on a Safari and took an art class on my first day of my Photo Sleepover weekend.
It is amazing how long the neck of a giraffe is when you see one of these animals up close. I think I spotted a clouded leopard amongst the foliage in the Monkey Trails and I laughed at the antics of the Bonobos pigmy chimpanzees.
But one of my biggest thrills was at the Plunge an underwater viewing room when I checked out Kalluk the polar bear because he swam over to check me out, face to face.
Talking about bears I found out the Borneau sun bear named Bulan was the second sun bear born in the United States in 2006.
In the Wild Animal Park March 11, 2007 at 9:14pm Punge the African baby elephant became one of the Zoo’s new babies.
On my first day I stopped at the Safari Kitchen for lunch and later had dinner at Sydney’s Grill.
After a fun evening I decided to take the Balboa Miniature Railroad ride to start my second day then I checked out the Ituri Forest because I wanted to see the hippos. After reading the true story called “Mama” about the baby hippo that lost his mama in a tsunami wave and adopted a male tortoise as his new mom I wanted to see a hippopotamus up close.
Later I went to the Children’s Zoo to observe a honey bee hive because of the concern for the loss of bees around the world by farmers and scientists. We forget the bees keep our food chain growing which keeps the human race from disappearing.
As a plant lover I was in heaven when I realized the Zoo was the home of more than a million plants. From the Succulent Gardens to the Conifer Forest and the orchid collection, one of many collections, there is so much to see and wish you had in your own garden.
I plan to come back May 16, 2007 to listen to photographer Ron Garrison talk about his 13-day Antarctic expedition. I can’t wait to see the photos of the whales and other animal life in this vast region.
I didn’t realize the Zoo set up World Wide Tours and after reading through the itinerary for the Galapagos Islands trip August 23 with an optional extension to Macho Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas” in Peru I am ready to travel.
After a fun evening on the sleepover, I decided to start my second day by taking the Balboa Miniature Railroad ride. Then I enjoyed dining on the deck overlooking a waterfall at Albert’s next to the Gorilla Tropics.
Before my day ended I went shopping for books, t-shirts and some garden accessories.
By the way the San Diego Zoo is going green.
See you there.
In case you need directions to the San Diego Zoo
The address is 2920 Zoo Drive in Balboa Park, just north of downtown San Diego.
If you are coming from the NORTH from Los Angeles and Orange County on Interstate 5 take the Pershing Drive exit and follow the signs to the zoo.
If you are coming from Escondido and Riverside on Interstate 15 take Route 163 south to the Park Blvd/I-5 South exit. Exit at Park Blvd. Turn left on Park Blvd. and head north. The Zoo entrance is off Park Blvd. at Zoo Place.
For those of you driving from the south along Interstate 5 you may be coming from Mexico so take the State Route 163 north exit, then the Zoo/Museums exit which is Richmond Street and follow the signs.
Directions from the EAST from Imperial County and Arizona on Interstate 8 take State Route 163 south to the Park Blvd. /I-5 South exit. Exit at Park Blvd. Turn left on Park Blvd. You will head be heading north and the Zoo entrance is off Park Blvd at Zoo Place.
If you are coming from State Route 94, head into downtown San Diego till you come to 12th Avenue. Turn right on 12th Avenue (which turns into Park Blvd.) and proceed north. The Zoo entrance is off Park Blvd at Zoo Place.
In case you get lost or just require some general information call information call (619) 234-3153.
Better yet, here is a drawing which may give you a rough idea of where you are in relation to the Zoo.
The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park, near downtown San Diego. The Wild Animal Park is located approximately 35 miles north of the Zoo, near the city of Escondido.
Now if you don’t like to drive or prefer having your own chauffer then you can choose one of the following drivers:-
Public Transportation
The drivers are always friendly and get through traffic quite quickly. You can contact the different services by calling 1-800-266-6883 known as 1-800-Commute or visit the website www.sdcommute.com
By Bus
I have always enjoyed taking the bus because I like to people watch and I don’t have to play in traffic so take the #7 bus line which runs between downtown San Diego and East San Diego and La Mesa.
If you are from the downtown area take any outbound #7 bus. The bus will travel north on Park Blvd. and it will stop at Zoo Place. Just tell your driver to let you know when you should be ready to embark (get off) for your big adventure
If you are coming from East San Diego and La Mesa take any inbound #7 bus heading into the downtown area. The bus will travel west on University Avenue and turn south onto Park Blvd. to a stop at Zoo Place.
For those of you coming from inland North County just call the 1-800-266-6883 for information on the Express Bus.
By Trolley
I have never taken the trolley but it sounds like fun so from areas in the central, east, and south counties, the fastest way to get to the Zoo is to take any of the trolley lines .They come in great colors such as orange, blue, or green and they head into downtown San Diego. Get off at the City College stop which is 12th Ave. and C St. Then transfer to the outbound #7 bus just around the corner at 11th and C. It will take you to the Zoo stop at Zoo Place. All for the price of your trolley ticket.
By Train
I am a train nut, love traveling by train especially if there is food on board. From coastal North County take the Coaster to the downtown Santa Fe train station then transfer to the Trolley and proceed to the City College stop at 12th Ave. and C St.. Get off at the City College stop and transfer to the outbound #7 bus just around the corner at 11th and C. It will take you to the Zoo stop at Zoo Place. Your trolley ticket will cover your bus fare. I know it means three different drivers and different vehicles but the professional drivers do drop you right in front of the Zoo and you didn’t have to get upset in traffic.
