San Diego Wild Animal Park

San Diego Wild Animal Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley Road
Escondido, CA
(760) 747-8702
Website

• Hours: Open daily
• Reservations: Not required for general admission but needed for some special activities
• Cost: Admission charged and parking fee; read our hints for getting tickets
• Location: Escondido, 35 miles north of downtown San Diego
• How Long: Allow a full day, and get there early to see it all
• Best Time to Visit:: Less crowded on weekdays in fall and spring
• See It Now: Photo Tour

At the San Diego Wild Animal Park, species mingle just like they do in the wild, and visitors can see them as they might be seen in their native Asia and Africa. The San Diego Wild Animal Park began as a veritable Noah's Ark and was opened as a tourist attraction afterward. Today, dozens of nearly-extinct species have been bred here and re-introduced into the wild.

San Diego Wild Animal Park Exhibits and Activities

The San Diego Wild Animal Park covers 1,800 acres and there's plenty to do and see.

• Journey Into Africa: This trip may be the closest many of us will ever come to seeing these wild critters in their natural environment. Typically, you will see giraffes, several kinds of rhinoceros, elephants and other kinds of wild creatures, all roaming together like they do in the wild. The vehicle tour replaces the old Wgasa Bush Line Railway train and is not included in the lowest-priced general admission ticket.

• Heart of Africa: In this area, you'll find a giraffe feeding station where you can buy snacks and hand-feed the tall creatures. Arrive at feeding time, and you'll be sure to see the cheetahs. Check to find out the times for these activities. There are also daily animal encounters on the lawn here.

• Lorikeet Landing: Lorikeets are very colorful birds slightly larger than a parakeet. Stop at the entrance to their enclosure to buy a cup of lorikeet nectar. Hold it in your hand and the birds will sit on your finger and drink it up. This activity is highly recommended for kids and adults.

• Nairobi Village: Here you'll find the Petting Kraal where you can get some hands-on time with the tamest critters, along with the San Diego Wild Animal Park Nursery. There's also a daily bird show.

• Other areas of the San Diego Wild Animal Park include the Lion Camp, Elephant Overlook, Condor Ridge, African Aviary and Australian Rain Forest. If horticulture is your passion, you can indulge it at the Wild Animal Park. Look for the unusual gardens spread along the trails.

The San Diego Wild Animal Park raises extra money with a number of fun activities such as Photo Safaris, Cheetah Run Safari, Balloon Safari (a 15-minute ride that goes 400 feet in the air), sleepovers and special Wild Animal Park tours. Extra admission is charged for these, and you can find all the details at the San Diego Wild Animal Park website.

Review

We rate the San Diego Wild Animal Park 4 stars out of 5. We like it, especially the railway ride and the wide-open spaces filled with animals living together much as they do in the wild. However, those who oppose the ideas of zoos may not enjoy it.

Others may disagree. You can see what other people just like you think about it, then bookmark this page and after you've been there, come back and tell us what you think.

What do you think of the San Diego Wild Animal Park?

• 0 = Yuck! Just say no to this flea-bitten hole of a tourist trap
• 1 = So-So More fun than a night in jail, but you might enjoy a good nap more
• 2 = OK Some people find it interesting, but I didn't
• 3 = Good Go if you have time, but it's not a big deal if you miss it
• 4 = Great I really liked it, and I think you will, too
• 5 = Awesome! It's a must-see sight that I recommend to everyone

Hints for a Good San Diego Wild Animal Park Visit

• During the summer, ten to fifteen thousand people visit the San Diego Wild Animal Park every day. In the winter, crowds are thinner, and on a February or March weekday, you may find only a few thousand people here.

• If you want to ride the Balloon Safari, do it early in the morning. If the winds starts blowing too hard, they close it for safety.

• Walk a while, take the railway, then walk some more.

• It can get quite hot at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and water.

• It is not feasible to visit the San Diego Zoo in the same day as this park. It's too far away, and each one offers too much to do.

Getting to the San Diego Wild Animal Park

The San Diego Wild Animal Park is about 35 miles south of downtown San Diego. Get out your map or ask directions to find your way to I-15. Exit at Via Rancho Parkway and follow the signs to the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

Avoid local tour companies who offer ticket/transporation packages. They can cost as much as $25 per person over the full ticket price with no chance for discounts, and your time is limited. Instead, rent a car from a company such as Fox Rent-a-Car.

If you can't drive or don't want to, use public transport. For the impatient, a taxi from downtown runs about $20 which is partly offset by the money you save on parking. Call Yellow Cab at 619-234-6161 Orange Cab at 619-223-5555.