San Diego Zoo

It’s been a few years since I’ve to the San Diego Zoo. The last time, we were there for a few hours and really had a great time, so I was happy to head back. I’m not really a fan of modern zoos. I hate that animals are cooped up in cages or in areas and for the most part they all appear either really bored, or waiting to strike and kill us all at any minute. I do have a special place in my heart for the San Diego Zoo. They do all kinds of work to help animals on the brink have a fighting chance to survive – specifically, the great work they have done with the California Condor and the Giant Pandas.

On the day we visited, it was pretty darn hot and crowded. My pro tip: Avoid weekends and go in the fall or spring when it’s not that hot and the animals will seem livelier at their active times. As a bonus, it doesn’t quite smell as bad as it does when it was hot. Needless to say, our hot weekend visit was less than optimal, but it was nice to see the Pandas and explore some of the new exhibits. The staff were all friendly and as a plus our tickets included unlimited skyway and tram rides which are the best.

I am glad that the Zoo also operates the Safari Park in nearby-ish Escondido as that location gives animals the space they are lacking at the zoo. Due to it’s optimal location in Balboa Park, they are limited to where and how much they can expand, so it’s nice to know they have some breathing room down the road (even though houses are encroaching there too). I yearn for a day when a zoo is a convenient location for people to visit, but has enough space to give animals as much room as possible and make their human interactions less intrusive. Is there a way to make a zoo where the animals don’t know the humans are there? Would be cool.

Here are some photos to enjoy: