4 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Family Visit to The San Diego Zoo
(I was given complimentary tickets to the San Diego Zoo for my family visit in order to facilitate this post. However, all the thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own. You can read my full disclosure here.)
Are you planning a family visit to the San Diego Zoo?
During our recent family visit to San Diego, California we spent an entire day at the San Diego Zoo. (You can read more about our recent San Diego visit here.) I am glad we set aside an entire day to explore the 100-acre zoo consisting of 660 species and subspecies and over 700,000 plants. Can you say EPIC? I had been there many years ago when I was my children's age (like 4-5 years old) and couldn't wait to take my own kids. I knew they would love it for they love animals.
We all had an amazing time there. I loved how natural the habitats for each of the animals were. I also loved all the greenery which in addition to the aesthetics, provided lots of shade giving a break from the California heat while walking about the Zoo. which helped a lot with the little kids. If you are planning on a family visit to the San Diego Zoo here are my top 4 tips for getting the most out of your experience:
1. Get familiar with the Zoo
With how big the Zoo is you want to make sure you know where you are going. I highly suggest that first thing you take The Guided bus tour which is a 35-minute tour that will take you and your kids throughout the whole zoo. on a double decker bus. This tour has 2 benefits.
- You get a great overview of the zoo and where everything is (the Zoo is huge so getting an in person overview is a good idea.)
- Your kids will get to see a whole bunch of the zoo animals from a good vantage point from the comfort of a bus.
Next, make sure you grab a map. Some paths can get confusing even with the signs, and it helps to have a map to refer to so you can know where you are going. If you ever get disoriented and don;t know where you are even with the map and having taken the guided bus tour, don't hesitate to ask for help. There are ark workers all over the place.
2. Bring snacks and drinks with you or money to spend on snacks and drinks.
There is nothing worse than hungry and dehydrated kids. Which is why I HIGHLY suggest that you bring a back pack filled with healthy/yummy snacks and drinks for your family. If you don't want to bring a pack with your own snacks and drinks make sure you bring plenty of money to purchase it as needed.
There are lots of shaded areas perfect to stop and enjoy a snack as well as plenty of delicious (though sometimes costly) food eateries where you can stop and order a bite to eat, a cool treat, or refreshing drinks.
3. Pace yourself
Ok, I have mentioned it already but this Zoo is HUGE. as in 100 acres huge. Make sure you schedule plenty of time for your visit (we set aside the whole day) You don't want to push yourself or your children trying to make it through the zoo in only a few hours. Better to pace yourself. Stop and take plenty of rests in the shade to eat/drink something and to just rest along the way. This is especially important if you are going with young children.
If you and your kids start to get tired you can always take advantage of the Kangaroo Bus (a hop on and off bus) as well as the Skyfari which crosses from one side of the zoo to the other from above (my kids really loved riding on this) If you need a short break from checking out all the animals there is a really fun kids section of the zoo where you can sit and rest while your kids just run around and play.
4. Take the opportunity to take pictures
While you are taking pictures of all the amazing animals found throughout the San Diego Zoo, make sure to take all the opportunities you can to take pictures of your kids and family. There are many places (really at every turn) which have been set up as perfect spots to take pictures. While the pictures of the many animals are cool it is the pictures of your family that you will cherish the most.
Above all remember to have fun! Enjoy your time together as a family. Don't go just for the kids, but step back and enjoy your time there as if you too were a kid visiting the zoo for the first time. After all, you are never too old to enjoy a trip to the San Diego Zoo.
What is your favorite animal to see at the Zoo?
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