San Diego Zoo in a world-class zoo, one of the top San Diego attractions. There are over 4000 zoo animals, including rare and endangered species. It is set in beautiful San Diego Balboa Park , and the zoo itself is a lovely botanical garden with over 700,000 plants, which enhances the total experience.
Last updated January 31 2012 - San Diego Zoo.
San Diego Zoo Animals
The San Diego Zoo is one of four zoos in the United State to have giant pandas. Animals include such variety as Buerger’s tree kangaroos of New guinea, long-billed kiwis from New Zealand, lowland gorillas from Africa, and giant tortoises from the Galapagos islands. Visit the sister attraction, the San Wild Animal Park, appropriately renamed the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Located northeast of San Diego in Escondido, Calif., the Safari Park showcases African animals in a more spacious, natural setting.
San Diego Zoo Balboa Park
San Diego Zoo is an extraordinary experience, with over 4,000 animals in botanical garden setting in the heart of San Diego treasures – Balboa Park. Founded in 1916, the zoo has both rare animals and luscious, mature plants.
San Diego Zoo Address: San Diego Zoo location is 2930 Zoo Drive in Balboa Park, just north of downtown San Diego, CA. For mailing purposes, the San Diego Zoo address is P.O. Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112-0551
Phone Number: 619-231-1515.
Operating Hours: Daily from 9 AM – 5 PM or later. During the summer, the night time zoo is open until 9 PM. Open every day, including Christmas, New Years Day, and all major holidays.
Directions to San Diego Zoo:See below | Google Map
Food: The Zoo in San Diego Cal. has a number of dining facilities and food stands, including all-American or international fare, snacks, and healthy alternatives.
Right outside the zoo entrance is a lovely picnic area (see photo above), and of course since you are in Balboa Park, consider bringing a picnic lunch and enjoy some beautiful southern California weather.
If you are looking for a nice dinner after your day at the zoo, try Prado Restaurant in Balboa Park, rated one of the best Mexican restaurants in San Diego. Address: 1549 El Prado Drive, San Diego, CA 92101 Call for reservations telephone number: (619)557-9441
There are many cheap hotels in downtown San Diego, close to the San Deigo Zoo and other San Diego attractions. Before you decide your hotel, think about what activities you'd like to do to choose the best hotel.
Be sure to take the Park Blvd entrance to the zoo, as other entrances are sometimes closed for events in Balboa Park.
Directions from the North (Los Angeles and Orange County) - From Interstate 5, take the Pershing Drive exit and follow the signs. From Interstate 15 (Escondido and Riverside), take State Route 163 south to the Park Blvd./I-5 South exit. Exit at Park Blvd. Turn left on Park Blvd. and head north; Zoo entrance is off Park Blvd. at Zoo Place.
Directions from the South (Mexico) - From Interstate 5, take the State Route 163 north exit, then the Zoo/Museums (Richmond Street) exit and follow the signs.
Directions from the East (Imperial County and Arizona) - From Interstate 8, take State Route 163 south to the Park Blvd./I-5 South exit. Exit at Park Blvd. Turn left on Park Blvd. and head north; Zoo entrance is off Park Blvd at Zoo Place. From State Route 94, proceed into downtown San Diego to 12th Avenue. Turn right on 12th Avenue (which turns into Park Blvd.) and proceed north. Zoo entrance is off Park Blvd at Zoo Place.
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