A go to to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park will not be your typical zoo day. Situated on 1,800 acres in Escondido, it affords a singular likelihood to see animals roaming in bigger, open habitats that replicate the savannas, forests, and highlands they name house. You’ll stroll amongst kangaroos, observe platypuses, and trip a free narrated tram previous giraffes and rhinos.
As a longtime member of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, I’ve explored the park in each season and temperature, with youngsters and with out, for full days and half-days. My insider ideas will provide help to keep away from crowds, keep cool, get monetary savings, and see the animals at their most energetic.
Earlier than You Go: Good Planning Ideas
1. Purchase discounted tickets upfront
As you’ve heard me say all through this web site, there’s no have to pay gate costs at our theme parks. The best manner to save cash is to purchase your 1-Day Cross on-line upfront.
Utilizing my promo code additionally lets you skip the ticket cubicles completely, heading straight for the doorway turnstiles. Your tickets are emailed instantly and could be scanned out of your telephone.
1-Day Cross — Use My Promo Code For the Greatest Deal!
Skip the ticket line and go straight to the gate with a cellular or printed ticket. Legitimate for one 12 months from the acquisition date.
Discounted value: $68/ages 12+ and $8/ages 3–11
Use promo code lajollamom for $8 off!
2. Think about a sightseeing go for those who plan to go to a number of points of interest
Each the Go Metropolis San Diego go and the San Diego CityPASS embody admission to the Safari Park. When you’re additionally planning to go to high points of interest like LEGOLAND California, SeaWorld San Diego, or the San Diego Zoo, considered one of these passes can provide substantial financial savings in comparison with shopping for separate tickets.
Evaluation what every go consists of to verify it aligns along with your itinerary.
When you’re not sure whether or not to decide on 1-Day tickets or sightseeing passes, learn my recommendation for saving cash on San Diego Safari Park tickets.
3. Verify the climate for Escondido, not San Diego
Don’t depend on the coastal forecast. The Safari Park is situated about 35 miles inland in Escondido, the place the local weather is completely different.
Not like the cool, marine-influenced climate in La Jolla or downtown San Diego, inland areas warmth up shortly. It’s usually 10–15 levels hotter, with afternoon temperatures within the 90s throughout summer time and early fall. It may also be a lot colder within the mornings than alongside the coast between the autumn and spring.
All the time test the Escondido forecast so you possibly can costume appropriately, keep hydrated, and time outside actions correctly.
4. Costume in layers and put on good strolling footwear
Temperatures swing on the Safari Park. It could be cool whenever you arrive and blazing scorching by noon. Costume in mild layers which you could peel off because it warms up, or put again on within the late afternoon because it will get chilly once more.
Sturdy, closed-toe strolling footwear are important. You’ll doubtless cowl 5–7 miles over a mixture of paths and mild hills. Skip the sandals and flip-flops, particularly for teenagers.
5. Obtain the San Diego Zoo Safari Park app
The official app features a GPS-enabled map, present and encounter occasions, restroom places, and strolling instructions between reveals. It’s up to date in actual time. Free Wi-Fi is out there all through many of the park.
I nonetheless decide up a paper map for a full view of the park. And convey an exterior battery to maintain your telephone powered as a result of theme park apps can drain battery.
I additionally suppose it’s a good suggestion to review the app earlier than you go to get a really feel for the place every part is situated. There’s additionally an inventory of animals to see.
6. Ebook paid safaris upfront
Safaris like Wildlife Safari, Cart Safari, and Flightline Safari usually promote out, particularly throughout holidays and faculty breaks. Reserving early on-line ensures your spot and offers you time to assessment vital age, weight, and costume code restrictions. You’ll be able to learn my full information to San Diego Zoo Safari Park excursions for extra particulars.
Your First Hour: Begin Sturdy and Keep away from the Crowds
7. Arrive earlier than the park opens at 9 a.m.
The park opens at 9 a.m., and parking is $20 per car. Arriving at 8:40 a.m. allows you to park, go via safety, and be one of many first individuals via the gates. That is what I do.
8. Begin your day in Walkabout Australia
Head straight to the Platypus Habitat which is the one one exterior Australia earlier than it will get crowded. Since they’re nocturnal the exhibit is darkish. Give your eyes a little bit little bit of time to regulate so that you could see them.
Subsequent, step into the adjoining kangaroo and wallaby walk-through, the place you possibly can stroll a barrier-free path and observe them up shut, additionally earlier than crowds arrive. If I don’t see the platypuses, I’ll head right here after which attempt to see them once more. It’s typically powerful.
9. Time your Africa Tram for ~half-hour after opening
The Africa Tram begins operating about half-hour after the park opens (round 9:30 a.m.). Use the primary half hour for Walkabout Australia, then arrive on the tram station a couple of minutes early nevertheless it’s actually not a deal breaker, in my expertise, for those who queue a bit later so don’t rush for those who don’t really feel prefer it.
Sit on the left for longer giraffe views; the best facet affords higher views of rhinos and antelope. However don’t fear an excessive amount of as both facet is nice, for my part. It’s a 25-minute trip.
Animal Viewing Ideas: When and The place to See the Motion
These are simply strategies. When you discover in a special order or spot the animals at different occasions of day than I counsel, that’s completely okay.
10. Go to Tiger Path (and contemplate a second go later)
Tiger Path’s bamboo-shaded paths are good throughout noon warmth, and the habitat affords a number of angles together with an underwater viewing window the place a Sumatran tiger could swim.
Think about looping again once more in late afternoon when huge cats usually perk up as temperatures drop, for those who’re visiting on a scorching day. There’s additionally a small playground and a grab-and-go cafe.
11. Don’t miss Gorilla Forest
This shaded, glass-fronted habitat makes it straightforward to look at the troop’s social dynamics—playful juveniles, resting adults, and loads of foraging. Benches and tree cowl make it a pure spot to pause with out shedding the view.
12. Prioritize lions, elephants, and cheetahs earlier than midday
Giant mammals are sometimes most energetic within the cooler morning hours. Plan Lion Camp, Elephant Valley overlooks, and the cheetah habitat earlier than lunch. In peak warmth, they usually retreat deep into shade and are more durable to identify.
13. Discover the aviaries for a quiet, climate-controlled break
Hidden Jungle and Wings of the World provide shut hen encounters and aid from warmth or the occasional drizzle. They’re very best as a mid-route reset when the solar is strongest and little legs want a calmer tempo.
14. Look ahead to keeper enrichment exercise
Wildlife care specialists set out puzzle feeders, ice treats, scents, or novel objects to stimulate pure behaviors. These periods aren’t all the time listed, so ask a docent or staffer what’s developing. You’ll get among the liveliest animal moments this fashion.
15. Plan round Butterfly Jungle in spring
From roughly March to early Could, Hidden Jungle transforms with hundreds of free-flying butterflies. You often want a separate ticket and the expertise lasts about 20 minutes. It additionally consists of nectar to supply the butterflies as you discover!
Eating and Refreshments: The place to Eat and Drink
16. Carry your personal snacks or lunch
Outdoors meals is allowed in small, soft-sided coolers (no glass or alcohol). Packing sandwiches, fruit, and snacks saves cash and retains you versatile if strains are lengthy or youngsters get hungry at odd occasions. Picnic tables are scattered all through the park.
17. Carry a refillable water bottle
You’ll discover water refill stations throughout the park, and each restaurant will present filtered water and ice totally free. Staying hydrated is crucial within the inland warmth, and this straightforward behavior saves cash on bottled water.
18. Reserve The Watering Gap for a sit-down meal
At Kijamii Overlook, The Watering Gap pairs informal desk service with panoramic savanna views. Watching rhinos and giraffes whilst you eat is uniquely “Safari Park.” Reserve forward on busy days to keep away from a wait.
19. Use kiosks for fast bites
For quick snacks or kid-friendly meals, search for grab-and-go stands like Barking Deer BBQ close to the doorway or Macan Market by Tiger Path. Menus rotate seasonally, so verify choices within the app and time meals exterior peak lunch hour.
Household Ideas: Holding Youngsters Blissful and Cool
20. Construct breaks into your route with play areas
The Mawazo Woods Discovery Space (close to Gorilla Forest) and the small playground by Tiger Path give youngsters area to climb whereas adults regroup within the shade. These brief resets maintain everybody’s stamina up for the longer walks between habitats.
21. Pack swimwear or dry garments for Savanna Cool Zone
Close to Lion Camp, the splash pad’s misting jets and animal-shaped sprayers are a lifesaver on scorching days. It’s seasonal, so test standing within the app. A towel and alter of garments imply you possibly can cool off and maintain going.
22. Journey the Conservation Carousel
In Safari Base Camp, the Conservation Carousel options dozens of trip figures modeled after endangered species. It’s a feel-good, kid-approved break within the shade, and shopping for a number of trip tokens up entrance can save time later.
Park Logistics: Consolation and Comfort Necessities
23. Use lockers to journey lighter
Coin-operated lockers close to the doorway allow you to ditch morning layers, stash snacks, or safe souvenirs. It’s sooner (and typically cooler) than mountain climbing again to the automotive in noon warmth. I’m an enormous fan of utilizing theme park lockers reasonably than carrying a bunch of stuff!
24. Hire strollers, wheelchairs, or scooters if wanted
Even energetic youngsters tire out on the Safari Park’s distances and hills. Single/double strollers, wheelchairs, and ECVs can be found close to the doorway.
25. Don’t attempt to do the Zoo and Safari Park on the identical day
That is an FAQ I obtain fairly a bit. I don’t suggest each parks on the identical day. They’re about 35 miles aside and there’s a trafficky hall between them. Plus, every one deserves a number of hours and your full consideration.
The Safari Park alone usually takes a full day when you issue strolling, shows, eating, and the tram plus the drive. Learn extra of my ideas about San Diego Zoo or Safari Park.
Ultimate Ideas: Is the Safari Park Price It?
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is completely price a go to, nevertheless it’s a special expertise than the Zoo. The main target right here is on huge, open habitats and animals with room to roam, not densely packed reveals.
It requires extra strolling, hotter climate prep, and a often full-day dedication. There isn’t one other park prefer it in Southern California and I actually get pleasure from my visits.
What are your greatest San Diego Zoo Safari Park ideas?
