The San Diego Zoo has a few really fun attractions that are baby and parent friendly, some of which are included in the price of admission. Currently there are 4 shows at the zoo, we have only seen 2. Take Flight: An Avian Adventure is a new show in the Hunte Ampitheater, located in Cat Canyon. We saw this show in it's first week of performances and thought it was pretty entertaining. Lots of different and unusual types of birds are featured and fly over your head. It is both exciting and terrifying if you harbor a similar dislike to birds as Lex. Sea Lion Show- It Began With a Roar is the other show we've seen. It performs in the Wegeforth Bowl which is right behind the Reptile House. It's full of fun music and cool animal including, but not limited to, Sea Lions. As far as this show goes, if you've seen one Sea Lion show, you've seen them all. But it's a fun show for kids and cool if you haven't seen it. The 2 shows we haven't seen are, SOAR - A Symphony in Flight, which runs during night zoo and only through the summer, and the Dr. Zoolittle Show which is in the children's zoo. All of these shows are free for your enjoyment.
The other 2 attractions are two-fers. They are fun and provide transportation though the Zoo. Skyfari aerial tram costs $4 to ride each way unless you're a member, then it is free! It takes you from the front of the zoo, in front of the reptile house, to the very back of the zoo near polar bear plunge. Skyfari takes you high in the sky in a people sized bucket, which seats 4, for an aerial view of the zoo. Note: if you are traveling with a stroller it will have to be left at whichever side you depart from. The Guided Bus tour is the other opportunity to rest your feet while viewing the zoo. It costs $10 for Adults $7 for kids 3-11 and Members pay $8.50 for adults and $5 for a child. This double decker bus covers about 75% of the zoo and takes about 35 minutes. The driver is also your guide and will tell you interesting facts about the zoo and it's residents as you ride along. If you choose to take the ride, the right side (passenger) is a better side to sit on, you'll see more animals this way. Included in your bus ticket is the use of Express Busses which will drop you off at designated points on the map, another good way to rest your feet.
The San Diego zoo offers a world class zoo experience for you and your family. But how much will it set you back? For one day of admission the best thing you can do is purchase a best value ticket. It's $35 for adults and $26 for children 3-11. This ticket includes the Bus tour, Express tour, and Skyfari. If you plan of visiting the Zoo more than once in a year your best bet is to purchase a membership. For more information on membership and the San Diego Zoo visit their website at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/.
Reviews on the San Diego Zoo!
Navigation with baby/toddler (ease of travel)
Lex's Review - The SD Zoo has very wide walkways so there is ample room for a stroller, however some parts of the zoo have smaller roads or stairs and it can be hard to maneuver through or around them. Their map is very easy to read and follow. For Navigation, I give the SD Zoo a 4 out of 5.
Jason's Review - I will say that getting to a particular place is easy for us...but we've been a few times...or a lot of times. But the new signs they have and an excellent map make it easier The paths can be a little narrow on the streets/paths that have a bus route and only when a bus is goes through. Navigation gets a 4.0 out of 5.
Baby Friendly Activities
Lex's Review - Any zoo is a good activity for a baby but the SD Zoo has lots of entertaining shows for young children. I also really like the viewing areas for animals there is so much to look at. This is one of my favorite places to take Claire. For Activities I give the SD Zoo a 5 out of 5.
Jason's Review - The whole zoo is a giant activity for a baby. The aviary's are great and Claire loves herself some monkeys. Shows can be a good time to sit, relax, enjoy some animals and if need be feed a baby. The children's section has some nice hands on experiences to gain and overall I'll give Activities a 5.0.
Bathroom/Changing Facilities
Lex's Review - I know of 3 family restrooms in the zoo. One in the Children's Zoo, one near the Giraffes the other in Elephant Odyssey. All 3 are clean and easy to find, I have never had a hard time finding a bathroom to change Claire in, but some bathrooms are a little dingy. For Bathrooms/Changing facilities I give the SD Zoo a 4 out of 5
Jason's Review - There's a few family restrooms, which are nice to be able to change your baby in instead of in a crowded bathroom. As far as the regular bathrooms go...they're so-so. Numerous enough. I'll give them (Bathrooms) a 3.5 out of 5.
Food
Lex's review - I have never been super impressed by the food at the zoo. It's usually pretty expensive and not extra tasty. They have a lot of restaurants and food carts so it's not in short supply. I will say that their kids meals are awesome (I like to order one for myself!)! We usually bring in our own food not only to save some money but also cause it's usually better. For food I give the SD Zoo a 3 out of 5
Jason's Review - Just like at most places that aren't food centralized, this zoo rates medium for it's quality and price. I prefer to make a picnic out of it and just refill our souvenir cups at the park with discounted soda. They do have a tasty spinach tortilla turkey wrap though. So, an average rating of 3 on Food.
Bang for the Buck
Lex's Review - We've been members at the zoo for 2 years now and we go all the time. But even if we didn't I would still think it was worth the money. There aren't many places you can take a baby or toddler with ease and the SD Zoo is not only easy, its really enjoyable, even for small babies. For me watching Claire point at different animals and laugh at them is worth every penny. For bang for the buck I give the SD Zoo a 5 out of 5
Jason's Review - If you plan to go even twice in a year, or once here and once to the Wild Animal Park, it is worth it to get an annual pass. And it is well worth it. We all love animals and a nice stroll and being in such a rich environment filled with things from all over the world. It's not as crowded as a theme park and much more relaxing then waiting in long lines for rides. Easily 5 for 5 on my bang for buck.
There you have it! Our 2 part review of The World Famous San Diego Zoo! Hope we didn't scare you away with it's length! We promise we'll try to make the next one shorter! Until next time ... Stay Classy
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