Have you been to the San Diego Zoo lately? 

I’ve always thought the San Diego Zoo was great compared to others I’ve been to, but it just keeps getting better.  With the addition of the Elephant Odyssey and other projects on the horizon, it is well worth the money spent on the admission…and a steal if you purchase the annual park passes.  For $78 my husband and I have passes for the entire year, to both the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park, and our son is free because he is under the age of two.  I can’t think of anywhere else that provides such entertainment, educational benefit and exercise for the entire family at such a reasonable price!

With its close proximity to Downtown (and other neighborhoods including Bankers Hill, Hillcrest, South Park, North Park, etc.) it is easy and convenient for local residents to head over there for a couple of hours on a regular basis.  In fact, I meet a group of friends once per week and we cruise our babies around in the strollers for a few hours, enjoy a picnic lunch and head home in time for our little ones’ afternoon naps. 

It is a great place to exercise – have you seen those hills?!!  Walking throughout the park (especially pushing a stroller) gets my heart rate up, meanwhile our kids are entertained by all of the amazing animals (and we’re entertained too – there is just something amazing about animals regardless of your age). 

The majority of the animals are so close even our one-year-old can see and be entertained.  The camels, giraffes, elephants, lions, hippos, polar bears, pandas, and so on, are only feet away – some separated by glass others not.  On our last visit we had a wonderful time watching the hippos who kept coming right up the glass in front of us and giving us a great view of their faces – whiskers, teeth and all! 

We’re looking forward to the opening of the new Conrad Prebys Polar Bear Plunge on March 26!  The exhibit will provide an up-close look into the lives of polar bears.  Chinook, Kalluk, and Tatqiq are sure to be very entertaining!