San Diego Wild Animal Park

Pros: Tram tour, Nairobi village theme, clean
Cons: Not every animal represented, some long walks on hilly terrain

We visited the Wild Animal Park north of San Diego on January 1, 2005. I wasn't sure what to expect but the $6 charge for parking and the $27 admission price for adults really raised my expectations quite a bit. The Wild Animal park is, essentially, a ...

Pros: You never know what you will see!
Cons: You never know what you will see.

Wow! That male northern white rhino nearly got it! His romantic advances didn't impress the 2 female white rhinos - he moved in just a little too close, and one of the females charged him! Was I visiting the Garamba National Park, in Congo, seeing the...

Pros: You get to see animals in their natural habitat (instead of cages)
Cons: High Prices

Ok, so you’re visiting (or live in) the San Diego area and you are in the mood to see some animals. The first thought that comes into a tourist’s mind is “Let’s go to the world-famous, San Diego Zoo!” Aren’t I right? Well, most locals (if not all) know...

Pros: Beautiful habitats, animal interactions, WOW!
Cons: Loud screaming children on the tram

The San Diego Wild Animal Park was founded in 1972 in Encinitas, California. The Zoological Society of San Diego hoped for this park to be "a zoo of the future", displaying animals in a more natural setting than the small cages associated with...

Pros: See endangered species in a natural setting
Cons: Don't expect to see all types

The most important thing for the first time visitor to know about the San Diego Wild Animal Park is that it is not in San Diego! It is actually closest to the town of Escondido; the nearest coastal city (where you will exit I-5) is...

Pros: Lots of biodiversity in a more natural habitat
Cons: Lots of space for animals to hide, so you might not see them

The San Diego Wildlife Park began as a breeding facility for endangered species; they originally did not intend to make it into a place to entertain visitors. However, the public became curious about the facility so the wildlife park opened their doors ...

Pros: gorgeous scenery, expansive, wide variety of animals
Cons: lots of walking, hard to see everything, somewhat confusing layout

Last night, I came back from San Diego, where my family went to visit my brother Benjamin, an ensign in the Navy who has been stationed there since August and is shipping out for a six-month cruise in a couple of weeks. We wanted to make sure we got to ...

Pros: natural setting, huge enclosures
Cons: animal may be far away or hidden

The San Diego Wild Animal Park is a 2,000 acre haven for exotic and endangered animals from around the world. It was designed as an open-air captive breeding center, an adjunct to the Zoo, where animals would have enough space and natural habitat to...

Pros: Less commercial, lots of animals
Cons: Shows are not as good as Disney or Sea World parks

I've only been to Wild Animal Park once, so my perspective is from one visit only. I went on a Saturday in September. I have been to other animal parks such as Sea World and Disney's Animal Kingdom, so that is my comparison.

One of the...

Pros: Rare and Endangered animals, Large and fairly natural enclosures, Lots of activities
Cons: Long Walks, Hot weather during the summer

I have visited the San Diego Wild Animal Park (SDWAP) several times, but I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to volunteer there as well. Over the course of two years, I was a volunteer behavioral observer in two research projects (one project...

Pros: animals in their natural habitat
Cons: none

We visit the San Diego Wild Animal Park several times a year. And each time it gets better and better. It is just an amazing oppurtunity to see the animals such as Giraffes, Lions, Elephants, Rhino's, Etc..in their natural habitat. I could visit the...

Pros: In San Diego Area, big, animals free
Cons: too big for a one day visit. animals may not be visible

Located 32 miles northeast of the Zoo near the city of Escondido in north San Diego County, the San Diego Wild Animal Park is 20 times larger than the Zoo. It is also a completely different experience than a visit to the Zoo. The 1,800-acre wildlife...

Pros: Natural settings for animals
Cons: Don't plan on just going for a couple of hours!

I usually hate going to zoos. The concrete pens, where the animals slowly roam, only having a few of their own kind-- other then the gawking humans-- for company, was fairly depressing to see. Is this the only way to view exotic species up close and...

Pros: Educational value, good cause, lots of fun for all ages
Cons: Expensive extras, expensive entrance, lots of walking

I have visited the Wildlife Park several times. The San Diego Wildlife Park is one of the most interesting wildlife sanctuaries and breeding programs on earth. The Wildlife Park has saved several animals from extinction, often taking species off the...

Pros: It gives you a warm feeling in your heart
Cons: None

I have now been to the San Diego Wild Animal Park for the first time. I used to live in L.A. and had never ventured out here to do this. But, now that I have been living in SD for 4 1/2 years, I felt an urge to go.

My daughter has probably...