San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Wildlife and safari park · San Diego
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027
Highlights
Open-range enclosures simulate natural habitats for diverse animals.
Open-range enclosures simulate natural habitats for diverse animals.
"A nearby safari-style property located about a 35-minute drive north in Escondido offers a more open-range, immersive wildlife experience that complements a visit to the adjacent urban zoo and is frequently recommended as an additional stop for visitors seeking safari encounters close to the city." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Listed as a major outdoor attraction near San Diego suitable for holiday visitors who want to explore wildlife and spend time outside instead of attending traditional holiday events." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a theme park predominantly designed for children, offering attractions like the Africa Tram. However, some visitors were not accommodating of young children, as evidenced by complaints about a toddler during a tram ride."
"Whiletourists flock to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, its Safari Park—located30 miles away in the San Pasqual Valley—is equally interesting. Spread over 1,800 acres, it’s home to more than 3,500 animals and 260 different species as well as a huge botanical garden. Massive, open-range enclosures re-create various habitats from around the world (don’t miss African Plains, which is larger than the entire San Diego Zoo itself), while interactive exhibits allow visitors to get up close and personal with lemurs, lorikeets, bats, and more. The Safari Park began as a breeding program to supply the zoo but, over time, has become a major conservatory project. In fact, its condor-breeding efforts are behind the almost extinct bird’s successful reintroduction to the wilds of California. Note: Early mornings are the best time to see animal activity. Avoid August, September, and October, which are the area’s hottest months."
"Whiletourists flock to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, its Safari Park—located30 miles away in the San Pasqual Valley—is equally interesting. Spread over 1,800 acres, it’s home to more than 3,500 animals and 260 different species as well as a huge botanical garden. Massive, open-range enclosures re-create various habitats from around the world (don’t miss African Plains, which is larger than the entire San Diego Zoo itself), while interactive exhibits allow visitors to get up close and personal with lemurs, lorikeets, bats, and more. The Safari Park began as a breeding program to supply the zoo but, over time, has become a major conservatory project. In fact, its condor-breeding efforts are behind the almost extinct bird’s successful reintroduction to the wilds of California. Note: Early mornings are the best time to see animal activity. Avoid August, September, and October, which are the area’s hottest months."
