We are ready for the day!
After breakfast we checked out the hotel pool, the workout room as well as other large meeting areas around the hotel. The hotel itself was nice but not laid out in the most user friendly way. Due to the nature of the hills around the hotel, some of the exit would be on floor two and some on floor one. It made for some frustrating mornings trying to get to our car.
The pool at Homewood Suites San Diego
The hot-tub was very small but worked very well.
We got in the car and made our way to the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park. The traffic on I-8 was very minimal and our commute was less than 10 minutes. Once we arrive at 8:20AM, we got parked (very close to the entrance) and then made our way to the entrance with our Go City San Diego Pass. TIP- The Go City Pass is a GREAT way to explore a new city and SAVE MONEY. We did the Explorer Pass which allowed a certain number of attractions with a 60 day limit for usage. We chose 3 attractions and the cost was $99/ per adult and $79/ per kid under 12 (Whew... barely made that one with Natalie). I dug even further and found that GROUPON was having these passes on sale for an additional 10% off. That made our total for 3 attractions for the whole family just $320. The San Diego Zoo tickets were $67/ per adult and $57/ per kid. That is a HUGE savings. Take note that the Go City Pass only allows the SD Zoo OR the SD Zoo Safari and NOT BOTH but that was fine with us. (GO City prices went up on April 20, 2022)
We are here and SO EXCITED!
Group photo at the entrance gate!
It was early in the day and they were still excited to take pictures!
We got our passes scanned and then made our way into the zoo towards the main roadway. The workers had it blocked off since it was not 9AM yet. There were many workers there answering questions and helping people route out there day. At 9AM a worker made a few announcements and then asked for a kiddo to come and release the macaws to "Open" the zoo. Of course, Luke was too shy to do this but we were front and center to see it all happen! It was SO COOL! I highly recommend getting there early anyway but even just 20 minutes earlier than opening time is SO WORTH IT!
WOOHOO... Let's get this party started!
This was SUCH a cool experience. I HIGHLY recommend EVERYONE get there early to experience.
The Macaws flew out of their cage, the ropes dropped and we were headed to the RIGHT. Tip- I had read that a lot of people go to the LEFT since that is where the new kids area was. We opted to do the opposite. We made our way towards the Elephant Odyssey as I really wanted to see as many of the BIG animals in the morning as possible. As we were headed that way, a worker stopped us and told us to take a different route to see the Koala, Giraffe and Rhino. I am so glad we did this as they were all RIGHT THERE and up and moving around.
Natalie was SO excited that she found something from the map... so we HAD to take a picture!
These Koala Bears were absolutely adorable!
The Rhino was still asleep! Haha, he reminded me of my dog Oxford!
The Giraffes were so close I felt as if I could reach out and touch them!
My favorite animal... The Giraffe!
As we kept moving towards the Elephants we saw a few snakes, the California Condor and many other small exhibits in Africa Rocks. Then we got the MASSIVE Elephant habitat. The elephants themselves were getting morning bathes and treats and we were able to talk to the trainers as well as get to see what all they do with these large animals each day. They were cleaning their feet, giving them ear check-ups and rewarding them with oranges and other treats. We stayed and watched this for a while but then moved on towards the Lion.
The California Condor! This was way bigger than I thought it would be!
The elephants were getting a bath. They were so obedient!
Selfie time at the elephants!
The mama elephant finally got done with her bath and was free to "roam about".
The Lion exhibit was nice but not near as big as I would have thought or as big as many of the other large animal exhibits. He was up and pacing waiting for his food so we got a good glimpse of him but I was just expecting more. This might have been my only "disappointment" of the zoo.
The lion was HUNGRY and was pacing!
By now it was mid-morning and we were headed back towards the middle of this 99 acre park. We traveled along the Bashor Bridge and to one of Luke's favorites, the Red Panda. They were out and about as well and we loved being able to see them pacing in their habitat. Natalie and Luke took turns guiding us in our map and as much as we tried to not get lost or backtrack, we did... many times!
This area of the zoo was my favorite area. We loved the bridge and the openness of the zoo.
My mini-me and I on the Bashor Bridge!
On the Bashor Bridge with Mission San Diego in the background.
"So I'm in my Map"- Joey Tribbiani (Natalie Davis)
We made our way all the way to the top of hill to see the Polar Bears and other smaller animals. We were able to see the Leopard eating his lunch on our way towards the Skyfari West ride. TIP- The Skyfari is a "ski-lift" type of ride that takes visitors from one side of this massive zoo to the other with spectacular views of the zoo and San Diego. We had planned to take this furthest most lift back to the entrance and then after lunch ride it back but the unusually high winds had the Skyfari shut down by mid-day! I am SO GLAD we were able to ride this one-of-a-kind ride over the zoo. Be sure to get on this EARLY in your day, just in case. This is all free with your ticket into the zoo.
This was SO COOL!
A view of Chris and Natalie on the Skyfari behind Luke and I !
This was the coolest thing I have ever done at a zoo!
It's like deja'vu... But hey we saved probably close to $100.
The first thing we went to see after lunch was the Reptile House. This was a rectangular building that housed all kinds of snakes and other reptiles. It was a great reptile house and had many snakes I had never heard of. Then it was off to the Galapagos Tortoise and the Flamingos, both of which only San Diego has exhibits for. These were both spectacular and we all loved them.
I really enjoyed this reptile house.
It wasn't indoors like the one in Houston but you didn't need the AC!
These things were HUMONGOUS!
Luke and I with the Giant Tortoise!
This flamingo exhibit was so cool and RIGHT AT THE entrance of the zoo!
Natalie and I said a quick prayer for our friend Stephanie and her family.
Her favorite animal was the flamingo!
From here we continued down Center Street towards the Monkeys. We were able to see chimps and many other monkeys eating and playing. The kids LOVED this part as the monkeys were just being silly the whole time. This street also took us to the Hippo and Tiger. The hippo was splashing all around the water while the Tiger was pacing waiting for food. Both of these habitats were MASSIVE and very well laid out and planned. We also made a pitstop for some caffeine, a "treat" for the adults. These prices were not too bad but still $6.95 for an iced latte and $4.95 for a shot of espresso.
These monkeys just got a snack and were so cute!
At least my "small" latte came with a souvenir cup for $6.95!
By this time our feet were starting to hurt with all the walking and it was getting a "little" hot in San Diego (70*). We decided to go get in line for the Bus Tour. This is another tour that is completely free with your paid zoo ticket and is a GREAT way to see the entire zoo. Many people suggest taking this tour at the VERY beginning of your day to map out where you want to go but we opted to do it later to help with the heat and feet. TIP- Be sure to sit on the TOP deck and if possible on the RIGHT side of the bus as you will get to see much more from these seats. We lucked out with the very top and front of the bus in row 2 and had possibly the very best seats on the bus! It was a great 40 minute tour and we loved every minute of it!
Ooops... Worst selfie of the trip. My hand is in front of the camera!
During the tour we were able to see exhibits we had already seen as well as a few we had "missed" with our mapping skills, including the Grizzly Bear and the front side of the huge elephant habitat. We also got to see a few animals more active than before.
In the zoo... the mighty zoo... The Lion SLEEPS tonight!
In the afternoon, the elephants were much more active!
The Grizzly Bears on the other hand, we asleep!
After our tour we took the kids to get their treat at the "Sweets and Eats" venue towards the front of the zoo. Natalie had seen a sign for a Cookie Dough Milkshake early in the morning and had been craving it ever since. We each picked a sweet treat and enjoyed it in the shade. Even with "just" ice cream and funnel cakes, this bill was over $60 for 4 people! Natalie got the massive Cookie Dough Shake. Chris and Luke both got waffle cone ice cream and I got a Strawberry Funnel Cake. Somehow we ended up with an EXTRA shake so Chris was able to get 2 treats! This was cool since it came in a souvenir cup... Now both kids get their own SD Zoo cup at home!
This was the SLOWEST moving line... EVER! only about 10 people deep and it took over 30 minutes to get to the front of the line. And we still had to wait for our sweets to be made!
Luke was LOVING his waffle cone!
This Funnel Cake sundae was really good... As it should be for $19.95!
Natalie LOVED her Cookie Dough Milkshake!
It took us about 30 minutes just to get through the line at "Sweets and Eats" and it was 4:30PM in the afternoon. They zoo workers told us it was starting to get busy but warned "This was nothing compared to summer time". Let me tell you, it was WAY TOO PEOPLE-Y inside this zoo. I can only imagine how busy summertime is at the San Diego Zoo.
After our sweets, we tried to find the Gorilla and the Penguins as they are Luke's favorite. Thanks to the bus tour, we were able to see exactly where these two were and found them quickly and easily.
The gorilla just did not want to be seen on this day. This was the only time he came out of his hole and we could see him! He was HUGE!
The Penguins were SO CUTE!
This was Luke's favorite part and he was SO PATIENT to wait for us to get here!
We all loved the penguins so much!
As we made our way to the exit we stopped by the Giraffe one more time and found the Cheetah being an absolute PERFECT model for us. We were also able to see some really neat landscaping and even a massive waterfall as we made our way back to the exit of the zoo.
This was near the west part of African Rocks. This was SO COOL! I really wish I would have not misplaced my selfie stick! Bummer...
This Cheetah was so chill and cool!
This was as if it came from a movie!
We stopped at the gift shop were I really did not want to buy yet another stuffed animal. But my kids insisted and Natalie even said "Mommy, may I please have it. I may not like stuffed animals next year". Well... Why did you have to go and make me cry Natalie? And of course, I gave the zoo $60 for those 2 stuffed Red Pandas. But Natalie was right... I better enjoy these moments while I can.
Seriously... 2/$60? Are you kidding me... Just take all my money!
That's a wrap folks!
Our day at the San Diego Zoo... THIS WAS AN EPIC DAY!
Evening
It was after 6PM and were all tired from the zoo but didn't want to just go back to the hotel so we drove up to Pacific Beach just north of San Diego so the kids could see the Pacific Ocean for the first time. TIP- Having been to ALL 3 major beaches in San Diego, Pacific Beach is gorgeous and just far enough removed from the crowds to have a quiet moment on the beach without the Hussle, bustle and noise of the busier Ocean Beach and Mission Beach. The water was SO COLD and the kids barely got their feet wet but they touched the Pacific and that is all they wanted.
Seriously I could drive around here ALL DAY!
Hello Pacific Ocean!
This is FRAME WORTHY!
I am so glad I got to share this whole trip with my kids!
They drove me crazy sometimes but I am so glad we did this together!
The family that does silly photos together HA! This was fun!
Luke got to touch the Mighty Pacific. And at that point, that is all he wanted!
I wish we would have gone back to this beach.
It was low-key and chill with very little people!
We came back towards our hotel and made a stop at In-n-Out Burger to do the side-by-side comparison of In-n-Out and Whataburger. I LOVE In-n-Out but my family remains confident in Whataburger and all three now say Whataburger is the best! I will still relish in my love of the "Animal Style" Double-Double and "Animal Style" Fries that In-n-Out offers. There is just nothing like it in my opinion.
When in Rome... Or California!
Results of our Side-by-Side comparison:
By now the sun had gone down and it was past 8PM so we made our way back to Homewood Suites and got into the pool. It was not crowded at first and the kids had a great time in the pool while Chris and I stayed in the hot-tub as long as we could. We went back and forth for a while but eventually after about 1.5 hours, it was just too cold (And WAY TOO CROWDED) for us and we called it a night just shy of 10PM.
It's so funny how you can spend an arm and a leg (And another leg in CA) and they still just want to swim in the hotel pool!
This was such an incredible day and zoo. You hear about the San Diego Zoo as being the best zoo in the Nation or even the world but you never fully grasp how amazing it is until you are there. This zoo had so many animals that you would never see in any other zoo and the animals you do see frequently in other zoos had the most amazing exhibits and habitats I have ever seen. I am glad we were able get discount tickets but I would pay full value for these tickets again TOMORROW. This zoo was just absolutely phenomenal! TIP- Go and visit the San Diego Zoo. Just do it! Trust me!
Up Next... Whale Watching, Swimming in the Ocean and Belmont Park!
Did you miss Day 1? Check it out
DAY 1- Yep... I Still Hate Flying
Thanks for following along! We appreciate your support!
God is good... ALL THE TIME!
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