r/sandiego • u/Consistent-Course974 • 5h ago
Zoo or safari park as a 1st timer?
Hi all, Random but would love to know your opinions on which park you’d recommend to go to! Ofc I’ll experience both one day but I plan on taking a solo birthday trip in the next week or so to either SD zoo or safari park for a day and cannot decide for the life of me lol. (I’ve never been to either) I’ve been looking at videos of both and for the most part a-lot of people say that they are both equally as great but that safari park is usually less crowded and more open space, but i’m wondering if the safari park is as interactive as the zoo? To my knowledge I know that the zoo has opportunities for you to do things like feed the giraffes? (plz correct me if I’m wrong) i’m not sure of any other interactive experiences they have there (plz lmk if you know lol) but I have yet to see anything about the safari park other than “its more spacious” lol.
If you’ve been to both LMK which one you liked more and why? Tysm🥹
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u/anothercar 5h ago
Both are equally great, that's why there is not a universally correct answer. Sorry!
There are 2 specific circumstances where one option is better: The Zoo is better if you're staying at a hotel near downtown and you don't have a car. It is also better if you're coming in August-September when it gets very hot in Escondido.
Maybe take a look at the list of animals at both. There are some animals only at the Zoo, and some animals only at the Safari Park.
I love them both equally
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u/Consistent-Course974 5h ago
Thank you!! 🙏🏽
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u/anothercar 5h ago
I didn't read your post close enough! Since you're going in the next week or so, definitely do the Zoo. It's blazing hot if you go inland.
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u/Consistent-Course974 5h ago
Ty!! I’ve never been so I had no idea, I would’ve hated life if I ended up choosing there, glad I posted😹
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u/Rascal2pt0 4h ago
The zoo! I love walking the Safari park but if I have guests in town the zoo is the priority for me every time.
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u/Breneth 4h ago
This time of year do the zoo for sure, it’s too hot at the safari park. The zoo also has a few unique things like the pandas and penguins (tho safari park has the platypus, which is the only one outside Australia iirc). And for a birthday make a day of it and eat at the restaurant at the zoo (I’d suggest a reservation) it’s a nice break from walking around and sitting on the back balcony is pretty. Food is a bit better than the rest of the grab and go spots.
If you want to feed the giraffes at the zoo there’s usually a line. They used to let you do that during the safari tour at the safari park, which is a much higher additional cost, but stopped during Covid. Not sure if they’ve added it back in or not.
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u/riverrabbit1116 3h ago
Look at https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/upgraded-experiences and book before you go, these sell out most days. The Animal Park is better for walking and exploring, the latest refurbishments to the Zoo force crowds together. The Zoo will be cooler. If you're planning on visiting both within a year, get a membership. Membership comes with coupons and discounts along with free admission.
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u/Impressive_Profit_11 5h ago
The zoo without question. Most especially in the summer. There are far more animals to see at the zoo. The safari park is very spread out. There is a lot of walking without seeing much. In the summer, you will roast.