2018 July 23 - San Diego Zoo

My kids' 2nd favorite place, right behind the Sea World....

1. Always buy tickets online

2. Go early

3. Take the free double decker tour bus.  (If you can, sit close to the gate.  Kids are allowed to stand up as long as they hold on to the rail during the bus tour.  Also, most of the animals are on the right side of the bus, but there are a few on the left side, for example, the polar bears.)

4. If you don't mind sharing the drink with others, purchase the zoo souvenir cup, it comes with unlimited refill with ICE.  This came in handy for us.

What I might do differently next time visiting:

1. Purchase the 2 day pass if the schedule allows.  We were there from 10-5pm and honestly only seen half of the zoo, and we rushed through the 2nd half.

2. Pick between the double decker bus and the air tram.  We might do the air tram right away since it is something we didn't get to do this time.  Just remember, air tram is one way and you can't bring the stroller aboard, and it has a maximum capacity of 4 (baby included).

3. Visit the pandas early.  By the time we get to the panda in the PM, we were told they went inside to their air conditioned room already.  Once you are there, you can see the polar bear and hippos.

We took the bus as soon as we entered the zoo,

and we chose to sit on the top level.

The downside of that is of course the sun and no shade.

But the positive side is we got to sit up high and see far.

All the Koalas come with their own mist

A baby giraffe

Cheetah and her trainer

Big O Elephant

We didn't get to take the air tram, since stroller isn't allowed.

Bridge to see Pandas

Look at that face

Unfortunately due to the heat,

we were told Pandas went into their air conditioned room

I envy you, I want to go into the pool too