San Diego Safari Park — Local services in San Diego

We were lucky enough to go during February 2020, as they were offering free admission to Seniors (over 65) which was a $116.00 value for two (according to a woman we talked to in line this was a “first” and is an attempt to increase patronage due to the high cost of entry. Arrived early enough to have almost no wait to get our free one day tickets and they opened the park a few minutes before 9.

I haven’t been here since it opened in 1972 (when I was a freshman at SDSU), so nothing was familiar. Maps were good as is the signage. Since it is the “off season” most of the food venues were closed and the few that were open were expensive. We walked to the African Safari trains and took the 30 minutes tour by a knowledgeable guide.

For photographers, only a long lens works on the tour and they do stop frequently so that you can stand up to get better shots.

The park is LARGE, so if you are not an experienced walker or hiker, it will be a challenge to see everything and all of the shows (we did not see any of them).

They do a good job of promotion on their success in breeding (30,000 animals since 1972) and the dangers a lot of their animals face in the wild, so they are doing the best they can in a often too...

It's a nice zoo, and honestly I think if we were just not so tired (last day of vacation) I would have enjoyed it quite a bit more. A bit difficult to find your way around even with the map, but tiredness and heat affected this as well. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers, gift shops left a lot to be desired and in the end we left with a small stuffed toy and a selection of post cards.

The bird show was interesting and entertaining, the cheetah run was impressive but get there early for a good spot at the fence. The tram tour was also great, but I feel that we should have invested in a smaller private tour if for nothing else so there was less distractions.

Lots of bathrooms and nice wide paths to walk with little...

Returning to San Diego Safari after 15 years was a delightful experience. While I thoroughly enjoyed my visit, I rated it 4 out of 5 stars due to the limited animal sightings upon opening. However, I acknowledge the park's efforts to enhance animal flexibility, especially considering it was only 9 am. It would be beneficial if there were clearer communication regarding animal availability to optimize visitors' experiences. For instance, when I inquired about the gorillas, a staff member advised me to return in an hour. Similarly, uncertainty surrounded the elephant viewing schedule. Despite these minor setbacks, I appreciate the park's charm and...