Reviews of San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Zoo)

15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027, United States

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You will see the reviews of people like you who are buying the products of San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Zoo) in California.

At present the firm gets a rating of 4.7 out of 5 and this rating has been based on 13638 reviews.

As you can see the average of ratings is basically the highest, and it's based on a high number of scores, so we may say that the assessment is quite credible. If people have bothered to give their feddback when they are happy with the business, is that it works.

As you know, we do not usually bother to write tatings when they are positive and we usually do it only if we have had a problem or issue...

This Zoo is classified in the category of Zoo.

Where is San Diego Zoo Safari Park?

REVIEWS OF San Diego Zoo Safari Park IN California

Cody Hutcherson

What a fantastic park. The staff does a wonderful job of keeping the park clean and in order. The animals all where very lively and moving about their enclosures. The park is very large so walking shoes are definitely recommended. Our kids really enjoyed riding on the safari tram and seeing all the different types of beautiful animals. Tons of parking and lots of people.

Michelle Martin

The park is beautiful! Great exercise; a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes that feel good all day on concrete. The park was very clean and I love that the animals have space to move around. The staff were all informative and friendly and readily available for questions and directions throughout the park. They did a wonderful job of expressing their commitment to conservation and telling how everyone can help and it makes the cost of admission an easier pill to swallow knowing that it goes towards their effort not just in Escondido but all over the world. We will go back for more visits.

Ham Johnson

Spent the day at the safari park, the weather was great. The park is very large and had a great time exploring all the different areas. This is not like a regular zoo where they pack in as many animals that will fit. It has more open areas for the animals. It is also a more specialized, it uses its space for breeding endangered species. They work very hard to balance the animals and entertainment for people.

Rebekah Milhoan

Loved it! BRING A HAT, water, food, good walking shoes, maybe a umbrella, long shorts. You will get your steps in for sure. The Africa tram was a little underwhelming you didn't get very close to any animals. Everything else we got so close to and the tiger training was very informative and fun to watch.

Kurtis Merrill

Fantastic exhibits, just come ready to do some walking/hiking especially if you're planning on doing all the extra activities. Plenty of places to rest, but I suggest bringing your own snacks if you can. There are plenty of places to get drinks and food, though, if you don't mind paying the usual park-premium for refreshments.

Jay Prema

I bought the season pass for SD Zoo and Safari Park. It was well worth the cost and I loved the monthly discounts. My families favorite events involve multicultural showcases and the animal talks. There are also plenty of kiddie playgrounds for much needed R&R. My favorite is just behind the lemur enclosure. There is a a Olay&climb area for the kids and plenty of shady tables for lunchtime. !!The food shop just up the ramp has the BEST lookout point of the safari area!!!

Ralph Hajnrych

From a members advice, if you forget your I.D. They treat you like a criminal trying to get into the park. Unfortunately i was turned away. Don’t forget your photo I.D. Spoke with the manager, her response is “sorry this is the best we can do, we are none profit.” Customer service I would give one star, otherwise the park is great for kids and family’s.

Lindsey Rickwald

Safari Park was awesome. Such a fun place to take kids. All the employees and volunteers were very helpful and knowledgeable. Very walkable with a stroller and lots to see.

William Bishop

Personally I like this place a lot more than the zoo. It offers a lot more close up encounters with the animals. The layout is great. I really enjoyed the tram ride though it varies in quality with each guide.

Edgar Sarabia

It is a great Zoo with a lot to see. We have been multiple times and we find something new with each visit. Plenty of play areas for the kids and they are always working on new exhibits. Some fun artwork can be found around the park if you take your time to look for it as well.

James Mabry

Another great family weekend at the Safari Park. Unfortunately we couldn't have lunch at our favorite place because once again the Outlook was booked for a private event. However the view from this restaurant is the best in the park so we will try again next time. I wish they would post it's closure dates on their website so we know what days not to go.

MRapunzel Smiles

We could spend a week here and still not see everything. So well set up and spread out, and such diverse animals and habitats! You won't be disappointed!

Jordan Smith

My husband and I had the best time. We did the Ultimate Safari and we're able to learn, feed, and pet so many animals.

Alex Choe

This safari park is such a family friendly park. The landscaping really adds an ambience that showcases "safari". Highly recommend seeing the tigers and kangaroos in the morning since they are most active then and closest to the entrance. The general tickets include the tram but all safari excursions are extra so being your wallets.

jessrhoward

What can I say to make this place sound as amazing as it is?! It's a little far out of the city but worth every second of the drive. The immersive animal experience is second to none. If you love animals this will be heaven for you. So educational, so much fun, and so worth every dollar we gladly spent there to help their cause of animal conservation. A life changing experience.

Cody Hutcherson

What a fantastic park. The staff does a wonderful job of keeping the park clean and in order. The animals all where very lively and moving about their enclosures. The park is very large so walking shoes are definitely recommended. Our kids really enjoyed riding on the safari tram and seeing all the different types of beautiful animals. Tons of parking and lots of people.

Andrea Bennett

Went on the 3 hour caravan. Weather was crummy, but the ride was awesome! It was covered, and the gift shop had ponchos so that saved us. The tour guides were amazing. Friendly, very knowledgeable, very experienced. This was a group activity for a business trip and well worth it. We even had people not show at the last minute and they still accommodated us with a refund. Great staff all around. The animals were happy; playing, eating, sleeping, interacting, etc. The open space they had was amazing. We got to feed giraffes and rhinos. Great experience and highly recommended! Planning and getting the tickets and everything beforehand was great too! Very easy.

T C

We had a great time it actually rained on & off most of the day but the temperature was great. The birds just roaming around were so neat. We watched a zookeeper feeding one of the Storks they look Awesome. A very good part of our trip especially if you love zoo's.

Dankme_mer 420

There was a celebration of day of the dead. Mariachis were singing classic songs. The nice air of the park has the smell of death and annoying children. All preparing for their heads to be ripped open and or curbstomped. It was amazing. The glass broke and the tiger was able to bite a child and infect the bite. Great place for mayhem.

Lucy Feliciano

I love this Park I like it how they he gives animals their privacy doesn’t let them be ambush like San Diego zoo. I haven’t been able to come here for a long time due to their prices but it was worth the savings. I will definitely be coming in the future this time I’ll bring more snacks so I forgot how expensive food is in the park. My family had a great time and that was plenty of parking and you must take the tour bus.

Rodney Starcher

Staff here are awesome and friendly. Nice and clean, including the restrooms. Many shady areas and misters setup to help alleviate the heat. Free water at the food stalls, no questions asked.

Mike W

I did the caravan ride & it was incredible! Our driver & guide were both fantastic! Feeding the giraffes was great. We even got to feed a rhinoceros! This is a great park & experience.

eda akarsu

I love this place, nature is amazing, animals are well cared for. There's only one thing I don't like, that is the parking price. It should be free just like in the SD zoo. Obviously everyone comes here with a paid ticket or buy it at the booth and not for another event, and tickets are not cheap! So why charge $15-$20 for parking on top of expensive ticket?

Sean M.

Rating due to the vendor the Safari Park uses for their photographs. Their processes are outdated (by at least 5 years) and other tourism locations have far better opportunities for capturing memories -- both short term and long term. Desperately need to replace the 3rd party photo vendor with a newer, updated company. Rest of the park was fine.

Barry Johnson

Our family has been coming here for over 40 years. Today's visit was very nice, but we were disappointed that so many of the attractions were closed but we didn't find out until we were in the park. However, the staff was great!

Tom Hay Bauer

Like its sister facility, the San Diego Zoo, it's easy to spend an entire day here. The wildlife tram that is included in the basic admission is well worth the time, even if it means standing in line for a bit. Also, the Watering Hole restaurant is a great place to enjoy food and drinks while admiring the African wildlife in the neighboring exhibit area. Finally, we were very pleasantly surprised at how navigable the park is with a manual wheelchair.

Nicole Romero

I mean how do you review a zoo. There were animals. It was fun. It’s what you expect when you go to the zoo but more spread out and “natural habitat”y and less “animals in a cage”y. Been going here since I was a kid so over 20 years and not tired of it yet. The tram ride thing is fun

Jade Cross

The people at this zoo really love what they do and it makes for an awesome experience. As well as seeing the animals, there are other activities like going up in a hot air balloon, zip lining, and obstacles courses. There is a free tram ride ride that will take your around the Safari area. It gets busy over there but it is worth it, it has multiple teams that are staggered so it really good by far while you are waiting. The park has wonderful enclosures for it's animal. It makes the most for that animal

Sumant Hegde

Must see place in San Diego. It was very hot day when we went there, but it is worth visiting if you are an animal lover. It’s a pretty big place and good to go in a group and walk around. It has different safari trips like ballon safari, caravan, tram etc.. Overall we had a good experience.

Mike Flynn

Having a keeper's level annual pass, will tell you just how much I enjoy this place (and the San Diego zoo ). I especially enjoy the special events such as being the first to see the butterflies, etc.

Saul Ochoa

My gratitude kids loved every minute of it. My personal favorite part was the craft beer deal: 4 beers for $25

Janet Rivas

Had a great time here. Way better than the zoo. The animals have a ton of room to roam around they're very active. We went on the Cart safari and the tour guide was great and informative. I will definately return again in the future. All the employees are super helpful and polite. Beautiful place!!!

Wanxin Yuan

Definitely recommend to watch cheetah run here. It's the only place in the US to watch. The event starts at 3:30pm but if you want to get a good spot, you should arrive before 3pm. I also recommended African tram where you can take a look at animals at wild. However, you need to walk for a while to get to the entrance for African tram and the line is mostly very long. It takes us 40 minutes to wait. But you can choose to pay 20 dollars to go to express line. Overall, I had a very good experience here as this safari park is unique among my previous experience visiting zoo. It's also very hot, so please bring more water.

john quenga

This place is awesome! Great for the kids and parents can have fun also! They have a small water park to play in during a hot day, and it's free!!! Parking is $15. A bacon cheeseburger with fries is $11. They do have vegan options available for the herbivore

Pastor Freddie Lomelin

This place is awesomem. We came out to take a few shots for World Elephant Day. They were having a show in honor of a young calf's 1 yr birthday. Pretty great.

Sally Weivoda

A lot of walking, but so much to see! The tram takes you around the African enclosure and is included with admission. Parking is extra unless you have a membership. Definitely visit the kangaroos!

Mike W

I honestly don’t understand the raving reviews for this place. Personally I didn’t feel there was really anything that different or unique. There were two things I’d never seen before: Kangaroos and the cheetah run. Those things were cool to see, but call it what it is, A ZOO. Positives: 1) Grounds are beautiful and well kept 2) Employees are very friendly and helpful Negatives: 1) Overpriced 2) Most of the animals there are things like gazelles (prey for the animals I was hoping to see, which there were very few of)

Jim Ferrant

Enjoyed the experience of the zoo. Liked the open animal areas. Friendly and helpful staff at trail junctions were great. Nice Flora as well. Kinda expensive @ $50+ pp for base package plus any extras n food.

Mrz Pierce

Love the zoo. It's not big and the crowds are not big as well. I love that you can pack a lunch and bring it with you, which saves you money.

Michael Short

Fun place to take the family. Ticket prices are fair compared to other local attractions. Friendly staff and volunteers. The Africa Tram and Bird show are educational and fun for everyone. There are plenty of things to do and see.

Crystal Hand

The deluxe safari is worth every penny. Our guides, Dani & Joe, we super friendly and very knowledgeable. We got to feed giraffes and rhinos (and even got to pet the rhinos). The succulent garden was beautiful and featured a wide variety of plants. The balloon ride was relatively inexpensive and offered great views of the park and the guide was also very knowledgeable and friendly (I cant remember her name). There were volunteers everywhere I looked and they were all very helpful and friendly as well. This is the first zoo that I have ever gone open to close and still not visited everything. I highly recommend visiting here if you are in the area.

Arman Goshtasbe

Highly recommend bringing your kids here. We brought our 3 yr old and she had a wonderful time. We went to the African Woods and Outpost first. Went on the Safari while it was still cool in the morning. Other than that little tip, there is no real science to it, spend the most time at the exhibits that are more interesting to your immediate family. Everyone has their own favorites.

Michelle Martin

The park is beautiful! Great exercise; a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes that feel good all day on concrete. The park was very clean and I love that the animals have space to move around. The staff were all informative and friendly and readily available for questions and directions throughout the park. They did a wonderful job of expressing their commitment to conservation and telling how everyone can help and it makes the cost of admission an easier pill to swallow knowing that it goes towards their effort not just in Escondido but all over the world. We will go back for more visits.

Christine Luzenko-Scordino

Had a great time walking, seeing the animals & the tram was so helpful in touring. Going on a Tuesday during school time made the park with no crowds. We have a keepers pass so we take advantage of free parking & unlimited visits...win

Steele Snider

I've been hitting this place up for the last 25 years. There have been a ton of changes in that time. A lot of things are gone now (like the tram) but it's for the animals benefit so let's not dwell on that. Tons of shows. Lots to do. By in large a really good experience. If you havent been here or the zoo, I recommend the zoo as your primary destination, but if you have the extra day, this is quite an experience.

PkPatti H

Can't get enough of this zoo. You can spend all day here and still not see everything. If you have a limited time, plan what you'd like to see in advance and check the online map before you go. Bring your own snacks to cut costs. They'll refill your water bottle for free at the snack stations.

Sarah Beltier

Going to the San Diego Safari Park is always a good time. It's a bit of a drive for me, but it's less crowded and has more interactive opportunities than the zoo in Balboa Park. The tram ride is a "must experience" for people who visit San Diego. What these folks are doing for animals and the environment is amazing.

Hj HiltonJ

Been a while since I've been to the safari park, but everything is an additional cost now, safari park has lots to offer and not living in Cali we did not have passed or memberships. Paid $50 for picture package that ultimately you have to seek out some areas to take pictures. Most other packages once you enter the park are at minimum $50-75 per person so it can become expensive really quickly. I would say the SD zoo may be the better option. More animals. Safari still fun, but has been monetized 100%.

D R

Visited the Safari zoo based on a recommendation and it was really an experience we will never forget. The entire preserve is huge and will take an entire day to see it all. Except for carnivores all the animal are kept in 1 large common area. The animals stay in groups of their own. A must visit, and a fun day for the entire family or group

Trey

This park is an extension to the San Diego Zoo located downtown. What I love most about this park is the open space that the animals have to roam around in to where you feel like you are in their natural home. While this park is expansive just keep in mind that you will want to wear some good shoes to walk around in because you can easily get your steps in at this park. The annual membership to the Zoo is also a good deal because visiting both the Safari Park and San Diego Zoo would equal the price of the annual membership. We were luckily enough on the day we went to see all of the animals up close. Would highly recommend to visit this location when you get the chance.

Sarah huntley

Sorry for the photo spam, but this place is GORGEOUS. There was an abundance of helpful attendees to guide you on your trip and educate you on the animals at the park. With general admission, I got a free tram ride and it was extremely fun and educational! The food was pricey, as to be expected, but delicious. Overall and amazing experience, I would definitely go again!

Sunil Keshava

Awesome experience! Perfect for young kids. Wee were lucky to have nice weather- it was bright but not hot. Got to see a good variety of animals during the African Tram safari. This was the only safari which came with the annual pass. All other safari rides are too expensive.

Jadey719

I would have given a 5 star, but had the worst experience buying merchandise. The employee saw me waiting to pay. I was the only one in the store and she ignored me for a good 5 minutes.

Paul Holloway

What a wonderful experience! It could be life changing with seeing what real diversity really looks and acts like in the expansive enclosures. And don’t forget to visit the equally expansive botanical gardens in the World Gardens area to get away from the crowds. My last trip there involved a California Mule Deer buck bounding right in front of me across the trail from the Condor area down below and then a doe walking an off-limits pathway near the Gorillas.

David Whitworth

Tuesday was a great day to go. I've been before on another day of the weak but Tuesday the park was not crowded at all. We watched the cheetah run in the evening and all had great views. It was close to 100°F but they had fans and misters going in many places. The part my children liked the best was called the bubble show. Only showing Monday's and Tuesdays during July. Then right before closing there men on stilts and a couple in a lion suit that greeted us as we left the park.

Andrea Thill

This place is great! Just very pricey for the gifts/products and food. My favorite thing is the walkabout Australia! I could stay there for hours. I LOVE wallabies. If you are anything like me(directionally challenged) it's definitely difficult to find your way around. Even with the signs, I get confused. I would recommend downloading the app to help navigate your way around the park. I love to hear about their conservative efforts, and would love to know more.

secureteam10 6

I've always loved the safari park. We get year passes every year. It's one of the few parks in California where I feel I get my money's worth every time I go. Plus the staff extremely friendly and the animals are in excellent health and thrive in their enclosures. The other thing that makes this place so special is their drive for rehabilitation and release.

Rajkumar Manthena

One of the best safari parks in the world. 1 day pass is valid only for park admission and unlimited tram rides. FYI, There are quite a few additional rides, which are for extra and they’re little expensive. We chose caravan ride and everyone in our group enjoyed that ride all along. It’s a 2-2.5 hrs ride and I’d highly recommend this one of all park rides. Btw, all proceeds from any of these park rides are non-profit. In others words, park uses this amount only on animal welfare.

Rebecca Warnock

Great place to visit in San Diego. The walk through animal enclosures are fantastic and the Africa tram. Also you can take your own food and drinks in, which is a great tip to save money

Margarita Lawson

Great, up close views of some animals..most long distance. Great tour guides....all tours are wonderful!!! This project merritts all of our support. The success levels of saving speices is amazing here. Give them your money!!

Tanya Johnson

This is a beautiful park where you can see many animals up close. The animal ambassador shows are fun and informative. The park is so large that it never feels crowded. Just wear good shoes and be prepared for lots of walking.

Celestine

We got the San Diego go pass which included the Safari Park as well as a couple of attractions within. It felt incredibly immersive, and the volunteers working all seemed passionate about the animals and their well being. I'm usually opposed to zoos, but this conservatory is doing necessary work to preserve animals that are going extinct because of the human race. Thank you for what you do!

Brian Eastwood

We liked this more than the zoo. It won't take as long to go through, but we felt like you were able to see the animals more clearly and the enclosures were larger.

michelle garner

Great trip! Almost as great as actually being in Africa!! Do a behind the scenes tour if possible

Lisa Brewster

Really enjoyed the beauty of the park and how well the animals were taken care of. They looked happy and the had lots of room to enjoy.

Lynn T

I was so excited to get the opportunity to visit this safari park when traveling from the east coast to San Diego for a wedding and had scheduled a kangaroo experience during our visit at the park. What a disappointment to have received a message from the park the day before when I landed for a brief stop in Phoenix to inform me the experience was cancelled due to Newcastle disease. What does a bird disease have to do with the kangaroos? I was told I could call back for other experiences but none allowed you to feed an animal. We were all still excited to explore the park even though the aviaries were closed. However, staff there also did not understand the cancellation of the kangaroo experience. The tram ride was nice and gave the impression the animals were in their original environment had they been in the wild. It was also educational. They have a balloon that will take you in the air for a great view of the park from above. Had it not been out in the sun we might have gone up. You can brush some goats, but not feed them and get really up close to some of the animals if they venture up to the fencing as one tiger did. There are some beautiful fruit bats which can easily be overlooked as you need to go into the " bat cave" to see them. Depending when you go you may need to bring your own snacks and drinks. These were hard to find and we were told the amount of stands that open, and when, will depend on the number of people they are expecting. We did miss the shows but did get to speak with the talking zebra. My salvation to losing out on the kangaroo experience was seeing Ruby, a kangaroo being trained as their ambassador. When they saw me inching closer taking pictures of her on a leash being clicker trained we were invited over. I was told I jumped up and down. They were nice enough to tell us all about her. Ruby was beautiful and I wish her many years of good luck in her role as ambassador. We all thank you for that.

Julio Salvador

It was an awesome experience. Animals are treated with kindness and love. My kids enjoyed learning and seeing so many animals they had only read about before, and not in cages or small enclosures.

Marge Kehrer Flamme

We have season passes and go frequently for “a good walk”, and always have a great time. Clean facilities, decent food & even some alcoholic drinks in a few places. Animals are respected and well-cared for, and we learn something new every visit.

Craig Grady

This is a fun zoo to go to. The African tram was a lot of fun. You get to see quite a few animals on this tour. They also have Condors. Very cool.

Ray Kelly

Always a fun place to go! Temperature was nice animals were active. Guys an ladies try the lifted Kilt beers are awesome ..

Blair Crossman

Been coming here since it was still the Wild Animal Park--super fun place to spend the day walking around and enjoying the animal behaviors!

Tiffany Bullins

The park is huge. If you have a toddler and planning to walk, spread the trip out to two days. Animals are spread far apart and takes a lot of of your toddler. Park was very clean, staff was helpful. Glad we were able to experience this park.

Eliabeth Gonzalez

This was an absolutely wonderful experience!! Our guides were so very welcoming and knowledgeable. This was the first of what will hopefully be many to this wonderful safari ride through some of the most beautiful creatures I have seen. Actually feeding and petting a Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros was one of the most breathtakingly amazing experiences I have had in my all of my 41 years of life. Appreciating the small things in life that are so beautiful and taken for granted were seen around every corner as we rode through the habitats. Thank you so much for the opportunity to come so close to those chubby little unicorns!!

Y R

This is a fantastic place to take your children experience a close up with wild animals. We had a great close up tour and enjoyed the wide variety of animals in their “natural” habitat, living all in the same grounds, as they would anywhere else. The only down side to it is the food. The prices are outrageous for the quality and the amount. After walking all day, we were a hungry bunch and we didn’t get a decent portion of food or quality of food for the price that we paid. But yes, we would go back and recommend it to family and friends.

Tariq Khan

Much better experience than the zoo. The basic safari was good for us. I would recommend the hot air balloon for great views.

stephanie bocchetti

The safari is the best time on my vacation,Lee was really outstanding,he even took our pictures! Very nice man and the feeding the Rhino and giraffe was awesome.makes me wish I lived here instead of Boston

Jordan Freedman

Great experience and a nice day's outing. Was able to watch the younger elephant getting trained and they have lots of animal "Introductions." The extra "Safari" activities are a little pricey, but there's lots to see without them.

Liz

It's a nice zoo. I'm from Kansas City and was expecting a lot more for the price of entry to the Safari Park. Our local zoo is pretty similar with large exhibits for half the price. However, the staff was what sets this zoo apart. Every staff person I came across was friendly, helping folks, or just simply smiling and asking if you needed anything and that they hope you're enjoying your visit. Pretty cool to see the dog in the cheetah exhibit.

Katie Musolino

I went there Sunday 7/7 and was expecting it to be crowded and miserably hot but I'm happy to say that's NOT how it turned out! There was hardly anyone there! We got there when it opened and meandered to the Safari Africa Tram which opened at 10. We just missed getting in the first tram but the wait was only a few minutes for the next one. The rest of the day went just as well. The animals were out, they were eating, no piles of people to get around or look over, and baby critters galore! It was also clean as a whistle. Totally worth the drive, especially if you've already done the zoo and are looking for another adventure. One thing more, bring your own snacks, you won't regret it.

Ali Asghar

Great place to spend the day. Be prepared to walk here and enjoy the great landscape. Recommend lining up the Safari ride as soon as you get here as the line can get long. There is a balloon ride also to get a different view of the place. Food quality is good here if you end up eating here. Parking charge is separate and there are different level of entry tickets. There is staff all over the place to help guide you and experts to answer questions about the animals.

Sonja Hollis

Beautiful place! Wheel chair accessable. Great for children. Giant, expansive enclosures for very well kept animal's.

Cheryl Ann

BEST ZOO EVER! It is by far the best zoo and safari that I've been to... not possible to see it all in one day. We visited a few times in order to take it all in.

tyson porlas

I took my kids there 3 & 1. There are a lot of things to do and see. We haven't been there in a long time and I was happy to see all of the improvements that have been made around the park.

Mary McVicker

Great afternoon! Recommend the cart safari. Basia our guide was excellent!

Alex Yang

Wow such a huge sanctuary. I took a cool car ride around and saw so many animals up close. The animals lived a good life. The giraffes were even sitting down because they were not afraid or anxious. It is so big I wanted to come back a second day and see more. I would recommend getting the multi-day passes to see all the sights around San Diego.

Jessica Morley

This park is wonderful with beautiful sights to see and a clean park with kind people. The animals seem happy and healthy with space to roam. Lots of walking so come prepared but definitely worth it.

Batt Mann

Extraordinary as always! The new Australia walkabout is awesome! The tiger trail is always amazing. The baby elephants are alone worth the visit :) Don't miss Blue - beautiful large blue bird - from the movie. Wish they had 6 seater electric golf cart taxis around the park ...hint hint

Preston Locklear

Intimate experience and up-close-and-personal experience with animals from across the globe. I really enjoyed my time here. Not very crowded, which was great! Included in membership of the SD Zoo too. Highly recommend checking out the Safari Park!!

flat track

Makes you feel like you have traveled to different parts of the world. What an amazing place.

Denice Riddle

Amazing day. Wonderful employees plenty of parking lots of restaurants. The volunteers are fantastic and I absolutely love seeing all the animals.

Lauren Sloan

What an amazing experience! My husband and I came last month. We were coming to San Diego anyways, but after watching the show, it was a must in our list! Wanted to recognize some of the volunteers who went above and beyond to add to our experience: Tony at the front gate- gave us suggestions on where to go and how long it would take to get us back in time for our tour, Fred by the cheetahs had great facts about them, Lynda by the elephants was a fountain of knowledge, Bob by the tigers had extra jokes to throw in and Jamie our tour guide was excellent. At first we were a little skeptical about paying an additional $120 per person to go on the safari tour, but it was well worth it and we highly recommend! We got to see the rhinos up close and personal and FEED THE GIRAFFES! It was a blast to say the least. We still talk about it. Such a cool experience. And anywhere we went within the park we were always thanked for our visit and helping that animals- such a nice reminder and touch! We will definitely be back and would recommend. We probably missed some of the exhibits as it’s so large, but had a wonderful, once in a lifetime experience!!

Robert Lester

I went with some work colleagues and it was fantastic! I really didn't know what to expect but we had the last tour of the day which worked out perfectly since it wasn't as hot so the animals were out. It also was much less crowded on the truck. We fed giraffes and rhinos. We saw all kinds of amazing exotic animals up close and our guide Jaime was perfect. She told us all about the animals, the habitat, how the park was working on conservation of the species and where they were from. I appreciate that she was funny and informative. We were 4 adults and we had a phenomenal time and I'm sure kids would absolutely love it. Make sure you use the restroom before you leave-- it's 2 hours and you cannot get off the truck. We didn't have a lot of extra time to explore but there were many other rides and exhibits. I'm definitely coming back to ride the zip line next time I'm in town.

Jose

A wonderful place to get a very close view to a variety of animals. Great military discount (free)! The focus on preservation definitely shows. A big thank you to all of the employees

Hj HiltonJ

Been a while since I've been to the safari park, but everything is an additional cost now, safari park has lots to offer and not living in Cali we did not have passed or memberships. Paid $50 for picture package that ultimately you have to seek out some areas to take pictures. Most other packages once you enter the park are at minimum $50-75 per person so it can become expensive really quickly. I would say the SD zoo may be the better option. More animals. Safari still fun, but has been monetized 100%.

Andrell Hudson

It was our first time and we loved it!! So many animals and exhibits to see! We loved how authentic it felt to walk around the safari. Our favorite was being able to see the elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos and the cheetah up close! We definitely recommend this place as things to do in San Diego!!

Daniel Segall

Love it here! Huge place with so many different animals and plants plant life to see. Great place to spend half a day. Pro tip, go early and get through the tiger trail and some of the other more exposed exhibits before it gets too warm. It can easily get 15 degrees hotter out there than towards the beaches.

Rachel Carkey

Wonderful place. Always friendly staff whether it be at a snack kiosk or just someone standing at a corner ready to give directions. The African tram driver is always so knowledgeable and pleasant. I am a keepers club member and will continue to be one!

Russ Schnapp

A really great place to stroll around and spot (captive) wildlife in surroundings that are considerably less restrictive than traditional zoos used to be. The new "outback" experience is pretty nifty, with lots of Aussie denizens wandering around in the enclosure with you. Be sure to check out the bonsai garden. Actually, the botanical collection may be more interesting than the fauna!

Peter R.

This is a MUST go. Great access to animals - up close! Parking is $15 unless you have the membership pass.

Russel Am

It's a nice zoo for children but some animals are hidden behind the threes or rocks. Cannot see them very well. There isn't a close contact with animals. Also you pay $15 for parking every time

Trista Miller

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is so cool! There's a ton of walking to do, but we were there for 4 hours, the kids never got bored and we only saw about a quarter of the park. They have plenty of water activities to keep you cool, and lots of seating. My whole family enjoyed it.

Kelly Hernandez

Always a great time. So happy we invested in the annual pass. We have already been 3 times. Something new everytime we go. Loved rhe Australian Walkabout.

Mia Reed

We took the rhino and giraffe safari and we got to meet the animals in their own environment. Our tour guide was funny and personable. He had a vast knowledge about the wildlife and made the experience even more fun.

Travelling First

This is one of the best zoo and safari park in the world. They have recreated the natural habitats of these animals so they have their natural behaviors and adaptations. This is a good place for nature and animal lover. I have been to many Zoos in USA but this is a well maintained huge park where you can observe natural behavior of the animals in their recreated natural habitats. I definitely recommend for anybody to visit this place!

Richard Stephenson

A great place to spend a day or days! Plan ahead for some of the safaris (visit the website) and the membership is valuable for those planning to visit multiple times.

Trey

This park is an extension to the San Diego Zoo located downtown. What I love most about this park is the open space that the animals have to roam around in to where you feel like you are in their natural home. While this park is expansive just keep in mind that you will want to wear some good shoes to walk around in because you can easily get your steps in at this park. The annual membership to the Zoo is also a good deal because visiting both the Safari Park and San Diego Zoo would equal the price of the annual membership. We were luckily enough on the day we went to see all of the animals up close. Would highly recommend to visit this location when you get the chance.

Ryan Bottoms

Such an awesome place to visit! I do believe that even though these exhibits are bigger than the average zoo, that A lot of the animals, especially the big cats, need more room! Overall I love the San Diego zoo Safari Park! Please make your beer cheaper so that us adults can enjoy the animals as much as the kids do!

chris meyer

I cant find the right words. It is amazing take the twilight safari tour. Will be hands down the best experience you'll ever have. Get up close and maybe feed a rhino also a giraffe. The staff is very knowledgeable and caring. This place is ADA friendly. The have carts for tours that are accessible bye wheelchair. They go above and beyond to make your experience a great one. You will want to plan 2 days here if you plan on seeing it all. I do suggest doing there extra tours way worth the price. Plus all those extras you buy, that money goes to feed and care for the animals. And they make sure to thank you for it. Very great place stop in and have the best day or days you could imagine.

Susan Najjar

My daughter and I love this place. We were recently on vacation to southern California, and we went there after we had gone to the San Diego Zoo . We liked it because it's more "up close and personal " than the big zoo. We went back 2 days later, and paid to go on the caravan ride. It was so exciting, my daughter got to feed a giraffe, and also got to feed and pet a rhino, so thrilling! So much fun.

Josh Darisay

The more recent additions to the Safari Park are awesome! The northern section of the park now includes Tiger Trail, Condor Ridge, Walkabout Australia and some very pretty gardens. While the older and even original attractions still hold their value. Definitely worth the trip.

Pam Stahlak

Absolutely love coming here!! First up for family is soft serve ice cream a family tradition no matter the weather!! Wonderful seeing these amazing elephants & the 2 very entertaining young ones!! Absolutely great new add on of new Australian kangaroos & wonderful indigenous plants and just the beauty of the area!! Always an awesome adventure!! Most of all how the Zoo totally supports all endangered animals & their well being & survival!!

Mike M

Love this place! It's a great place if you're looking for something different from a traditional zoo. It has a great tram to look around half the park and see animals in a "natural" habitat but you also learn how much the zoo is doing to help preserve and save wildlife. There's lots of walking but there's decent shade throughout.

Adam Shick

We paid for the general admission and unfortunately did not get to ride the tram that comes included due to time constraints. This zoo's attention to detail was very apparent. The subtle decor and scenery made the experience immersive and they have so many unique exhibits I haven't seen before. All of the exhibits were open unlike some other zoo's I've been to. The employees were friendly, helpful, and very informative. You could tell many of them have a passion for animal conservation. I would recommend this to anybody in the area who is looking for a way to spend their day.

nichole Childers

This is quite possibly the most amazing zoo/safari park i have ever been to. If you are a lover of animals, you will no doubt have a life changing visit time and time again. Every time you go, you will see something new and/or different as many of their animals are active at different parts of the day. But that just guarantees it never gets old! There’s friendly staff, plenty of space to explore, tons of dining options, clean bathrooms... the list of reasons to go is endless!

Joan Huff

A different experience from the San Diego Zoo but worth the trip. Best tram ride for the view of animals out in a natural environment with loads of good information from the tram drivers. Shopping and food plus desserts too. Face painting for kids plus petting zoo and more. Be aware that they charge for parking unless you have a certain kind of pass.

chris meyer

I cant find the right words. It is amazing take the twilight safari tour. Will be hands down the best experience you'll ever have. Get up close and maybe feed a rhino also a giraffe. The staff is very knowledgeable and caring. This place is ADA friendly. The have carts for tours that are accessible bye wheelchair. They go above and beyond to make your experience a great one. You will want to plan 2 days here if you plan on seeing it all. I do suggest doing there extra tours way worth the price. Plus all those extras you buy, that money goes to feed and care for the animals. And they make sure to thank you for it. Very great place stop in and have the best day or days you could imagine.

Eric Forbush

This place is incredible. It is well worth the price of admission. I recommend showing up early a) so it won’t be too hot and b) because the animals are more active in the morning. The tigers were up and walking around their inclosure when we got there. I loved the Australian exhibit and the tigers the most. For the tram it is worth waiting in line and they have nice misters and fans going to keep you cool. Sit on the drivers side of the tram if you want a better view of the park. Really great place worthy of 6+ hours of your time.

Sarah Steffen

Large animal enclosures with more distance to walk between them, but the larger areas let you observe animals in a more natural surrounding. The Africa tram is a must. The tram takes you around an Africa enclosure which is huge and makes you feel like you are visiting a large parcel right out of Africa. The driver is very knowledgeable and it is a great experience! Overall, we weren't able to do the whole park in a day with little kids, but looking forward to returning!

Angela Anger

I love San Diego Zoo Safari Park. You see a different side of the animals and it’s nice to see them not in cages. The variety of plants is wonderful as well. It’s clean, and the animals appear to be well cared for. I feel it’s a good value for the price.

Edward Wisnewski

Wonderful really enjoyed how it is set up for the animals to be in their respective habitat. Be prepared for lot of walking but there also is a tram that circles the park

Sigrid Wolf

Great place to explore and see some amazing animals and plants. Good exercise walking as well.

Susan Najjar

My daughter and I love this place. We were recently on vacation to southern California, and we went there after we had gone to the San Diego Zoo . We liked it because it's more "up close and personal " than the big zoo. We went back 2 days later, and paid to go on the caravan ride. It was so exciting, my daughter got to feed a giraffe, and also got to feed and pet a rhino, so thrilling! So much fun.

D Rivera

Awesome for kids and adults of any age! Burn some serious calories walking around too. Love the music. Perfect time!

Aaron Morris

Excellent place to visit. Did the behind the scenes Roo safari. Jess did a wonderful job. Highly recommend. Worth the cost!

arun reddy

This is a huge Zoo it takes almost a day to over everything. They have wide variety of animals. They have guided bus tours which I strongly recommend. The staff and tour guides were amazing. There is also a bus service that runs between various points inside the zoo you can take it and save time in covering everything

Linda Bartlett

The best snore and roar experience. Went with our entire family and our little granddaughter. Staff was so knowledgeable and welcoming to everyone. Loved all the different animals and all the staff for answering all of our questions. Would love to do a weekend in the tents sometime.

nonoyo beezewax

Out of the way zoo. Parking expensive unless you're a high end member. Prepare to do a LOT of walking as the place is very spread out. Food high priced and not too good. Most animals are free range. Entrance fees and membership prices are high. Has some okay animal shows and rides. Can stay overnight in the Summer at their Safari Camp. Good for families

Mary Peterson

1st time at a safari park. So much to see. Worth the money for sure! Many cooling stations, misting areas, and little hidden seats along paths. Free water refills were a blessing. Truly a great experience for anyone who loves animals and want to see them in their most natural habitat. Learned a lot. Keep up the great work of conservation.

Amber M. Keating

So many incredible animal exhibits here!! I loved the Africa Tram tour, which comes with the regular one-day admission. We didn't do any of their other special safaris, but they are intriguing. The general admission is well worth it. There is soooo much to see. We spent just over 2 hours there and probably missed a few things. We were lucky enough to catch the "cheetah run," which is a spectacular display of how fast a cheetah can run. Breathtaking!

Tim Rieches

The safari park is the best place to get up close and personal with the animals and their habitats are as close As It Gets to being in the wild. I love the safari park

Elizabeth Islas

Got to see a lot of animals. Not crowded at all. Kids loved it!

Corey Strock

It's awesome. The animals are fun, the employees all seem to be in good humor and are quite helpful.

Maria Felix

They support conservation of endangered species. Beautiful animals. Great food areas.

Grégoire Liglet

We had an amazing time at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, we booked the first caravan tour on a rainy Sunday and departed at 8:30am. The caravan was empty, we basically had a private tour just for ourselves! It was an extraordinary experience, we had the chance to feed giraffes and rhinos. The park is beautiful, lots of exotic species living in harmony, the guide was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions and gave us all the fun facts about all the animals. Overall a very good experience, we spent the rest of the day in the Zoo, and it’s a great Zoo, but we were still dreaming about our early morning safari !

Cheri Pittman

Amazing grounds to help the survival of endangered animals. A lot of walking, but well worth it. Be sure to take the African tram ride through the African savanna grounds, included in your admission, the best way to see all of the African animals on grounds very similar to their natural habitats.

Jay Marks

The customer service here is amazing. Staff are super friendly. This is a large zoo so come prepared with lots of water and really good walking shoes.

Beau Butterfield

I have been a pass holder for years and still enjoy going to the Wild Animal Park every once in a while. Really an impressive display with expansive areas for the animals that you will not see elsewhere. Great experiences available as well that range from camping overnight to caravan rides.

Janet Johnson

Loved accomodations for the animals the rangers were fantastic very knowledgeable and friendly. I am handicapped and they made the day very exciting and easy for me to get around. Thank u

TeraDactylGirl

I've always wanted to go there so badly, and the animals are awesome to see. I love San Diego Zoo Safari Park so much, and it's huge! My biggest favorite animal is a rhinoceros, I absolutely love rhinos so much!! OMG!! Because of the sounds they make, music to my ears. And their size, it is so BIG! Someday I should always go there every year, and it's fun to explore. I could rather see the rhinos at the Africa Tram, unfortunately giraffes are my enemies. Still fortunately, rhinos are my best friends. :D No worries, I will always visit there for only rhinos, because I don't care about other animals from African Plains.

HOME WAY

Good efforts to conserve and maintain fauna and flora. Lot of birds and animals to watch and understand. You will learn something new Minus point- Never visit in Hot summer days,otherwise you will be sorry. No proper drinking water or restrooms facilities. Visit only if you have spare time.

Erik Elfving

I love the Safari Park. I have been coming here all my life and it's better every time I visit. They are continually improving the park. Seeing the animals in a broader, more natural setting is incredible and highly recommended. The additional safaris are well worth the price and certainly cheaper than paying for a trip to Africa.

mary grimes

This is my new favorite adventure for friends that VISIT me in SAN DIEGO. I can bring a guest for free. We can start in Australia in am, walk to Asia, then over to Africa and take a tram around to see the Safari animals. The air balloon gives you a beautiful bird's eye view of the park, and the camping area.

Tami Ribali

Parking can be a bit wild. Great for a day trip. Lots of walking around and sight seeing. The safari tram is a must. Good for animal lovers of all ages. Be patient when parking. (More of a reminder for myself than you)

Kimberly McCown

Such a special place here! I love the animals and all the good the Wild Animal Park does for them and others around the world! It's so serene and green here. It's a very beautiful & fun environment! I love it and will be back :)

Lucas Robinson 008

Very friendly and fun. All the animals we very cool to watch and look at. The people were all mostly pretty respectful and nice. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Quality park for sure. Highly recommended. We had a huge with so, we didnt get to do everything.

Danielle Clark

Had an excellent time. I highly recommend the Cheetah VIP experience. The trainers are so knowledgeable and care so much for each of the majestic animals there. The Cheetah VIP experience gets you feet away from a beautiful Cheetah and you are able the witness what the Cheetah does best; (besides being breathtaking) running 0-60 mph.

screwdriver9678

So much to see! I just suggest you bring your own water and lunches or snacks. We spent all day there and it got pretty expensive to eat there throughout the day. We did the Zipline and it was an awesome experience. Can't wait to go back. I missed the kangaroos, I got there too late. You're able to go in and pet them!

Linda Rosevear

It had been many years since I had visited this park. They have really improved the experience. The exhibits are well done. There are even a couple of well supervised exhibits where you can get up close to the animals. I really enjoyed the variety of animals, the tram ride, the different shows, and the gift shops.

Donald Dodson

This is an amazing place. It combines entertainment with learning. While admission cost may seem high, I keep in mind that the San Diego Zoological Society really is on the frontline of preserving animals, their habitats whenever possible, and research to keep them alive when their habitats are ruined. Every guest admission helps further their goals. In addition, the physical grounds are very well cared for, at significant investment. In addition to wonderful animal exhibits, the human staff, including employees and scores of volunteer ambassadors, are friendly, and ask if they can help you find a particular exhibit or attraction. The staff at each venue are really expert communicators and teachers. TIPS: - The Safari Park is well inland from the coast. Spring through fall may be chilly in the early mornings a beastly hot during the day. - It does actually "rain in Southern California," but becoming harder to accurately predict. Light rain gear in reserve might be helpful. - Allow enough time and advanced planning to see and do all you are interested in experiencing. - Remember, little legs wear out faster than adults. Be realistic in planning your visit with children. - Check their websites to understand DO'S AND DON'TS for admission and prohibited items.

Eli George

Very nice place went in the middle of the day on a weekday and it was not crowded . Four star experience but they get a extra star for all the wonderful volunteers and for putting out water stations and giving out free ice to make sure everyone stays cool. It has a different vibe than the zoo and i think i like this place more than the zoo as its more locals and less tourist.

Lorelei Livesay

This was so much fun! Lots of wonderful animals to be seen. I was with a friend celebrating his birthday. We got just the regular admission tickets which included the Tram. There are a lot of Safaris you can pick from but we had a lot of fun just with the regular admission! Great time and memories!

Charles Tyler

Everything was sleeping saw little I think they should have an easier way to find yourself around the park plus everything's closed to eat when they open you have to wait an hour or two.plus you pay to park pay to get in and then pay to do the fun things there. Money hungry people. Prices of food and drinks are outrageous.was there 2 hours then was bored. Never to return.

Jenn Undefined

Cool animals, lots of trees and shade. Membership is a good deal. Fun for kids and adults alike.

Bri

It's not bad, the layout isn't the best. If you do the caravan tours I'm sure its much more worth it. Park entry fee too high for what it is. But the volunteers throughout the park make it great. Drinks are reasonably priced.

Isabel Oraha

I've been coming here since I was a young child (and when it was called the Wild Animal Park). My parents were part of the Koala Club, and would bring us at least once a month. I've continued to attend into my adult life, and now, I can fully appreciate the incredible amount of work, consideration, and care that goes into every single aspect of the park. They give back to the native communities of the animals and the wellbeing of the animals are the most important thing to keepers. I love the Safari Park, and I cannot wait to see how they continue to grow and care for our Earth.

Pat Mazzacane

It was a picture perfect low key day. The employees were friendly, informative, and endlessly helpful. Other parks could learn a lot from these people.

J. Andrade

Great place to take the family on the weekend or whenever you are off. Parking is $15 dollars unless you have a keeper's club annual membership from the San Diego Zoo. One day pass is $56 for adults and $46 for kids. Once you are inside you should take advantage of the African Tram tour which is already included as part of your admission. It takes about twenty five minutes but there is always a long line. If you have a stroller there will be a section for that right before you are about to get on the Tram. There is also the Caravan Safari Adventure option( You pay from $121 to $141 per person depending on the day that you visit) which takes you up close to the giraffe area and you can actually feed them. You are technically seated on the back of a truck (but the truck has a covered seating area with the sides opened). There is also some other adventure options such as a hot air ballon ride around the park but they are all extra from your entrance fee. On the bright side you get ten percent off on all paying activities if you have a Keeper's club annual membership. There is also a section with a regular park slide for kids. As well as a small section where the little ones can get wet-in case you want to take a second set of clothes. Have fun!

Andrea Dickey

Loved all of the staff that was around wanting to talk about the animals and willing to answer questions. Very nice exhibits. Definitely going back.

Naomi Schumichen

Extremely helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable staff, even the volunteers are so nice! There are so many different kinds of animals and definitely exciting for kids who can see them up close! There are lots of places to see all kinds of birds close up, with different enclosures to go in with birds as well as the African walkway on the water was a great way to see the water birds in their natural habitat. The tigers are an absolute must see! I recommend seeing them later in the day when less people are there, they are an absolute delight! Keep in mind that to see the full park you are going to have to walk a LOT, and if you want to take your time with the exhibits, showing up early is definitely a good idea. I arrived at 1pm and felt rushed during the last 2 hours, so maybe a 10 hours day to adequately go through everything. For sure wear very nice shoes and bringing your own drinks is allowed so be sure to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Summer Castle

My family and I love it here. Friendly staff and the park/bathrooms are clean. Great animal views and I love that the animals have plenty of space to roam as they please. The park is also good for those who are handicapped. Lots of walking so if you have children who aren’t that into walking I would definitely recommend bringing a stroller. I also recommend bringing your own snacks and lunch. The food is a little pricey. Not too bad for a park but I wish I had brought my own snacks.

William Dupre

The tram is absolutely worth the wait. Amazing view and definitely will be back. Worthy of every penny!!!

Breakeven Paradox

Awesome. Beautiful animals. Ok price. Show up early and on a cool day. Definitely a great workout of walking. One of the best things to do in Ca. Bring a camera to get some cool pics. Fantastic big cats.

Harrison Norris

It was great! We got there about 9:45am and all the animals were pretty active. Especially the Gorillas! I imagine the earlier the better but it was still fun and exciting! Highly suggest bring your own snacks and drinks it was pricey! $12 for a drink and chips. Would highly recommend it was very fun and we will definitely go back!

Janie C.

WONDERFUL! SO MUCH FUN! LOTS TO SEE AND DO Everyone was so helpful and nice! Great day!

Dillon Adams

The tiger trail is a hidden gem here. Although it’s tempting to just go the other direction, I highly suggest making your way there first. 3 separate spaces, large themed building, and awesome waterfall you get to walk behind. It also leads straight to the walk about if ya like roos.

Rakesh Mishra

My family and I thoroughly enjoyed. Recommended for everyone. Carry water !

Hannah Bennett

Lots of animals to see. Great price for the carousel which my 2 year old loves. Good food.

Miguel Montesdeoca

Made this a part of our family vacation. We had such a great time and the kids loved it. We are planning to go back....

Nick Banks

The weather was nice, the animals were active and everything was very enjoyable. Most of the food shops were closed due to low traffic days, but still was fun and informative.

Curtis Kaminski

The most amazing zoo I’ve ever visited. Animals in their natural habitats. Lots of endangered species and they are breeding them with the hopes of rebuilding their numbers in the wild. I highly recommend the Jeep safari. It gets you up close and personal with the animals and you even get to feed treats to the giraffes. Don’t miss the cheetah run. You won’t believe how fast they really are. If you arrive at park open, go to the tram ride and get a nice overview of the park. The animals should also be feeding in the early morning.

karen Chisholm

Absolutely loved it! Up close and personal. Staff very friendly and willing to answer any questions.

ariana hamilton

The exhibits were nice and loved the ones where we could go into the enclosures with the kangaroos and lemurs but felt for the size of the park there could've been a lot more to see /do/animals to visit. Overall nice place, good for at least one visit, but with a 50+$ ticket, I think once is enough. :/

Yusuf Mohammed

A must see for animal lovers. It's better than the zoo because the animals are brought here for conservation and the money you spend to see them goes towards their well being. No cages or poor treatment of animals.

Sara Darella

Amazing. Went on the 2h Caravan adventure and I don’t regret one bit. Admission plus caravan with the discount cost me $180. Got Steve and Barb as tour guides and I honestly can’t imagine a better experience. Barb knew exactly where to take us to have the most experience with the animals. We got to feed the giraffes and we were lucky that an Indian rhino came to the caravan so we got to feed her some apples and watch her nurse the baby rhino. Steve kept our interest the whole two hours. Everything he said was extremely informative and interesting. And he made us laugh the whole way. It was so much fun! Would have paid more for the experience, it was really worth it. After the Caravan I walked around the zoo a little bit and called it a day. It was on off season - weather was cooler which I also liked. Had lunch and ate some snacks at the zoo - food quality and prices were like what I expected them to be, didn’t really go for a gourmet experience. Highly recommend!

Brian S

I doubt I can add much to the many, many reviews already posted for SD Zoo Safari Park, but perhaps my experience as a long-time member may be helpful to anyone considering a membership. Compared to memberships at nearby theme parks, membership at the Zoo and Safari Park is a great value. My family and I visit one of the locations at least a couple of times per month, and the best part of having a membership, is that we can stay as long or short as we like, without feeling that we have to commit to an entire day. The kids get plenty of exercise walking around, osmosing information on animals and plants as they go. We use the guest passes when we have family coming in from out out of town, or when the kids want to bring a friend. If you have kids and are looking for a couple of no-fail, go-to spots for weekend or summer days, get a membership here. You won't be disappointed.

Frank Niblett

Magnificent place to go and see animals on display being cared for in a responsible manner for after all mankind are their caretakers as well as the earth that we share with them. A wide range of animals from Lions ,tigers,various birds such as parrots, flamingos and eagles were to be seen. Cape buffalo,geraffe,kudo and warthogs. When you get tired of walking you can ride the Tram and see the park and it wonders in comfort. During summer months it's a good idea to have a wide brim hat and sunglasses to shade you from the elements. If visiting the San Diego area it's a great place to visit .

Terri Kraham

Wow! We took the 2 hour Safari and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable. It was an educational, interesting, and wonderful experience. The work they are doing to protect our wildlife, save or endangered species, and educate the public on what they can do to help is exceptional. Bonus, we were able to feed a rhino and a giraffe; which we found out the reticulated giraffe was recently placed on the endangered species list. The staff certainly changed how we used to view such facilities.

Dante Mosley

It is always great to visit the Safari Park! There is so much to do! We enjoy to see all of the animals in their natural habitat, and learn about the many types of plants...everything is enjoyable, but the Kangaroo/Wallaby walk was probably my favorite! Such a fun and unique experience! On the same day we were also able to see the Lemurs up close and personal as well as enter the butterfly jungle. So amazing!

Sam Official

Great place. Make sure you do the African tram once you get there to have time for the other parts of the zoo. Also...do not miss out on the goat petting and d brushing.

erikah bee

As a native of northern San Diego, this has been one of my favorite places to go see beautiful, healthy, happy wild animals in gorgeous, spacious, CLEAN enclosures. It used to be called "The Wild Animal Park" which I prefer :) As an RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician) I absolutely love animals & am careful that my money goes only to helping animals. I feel confident that this place is a gem for animals & kids alike. They make a difference in the world with their conservation efforts & education programs. I now get to take my young niece & nephew to the park (kids under 3 are ALWAYS FREE!!!) to hopefully create the same awareness & love of animals that led me to pursue animal care/ rescue efforts professionally. The season passes are incredible deals for locals! They have different prices for different passes but the one my mom & grandma both purchase annually includes free parking AND free entry for a second adult for every visit! You can't beat that deal especially when Combined with the free kids entry under 3yrs old. They also let you bring your own food, drinks, diaper bags, etc so you can enjoy a really fun day for really cheap! Love this place

Robert Clark

A must see if you're visiting California! Great views and a fun walk through if you want to see it all you'll have to start early and bring your walking shoes. Plenty of parking and the staff is very friendly. They have a balloon you can go up in and see the whole park which was really fun and I think was only $14 a ticket to do!

A D

Pros: Such an amazing park/zoo and safari experience. The diversity of the entire ecosystem (trees, plants, insects, rodents, animals etc) is beautiful and incredibly well maintained. Was great to see the tiger up close and to see the lorikeets as well. Cons: The one biggest gripe here was the number of bees buzzing around and especially near/at the eating spots. The admission price at 50/person is also steep.

Natalia Mikolajczyk

This park is fantastic. We spend a whole day here. We got to feed the giraffes and rhinos. Our guide was really funny and knowledgeable. I would definitely do this again.

Omar Castillo

You will need several days to truly enjoy everything. Take your time to observe the animals, plants, and activities. Take a water bottle and snacks, maybe a simple sandwich to save a little.

Sabrina Bauer

See something new every time we go as keeper club members! If you look at the middle pic a wild deer jumped into the river hogs exhibit and was eating their food scraps! Lol the keepers are enthusiastic and treat kids well!

Ivy Thompson

Wonderful of course! Be sure to go early, the animals are more active when the morning is nice and cool. We were worried it would be crowded, but the zoo is so large, it easily handles the number of visitors without feeling like you’re crammed in there. The elephants are fascinating and are becoming a more rare thing to find in the zoo. Ask a keeper when the elephants are getting their pedicure, and try to go then. You get to see them much closer up and there’s a zookeeper to explain the process.

Jodi Wagner

One of the best outdoor destinations to see in San Diego County! Being a member has innumerable benefits...there's always something new with every visit. I love the babies!!!

vanessa jule

Awesome place....very close animal encounters...just the Safari trip gets sold out super quick if you don't get there early or book online.

Christina Crutchley

Loved this place! Cool weather, lots of shaded areas, clean and loving care from staff. We loved the birds exhibit!

Emwiz Media Holdings

Wonderful place to fascinate kids, huge open spaces for animals to roam around. We have an annual pass because it includes The San Diego zoo as well. Incredible deal especially if you become a donor. Definitely the best zoo and wild animal safari park in the country.

William Velez

Loved this place much more than the regular zoo. Be ready to walk a lot. Liked that food and drinks can be taken into the parks for your little ones and there were a lot of family bathrooms which are great for little ones as well. We went early and saw lots of activity. Staff was nice and friendly, specially the volunteers.

Jesse Thien

Had a great day exploring the park. The environments created for the animals, and the experience for the visitors is always executed so well. The layout gives you a good workout, but provides an exceptional viewing experience. The playgrounds and splash pad are an added treat for the kids when they need to burn some extra energy.

Siri Vias Singh Khalsa

This is a great place to take kids. There is so much to do, and the process are reasonable compared to other big Parks. We always have fun and are pleasantly exhausted after a day here.

Abdulhakim Sabur

Very nice and huge zoo. Bring your family and enjoy the great atmosphere there. Make sure to go on the rides ...

Summer Castle

My family and I love it here. Friendly staff and the park/bathrooms are clean. Great animal views and I love that the animals have plenty of space to roam as they please. The park is also good for those who are handicapped. Lots of walking so if you have children who aren’t that into walking I would definitely recommend bringing a stroller. I also recommend bringing your own snacks and lunch. The food is a little pricey. Not too bad for a park but I wish I had brought my own snacks.

Matthew Jeff

By far one of the largest zoo's I've had the pleasure of visiting with my family. The animals look happy with plenty of room. Certain areas allow the animals to roam around people which makes for some great opportunities for photos. Best part is how much of the park is accessible for anyone wheelchair bound such as my younger brother. The safari tram was very accommodating and has a lift ready incase someone needs a wheel chair to enjoy this. Another bonus was a shuttle to help transport anyone from the lower section back to the front area

Greg H

Wear comfortable shoes. So much to see here. Food is expensive, but it's an amusement park, so no surprise. Good variety of animals to see, with knowledgable keepers around to answer any questions.

Dawn

One of the dreamiest places on earth. I love zoos, and have been to more than 100. This is one of my favorites! If I only went here to enjoy the gorgeous flowers and plants, it would be well worth the trip. I am SO impressed with the grounds. It is better than any botanical garden I have seen. I love the safari tram that is included. I have tried others, but it I liked this one just as much. And...you can go on it as many times as you'd like! The balloon ride was worth it and had amazing views. The animals look so healthy and happy. Prettiest elephants ever. I love the kangaroo walk-about exhibit. And, if you have time, I highly recommend the Zip line. Yes it is expensive on top of everything. But, it was epic and amazing and well done. It is the safest one I have ever seen. Two of the guys, Jarrett and Austin, were fantastic and made our experience great. It actually includes two zip lines. One is a nice, small practice one. The other is rather terrifying and exciting. It is a 2/3 mile panoramic view of the safari and local mountain area. It was breathtaking, and scary and wonderful. :) I love this place and I look forward to my next trip! This is a 'do not miss' if you are anywhere nearby. And while I love the regular zoo in San Diego, I strongly prefer this beautiful place. If you can only do one, it is quite an experience.

Maria Apolinar

I mean it’s a zoo? I don’t understand why it is so overpriced. Cost nearly $100 for two students and I didn’t see anything in this zoo that other zoos don’t have. The pandas went back to China so they aren’t there. I’ve been to many zoos and honestly I thought the New Orleans zoo had a better set up. I just can’t get past the price for this place. Maybe it’s a west coast thing. I don’t know. Either way, nothing special.

Yulia Rossignoli

The butterfly exhibit was incredible! We had butterflies flying all around and even landing on us. My kids had so much fun watching butterflies! The general ticket includes the Africa Safari tram which takes you around the park and shows a different animals. We got to see a lot of animals up close. I think it's amazing to hear the information of conservation that goes on here.

Thai Yin

Love that there's so much more room than the zoo, both for the guests and the animals. Even on a busy weekend it never feels crowded. The best part is the outdoor seating at most of the restaurants. It feels like you're dining in a tropical paradise with lush greenery and exotic animals hanging around you. You can't get that atmosphere at the most expensive fine dining in town. Truly a San Diego treasure. And did I mention you can pet a kangaroo!?

Jerry Harrington

Last time I visited was 39 years ago. The tram ride around the park hasn't changed but there are alot of new attractions. The cheetah run was the most interesting thing to see. If you never seen a cheetah run it's a site to see. All in all a great place to visit but expect to walk alot.

Jacob Paxton

The hill is just nuts but everything else about this place rocks! Feeding the giraffes, feeding the birds, petting the goats - there is just so much to do! The walk about is great too and my 3 year old had so much fun interacting with all the animals. Make sure you have cash though, you need it to feed the animals and to go on the carousel.

Carina Beck

The park is amazing with lots of exhibits. Could easily spend all day there. Not for the physically out of shape individual. Lots of hills and walking. Nowhere to get a cold drink before 11. If you are out of shape like me, spend the $55 for a scooter rental.

Betty Ong

Lots to see and enjoy. We were there for a wedding and reception. Very nicely done. The foods for reception were really great and impressive. Really enjoyed the day. Only problem. Need a little help to transport guests more effectively to wedding locations. Guests have to walked too much and blindly without much instructions ' that's for the 4 stars.

Ben Boulanger

Wonderful place with so many educational opportunities for kids. The staff there were all very knowledgeable and engaged. It really shows that it's one of the best. We did the Roar n' snore safari, where you sleep in the park overnight.

Skip Edmunson

We had a great day thanks to the wonderful staff!! Thank you to the safari people, my dad had a memorable 92nd birthday doing what he loves!! Everything was perfect, the weather, the animals were all out and easy to see, lots of new babies had been recently born, the staff is so knowledgeable and presented the information with interesting extras. Big fun!!

Bill D

The safari park is absolutely amazing. Every attraction is done to the highest of standards. The animals are so well care for and kept. My wife and I did the behind the scenes lion tour. It was incredible and our guide was excellent. Her name was Katie. She demonstrated extreme Passion for Animals and was super knowledgeable about all parts of the safari park. Would definitely recommend doing a behind the scenes tour.

Randy Rush

It is a great pleasure to see these amazing animals. Although they are kept in large enclosed areas, they are still cages. If you look closely at the elephants, the square block is a toy. They move it around for exercise. But it looks like playing. Play shows a high level of intelligence. Also if you look closely, there are extra feet and an extra trunk. In fact, there is another elephant in the picture. And, in the other picture, the giraffes are assuming an instinctive, watchful stance. We marvel at these examples of creation, and deep down inside desire to be a part of their world. Natural.

Nicole Vincent

This is best place to take the kids for a day out. Always have a great time while there.

Kristie Ryals 1st le-vel recording

Super hot today, but was able to refresh in the water features. The exhibits are amazing. Animals all look healthy and happy, which I know is not cheap however I wish every thing in the park didn't nickle and dime everyone, why not offer a couple of them with donations vs making everyone pay SO MUCH?

Susanne Dershaw

Very fun and educational. The volunteers and staff are so friendly and knowledgeable. Lots to see and do. Pricey but you're supporting a good cause.

Ashley

Be prepared to walk a lot, wait in line for the safari tram, and try to go on a day that’s NOT hot! Other than that, this place has really cool exhibits and animals to see! It’s also very informative about wildlife conservation.

Patricia Bush

This Park is amazing. The personal interaction with the beautiful wild life. The education you receive about this wonderful place. The Safari staff are so friendly and so helpful. So much to see and enjoy. Will definitely return.

Marc W

This is one of those lifetime experiences that if provided the opportunity, one should embrace. I was amazed at the level of interaction permitted with the animals and the close proximity that we could observe from. Every person in the Jeep (~10ppl) had a chance to feed the Giraffes handfuls of leaves. When it can time to feed the Rhinos, as of on cue, they walked right up to us and patiently awaited slices of apples. They are truly amazing creatures! The entire safari tour lasted 2 hours and was a complete success.

Clay Volz

Best zoo experience EVER! Beautiful enclosures. Australia walkabout & tiger exhibit were the highlights. Save them for the end

The Guerrero-Chairez Family

My family and I had so much fun! We were able to see the gorillas I'm action. They were fooling around. We caught the last tid-bit of the bird show. We were able to see the cheetah run, and went on the tram. Super fun day!

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