Hanging Out at The San Diego Zoo
By traveltripz on Mar 31, 2008 in San Diego, USA
Today we are catching up with some friends from Australia at the San Diego zoo at 10am in front of the Panda cage.
Leon and Simone are on their honeymoon and they have been travelling around California for the past three weeks, just as we have, but today is the first opportunity we have had to catch up.
After an early breakfast we catch the No 1 bus 8:15am bus outside the hotel, and change to the No 7 bus at University Ave. The No 7 bus drops us off just near the zoo. From the bus stop turn left at the corner and the zoo is just a short walk.
We are given a map with our ticket and from the look of it the Panda enclosure is right at the other side of the park. We have arrived early so we catch the bus tour around the park to get orientated.
To start with it’s a bit like a Jurassic Park tour with no animals to see but as we get further around some of the animals are active.
This is a set tour so we have to stay on the bus until it returns to the point where we set off from. There are also buses that have set down nd pick up points around the park which is ideal if you find yourself getting tired.
By now it is ten minutes to ten so Paula checks the map to find the quickest way back to the Panda cage.
Before long we see Leon in the distance. There is lots to talk about as we head off past the Sun Bears to see the Panda’s.
Leon and Simone have driven around Yosemite, San Francisco and they have just arrived in San Diego after a few days in Las Vegas. Pretty much the same trip as we have done except we went to The Grand Canyon instead of Yosemite.
Panda’s are super sensitive to loud noise so everyone is requested to be very quiet. A lady is sitting on a stool quietly relating facts about the Panda’s.
These animals consume 30-40 pound of bamboo each day. The park is self sufficient in that they grow the plants and fruits that are required by the animals. So there are great clusters of bamboo growing a the around park.
Everyone is really enjoying the antics of the Panda’s as they chew up the bamboo shoots. These animals are so cuddy looking and are a big hit.
Then it’s off to have drink and chat before going to see the Polar Bears, another firm favourite with the crowds.
To get to the Polar Bear enclosure from the Panda’s we take the escalator up past where the future home for the elephants is being built.
Then walk past the Takins cages and the entrance to the Skyfari Aerial tram which travels high over the zoo.
We can only see the bears heads to start with, they are messing about and fall into the water in front of the viewing area and we manage to get some underwater photos before moving to the outside viewing area.
As if on command the bears put on a great show of tumbling and pushing each other. Everyone gets lots of great photos and suddenly the bears leave the water and head to the back of the enclosure, no longer interested in their captive audience.
Our next stop is the Zebra cage, but they have just been fed and as the three of them have their heads in the trough we are treated to a display of their rear ends only. This is thoroughly uninteresting so we move on back up the hill to the Skyfari.
The price for unlimited rides on this and the buses is included in our ticket price of $34.00. You can purchase a park only ticket for $24.00, which is fine if you aren’t going to utilise the buse and Skyfari Aerial Tram. Personally I think it is better value to pay the extra $10.00.
Travelling across the top of the zoo is quite exillarating and there is a great view of the park below.
Once we reach the other side of the park we say goodbye to Leon and Simone and each set off our separate ways to explore further.
This gorgeous bird looks as if he is artificial - he is so vibrant and colorful.
