San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The world-famous San Diego Zoo is not only in Balboa Park. It is also present in a special 1,800-acre wildlife preserve in Escondido, housing more than 3,500 animals from over 400 species plus an extensive botanical garden.

The property was previously known as the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, but after much study and debate, the name was officially changed to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This designation better reflects the Zoo's mission of conservation and its desire to provide visitors with a unique adventure amid large-scale habitats. In Swahili language, the word "safari" literally means a "journey of mind and soul."

As an advantage of having such a spacious area, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park showcases herd-type animals that normally roam together on the plains and savannas of Asia and Africa. They include rhinos, giraffes, and antelope, exhibited in the most natural way possible. Shows and animal presentations are also scheduled throughout the day.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park is located in the San Pasqual Valley at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, California 92027-7017. The park opens at 9am daily, closing at 6pm in summer and 5pm the rest of the year. The minimum time needed for a visit is about 4~6 hours. One-day general admission passes cost $37 for those aged 12 years and over, or $27 for children aged 3~11.