San Diego Zoo Travel Guide | California Travel Tips

California travel guide Veronica Hill shares her San Diego Zoo Travel Guide (HD) in this episode of "California Travel Tips."

The San Diego Zoo is one of the top San Diego attractions, drawing more than 3 million visitors annually.

Put on your best walking shoes before starting your safari through this world-class zoo. This 100-acre jungle of steep hills, canyons and winding trails, packs in quite a workout, but you'll be rewarded with some of the most amazing animal exhibits anywhere in the world.

Approximately 4,000 animals call the San Diego Zoo home, from endearing little pygmy marmosets to endangered California condors. Be sure arrive early, when the animals are most active. Then, head directly to the Giant Panda Research Station (888-697-2632), which is the most popular exhibit in the park. Other must-see attractions include Monkey Trails, Elephant Odyssey, Polar Bear Plunge, and the Children's Zoo, where little folks can pet small goats and sheep.

The Koala Exhibit from Lone Pine Sanctuary in Brisbane boasts the largest number of koalas outside of Australia.If you don't want to hoof it around the park, consider joining the Bus Tour, which include a guided 35-minute ride through about 75 percent of the park. You can also catch the Skyfari Aerial Tram, which begins outside the Reptile House and ends up at Polar Bear Plunge. When it comes time for lunch, there are plenty of restaurants scattered around the zoo, serving everything from pizza to veggie burgers.

Our favorite cafe is Albert's Restaurant (619- 685-3200), a more "gourmet" restaurant in the treetops of Gorilla Tropics. On a sunny day, dine alfresco by the waterfall, or cool off in the dining room with a cold specialty beer and grilled ahi sandwich.Tips: Each October, children ages 3-11 are admitted free to the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park. If you plan on visiting both the zoo and safari park, get a two-visit adult pass for $76. Active military with ID get free admission, and AAA members get 10 percent off. The Southern California CityPass offers discount packages to the zoo, Sea World and Disneyland.

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