San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Wildlife and safari park · San Diego

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Wildlife and safari park · San Diego

15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027

Highlights

At the expansive San Diego Zoo Safari Park, wildlife thrives in open habitats across 1,800 acres, offering an immersive experience with 3,500 animals.

15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027 Get directions

sdzsafaripark.org

@sdzsafaripark

@cntraveler

"The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a theme park predominantly designed for children, offering attractions like the Africa Tram. However, some visitors were not accommodating of young children, as evidenced by complaints about a toddler during a tram ride."

I’m an Avid Traveler, But the First Vacation With My Baby Made Me Feel Clueless

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@afar

"Whiletourists flock to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, its Safari Park—located30 miles away in the San Pasqual Valley—is equally interesting. Spread over 1,800 acres, it’s home to more than 3,500 animals and 260 different species as well as a huge botanical garden. Massive, open-range enclosures re-create various habitats from around the world (don’t miss African Plains, which is larger than the entire San Diego Zoo itself), while interactive exhibits allow visitors to get up close and personal with lemurs, lorikeets, bats, and more. The Safari Park began as a breeding program to supply the zoo but, over time, has become a major conservatory project. In fact, its condor-breeding efforts are behind the almost extinct bird’s successful reintroduction to the wilds of California. Note: Early mornings are the best time to see animal activity. Avoid August, September, and October, which are the area’s hottest months."

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Richard R

Google

Wonderful place. Hard to compare but liked it better than the zoo! So much to see. The highlight was the tram tour that went by all of the habitats. Wonderful variety. You also do a walk through the park and see lots of others. There is also a great variety of beautiful fauna to see. It is not inexpensive….entry is $76 for adults although seniors are free in February. Parking is $20….it is bothersome to pay that much when paying such a large ticket fee. Many other paid things are optional, eg preferred access to the tram and other attractions, the balloon ride, etc. Most maddening charge is a soda that’s about $8. I’m not cheap but would not spend it. I feel much better here than at the zoo. The animals are much less restricted, the park is mission driven for breeding and conservation, and they seem less “on display”.

Paula Peloso

Google

If you're looking for a truly immersive and exhilarating wildlife experience, the Wild Animal Park Safari Adventure is an absolute must! From the moment you step into the open-air safari truck, the boundaries between you and the animals fade away. The expansive savanna habitat is breathtaking, with herds of giraffes, rhinos, antelope, and zebras roaming freely across the rolling hills. The chance to see some of the newest baby animals in the park is a heart-melting highlight—watching them play and interact with their families was unforgettable. The expert guide was incredibly knowledgeable and personable, offering fascinating insights into the animals' behaviors, conservation efforts, and the unique challenges of maintaining such a diverse ecosystem. They answered all our questions with enthusiasm, making the journey both educational and entertaining. Riding in the back of the covered safari truck is an adventure in itself. The open-air design lets you feel the breeze and hear the animals’ calls, making you feel like you're truly in the wild. The up-close views are unbeatable—there were moments when a giraffe wandered so close, you could see every detail of its coat. The safari lasts about an hour, but it feels like time stands still when you're surrounded by such incredible beauty. It’s a family-friendly experience that kids and adults alike will cherish. Whether you're an animal lover, a photographer, or someone looking for a unique way to connect with nature, this safari adventure is worth every penny. Pro tip: Book your spot early, as the tours fill up fast, and bring your camera—this is one adventure you'll want to remember forever!

Carlos Mangrobang

Google

The park is a wonderful place to visit. The tram ride was very educational. The walk-around was nearly a true walk-a bout. The variety of wildlife was impressive. The walking paths were challenging but worth the exercise. We logged at least 10,000 steps in 6 hours. Our mobility challenged mom rented an electric cart to help her move through the park paths. We initially contemplated of getting a push wheel chair but were glad after a few hours of walking to have rented the electric cart instead. The weather was perfect and it wasn't too crowded. The staff was friendly and accommodating. Worth noting that any concession stand happily refilled our drink containers with ice water. That was outstanding. We highly recommend a visit.

Juan Reyes

Google

The place is amazing but very limited. The added price for the safari encounter is overpriced. They never get closed to the animals and everything is from a distance and timed. San Antonio, Texas safari is much better and the animal encounter is amazing. You can drive your personal vehicles and take your time. You feed the animals and get closed and personal. The pictures below are from San Diego. The trolley ride is educational and is included with your basic admission pass.

Ice Tea

Google

For those person who want to take a walk and enjoy in your slow-pace leisure time only. You just have to walk walk walk. Not much animals here, but I feel like they have freedom, enough food and safe. I personally like it. Buying value day ticket online in advance can actually save several bucks. It’s for value days only. Almost all the weekdays are value days.

Kent

Google

The zoo has many more animals than here, but the enclosures here are definitely larger. Quite a bit of side 'tours' that you have to spend a pretty penny on. Definitely recommend the Balloon ride though; going up into the air and being able to capture a bird's eye view of the park, was worth the $. Membership discounts as well. The Africa Tram was free with entry, covering most of what the cheaper tours would cover, just a little further, the safari tour brought you much closer to the animals, I personally don't think it's worth it's price even though the money goes into the conservation of the zoo/animals. (Tours ranging from $100-$425). The restrooms were very clean, considering the foot traffic. **Beware of the drinking fountains, they are filled with mold and algae (see picture), refill your bottles with the food stand attendants they will gladly do it for you** The Safari Park could also be completed in half a day, depending on how fast you walk and how long the lines are, we went during winter and weekday (school day), so there were no lines for the things we did (tram/balloon). They have a Japanese Bonsai Garden that was impressive. The place was very accessible for wheelchairs, walkers, disabilities. You could event rent scooters to ride around. They had a ramp for most, if not all their rides. Customer service was impeccable to say the least, every volunteer, every staff member provided flawless services, answered all our questions.

K Seale

Google

A beautiful, broad expanse of nature and its “wild” inhabitants at its grandest, I popped over the hill from a foggy and cool coastal community to find 80 degrees of welcoming sunshine! It was “February free month for seniors 65+” so I took advantage of my last day in Southern CA to visit the park. At Safari Park plan to walk a lot! It’s not like the multi-level zoo where everything is imaginatively squeezed into a smaller area of real estate. There are hills to navigate here (you can rent a capable scooter) and there’s plenty to see along the winding trails. In addition to the wildlife you expect to see, take note of the amazing vegetation, benches that offer rest, “watering holes” to add to your water bottle or spray explorers from above, QR codes for info, caring and knowledgeable docents, etc. If I had done my research ahead of time, I would have taken a water bottle (instead of paying $6 for water) and a picnic lunch and snacks (both are allowed to bring into the park). If you don’t bring a hat, there are plenty of options at souvenir shops. You must ride the free tram that takes you to places you can’t get by foot. I’ve been on 3 safaris in Africa so I did not need the safari experience they offer, so I can’t share an opinion on any of those offerings … but it did appear that they got closer to the animals.

Oliver Rodriguez

Google

San Diego Zoo Safari Park - A Must-Visit Experience I recently had an amazing time at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park with my family. This park is unlike any zoo I’ve visited—it feels more like a natural habitat, beautifully spread out, and designed for both the animals’ and visitors’ comfort. Admission Value: The admission prices are excellent considering what you get to see. The free trams included with admission provide a relaxing and educational tour around the park, offering stunning views and insights into the habitats. Customer Experience: The staff’s friendliness and professionalism stood out—everyone was welcoming and well-behaved (no “Karens” here!). The park never felt crowded thanks to its spacious layout, making the experience even more enjoyable. What to Expect: • Bring comfortable shoes: There’s a lot of walking involved, but it’s worth every step to see the incredible exhibits. • Daily Events: Don’t miss the live animal presentations at the stadium. They’re informative and fun for all ages. • Hidden Gems: The bonsai tree exhibit is a must-see and highly underrated. Overall: The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a place everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. With so many animals to see, a natural atmosphere, and top-notch service, this park is a true gem. Highly recommended!