Animal
lovers get fix in San Diego
By Alexis Kindig
On-line Forty-Niner
Animal
lovers, the perfect vacation is just down
the 405 Freeway.
San Diego has three of the best animal-related
attractions in the country, all within close
proximity to each other.
The San Diego Zoo is famous for its giant
pandas, especially Hua Mei, who was born
in 1999 and became the first panda born
in the Western Hemisphere since 1990. But
other equally interesting animals can be
seen as well. Polar bears, elephants, crocodiles
and eagles are just some of the 4,000 animals
from 800 species that are represented at
the zoo.
During December, the zoo will offer several
art classes for children and families. Walk
on the Wild Side is a three-hour walking
tour of the Wildlife Education Compound
and such off-exhibit spots as the lion and
tiger bedrooms.
For those who prefer less walking, the Skyfari
Aerial Tram is a good way to get from one
end of the zoo to the other, which costs
$2.50 each way.
Admission to the zoo is $19.50 for adults
and $11.75 for children under 11.
The San Diego Wild Animal Park is a zoo
on steroids. Here, the animals get to roam
in large enclosures, where they live in
herds and flocks as they would naturally.
While the park was built more for the benefit
of the animals than their human visitors,
there are a lot of unique activities available.
There are walking tours (comfortable shoes
are highly recommended), and a photo caravan
that takes visitors into the largest enclosure
to get up close to giraffes, rhinoceroses,
Cape buffalo and various species of antelope.
The Wgasa Bush Line is a train that gives
passengers a guided tour of the park.
One highlight of the park is Lorikeet Landing.
Bird lovers can offer these colorful parrot-like
birds cups of nectar to become a human perch.
It’s a great experience to be covered in
lorikeets, but be warned — they’re not potty
trained.
Admission is $26.50 for adults, $19.50 for
children 3 to 11. Two-park passes are available
that can be used at the zoo and the park
within five days of purchase.
Finally, what would a trip to San Diego
be without a stop at Sea World? In additiion
to Shamu and family, there are several animal
exhibits, including Manatee Rescue and Shark
Encounter, where visitors walk through an
underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks.
Wild Arctic is another exhibit that features
polar bears, seals, and walruses.
Sea World also offers behind-the-scenes
tours, swimming with dolphins, and the Sky
Tower, from which the majority of the city
and Coronado Island can be seen.
These attractions are paradise for animal
lovers of all ages. Be sure to set aside
a whole day for each place, as it will take
that long to get the full experience of
each.
|
