Wild Animal Park

The San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, located in the San Pasqual Valley area of San Diego, is not your typical zoo experience. It is one of the largest tourist attractions in Southern California and houses a large array of wild and endangered animals in their natural habitats including species from the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Australia. Have the opportunity to wander into isolated areas and ride a safari or tour guided caravan. Experience a close-up encounter with an animal that you can only see at the San Diego Zoo. Feed a giraffe or even pet a Hippo. One day isn’t enough? Live the adventure at one of the Wild Animal Park’s overnight excursions. It's a great place for kids and adults of all ages!

Parking Fee:
$6.00* for a standard vehicle or $8.00* for an RV

Hours:
June 20–September 7: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
September 8–November 20: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Wild Animal Park Map

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Exhibits

African Aviary
Here you will find over 140 birds of over 40 different species.

Condor Ridge
Walk through a trail of North American habitats and animals to see California condors and thick-billed parrots.

Elephant Overlook
An elevated walkway allows you to get a closer look at the park’s elephants.

Harter Veterinary Medical Center
The park’s state of the art animal hospital. It is considered the largest and most sophisticated in the world.

Heart of Africa
Follow trails through an African forest to a lake, and stop to cool off at Jamison Research Island.

Hidden Jungle
A tropical greenhouse with exotic birds, insects, and plants.

Journey into Africa Tour
Take a twenty-five minute tour through their large African field exhibits.

Kilimanjaro Safari Walk
A two-mile trail where you will see elephants, tigers, lions, and endless gardens.

Lion Camp
At this exhibit experience African lions up close through a thick glass window.

Lorikeet Landing
Explore the habitat of the green-nape lorikeet. Here you can buy a cup of nectar and they will eat from your hand.

Nairobi Village
A village of shops, restaurants, animals and activity centers.

Wild Animal Park Interesting and Important Facts

• In many of the exhibits at the park, horticulturists have utilized the existing native vegetation.
• The Wild Animal Park has the only group of black herons in the country, which are found in the African Aviary.
• A life-sized white rhino sculpted in bronze is a favorite photo spot for children who get to climb on top of it. The statue has been in Nairobi Village since 1985 and serves as a tribute to a former Zoological Society of San Diego president, Andy Borthwick, who was instrumental in bringing white rhinos to the Park.
• During the construction of Condor Ridge artifacts were discovered. An archeologist was called in to evaluate the find and the exhibit plans were changed so the site would not be affected.
• The lions living in Lion Camp were raised around people and because of this they are very curious about the humans that come to visit.

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