The amazing San Diego Zoo has been educating and entertaining visitors since the 1920s.  A pioneer in “cageless” exhibits and in the reproduction and research of endangered species, the zoo is one of San Diego’s most famous attractions.  Along with its sister park, The Wild Animal Park, the San Diego Zoo has built a solid reputation on its care for animals and nature in general. 

Venturing through the miles of path in the hilly San Diego Zoo requires the stamina of an athlete, but luckily the zoo has provided transportation to get you into higher elevation with the aerial tramway, or even a tour on double-decker buses.  From the “top” of the zoo you can find a breathtaking panorama of the entire park as well as downtown San Diego, the bay, the ocean, bridges.  Wandering down the pathways takes visitors past the huge, enclosed Scripps Aviary, filled with tropical birds buzzing inches away from your head.  Today visitors can also explore Gorilla Tropics, a new bio-climatic exhibit at the zoo.  Near the Tiger River, scented with jasmine, ginger lilies and orchids, visitors can find tigers, tapirs and pheasants roaming in their respective exhibits.  Nearby, hippos, buffalo and monkeys frolic in the warm California sun.  In fact, the aptly named Sun Bear Forest is host to a variety of creatures enjoying their natural playground.  The popular Polar Bear Plunge showcases the arctic bears taking icy dives, along with the nearby exhibits with Siberian reindeer and other cold-weather creatures.  To the delight of guests of all ages, the orangutans and siamangs do what they do best in their swingin’ habitat.  The San Diego Zoo is also home to the largest number of koalas outside Australia, and they’re a crowd favorite-- though they, along with the other zoo residents, are regularly overshadowed by the zoo’s stars… the pandas.

The San Diego Zoo’s love affair with the giant panda began in 1987.  After red-tape and tireless work of zoo staffers, China first agreed to a 200-day loan and eventually a 12-year research loan of two pandas, Bai Yun and Shi Shi.  In 1999, Bai Yun gave birth to Yua Mei, the first giant panda born in North America to survive into adulthood.  For almost three decades, the zoo has dedicated itself to helping many of China’s endangered animals, including the red panda, takins, and Manchurian cranes. 

So, whether you loved to hide out with the hippos, bask in the sun with the bears, or peek at the polar bears, there was always something to do, something to learn, and-- depending which species you’re exploring-- something to smell at the San Diego Zoo.