I haven't posted in awhile, but combination of an upcoming trip this week, and a chance dinner last night with OleSouthernBelle, has me back in! We are planning to use our main chunk of free time to go to the zoo, right after arriving on Thurs. How long would you allow for the overhead tour, and a good visit for two adult first-timers? I know it is huge and wonderful. Hope to see baby panda like everyone else! Anywhere recommended nearby or in zoo for lunch or early dinner? (Not that we'll be there for both, but after traveling since 4 am SD time, we will be on a wierd eating schedule!) If you saw my earlier restaurant thread, you'll know that this doesn't have to be THE foodie experience of all time. Just a semi-foodie good local experience!

I'm not sure what you mean by "overhead tour". There is a bus tour, which is usually very good. There is also a gondola ride from the bottom to near the polar bear exibit (excellent!), but it's not a tour. Great views, though. I would allow a minimum of two-three hours. It really depends how much walking you want to do after the bus tour.

There is an excellent restaurant in Balboa Park called the Prado Restaurant. It's walking distance from the Zoo, but if you will have a rental car you might want to move it from tha Zoo parking lot and have it valet parked at the restaurant. You'll be pretty tired and may not want to hike back to the Zoo after dinner.

http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/cohn/...ants/prado.php

Agree with Barbara on the zoo...go at least 2-3 hours and then have dinner at the Prado..great for drinks and app's too!
Balboa Park is gorgeous as well.

Thanks, Barbara, you guessed right, but it is actually called the "Skyfari Aerial Tram"! Gondola is easier to remember!

Consider Wild Animal Park. I personally think it's a lot more unique than the zoo, which isn't that different from most zoos.

From downtown, it would take you the best part of an hour to get to the Wild Animal Park-if you have a rental car. If not, you're out of luck, pretty much. Then, of course and hour back. How much time do you have for this? Do you want to spend it in a car or looking at animals? There's nowhere close to the Wild Animal Park for dinner-you might as well wait until you get back downtown.

I like both the Wild Animal Park and the Zoo, but IMO, there's more to see at the Zoo.

i would allow more then 2-3 hours for first timers to the zoo. if you do the bus tour first (which i recommend as it shows you where everything is and, there may be certain areas that you don't care about so can omit from your visit) that will take about 45 minutes (i think), then, it's a large area to walk around - the sky tram is worthwhile and about 15 minutes. i personally can be at the hippo, gorilla and polar bear exhibits for easily 20 minutes each. there are numerous "shows" that you can catch too. i'd plan on at least 4 hours. the resaurant mentioned above is good but there is also a good one right in the zoo - albert's restaurant - look at the zoo's website for information on that

The OP states she is going to the zoo right after arriving to SD..and she is staying at the Westgate Hotel..
The SD Zoo is the perfect call and she'll be able to enjoy it for several hours along with dinner without spending over 2 hours back and forth in the car to the Wild Animal Park..

Thanks all! Yes, the zoo is our best option as we will be carless, and the zoo is one of the places that the hotel provides transportation to. Plus, I have heard of the San Diego zoo for my whole life! We think it will be a good relaxer after a long flight.

I think the zoo is a good choice too. I always like something where I can get out and about, wandering around after a flight.

We spent 5 hours at the zoo when we went a couple months ago - didn't do the bus tour because there was a long line - just rode the sky thing and walked around. But then we are slow and have to see everything

ah. if you're there for only 1 day and without a car, then it makes sense. however, it would be a shame not to see all the other gorgeous parts of SD for which you need a car.

Well bamagrl will just have to come back

San Diego is one of those places that I could go again and again.

Ya'll are being so hospitable, I know if I was trying to see it all, you would help me with that, too! I am trying to be realistic about limited time outside of dull but necessary meetings(for him). I will have my own adventures during the day--no problem! Who knows, I may even jump on the train to Carlsbad! Hotel seems to be in good location and they do provide some transportation, plus trolley stop is right there. No, we will not have time to see it all, even if we had a car, but that will just give us an excuse to come back.

I would also plan more than 2-3 hours for the zoo. Of course, I like to see everything and go at a leisurely pace. So I guess it's a matter of style but I think you could easily spend 4-5 hours there especially if you do the bus tour first.

I did say 2-3 hours was the minimum.

I agree Barbara. I drive my daughters crazy when we go to the zoo. I like to read each sign and study the animals particularly those that are not as well known. So that's why it takes me so long. LOL They're the kind that would do it in 2-3 hours and be happy with what they saw.

How is your daughter doing?

I am a read-every-sign type of person too - which is why we were at the zoo for 5 hours and still didn't see everything - LOL. Hunger finally drove us away. We shared a sandwich and fries earlier, but I was hungry again and didn't want to eat zoo food for 2 meals - LOL.

That is the reason we will leave --tired and/or hungry! Sounds like 2-4 hours will do it for us--I am the one that becomes antsy if DH tries to learn everything possible. Plus the zoo closes now at 5.