San Diego Zoo OR Safari
 

We are an active family of 4 (boys 13 and 12) and we are trying to determine which attraction would be better to visit. We are leaning toward the safari and if we do that what add on activities would you recommend?
Thanks in advance!

I wish you could do both. The zoo makes it handy to add another activity in town. Don’t miss the USS Midway.

Perhaps others here can help out with Animal Park add ones.

The Zoo and the Safari Park are completely different. You could do both, if you are here for long enough! The Safari Park will be hotter than the Zoo in summer as it's further inland. The Zoo is very hilly, steep hills! Arrive early for both. Although they both have huge parking lots, they do fill up.

I saw from your other post that you will be here for 3 days, not really enough time for both.

In a similar situation we chose the zoo and didn’t regret it. I figured that it was the better value in these extremely expensive attractions, they used to be priced the same. The zoo is really a full day unless you skip things.

They are both great. If you wanted to do something more than walk around then I think the Safari park would be great for your boys ages if you added these.

Safari Park has the ability to add on zip lining and a safari drive. https://sdzsafaripark.org/safaris/flightline-safari. There is also. https://sdzsafaripark.org/safaris.

The zoo had just opened https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/wildlife-explorers-basecamp and it is a lot of fun! I was there last week and the exhibits are great with lots of things for the kids to do. Have the boys bring their bathing suits if they want to get wet.It was very crowded though. You can take Skyfari from one side to the other. If you do choose to take it take it back from the far side of the park….less of a wait to get on.

I have been to both and usually am there once a month, That being said go at the opening time for the best experience and take your own lunch/snacks.

We took a grandchild to the zoo and it was a very good experience.
The next day we went to the Safari Park which was so hot and uncomfortable that the animals were hiding and we and our grandchild were all happy to leave earlier than planned. It is inland so much hotter than the zoo.
When is your trip?

I think you'll see more different types of animals at the zoo for the base ticket price. I felt that at the Safari Park, I had to purchase a whole bunch of add-ons to my base ticket in order to have a fuller experience. I loved it there but can't imagine going without doing the safari ride, which cost extra. At the zoo you're already near all the other sights at Balboa Park too so you could easily spend a day there without moving your car.

For parents, there's a GREAT winery just outside the safari park. I have to think that's the smartest planning ever to have a place for parents after a long day in the park. Check out Orfila Vineyards and Winery. We did a tasting there and really enjoyed it.