GG1958

Hi, was wondering how long do you need in San Diego - the Zoo and Sea World - is it worth doing both - and if so how long for each - what else is there to do in SanDiego
also driving from San Diego to Las Vegas -is there anything to see or do on the way or is it best to just drive straight there

We are planning on doing this in Early June so hopfully the weather will be fine - and we are thinking of hiring a mini bus as there will be 10 adults and one 10month old baby - We will hire the mini bus from Los Angeles - and drive down to San diego then to Las Vegas
any help in regards to hiring a mini bus would be great also

thanks in advance

montereybob

It takes an entire day to see the zoo and another whole day to see Sea World. Both are worth it. If you'd rather see animals roaming wild open areas as they do in their natural environments rather than see them confined, then I would suggest the San Diego Wild Animal Park instead of the zoo.
Have you heard of the "June gloom" in Southern CA? It refers to the tendency for the skies to be overcast at that time of year---especially before noon or 1pm. You most likely won't have any rain though.
Also fun to see in SD is La Jolla, Balboa Park, Old Town San Diego, and Seaport Village.

Barbara

Also interesting, the embarcadero with the Maritime Museum, which includes the Star of India, and the Midway museum.

http://www.sdmaritime.org/

http://www.midway.org/

The Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma is well worth a visit, especially if it's not overcast. The views are fantastic.

abram

We didn't go to the Zoo, but did spend two days in Balboa Park seeing the museums.

The USS Midway was definitely worth the visit--we spent about four hours there.

We also enjoyed a boat trip of the harbor.

sf7307

The zoo and SeaWorld are two different animals altogether (pun intended). The zoo is a zoo -- better than most because the habitats are more natural and bigger, it's beautiful, I've really never heard anyone say a bad thing about it. SeaWorld obviously is focused on sea animals (plus penguins), but it's also a place with lots of planned activities -- the Shamu show, the dolphin show, the walrus show, etc. Each could definitely be a whole day's outing.

GG1958

thanks for all your replies - am wondering if SeaWorld is like our Sea world in Gold coast Queensland Australia ... has anyone been to both???

spirobulldog

Most Seaworlds are similar. I have been to the one in Orlando, San Antonio, and San Diego.

San Diego has the best Zoo that I have been to. That said, Wild Animal Kingdom, which is owned by the zoo is even better, in my opinion. It is outside San Diego and animals roam more freely. However, to fully enjoy it, you need to take one of the special tours to get the full effect of the place. This drives the price up a lot. The Zoo(which is in itself huge) is in Balboa Park(which is super huge). The park offers many other areas of interest as well.

bigtyke

If your Sea World is owned by the same people, then it will be very similar. If the only connection is an identical name, then it will probably be very different.

The San Diego Zoo is great and takes an entire day. The only bad thing I can say against it is that it is no longer free for those under 16 and you can no longer feed the animals. Both were the case when I was young.

michele_d

Hi GG1958,
I'd recommend just driving through to Vegas. Not much to see along the way IMO and it's an easy drive on the 15. Just a little over 300 miles. Should take just under 5 hours.

Vegas will be pretty warm then, (the 80 degree temps started this week) but San Diego is always pretty mild temp wise. And yes, it will be overcast in the mornings but that doesn't stop the fun. Usually burns off by noon or so.

Have fun,
Michele

SusieQQ

Please do not go to Sea World. It is a place of animal cruelty for the entertainment of people. The Wild Animal Kingdom is a place to see animals in a more natural setting.

dbdurand

And the Wild Animal Park is in Escondido, not San Diego, which could be a stop on your way to Las Vegas.

Dewd

SusieQQ wrote: "Please do not go to Sea World. It is a place of animal cruelty for the entertainment of people. The Wild Animal Kingdom is a place to see animals in a more natural setting."

You are 100% correct. Please do not support Sea World. The animals are imprisoned and exploited for corporate profits. (I am a former dolphin trainer.) The Wild Animal Park in Escondido is a much better choice to view animals.

FrankS

Go to Wild Animal Park not Sea World because animals are imprisoned for corporate greed? How about Non Profit greed?

Last time I was at the Wild Animal Park they had animals they imprisoned from other parts of the world too. The king of the beasts has only an old LandRover to sleep on while his lazy wives dont even have to hunt. The good looking male Rhino has to be walled up so the ugly rhino can get some action with the girls. The cheetahs have to watch the baby Zebras from a distance while the ranger takes her cub on a leash for the visitors to play chase the string with.

Whether its the Zoo, Sea World or Wild Animal Park, they all have 'imprisoned' animals and all take good care of those animals.

MonicaRichards

I agree that all of the animals are "imprisioned" but the way they do it in Sea World just seems more cruel than at the zoo. Some of those cages are small (like the sea turtles!) and it was way too entertainment themed for me. Just seemed like crass commercialism in a way that the zoo does not.

Barbara

Well, Sea World IS much more commercial than the Zoo. They have totally different missions. However, Sea World performs a lot of rescues and provides rehabilition for sea creatures that the Zoo cannot.

ksucat

A full day is needed at the SD Zoo, Seaworld or the Wild Animal Park.
If your going in the summer to Wild Animal park, they have a sleepover called snoar and roar..something like that.
It will be hot in June-Oct.

sheri_lp

Personally, I did not really enjoy SeaWorld. The Shamu show was good, but it was so bloody crowded.

The Zoo would be a little better I liked the Wild Animal Park more. BUT if you go - you must go early in the day so it won't be as hot.

I think you could save the money and just spend the day at Balboa Park - much nicer, or any one of the beaches, and you'd have just as much fun.

MonicaRichards

I do agree about Balboa Park, it is just gorgeous!

GG1958

OK wow thanks for all the replies - think we will give seaworld a miss - we have one here in Australia up in Queensland - think now that maybe we give Sandiego a miss and just drive straight from LA towards the Grand canyon and maybe stay out at the Grand Canyon overnight - apparently it is spectacular at sunset and sunrise - then back to Las Vegas - which is there to see on the way from LA to Grand Canyon anyone???
thanks
I might start a new topic just for that one

sheri_lp

Your trip is getting a little confusing now. The Grand Canyon isn't exactly 'on your way' to Vegas, especially just for a one night stay.