As a San Diego native, I have been going to the San Diego Zoo for practically my entire life.
PHOTO AMANDA PURCELLI can remember the exciting family trips where I anxiously awaited to visit the children’s petting zoo (anyone can pet sheep and goats there), the art camp where we drew the animals in colorful oil pastels, and the rainy days in high school when my friends and I traversed the various exhibits. I have never been a tourist in San Diego, but I still love going to the zoo. There is something different about it every time: a new animal born, turtles fighting in an exhibit, or more recently, holiday lights lining the walkways. If you are a tourist, or just someone like me who is looking for a fun afternoon, here are some unconventional reasons you should visit the San Diego Zoo this winter.
5. The Hummingbird Sanctuary
The hummingbird exhibit is one of the San Diego Zoo’s hidden gems. I personally did not know it existed until a year and a half ago! Tucked away between the snake hall and the reptile walk, the hummingbird sanctuary is surrounded by trees and is the perfect place for a blissful escape from the sometimes-crowded zoo. Once you walk through a moving doorway, you enter a small sanctuary riddled with mini-waterfalls and shaded greenery where hummingbirds fly freely around the room. It is a great spot to capture the small birds in action or to take a break from the notorious San Diego sun.
PHOTO AMANDA PURCELL4. Peacocks
There are many peacocks at the zoo. The catch? They are not in exhibits. The San Diego Zoo is one of the only places where peacocks roam the walkways of the zoo as freely as the people do. It is not unlikely that while you are at the zoo you will catch one of these glorious looking creatures strutting around or sitting near an exhibit.
3. The Exercise
Cat canyon is indeed a canyon, which means that if you want to look at lions, tigers, or jaguars, you are going to have to walk up a hill. Likewise, all of the bears at the zoo are located on a long hill. Be sure to check out the sloth bear; it is pretty incredible. The polar bears, a zoo must-see, are on the opposite side of the zoo, and the San Diego Zoo is huge! Why not work off those holiday pounds and see wild animals at the same time? I can guarantee that the zoo is one of the only places in San Diego where you can do both.
2. Baby Animals
A new baby panda was recently born at the zoo. Not only does the zoo offer a “Panda Cam” which allows people to see the baby panda through a video, but soon enough the panda will be on exhibit. Moreover, in the Children’s Exhibit at the zoo, there is a building that hosts the zoo’s baby animals from time to time. It is a great way to see adorable tiny animals up close.
1. Jungle Bells
The whole zoo is set up for a festive holiday adventure! When I recently walked into the zoo, Christmas music was playing and a huge tree held beautiful holiday lights. A lit up snowman sat near the flamingo exhibit, and there was even a fake snow machine at the entrance (which is a well-needed seasonal reminder in San Diego). Bells were everywhere in the zoo, and there was even an area where kids could sit on Santa’s lap. “Jungle Bells” allows people, especially those who have a year-long opportunity, to visit the zoo in the night with a multitude of bright and wonderfully festive lights! It is a unique opportunity to see the animals in a much less crowded environment and a great change from what the zoo looks like for most of the year.
