Eight years ago, we embarked on an adventure to San Diego, and it turned out to be quite the experience—especially for Ike, who was taking his longest plane ride yet. The flight went okay; no major disasters or complaints from fellow passengers (that we know of). But four and a half hours? Let’s just say that’s a long time to entertain a toddler in a confined space. Pro tip: snacks are your best friend.
Once we landed, Ike got to meet up with his west-coast family, including Dori and his three cousins, two aunts, and uncle. Everyone was staying in a rental home in the charming Hillcrest neighborhood, and Ike was the star of the show. Seriously, this kid’s fan club grows with every trip!
Of course, when you’re in San Diego, there’s one must-do on everyone’s list: the San Diego Zoo. Even though I’m not typically a fan of zoos (any zoo, really), I have to admit—this one is spectacular. If you’re ever going to visit just one zoo in your life, this is it.
Exploring the Iconic San Diego Zoo
The zoo was incredibly crowded, but that didn’t stop us from having a great time. Ike was securely attached to his leash—yes, we’re a leash family!—when he wasn’t being carried or riding in his stroller. He was thrilled about it, as you can imagine. Fun memory: this was the last time we were able to use this leash/harness contraption, because the very next time we used it, Ike figured out how to take it off.
The San Diego Zoo boasts every kind of animal you can imagine—and even a few you probably can’t! The exhibits were laid out in such a creative way. My personal favorite was the cheetah cub and a puppy sharing a habitat because they’d been raised together as babies. I mean, how adorable is that?
Koalas? Yes, Please!
They also had koalas, and if you can look at a koala for more than two seconds without melting a little, you’re stronger than me. To top it off, there was a baby koala! He was safely nestled in his mother’s lap, and it took me a minute to even spot him.
Ike’s reaction to the koalas? Well, it looks like the baby koala might have reminded him he was thirsty because the randomly discarded water bottle suddenly became more interesting.
Fun with Family at the Zoo
We also had a chance to check out the giraffes, though Ike remained completely uninterested in them, whether in California or back home in Atlanta.
But he did wave hello to the rhinoceros. (Or, more accurately, the rhino’s behind—so maybe it was more of a “goodbye” wave?)
And then there was Sophia the donkey. Despite constant pleas from Alencia and Karlos, she absolutely refused to turn around, living up to her well-earned nickname, “Ass!”
Is the San Diego Zoo Worth It?
Absolutely. The San Diego Zoo is a bit pricey, but it’s 100% worth it. It’s massive, so I recommend springing for a rental stroller or wheelchair if you’re traveling with little ones or anyone with mobility concerns—there’s a lot of walking. There are also food and refreshment stands scattered throughout to help keep your energy up. We skipped the enormous elephant habitat at one point just to refuel at one of the snack spots.
If you’re into planning and being prepared (clearly, we are not), you might want to budget extra money for refreshments—or pack your own snacks if you’re feeling thrifty. But hey, when in San Diego!
Enhance Your San Diego Experience:
- Planning a trip to the San Diego Zoo? Check out some great tips here to make the most of your visit!
- Curious about other attractions in San Diego? Explore the best family-friendly spots for your next adventure.
- Looking for even more zoo insights? Learn about the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, an extension of the zoo with expansive wildlife habitats.
