re: Family trip San Diego

The best advice I got from this board is this: Your zoo ticket includes a ride on the zoo bus any any point in the day. Many people pass it up and go back to it later. Don't do this. Wait outside the gates before the zoo even opens, and then when it opens go immediately to the bus for your ride.

The animals have just gotten moving for the day and are still being fed. Animals that would normally be sleeping and out of view are all out for their feedings. We legit saw a polar bear full fledge dive into his pool.

Also - While the kids may not care, don't just breeze past all the really amazing plant life they have. They said on the tour that their plants in sum are worth more/were more expensive than all of the animals combined. Super awesome exotic plants you won't probably ever see again. We have more photos of those than we do animals.