Wild Animal Park VIP Tour
Includes Shuttle from your Hotel: - (Keyword: San Diego)
San Diego Wild Animal Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd., Escondido, CA 92027-9614; 760-747-8702;
Park Website;
Park opens daily at 9AM-5PM (Extended hours in summer);
Annual pass valid at both Zoo and Wild Animal Park.
Discounts available for seniors, military, schools and groups of 15 or more guests.
The San Diego Wild Animal Park comprises 1,800 acres located
five miles east of Escondido. It was started as a breeding facility for
the San Diego Zoo's larger mammals. Today
there are over 2,500 animals here and also 250 species of exotic plants.
The main park exhibit is an open cageless habitat recreating
African, Asian and Australian grasslands. Animals present are
tigers, lions, elephants, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, giraffes, etc.
An absolute must is the 50 minute narated monorail tour
that goes around the large habitat area. Also recommended
is the 1.75 mile walking trail.
Animal Encounter Zones:
Lion Camp
- This is also one place where you can come right up to the big cats, separated only by
large glass panels from top to bottom.
Condor Ridge
- A popular exhibit in the park features a variety of birds, reptiles and mammals unique to the North America continent.
Nairobi Village
- This area includes gift shops, animal and bird shows, aviaries and habitat exhibits for the smaller mammals.
Other exhibits include the Fishing Village, Bee-eater Aviary, Animal Care Center and the Petting Kraal.
Heart of Africa
- This 30-acre safari area allows for closeup viewing of okapi, giraffe and other African wildlife in a natural habitat setting.
Elephant Walk
- Two large exhibit areas for our elephant herds: one for our Asian elephant group and another one for our African elephants.
Lorikeet Landing
- Giant bird aviary resembles the rainforests of Australia and New Guinea .
Kilimanjaro Walk
- 1.75 mile trail past the cageless enclosures of elephants, rhinos, tigers and lions, as well as the Park's extensive botanical gardens.
Kupanda Falls Botanical Center
- 1.25 mile winding trail past the park's botanical gardens.
Cheetah Run Safari
- Small groups of spectators travel to a beautiful, rustic camp at the Wild Animal Park called Cheetah Outpost. (weekend reservation)
Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center (HVMC)
- Guided tours by reservation only of a state-of-the-art animal hospital located at the Wild Animal Park.
Animal Shows
Be sure to keep your eyes open for casual encounters with some of the wildlife ambassadors
in the Park's Animal Encounters program, out for walks with their trainers, usually in the
area of Nairobi Village.
Free-flying Bird Show
- Comedy and entertainment shows offered daily in the Benbough Amphitheater at the south end of Nairobi Village.
Elephant Show
- 10,000 pound pachyderm shows his strength, intelligence and versatility.
Cats & Carnivores Tour
- Take this amazing tour into the world of the carnivores during which you'll meet a carnivore up close and visit an off-exhibit cat area.
Park Dining
In addition to the traditional fare of "fun foods" (i.e., cotton candy, ice cream, hot dogs and soft drinks)
San Diego Wild Animal Park offers the following diverse and healthier choices:
Thorn Tree Terrace - Nairobi Village
- sandwiches, salads and burgers with daily entertainment from nearby Spider Monkey Island.
Breakfast is also served here until 10:30 a.m.
Mombasa Island Cooker
- An outdoor dining facility covered with a thatched roof and located in a secluded area surrounded with exotic waterfowl
that serves up Italian and Asian specialities, as well as salads and burgers.
Okavango Outpost - Heart of Africa
- Select your meal from a choice of hot dogs, deli sandwiches, salads, and Kid's Meals,
then dine outdoors and enjoy the spectacular scenery in the Park's Heart of Africa exhibit.
Samburu Terrace - Bird Show Amphitheater -
This outdoor dining facility offers burgers, hot dogs, fries, chicken sandwiches, barbecue ribs, tri-tip sandwiches, Kid's Meals, salads, and "South of the Border" entrées.
Congo Kitchen - Nairobi Village
- Located across from the main gift shop, Congo Kitchen serves hot dogs, nachos, and Kid's Meal
Cabrillo Inn Best Western
840 A Street , San Diego, CA 92101 ;
Location: Ash Street Exit from SR-163 Freeway
Stay at this charming Spanish style San Diego hotel featuring deluxe bedding and
conveniently located near a wide variety of area attractions.
Each well-appointed guestroom is equipped with hypo-allergenic down comforters wrapped in
300 thread count Egyptian cotton duvets, sunny balconies and solid maple furniture topped
with natural marble. The bathrooms are built with imported Spanish hand-painted tiles.
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Castle Creek Inn Resort
Circle R Way, Escondido, CA 92026;
Location: Near Gopher Canyon Rd Exit from I-15 Freeway
The Castle Creek Inn is a boutique style Resort and Spa located in San Diego North County.
Resting amidst the scenic foothills of Temecula's Wineries and adjacent to a beautiful 18-hole championship golf course,
you will find this place will make for a great vacation getaway.
Amenities include tennis courts, spa, hot soaking pools, swimming pool, fitness center, sauna, ropes course and more.
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Carlsbad Palisades Resort Hotel
Carlsbad's Grand Pacific Palisades Resort & Hotel is a world-class hotel and timeshare resort with magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean.
It is situated adjacent to both the beautiful Flower Fields and the amazing Legoland California theme park.
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Rancho Bernardo Inn
San Diego's Legendary Golf Resort and Spa
17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, Rancho Bernardo, CA 92128;
Location: Near I-15 Exit to Rancho Bernardo Road;
Set in the San Pasqual Mountains just 25 miles north of San Diego and surrounded by 265 acres of carefully
manicured golf course and lush California landscape, the Rancho Bernardo Inn features 108 holes of great golf,
state-of-the-art tennis, fitness and spa facilities and two award-winning restaurants offering the finest
dining experience rated highest among San Diego restaurants.
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Rancho Bernardo Courtyard Marriott
11611 Bernardo Plaza Court, Rancho Bernardo, CA 92128;
Location: Near I-15 Exit to Rancho Bernardo Road;
This Courtyard by Marriott hotel borders Scripps Poway & Carmel Mountain Ranch, just North of San Diego.
A 100% Non-Smoking hotel offering all the amenities to make your next visit to San Diego exactly what you are envisioning.
Guests will enjoy comfortable and well-appointed sleeping rooms with all the amenities to stay productive, including
complimentary high speed internet access, both wired and wireless.
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La Estancia Comfort Inn
1290 West Valley Pkwy, Fallbrook, CA 92028
This Comfort Inn is a Non-smoking boutique hotel located minutes from Temecula wine country,
Camp Pendleton, area casinos and golf courses. It features fine Italian dining, pool and spa, palapa with fireplace by poolside,
lush gardens with pavilion. All guestrooms at the La Estancia are newly renovated with
flat panel televisions and breath taking decor.
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Escondido Howard Johnson
515 West Washington Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025;
Location: Downtown near Washington Ave and Center City Parkway
There are several restaurants with in walking distance to this Howard Johnson Hotel.
Iceplex Skating Rink and The Family Fun Center is in the next block.
Shopping centers and golf courses are within two miles. The Escondido Howard Johnson features
exterior corridors for guest convenience and an outdoor pool and outdoor hot tub to enjoy the California sunshine.
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San Diego Harbor Cruise
- Admire beautiful ships, city skyline and aquatic marine life.
