The World Famous San Diego Zoo located in San Diego, California makes my list at #3 for "The Top Ten Places You Should Visit This Summer." This zoo welcomes millions of visitors each year and encompasses 100 acres. The zoo is best known for their visually stunning exhibits AND their famous residents (i.e.: Giant Pandas). I was 14 years old when I first visited this zoo...can’t you tell?
Look at this big guy! One of my favorite animals at the zoo is "Jabba" the hippopotamus. He calls the zoo's "Ituri Forest" home. This multi-species exhibit is also home to Okapi, Forest Buffalo, monkeys and otters.
The San Diego Zoo is known for their diverse amount of tropical plants, flowers, and trees. This picture was taken above the zoo's "Gorilla Tropics" exhibit. If you have the chance, make sure to ride the zoo's "Sky Safari." This will take you straight across the middle of the zoo giving you the chance to see the zoo from a bird’s eye view.
The zoo's most elaborate exhibit called "Monkey Tails and Forest Tails" transformed the zoo's old monkey yard into lush tropical habitats for some of the world's most endangered creatures. Of course my favorite is the Slender Snout Crocodiles. These crocs "share" their exhibit with Pigmy Hippopotamus (another favorite)!
Take a look at this close-up of one of the zoo's four Polar Bears! The "Polar Bear Plunge" exhibit is one of the zoo's largest exhibits complete with deep water, water falls, and rocky caves. Depending on the day you visit you might even see the keepers blow snow into the exhibit. I LOVE the fact that the bears are often seen playing right near the glass.
If you want more information on how you can visit this zoo check out their website at www.sandiegozoo.org
