San Diego Wild Animal Park

One of the main tourist attractions in the City of San Diego and in Southern California, the Wild Animal Park houses a great number of wild and endangered animals, including species from the continents of Africa, Asia, North and South America, Europe, and Australia.  It is visited annually by more than 2 million people and has more than 3000 animals comprising more than 400 species, as well as more than 3,500 species of unique plants.  The park is also noted for its highly successful California Condor breeding program and an amazing collection of rare hornbills.  It has a semi-arid environment, comparable to Nairobi Village in Kenya.

The Park’s most notable feature is the large Wgasa Railway, which explores 700 acres of free-range exhibits featuring various wild animals and birds.  Other features include music and entertainment, a sunset balloon Safari ride, the Conservation Carousel, and the Mombasa Lagoon.

Among the exhibits that could be seen or experienced in the Wild Animal Park are:

• The Lion Camp            
• The Hidden Jungle
• Condor Ridge              
• Kilimanjaro Safari Walk
• Heart of Africa              
• Field Exhibits
• Elephant Overlook             
• The African Aviary
• Lorikeet Landing               
• The Wgasa Bush Line Railway
• Nairobi Village            
• Australian Rain Forest

San Diego Wild Animal Park Information

The Wild Animal Park is 32 miles north of the San Diego Zoo, at 15500 San Pascual Valley Road, east of Escondido, California along CA-78.  Both the park and the zoo are managed by the Zoological Society of San Diego.

Adults $28.50 | Children (3-11) $17.50

Hours:

• Hours fluctuate seasonally. Open 365 days a year.
• January 1 thru June 16: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (grounds close at 5 p.m.)
• June 17 thru September 4: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (grounds close at 9 p.m.)
• September 5 thru December 7 & December 24, 25 and 31: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (grounds close at 5 p.m.)
• December 8 thru December 30* 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (grounds close at 9 p.m.)

Parking: $8 per vehicle for nonmembers, $6 for members, $10 per RV for nonmembers, $8 for members.

Directions from the NORTH (southbound): From Interstate 5 (Orange County, Los Angeles), take the State Route 78 East exit at Oceanside, proceed east to Interstate 15 South, exit at Via Rancho Parkway and follow the signs to the Park. From Interstate 15 (Riverside), exit at Via Rancho Parkway and follow the signs east to the Park.

Directions from the SOUTH (northbound): From State Route 163 (downtown San Diego, Mission Valley) proceed to Interstate 15 to the Via Rancho Parkway exit. Go east and follow signs to the Park. From Interstate 5 or 805 (Mexico), proceed to State Route 163, then to Interstate 15 North, and then exit at Via Rancho Parkway. Follow signs east.

Directions from the EAST (westbound): From Interstate 8 (Imperial County, Arizona) take Interstate 15 North to the Via Rancho Parkway exit. Follow the signs east to the Park.