Sprawling along the Pacific Coast, San Diego offers a true metropolitan setting complete with exciting family activities, a refined arts scene and the many other wonders of a big city. However, San Diego can also offer an in depth glimpse into nature through its wide variety of zoological attractions and beautiful coastline to explore. And whether cruising the Pacific or strolling through SeaWorld, you can experience the sights and sounds of the wild from a number of different perspectives.
Popular the world over, SeaWorld offers a zoological experience in a theme park setting. And while most guests will already know to expect unbelievable whale exhibits, startling shark encounters and run-ins with all sorts of other species, there are also a number of shows featured at the park. In particular, R.L. Stine’s Haunted Lighthouse 4-D offers a frightfully good time for the entire family while Mystique de la Mer showcases amazing acrobatics and the synergy possible between land and water inhabitants.
The San Diego Zoo is always a popular attraction when visiting San Diego, and for good reason. More than 4,000 animals representing over 800 species greet visitors to the zoo each day for an unbelievable look at wildlife from around the world. In total, the San Diego Zoo features 13 permanent exhibits, with a number of special exhibits rotating through all the time. Those looking for a traditional zoo experience done to near perfection need look no further than the impressive San Diego Zoo.
San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park
While the San Diego Zoo features animals in a more traditional zoo setting, San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park offers sights of animals roaming in naturalistic habitats. 3,500 animals representing 400 different species roam the 1,800 acres of the park, with many of the animals such as Giraffes and Rhinos living in the same space for a truly unique zoo experience. Some of the regions featured at the Wild Animal Park include desserts, wetlands, scrublands and savannas.
Experiencing the sheer size and beauty of wild whales in their natural habitat easily ranks among the most moving sights our world has to offer, and that’s exactly what you’ll experience during the San Diego Harbor Whale Watch. This narrated cruise takes visitors around the San Diego Harbor to view the California gray whales that frequent the area. And while the main focus of the cruise is on whales, there’s also a chance that you’ll see other area wildlife including dolphins and sea lions.
