Looking For One Last “Wild” Summer Roadtrip?

On the hunt for one more family adventure before the summer ends? Consider heading south to the world famous San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, where there are several new attractions to discover.

Stroll along with a Roti Island snake-necked turtle on the Reptile Walk? PHOTO BY KEN BOHN, SAN DIEGO ZOO

Published: 07/20/2012

by Michael Berick

On the hunt for one more family adventure before the summer ends? Consider heading south to the world famous San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, where there are several new attractions to discover.

You can cool off in the Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs – The 4-D Experience theater, which features a 14-minute 4-D film filled with special effects on and off the screen. Last month, the zoo also opened a new reptile and amphibian area called Reptile Walk. Visitors can view Surinam toads, Malayan giants turtles, and a colorful collection of other critters from around the globe, and explore a building devoted to native California creatures.

At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the new Jungle Ropes Aerial Adventure lets visitors monkey around on rope bridges, ladders and swings. The park’s Summer Safari Festivities, which continue through Aug. 19, include craft and music making, live performances and the chance to see exotic animals.

The weekend of Aug. 4-5 is a particularly special one at the Safari Park for the pre-school set. The Fisher-Price Play Date will return to the park’s Hunte Nairobi Pavilion, letting kids (ages 5 and younger) check out Fisher-Price’s new toys and meet Dora the Explorer and Billy Blazes, too.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. through Aug. 19, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 20-Sept. 3, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd., Escondido; sdzsafaripark.org. $42 adults, $32 ages 3-11.

San Diego Zoo, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. through Sept. 3, 2920 Zoo Dr., San Diego; sandiegozoo.org. $42 adults, $32 ages 3-11.

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