There is a nice rose garden, across the street from the zoo that may be of interest to you.
Nalu
Loc: Southern Arizona
La Jolla Cove. Best early morning for sea birds. La Jolla is fun if you like top end shopping a galleries.
A couple of things for outdoor enthusiasts if you don't mind driving a bit. (1) drive up to Escondido and go east to the Safari Park (45 to 60 minutes). It's different than the zoo and worth it. (2) Drive east on Interstate 8 about 90 miles and circle north through the Anza Borrego desert. It's a wonderful ride at that time of year--you may even catch wildflowers--and a chance to see a very different type of nature. (3) Drive up to Palomar Mountain to the observatory as it's a good drive but don't do it if it's a weekend as there are too many motorcycles. Closer, there is an estuary park south at Imperial Beach that is closer than any of the others but pretty interesting. Another close place is Torrey Pines park. It's just north of La Jolla (get a map) and you can hike from the beach up to the park and have a great view of the ocean and beaches and see a costal environment. (It's the closest for a day trip.) Hope you have fun.
LA JOLLA coves , get there early . and also the cliffs at the north side , short walk up .if lucky you will see the peregrine falcons .
If you like landscapes go to the Point Loma Light House on Point Loma over San Diego Bay. You look over Coronado Island to Mexico and North Island. There is also a National Cemetery above the Naval Sub Base. It’s easy to reach from where you are staying.Great Views!
Bipod wrote:
The San Diego Zoo (generally considered the best zoo in the world) and Balboa Park are enough
for several days of rapt sightseeing. Chances are you will spend all day at the zoo.
You could also drive up to the zoo's Wild Animal Park (Escondido). There, many of the animals "run wild" and there is a train that takes you through many different "locales".
It seems that no one has recommended the zoo's Safari Park (which used to be called San Diego Wild Animal Park) in San Pasqual Valley; also the San Diego Botanical Garden (which used to be called Quail Gardens) in Encinitas, San Diego County. These have plenty of natural beauty & interest.
West of the Balboa park are 3 historic bridges. Spruce street foot suspension bridge,Maple canyon truss foot bridge and 4th street steel arch bridge. All close to get to.
Jacqui Burke wrote:
Hi,
My husband and I are going on a Baja whale watching trip for twelve days in early March. The trip also includes a day at the San Diego zoo. We are arriving one day early as we are using frequent flyer miles and therefore had a limited selection of flights. We will be staying in a Ramada Inn near the airport. Are there any wildlife viewing opportunities near where we will be staying? Can anybody suggest other things to do on the free day? We are definitely outdoorsy people, more interested in the natural world than museums or even boats and ships. Thanks in advance!
Hi, br br My husband and I are going on a Baja wh... (
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the living coast discovery center in chula vista about 15 to 20 min.from the airport is a good place to vist.they take in injured birds and rapors eagles;hawks etc.look it up on the internet.Also the San Diego Zoo wild animal park is a great place to spend a day but you will need a car to get there;its about 45 mins from d/ton hwy 15. You can p/u the book PhotoSecrets San Diego by Andrew Hudson which would be a good souvenir and it will tell you everything you can do in S.D and where to take the best pictures.The price is $18.95 new about $10.00 used. go to PhotoSecrets.com I hope you have a great trip.
Thank you all for the suggestions. I am looking into the state parks and the estuarine research reserve.
westitzer
Loc: Central California coastal area
Another place you might be interested in is the "other" part of the zoo; the San Diego Wild Animal Park, north on I-15 from San Diego. A combo ticket for both places is available and worth the time and money. Enjoy.
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