San Diego Zoo

An incredible five million visitors come to San Diego Zoo every single year to admire the 4,000 animals – including some 650 different species – who live on this 40-hectare site. The animals are held in open-air enclosures, which seek to replicate their natural environment as closely as possible.Stroll through Panda Trek, home to the peaceful and even-tempered giant pandas. These wonderful animals are in acute danger of extinction, and the zoo's conservation plan includes a successful breeding programme involving them and a large number of other animals.Admire the flamboyant tropical birds as they swoop and soar through the aviaries, while seeing the power and grace of gorillas and tigers at close quarters is a wonderful experience. The zoo also houses enormous, awe-inspiring creatures such as elephants and African water buffalo.Tour buses offer an introductory 35-minute guided trip around the zoo, which takes in almost three-quarters of the animals, which is a good way to get an idea of how the enclosures are arranged before you begin your walk. Buy a day pass on the express bus which allows you to hop on and off at its five stops, so you can see all of the exhibits in one day. There is also a comedy tour, which takes 50 minutes. Alternatively, get on board the Skyfari for a stunning cable-car trip above the zoo.Early arrival will be rewarded by seeing morning feeding time for many of the animals. Another good tip is to come on one of San Diego’s rare cloudy days, as many of the animals seek shelter from the sun when the weathers hot, making them difficult to see.There's a choice of 10 different eateries, where you can pick up a coffee, a sandwich, some fast food or have a full sit-down meal. San Diego Zoo is open every day of the year. Opening hours can vary, with late opening in the summer and during some holiday periods.