 Kids' Free Days at the Zoo
Date: 10/1-10/31/05
Kids, ages 11 and younger, will go ape over the opportunity to meet some of the most exotic creatures on earth! Some Zoo highlights for kids include animal shows, the new Monkey Trails exhibit, the Reptile House & Reptile Mesa, Polar Bear Plunge, and a brand new female giant panda cub. The Children's Zoo will also delight younger visitors with special animal exhibits and activities, a nursery currently displaying four new cheetah cubs, a Petting Paddock, an Animal Plant Garden, racing pigeons and zany science shows from Dr. Zoolittle.
Other San Diego events to Fall for:
Fall Getaway Specials,
Julian Fall Apple Harvest,
Halloween Events at the Attractions
The San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Drive in Balboa Park
Hours: 9am - 4pm (grounds close at 6pm thru 10/2; after 10/3, grounds close at 5pm)
Admission: Best Value Admission (includes unlimited use of Guided Bus Tour, Express Bus, and Skyfari Aerial Tram) adults, $32; $19.75 children
Note: Kids' Free Days at the Zoo is for general admission only and does not include the 40-min Guided Bus Tour, Express Bus or the Skyfari Aerial Tram.
General information: 619-234-3153 or www.sandiegozoo.org
Birth of Giant Panda Cub - With the birth of a giant panda cub to thirteen-year-old Bai Yun on August 2, the San Diego Zoo now has the largest population of giant pandas outside mainland China. While the newborn female cub won't be on display to the public for a while, you can still see mother and baby via a close circuit camera installed in the Giant Panda Research Station birthing den. Gao Gao, the father of the new cub and Mei Sheng, a two-year-old male cub are currently on display.
Monkey Trails and Forest Tales - See some of nature's most imperiled wildlife including mandrills, the beautiful and elusive clouded leopard, venomous snakes, the unique pancake tortoise, the slender-snouted crocodile and the dwarf crocodile. An elevated walkway through the treetops allows you to observe primate and plant life in the canopy, while a pathway on the forest floor provides enticing encounters with terrestrial ground dwellers like bristle-faced Bornean bearded pigs and Visayan warty pigs, duikers, leopards, hippos, crocodiles and more.
Cheetah Cubs - Four new female cheetah cubs have recently made their debut at the Children's Zoo.
Born on August 9 at the Wild Animal Park, the cubs were neglected by their mother and are being hand reared. They are being fed Kitten Milk Replacement formula and eat 22% of their body weight every day.
Wegeforth National Park Sea Lion Show - visit Wegeforth National Park and learn about the special animals that live there. You may even get to be a part of the show. Daily: 11am & 3pm, Wegeforth Bowl.
The Wild Ones - see predators and prey from around the world. You may even get a chance to participate. Daily: noon & 2pm, Hunte Ampitheater.
Dr. Zoolittle Show - join this physician of fun for a hilarious and interactive show. Weekends, Children's Zoo.
Kid-Friendly Museums - from dinosaurs to sports, Balboa Park offers a variety of museums that kids will love. Some of the best bets include the San Diego Natural History, the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, the San Diego Automotive Museum, and the San Diego Hall of Champions.
Every Tuesday of the month, the museums of Balboa Park offer free admission on a rotating basis. Information: 619-239-0512.
The House of Pacific Relations - enjoy arts, crafts, ethnic foods and traditional costumes from 30 national groups. Hours: Sunday afternoons from noon 4pm. Folk dancing and music begin at 2:00pm. Free. Information: 619-234-0739.
Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater - watch delightful performances that include Halloween Party (10/5-10/9), Strings, Magical Strings (10/12-10/16), The Polka-Dot Ghost (10/19-10/23) and Who's Afraid of Peter Pumpkin (10/26-10/30). Hours: Wed - Fri: 10am & 11:30am; Saturday & Sunday: 11am, 1pm & 2:30pm. Admission: adults: $5; children: $3. Information: 619-544-9203.
Picnic & Play areas - take a break in the shade at Pepper Grove Park and take
advantage of a picnic & playground area, swings, tables, playground equipment and a tiny tots area. Information: 619-239-0512.
Free Tram - to help navigate the Park's numerous museums and attractions, catch a free tram that departs from the parking lot at Inspiration Point. Trams operate 7 days a week from 8:30am-6pm and pick up every 8-10 minutes. Information: 619-239-0512.
Comfort Inn & Suites Zoo / SeaWorld Area - rates from $79.95 based on availability
InnSuites Lafayette Hotel & Suites - rates from $89.99 based on availability
Park Manor Suites Hotel - rates from $109 based on availability
Sommerset Suites Hotel - rates from $109 based on availability
Ramada Plaza Hotel Circle - San Diego Zoo Package - rates from $118 based on availability
Town and Country Resort - The Zoo and You Package - rates from $154.50 based on availability
Wyndham San Diego at Emerald Plaza - rates from $152 based on availability
Sheraton Suites San Diego - rates from $179 based on availability
It's all aboard a miniature locomotive for an exciting ½ mi. trip through Balboa Park on the Balboa Park Miniature Railroad. Sat, Sun & school holidays, 11am-4:30pm. Admission: $1.75; free under age 1. Information: 619-231-1515 x4219.
Kids will also love taking a magical ride on the Balboa Park Carousel, one of the few carousels in the world still offering a chance to catch a brass ring! Hours: Sat, Sun & school holidays, 11am - 5:30pm. Admission: $1.75. Information: 619-460-9000.
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