Our Return to the San Diego Zoo

7.6.12

Day 4

We arrived at the zoo a little after 10:00 am and the first section of the parking lot was full, the overflow parking lot was filling up fast ... I forget how crowded amusement parks and zoo's get when school is out for the summer. After applying sunblock on our faces, ears, and arms we walked towards the entrance.
It had been years since we visited last. I believe it was July 2008 and as you can imagine, a lot has changed. Starting with this sign. It's definitely more colorful than the original but I don't know if I like it better. Anyway, here I am with my three awesome kids.

Luckily Jacob bought our tickets online and printed them so we didn't have to stand in those long lines.

The first thing we like to do is head over to the petting zoo. You make a left upon entering. You will also see the skyfari. I'm afraid to get on that too just like on the ferris wheel at the fair. It just looks so unsafe ... a basket dangling from a cable. And if you move while you're on it it swings from side to side. Nervewracking! I don't mind rollercoasters though.

The reptile house is on the way to the petting zoo and obviously the kids wanted to see the snakes. Riley really liked looking at them ... pointing at the ones that would slither about.

We also saw lizards.

Not sure what to think of this gorilla statue.

This playground is new ... a few years I'm guessing. I don't remember seeing it back in '08.

Petting zoo.

I know I've said this before but Riley is sure fascinated by animals. I love to see his little face all full of wonder. It's very exciting.

Nathan with a goat ... posing like pros.

Golly ... as soon as we put him down and not hold his hand right away he jets off running. Good thing I always have my eye on him.

Insect House.

This is also new. It's pretty cool unless you have entomophobia. I found several insects that were more disturbing looking that others but I'm not afraid of them. I'll easily squash a roach or kill a spider so this exhibit didn't disturb me the least. Sydna was freaking out a bit. She even scares easily by a grasshopper.

The exhibit houses terrariums that are set into the walls and showcase stick insects, leafcutter ants, roaches, beetles, scorpions, and spiders. The big roaches and beetles are so gross looking. There's also a beehive, enclosed in glass so you can watch them in action. That was neat to see. I did take a picture but the reflection from the glass made it unclear that's why I didn't post it.

The meerkats are always so neat to see. Cute little things.

These decorative hanging tarantulas are new too. Very cool looking. Although when I did stumble upon one our first year living in Tucson I about freaked out. These things are disgusting looking with their hairy legs. I'm not kidding you I was totally grossed out.

The sun was way too bright for the little guy, lol.

Caribbean Flamingo exhibit.

This we did see in 2008. The large lagoon and lush landscaping is pretty. These guys are happy living here since they consistently hatch and raise chicks. There are over 100 flamingos at this zoo. That's a lot.

Their pretty pink or reddish color comes from the rich sources of carotenoid pigments in the algae and small crustaceans that the birds eat.

A young flamingo that has yet to turn pink.

Next ... primates. Jacob's favorite animal {ugh, not mine}.

This hippopotamus was camera shy. In the five minutes that we stayed starring at it to see if it would move it never did. So this is the best picture I could get.

I l o v e shady spaces.

Walking through the Scripps Aviary. It was a nice break from the warm sun and having walked for a while now, some uphill I was ready to cool off for a bit.

Even Riley was ready for a snack.

Now figuring out which exhibit to walk to next. This zoo has this very steep area which I really try to avoid when we visit. I have walked up this hill several times before and needless to say it is very tiring and all there is to see on this side are zebras and antelopes and deers so I'm ok with missing these animals.

So this time we boarded the express bus to avoid walking the steep hill and I was SO glad we did. Riley sure enjoyed the ride. Sat next to me ... well stood up next to me and smiled the whole time.

It dropped us off near the polar bear exhibit. We had to walk a little bit but it wasn't bad at all.

Once we got to where the polar bears hang out we noticed that they were nowhere in sight so Jacob asked one of the employees when they would come back out and we were told that they were in the back eating and wouldn't be back out on the exhibit until an hour later. We didn't feel like waiting that long. That was a bummer ... so these are the only polar bears we got to see.....

darn statues, lol.

No matter ... now on to the elephant exhibit. This was our first time to see this exhibit as well.

Again ... Riley was captivated by these ginormous elephants.

Some of these elephants were brought here from the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson.

The dromedary camel.

Nathan kept nagging Jacob about riding on the skyfari so while they were in line waiting for their turn Sydna and I walked over to Poppy's Patio for some nachos. I love nachos!!!

Nathan took these two pictures. Awesome views no doubt however I still wouldn't ride on one.

We left the zoo around 3:30 pm. We were so hungry and we were looking forward to having some Greek food. We stopped at Canada Steakburger to pick up our food then we drove through downtown San Diego ....

{Comic Con took place at the convention center several days after we left}

... and ate our food at a park in Seaport Village.

I always get the chicken kabobs with rice pilaf, and salad with pita bread. Oh my goodness ... it is super delicious. I love their greek salads. Not all greek restaurants make them the same way and at Canada Steakburger they make it to perfection.

Sydna usually gets the gyro meat with rice, salad and pita bread. They give such generous portions that we always seem to leave half of our meal untouched.

Coronado Bay bridge.

Riley happy to be walking on top of big rocks ... with sisters help of course.

It was a bit windy but comfortable.

The landscaping is so pretty.

My climber. Riley wanted to do what big brother was doing but there was no way. The trees roots were so big and didn't want Riley to trip and get hurt.

You can even go on a carriage ride ... the evening is the best time to do so. Quite romantic.

Sydna had been asking for a similar bracelet as these for some time. We gave her the ok and she got a pink dreamcatcher bracelet and was happy as can be.

Whenever Riley sees water he immediately lets us know he wants to touch it by saying "agua agua" and bouncing up and down in his stroller. So we walked with him over to the fountain so he could touch the water. It's funny that so far water is the only word he'll say in spanish but I have a feeling he'll be speaking spanish a lot more than Nathan.

Sat him next to this pirate and he wasn't too happy. He was afraid and began to whimper a bit. I hope that when the time comes to go to Disneyland that he wont be afraid and cry when he rides on the Pirates of the Caribbean. That's my favorite ride of all time and it would bum me out if I have to sit out because he's afraid. I better get him used to watching all Pirate of the Caribbean movies and pirate cartoons. He's not really into Jake and the neverland pirates although he does like when the two guys sing after the episode is over.

I was craving a s'more so we stopped at the candy store to get a couple.

Isn't San Diego grand? This is how we would spend our weekends when we lived here. Every weekend we had something fun planned. There is so much to do and if you're the type of person/family that likes to be out and about you will never get bored. and hardly ever have to worry about the weather being too hot. Just make sure you have a light sweater or light jacket with you at all times because San Diego does get chilly ... even in the middle of the day sometimes.