About the San Diego Zoo:

The San Diego Zoo is a San Diego institution - in fact, it is literally world-famous. Founded over 90 years ago, the Zoo is a genuine tourist attraction and has a worldwide reputation in the field of wildlife and animal care.

What's the big deal? A zoo is a zoo, right?:

The San Diego Zoo sets the standard for modern zoos - its innovative animal habitats provide natural settings for animals, often with different species living among one another.

The 100-acre facility features lush landscaping and floiage, and the canyons and mesas make the experience unique for visitors used to their neighborhood zoo.

The San Diego Zoo giant pandas:

The Zoo has the largest population of the critically endangered giant pandas in North America. The Zoo has five pandas, including the latest cub, Yun Zi, the mother Bai Yun, the adult male Gao Gao, and siblings Zhen Zhen and Su Lin. It is estimated there are only about 1,600 giant pandas in the world.

What other animals can you see?:

Elephant Odyssey is the newest exhibit, a spacious new home for the elephants, as well as other animal habitats like California condors. Monkey Trails is a multi-level habitat featuring monkeys from Asia and Africa, as well as other species. Tiger River and Polar Bear Plunge showcase these popular animals. And there's always a show at Absolutely Apes, where the orangutan residents always put on an entertaining show.

Special things to do at the Zoo:

Take a ride on Skyfari, the aerial tram.

This gives you an amazing and dizzying view of the Zoo grounds. The Guided Bus tour is a good way to acquaint yourself with what the Zoo offers. The Children's Zoo is a great way to get kids up close to the animals. And the various animal shows are entertaining and educational at the same time.

Zoo history:

The Zoo’s collection was created from a scattering of specimens that remained in Balboa Park at the close of the 1915-1916 Panama-California International Exposition. The not-for-profit Zoological Society of San Diego was incorporated on Oct. 2, 1916, by a local surgeon, Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth, and friends. The Zoo has been in its present location in Balboa Park since 1922. The 100-acre San Diego Zoo has undergone massive changes since its inception in 1916, innovating designs and exhibits that feature 4,000 animals representing 800 species.

Your Guide's take on the San Diego Zoo:

If you've grown up in San Diego, or if you have kids, the San Diego Zoo is one of those places that you cherish. It truly is one of San Diego's most beloved places, and at 90-years-old and counting, holds memories of countless generations. As a born-and-raised San Diegan, going to the Zoo as a child was always a special event. As an adult, I appreciate the mission of the Zoological Society and appreciate the changes made to benefit the animal residents.

If you visit the Zoo, a full day is the best way to do it justice. It's a large facility, with lots of inclines, canyons and mesas, so be prepared to do a bit of walking. But that's the best way to experience the Zoo. In the summer, evening hours of Nighttime Zoo let you experience the Zoo in a different light.

Best Bets: Elephant Odyssey is the Zoo's newest mixed species habitat. Of course, you can't visit the Zoo without seeing the world-famous giant pandas. Here's a tip: go to the Giant Panda Research Station first thing in morning, because that's your best opportunity to actually see the pandas, and to see them active - they sleep a lot! The polar bears in Polar Bear Plunge are amazing to watch, especially from the underwater viewing window.

The orangutans and siamangs of Absolutely Apes always put on a show, as do the gorillas at Gorilla Tropics. The underwater views of the hippos at Ituri Forest lets you watch their underwater ballet. And spend lots of time at the Monkey Trails habitat...it's worth a whole afternoon.

The San Diego Zoo website also offers podcasts to download and tailor your own self-guided tour on your iPod.

The San Diego Zoo located north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park and is open every day of the year. Best Value Admission (which includes a Guided Bus Tour, unlimited Express Bus rides and Skyfari Aerial Tram rides) is $37 for adults, and $27 for children (3 to 11). (Prices subject to change)