We visit the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park frequently enough to buy annual passes. We were curious about the new elephant habitat. I like the way the elephants have to forage high for their food, much as they do in the wild.
Iris and her cousin with new friends. Notice that she is wearing the outfit from Blue.
I had not noticed this sign on prior visits. I wonder what prompted its installation?
Can you see the baby anteater riding piggy-back on the mommy anteater?
This sign reminds me of Polar Bears and Existentialism. It reads, "When the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again." William Beebe.
The view of Balboa Park and downtown San Diego from the sky tram ride on the way back to the entrance.
San Diego International Airport is perilously close to downtown San Diego. Landing at SAN is a hair-raising experience for passengers and pilots alike. A few years ago, they had to paint lines on a nearby multi-story parking structure. Tall vehicles (SUVs) can not park beyond that line. Too many of them were being clipped by airplane landing gear*.
Commentator Eric is right. I read a news story about the parking structure, but it said that vehicles were damaged by landing aircraft. It didn't say how. "Clipped by airplane landing gear" sounds good, but is not fact-based.Can a San Diego reader recall where that news story appeared and more details about it?
My favorite part of the new elephant enclosure is the capybara enclosure. They are ridiculously cute when swimming!
ReplyDeleteWe owe Pumpkin another trip to the zoo, but it is daunting to me since I am so uncomfortably pregnant at this point.
I've been to San Diego a few times but never to the zoo. I'll have to do that when I get back out that way. I think I actually only flew into Sand Diego once though, the other times I just drove from LAX.
ReplyDeleteI love Google maps. With respect to the San Diego airport,
ReplyDeletetype this address into google maps
2576 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA
Then click on "street view". Pan until you're looking west, and you'll see the blast deflector at the end of the runway. Pan until you're looking east, and you'll see the parking garage in question, and yikes, better duck!
Sorry I'm not smart enough to put the street-view links into this comment.
As for landing gear actually clipping the SUVs, well, it _could_ have happened....call it blogger's license. If you take the satellite view and scoot over to look straight down on the parking garage, you see two large oil stains, which you can imagine are due to hydraulic fluid leaking the damaged right and left main landing gear, respectively.
Eric
Eric is right. I read a news story about the parking structure, but it said that vehicles were damaged by landing aircraft. But, it didn't say how. "Clipped by airplane landing gear" sounds good, but is not fact-based.
ReplyDeleteCan a San Diego reader recall where that news story appeared and more details about it?
Do you know how to get any good deals on tickets to the zoo? Does AAA have any deals, or can you get a discounted price if you are a California or San Diego resident? What about Craigslist? My boyfriend is flying in in a few weeks and I want to take him there, but don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money... Also, does any one know a good place to rent a limo or car to take me home from the San Diego airport? I found that site which offers eco-friendly sedans, but I was wondering if anyone had a good experience with something else?
ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteSD Zoo is a non-profit. We support them by buying annual memberships (100% tax-deductible). Members always gain free admission. Annual membership at some levels also include free guest passes.
There are some package deals. There might be deals w/ AAA or Costco. But, if you are going to both SD Zoo and the Wild Animal Park (both are highly worthwhile), and you itemize your taxes, then membership is the way to go.
Just went to the zoo for the first time the other day and WOW! So much to see and do! The only suggestion I have is to not eat the bbq pork sandwiches.. NOT GOOD! I, however, was not aware that you could bring food into the park, otherwise I most likely would have done that.
ReplyDelete