You’ve booked flights, a lodge, and non-refundable tickets or a sightseeing go however uncommon San Diego climate is within the forecast. Do you have to nonetheless go to San Diego Zoo within the rain?
If you happen to’re keen to get somewhat moist, you could have a extra unique and lively animal expertise in ways in which don’t normally occur in sunshine. Imagine it or not, I do know some annual passholders and Zoo employees members who strongly desire much less crowded wet days as a result of some animals love rain and dirt.
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Why San Diego Zoo Is Doable within the Rain
The Zoo is located in Balboa Park, and the truth that it’s additionally a botanical backyard offers it a rainy-day benefit.
Pure Umbrellas
Dense foliage in some areas, with bamboo groves, giant ficus bushes, fern canyons, and extra, gives some protection from the rain, particularly on the extra forested pathways.
Indoor Areas
The Zoo has some indoor or coated displays the place you possibly can escape heavier rain. You possibly can pop into the Reptile Home, Hummingbird Habitat, or Wildlife Explorer’s Basecamp buildings to get pleasure from animals beneath cowl.
Lined Eating & Outlets
You may as well search refuge in a few of the coated eating and retail areas, although the seating may be moist as a result of most eating patios are open air.
Paved Paths
Practically all strolling paths are concrete or asphalt, which drain nicely, partly because of the hilly terrain.
Exit and Re-Entry
If a heavy rain bathe rolls in and also you’d desire to attend it out, you don’t have to remain. You possibly can both discover indoor shelter contained in the Zoo or exit briefly. Get a handstamp in your method out and maintain onto your unique ticket, which permits same-day re-entry. You can stroll (outdoors) to Balboa Park’s indoor museums. As soon as the climate clears, you possibly can re-enter the Zoo and proceed exploring.
The App Is Your Information
It is possible for you to to see maps and what’s open or closed by the San Diego Zoo app in actual time.
What to Convey When It’s Raining
Tip: Reward retailers that promote ponchos and umbrellas for those who’re determined, however they’ll be marked up. It’s higher to come back ready!
Listed below are some issues to think about packing:
- a compact journey umbrella
- further socks
- further garments for the youngsters in case they get moist
- rain coat or poncho
- rain cowl to your stroller or wagon
- plastic baggage to your moist socks or something needing safety from rain
- a small towel (microfiber dries rapidly) for wiping down barely moist surfaces or your telephone lens
- snacks and refillable water bottles as a few of the smaller snack stands could shut
- an additional poncho or rubbish bag for seating—many individuals use them to cowl moist benches.
- an exterior battery to your telephone as a result of you’ll rely extra closely on the San Diego Zoo app to warn you of closures and to seek out indoor sanctuaries
Put on footwear with good grip as a result of whereas the terrain is paved, there may be slopes and slippery spots. You will note lots of people in rain boots (hopefully snug ones for all of the strolling).
It’s a good suggestion to break down your umbrella whenever you don’t want it as they’ll spook some animals.
Tip: If you wish to ultimately ditch the rain gear or retailer it, hire a locker (close to the doorway).
Guided Bus Tour Will Run (Keep Drier, See It All)
Is the San Diego Zoo Bus Tour open within the rain? Sure! The well-known double-decker Guided Bus Tour runs rain or shine (except there’s something actually excessive), and it’s a terrific plan on a moist day.
- The place to sit down: The buses have two ranges. You’ll sit on the decrease deck, which is absolutely roofed and they’ll shut the aspect home windows in poor climate. You’ll keep dry and comfy whereas the bus driver offers you a 35-minute tour of the grounds.
- Why do that first: You get to see a animals from the dry consolation of the bus. If the rain will get heavier later otherwise you resolve to chop the day quick, a minimum of you’ve seen the Zoo from the tour. This tour can even show you how to plan the remainder of your go to by showcasing which animals are lively and areas chances are you’ll wish to discover additional.
I personally nonetheless get pleasure from this bus as a result of no two rides are ever the identical and there’s all the time one thing new to be taught concerning the Zoo or animals from the narrator. Mother and father use it as a time to relaxation youngsters’ legs, take energy naps (youngsters and infants do sleep on it), and snack.
Observe the Sanctuary Hopping Itinerary
The Zoo conveniently has clusters of indoor displays or closely sheltered areas, and most are alongside Entrance Avenue close to the doorway. Right here’s are some good stops that maximize animal time and decrease getting soaked.
These wet day stops are additionally glorious concepts for avoiding peak summer season sunshine.
Wildlife Explorers Basecamp (Former Youngsters’s Zoo)
This space is a enjoyable rainy-day refuge for youthful youngsters with two large indoor habitats. Spineless Marvels is a glow-in-the-dark type invertebrate home crammed with cool bugs, spiders, scorpions, and extra. There’s additionally Cool Critters, a big indoor amphibian and reptile habitat with snakes, frogs, and lizards. It’s heat and humid inside, a pleasant break from any chill outdoors.
Why it’s nice: It’s partaking, instructional, and utterly coated. Youngsters can simply spend an hour right here with the creepy-crawlies and interactive displays when you wait out a rain squall. There are additionally restrooms and the Busy Bee Cafe close by. Splash pads function right here seasonally which implies there are full-body dryers you possibly can pay just a few {dollars} to make use of!
Reptile Home
This historic constructing close to the Zoo entrance is absolutely enclosed, and it’s truly stored toasty heat for the reptiles. By the point you’ve seen the enormous pythons, geckos, and the whole lot in between, you’ll have warmed up and dried off a bit. It is likely to be busy right here because the constructing itself isn’t enormous.
Hummingbird Habitat
Proper subsequent to the Reptile Home is a small, enclosed walk-through aviary filled with attractive hummingbirds. The Komodo dragons are adjoining and positively value stopping by in case they’re out.
Misplaced Forest Trails (Hippos, Monkeys, Tigers)
You’ll see the flamingos whenever you enter the Zoo. To the left of them, use Monkey Path to start out your method into Misplaced Forest, among the finest areas to discover when it’s raining. Dense bushes and even bamboo present pure cowl, and several other trails right here supply sheltered views and indoor experiences. And, truthfully, you might spend a complete day on these trails alone.
Misplaced Forest Trails Value Visiting in Moist Climate:
- Fern Canyon Path: A scenic, shaded downhill path previous waterfalls, birds, and aviaries. Not stroller-friendly.
- Hippo Path: Ends at a dry, enclosed hippo viewing cave, the place you possibly can watch them swim from indoors.
- Monkey Path: Options monkeys, birds, and luxurious cover cowl with overhangs close to exhibit areas.
- Tiger Path: Loop by mangrove-like habitats with tapirs and Malayan tigers with partial shelter accessible.
- Treetops Means: Leads uphill to Bashor Bridge and elevators and connects Misplaced Forest to the mesa and eating spots.
Tip: Elephant Odyssey is on the opposite finish of Bashor Bridge!
Scripps Aviary
You’ll discover large walk-through chook aviaries within the Misplaced Forest space. They’re outdoor, however utterly netted excessive, and really feel like stepping right into a rainforest because of the myriad of lush tropical crops that may catch drizzle. Some birds love fluttering about, singing, and bathing in puddles when it rains. There’s additionally the Parker Aviary simply off Treetops Means.
Wet-Day Closures on the Zoo
Though the Zoo stays open, these are the 2 points of interest which can be more likely to shut.
Skyfari Aerial Tram
The Skyfari is the gondola that usually zips you over the treetops from one finish of the Zoo to the opposite. It will shut resulting from excessive winds, heavy rain, or lightning within the space. If it’s simply gentle rain with no wind, they often hold it working (because the gondolas are coated), however typically they shut it down as a precaution.
Plan to stroll: The Zoo is hilly. Usually, Skyfari helps stop drained ft by serving to individuals get uphill and downhill. When it’s closed, you can too use elevators, however I don’t discover the stroll too tough.
Outside Exhibits
The principle present, Wildlife Wonders at Wegeforth Bowl, is in an out of doors amphitheater. If it’s actively raining, they are going to sometimes cancel the reside present for visitor and animal security and luxury. On the brilliant aspect, there are sometimes keeper talks or smaller encounters at indoor areas that also occur rain or shine.
Most different displays keep open. The animals would possibly select to cover (otherwise you may not see all of them). Control the app for any particular closures.
Finest Locations to Keep Dry Whereas Consuming
Albert’s Restaurant is the perfect place to eat as a result of it affords indoor eating and a coated patio. It’s tucked into the Misplaced Forest zone the place you’re more likely to be exploring anyway.
I like consuming right here as a result of the meals is surprisingly good for a theme park and so they serve beer and wine. It is best to make a reservation on OpenTable as quickly as doable since you received’t be the one particular person with this concept.
The remainder of the Zoo’s eating areas are largely coated by umbrellas, which will help in gentle rain, although they aren’t 100% dry. These locations have indoor counter service and enormous coated patios and are more likely to be open:
- Entrance Avenue Cafe: That is close to the doorway, and so they serve burgers and typical theme park meals in addition to some enormous desserts and margaritas
- Sabertooth Mexican: I like consuming right here, rain or shine. It’s additionally cafeteria type with coated out of doors seating.
- Sydney’s Grill: It has the added bonus of being close to the koalas. I might duck in to see in the event that they’re out, however they’re most likely not shifting (they don’t transfer a ton in regular climate both).
And naturally, you’re all the time welcome to deliver your personal meals and sit wherever you wish to eat it. See my information to San Diego Zoo meals insurance policies and the place to eat in San Diego Zoo.
Animals: Who Loves the Rain (and Who Doesn’t)
One of many finest perks of a wet zoo day is how the animals reply. Many individuals assume animals conceal from the rain. In actuality, loads of them develop into extra lively and playful. Whereas I can by no means assure who you’ll or received’t see, listed below are the usuals.
Rain-Loving Wildlife
Taking a look at this listing, these are the animals I wish to see in sunshine, too.
Elephants (Prime Decide)
Elephants completely love the rain. At each the Zoo and Safari Park, you’ll typically see the elephants flapping their ears, splashing in puddles, and coating themselves in mud, which is their model of a spa day.
Tigers
Not like housecats, tigers don’t thoughts water. They repeatedly swim on sizzling days, and on cooler wet days, they’re extra actively pacing and giving guests a present.
Big Pandas
These bears are constructed for cool, moist climate with thick fur that repels water. On a drizzly day, you would possibly nonetheless see the pandas sitting out within the open, contentedly munching bamboo. (If it actually pours, they do have indoor habitats to retreat to.)
Polar Bears
What’s additionally good concerning the Polar Bear Plunge exhibit is that the viewing space is roofed. So you possibly can sit down and hopefully see a few of the bears swim of their pool.
Pygmy Hippos
They’re within the water anyway and in addition within the Misplaced Forest, so make sure you see them. Their viewing space can be coated.
Rhinos & Giraffes
These safari icons are fairly detached to showers and normally hold grazing as typical. This implies you’ll nonetheless see them out and about. Rhinos additionally have a tendency to like mud.
These That Choose to Disguise
Gorillas & Orangutans
These nice apes are lots like us and don’t love getting moist. On the Zoo’s Gorilla Forest, if it’s raining closely, you’ll seemingly spot precisely zero gorillas outdoors. They’ve comfortable heated indoor rooms and out of doors rock shelters. Orangutans are comparable and would possibly keep of their treehouse. So mood your expectations for ape encounters in a downpour.
Reptiles (out of doors species)
Animals, akin to Galápagos tortoises, or different reptiles with out of doors yards, are normally given entry to their heated indoor dens when it’s chilly and moist. They typically select to remain inside or stay inactive.
Most different animals will probably be hit-or-miss. Many will probably be lively just because it’s cooler. Birds are usually extra vocal. And a few animals would possibly conceal. It’s a little bit of luck, however usually a wet day yields extra motion than a sizzling summer season day.
Indoor Outlets & 4D Film Theater
Alongside Entrance Avenue you’ll discover just a few very giant indoor retailers filled with all of the merch you’d like. I do get pleasure from stopping in for birthday items and to browse books.
And the 4D theater is up by the polar bears do you have to wish to duck into see an academic but entertaining film. A further charge applies and it’s at the moment $8 per particular person. You possibly can examine the film schedule on-line.
San Diego Zoo on a Wet Day FAQ
Does San Diego Zoo supply rain checks or refunds for unhealthy climate?
No. Nonetheless, most 1-Day tickets (together with ours) are legitimate for one yr from the acquisition date. Test the high quality print in your ticket, as you might apply it to a later date as an alternative. However for those who’re solely on the town for dates with rain, your finest wager is to placed on that poncho and go benefit from the empty park.
Is the Zoo largely indoors or outdoor?
It’s primarily an out of doors park the place you’ll stroll between wildlife displays. You can see coated viewing spots, indoor retailers and displays, and coated out of doors eating areas.
Will or not it’s crowded if it’s raining?
By no means, and that is arguably the perfect a part of a wet go to. On a reasonably wet day, you would possibly really feel like you may have the entire place to your self. There will probably be only a few vacationers, and the individuals who will probably be there are the locals with memberships who realize it’s a good time to go.
In fact, it is dependent upon the day, however you possibly can truly see extra animals on a wet day since you see extra with fewer individuals in entrance of displays.
What if there may be lightning or a thunderstorm?
If there may be lightning, the parks will instantly droop out of doors rides and excursions, particularly the Skyfari tram. Some areas can briefly shut (and the animals are introduced inside for security). The secret is to have the San Diego Zoo app in your telephone, examine it all through your day, and take note of any in-park bulletins.
The place’s the biggest cluster of rain-friendly actions?
You possibly can spend a complete wet day on Entrance Avenue close to the doorway. At one finish is Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, and the opposite is the Australian Outback. In between, you’ll see the 2 largest present retailers, Reptile Home, Hummingbird Habitat, Entrance Avenue Cafe, catch the bus tour, and possibly duck right into a Misplaced Forest path or two from right here.
If it weren’t for the polar bears and elephants being good decisions for wet days, I might inform you to stay to Entrance Avenue. The opposite profit is that Entrance Avenue is a flat highway.
Images Perks on Wet Days
Lots of people apply images on the Zoo and I’ve heard all through the years {that a} wet day go to can result in higher images even with simply your telephone.
Much less Glass Glare
Many animal displays (assume tigers, jaguars, gorillas, and many others.) have viewing home windows in sheltered areas the place raindrops could not impede your view. On sunny days, these can have glare, and with cloudy, subtle gentle, the glare disappears.
Richer Colours & Moods
Cloud cowl works like an enormous softbox in images. The colours of the foliage and animals can truly seem extra saturated. You additionally received’t get the tough shadows that noon solar creates, so it’s doable to seize extra animal element like an elephant’s wrinkles or a gorilla’s face. Plus, the wet surroundings provides ambiance if you know the way to catch the precise drops.
Fewer Folks within the Background
The probability of getting to erase random individuals within the background of your images is diminished on much less crowded days.
Remaining Ideas: Embrace the Components
Visiting the San Diego Zoo within the rain requires further prep and rain gear, however you’ll additionally get pleasure from a crowd-free, up-close-and-personal expertise with the animals and displays.
My recommendation: If it’s not a thunderstorm or extreme downpour, go have the finest day ever. Simply don’t pay full worth on San Diego Zoo tickets.
