Escondido · Best Things to Do in San Diego With Kids
San Diego Zoo Safari Park Review
Last updatedRanked #5 of 8 in Best Things to Do in San Diego With Kids
Wide-open savanna habitats and the best animal-viewing experience for older kids.
Score breakdown
- Kid appeal92/100
- Value82/100
- Logistics80/100
- Repeat visits84/100
- Uniqueness94/100
The verdict on San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Ranked #5 of 8 — 87/100 in our Best Things to Do in San Diego With Kids coverage
The Safari Park's open enclosures feel closer to a real safari than a zoo. It's a longer drive and hotter than Balboa Park, but the tram ride and the scale of the habitats justify the trip.
What to do at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Across our coverage the recommendation is consistent: Africa Tram, Walkabout Australia.
Book the Africa Tram for early morning — animals are most active before the heat.
Is San Diego Zoo Safari Park worth the admission?
San Diego Zoo Safari Park sits at $70–80 adult — the budget band for this category. We scored 1 other $70–80 adult place on the same list, and San Diego Zoo Safari Park outscores 0 of them. The bracket leader is San Diego Zoo at 90/100, so compare the two before you commit.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park FAQ
How much does San Diego Zoo Safari Park cost?
San Diego Zoo Safari Park is priced at $70–80 adult, which puts it in the budget band for this category. We scored 1 other $70–80 adult option on the same list for a direct comparison.
Is San Diego Zoo Safari Park worth it?
It scores 87/100, 0.6 points above the 86.4 average for its list. That's a solid recommendation within the category.
What should I do at San Diego Zoo Safari Park?
Start with Africa Tram, Walkabout Australia.
What else is nearby San Diego Zoo Safari Park?
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens (93/100 in our best breweries in san diego list) and Orfila Vineyards & Winery (90/100 in our best wineries near san diego list) are also ranked in the same neighborhood, so it's easy to pair a visit.
What works
- Strong uniqueness — scored 94/100 in our ranking
- Strong kid appeal — scored 92/100 in our ranking
Know before you go
- Logistics is the weak point — 80/100, below the rest of its scores
- Book the Africa Tram for early morning — animals are most active before the heat.
The full review
The Safari Park's open enclosures feel closer to a real safari than a zoo. It's a longer drive and hotter than Balboa Park, but the tram ride and the scale of the habitats justify the trip.
On our weighted scale it earns 87/100 — good for #5 of 8 places we evaluated for best things to do in san diego with kids. We visit the places we rank, pay standard admission, and re-score when exhibits, programming or ticketing change.
What to do at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Africa Tram, Walkabout Australia
Admission: $70–80 adult
How we scored San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Every score on this page comes from the same editorial rubric we apply to the whole category: kid appeal, value, logistics, repeat visits, uniqueness. The criteria are weighted toward what matters most in the category, compared against every other place we ranked in the same list rather than against an abstract ideal. We visit the places we rank, pay standard admission, and re-score when exhibits, programming or ticketing change. Scores are editorial judgments rather than aggregated user ratings.