Another tip: Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes AND socks! There is not only a lot of walking, but also a lot of steep walkways up AND down. The escalator down to the cat canyon was closed, so it was especially hard on the feet, ankles, and knees. I'm unsure how those in wheelchairs access the area, but there should be something.

If you want to cut down on your hiking in the park, consider the bus that provides transportation to five main areas or the Skytram that goes back and forth from the front entrance area of the park and the back of the park, near the polar bear exhibit.

The gift shops throughout the park are fairly reasonably priced. I paid $15 for an adult San Diego Zoo T-shirt.

Before I start, I have to tell you I have a love-hate relationship with zoos. I personally would rather see any animal roaming free in their own environment than be confined in any type of enclosure. Having said that, I know what an important role zoos have played in the study of animals, breeding endangered animals and protecting animals who are near extinction. I see how my kids learn and love seeing the animals. As long as the areas are not confining and are open, I will tolerate a zoo for these reasons. The San Diego Zoo is easy to tolerate, as they take extreme care of their animals and do everything possible to maintain a stress-free, natural environment.

The zoo is located in Balboa Park. The admission price is $21 for adults and $14 per child. They offer a transportation package for $32 for adults and $20 for kids. This is the best deal, as it includes your admission and you have unlimited transportation within the zoo. You can take the tour bus or the express bus, or ride the Aerial Tram to your heart's content. Because the park is so big and has so many steep hills, it's nice to have the option to jump on any one of these transportation methods as you desire. The day we visited, the Aeriel Tram was closed due to high winds. Before buying the package, I suggest you make sure all the transportation options are up and running!

We started out by taking the bus tour. This is a double-decker bus with the top open. This was spring break and the lines were long; the wait was about 20 minutes. Once on, this is a super way to get your first glimpse of the zoo and get an overview of what you want to head back to on foot. Because the bus is open, you get a clear and bird’s eye view of a lot of the animals. The tour guides are great and have a lot of interesting facts. The tour takes 30 minutes and is the best way to start out your visit.

We then headed back on foot. We did it all! There are lots of steep hills, so I suggest you wear comfortable shoes. Our family enjoyed the pandas, all the primates, and the reptiles the best.

This is a beautiful zoo. The landscaping is lush and tropical. It's clean and very well maintained. The employees have a love of this place, and you can tell there is a real pride here. The San Diego Zoo is worth a visit, and you most likely will want to give it a full day.

TIP: Most animals are the most active in the morning and at dusk.