Best Zoo in Mission Beach

"Get nose-to-nose with a lion, feed a giraffe, see rhinos tending their young, view an elephant herd splashing in a pond, and marvel at the fact that you can have a mini Safari experience right here in the USA. A tram takes you through the heart of the park, which shelters over 3,200 animals on more than 1,800 carefully-designed, African-themed acres. The park recently added a flight line (zip line) for a soaring view over the park at 160 ft."

"The most popular San Diego tourist attraction is the San Diego Zoo, located in Balboa Park. It is a truly special place in that every dollar you spend goes toward the care of the animals and various conservation initiatives. Over 4500 species of plants, many of which are prized exotics, help replicate the natural habitats of the 3500 animals who call these 100 acres home."

"This not-for-profit aquarium and zoo connects kids with the animals and plants of the California coast. Located on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista, the Living Coast Discovery Center offers family-friendly activities and events such as shark, ray, turtle, and eagle feedings; guided trail hikes; Overnight Adventures; and VIP Animal Encounters. Seasonal exhibits promote wildlife conservation and educate young visitors about their impact on the environment."

"This nonprofit discovery center is there to provide environmental education related to coastal resource conservation. You park in a parking lot and bus takes you over to the center. Once there you can see the sharks, visit the sting ray touch tank, and see the bald eagles they have there."

"This is located in the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista and is a popular choice for school trips. The experience here is pretty unique. You get to feed bat rays and have meet-and-greets with reptiles."

"The Lost Forest is a fun little area packed with extensive trails that wind through exhibits and aviaries. These trails are home to animals from the rainforests of Asia and Africa, and wind their way up into the canopy as well as along the forest floor, with arboreal animals displayed above and ground dwellers below. You’ll find monkeys, barbirusas, tigers, great apes, okapis, and several various species of exotic birds."

"Guests will feel like there are in the rain forest when they enter the Lost Forest. The Lost Forest is in the northeast corner of the Zoo. Some animals in this area include hippos, tigers, okapi, otters, birds and primates."

"The Asian Passage is south of Panda Canyon and is a simulation of a tropical Asian rain forest. This scenic passage includes grizzly bears, snow leopards, and sun bears. This spectacular area also features the Sun Bear Forest, which resembles a southeast Asian rain forest, and the Hawaiian Native Plant Garden."

"The Asian Passage area includes the Sun Bear Forest, Grizzly Bear exhibit, and more. It’s a fun area to explore, and isn’t quite as big as Africa Rocks."

"Elephant Odyssey is one of the most well known parts of the park. It’s a huge area that’s dedicated solely to several beautiful African and Asian elephants. The Elephants are free to roam among large areas, and it also includes the Elephant Care Center where you may see a zookeeper caring for one of them."

"The Elephant Odyssey is home to the African and Asian elephant habitat. This area includes the majestic elephants along with the Elephant Care Center and Fossil Portal. Guests can also see lions, jaguars, California condor, camels, and the Malayan tapir."

"San Diego Art Institute is a not-for-profit institution in San Diego, California, that is an experimental bi-national modern art center. It is situated in the historic building House of Charm in Balboa Park, El Prado. SDAI is the only contemporary culture association in Balboa Park that supports the creation of innovative art by providing exclusive space for artistic competencies of Southern California and Northern Baja to fraternize, exhibit, and bloom."

"By Oleg Alexandrov (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons. Visit this vibrant, community-driven museum and get a taste of the San Diego art scene right at the source: the San Diego Art Institute. This museum's mission is to connect contemporary artists from southern California and northern Baja with audiences and to showcase art in a way that promotes cultural perspective and understanding."

"When founded in 1941, the San Diego Art Institute was called the San Diego Business Men’s Art Club, only permitting male members. By the 1950s, women were allowed in and the name had been changed. The cultural institution now showcases experimental art from a diverse array of artists from the Southern California/Baja Norte region."

"Another Balboa park museum, the Museum of Photographic Arts, is a world-class site with an extensive collection of films, photographs, and videos. The museum was opened in 1983 and is one of the three museums which are specifically dedicated to the collection and preservation of photography in the United States. It is home to spacious galleries and state-of-the-art 228 seat theatre exhibiting work from some of the world-renowned photographers and cinematographers, including work by Yosuke Yamahata, the entire Nagasaki Journey: The Photographs of Yosuke Yamahata and an extensive collection from filmmaker Lou Stoumen’s estate."

"Even if you’re broke, the Timken Museum of Art is always free, and if you have a Bank of America card, the San Diego Museum of Art and the Museum of Photogenic Arts are free on certain days. If you love art, check out the Spanish village. These are historic buildings turned art galleries and stores which have a lot of their work for sale. Even just walking through this area is a fun experience."

"Cowboy Star has all the trimmings of an old-school steakhouse—rich wood interiors, (very) dim lighting, and starched white tablecloths. But the drinks are totally new-school, with creative spins on classics like margaritas (made with muddled green chiles) and Old Fashioneds (Benchmark bourbon, simple syrup, Fee Brothers bitters). A stiff cocktail is the perfect match for low-key bar bites like the grilled wagyu skewers and platters of fresh, sweet PNW oysters."

"640 Tenth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101(619) 450-5880Book Your Table for the Best Steak in Town Here$$$ | Steakhouse | Butcher Shop. For every person that says eating meat is inhumane, there are amazing places like Cowboy Star. Their entire concept revolves around serving humanely treated livestock and the freshest seafood with locally grown crops."

"Cowboy Star is a modern, sophisticated chophouse that takes its steaks and other weighty meat cuts seriously. For its lunch service, the La Jolla restaurant turns its focus to sand..."

"If you and your sweetie love a gourmet meal in a slightly refined atmosphere, Island Prime is the place to visit when you’re in San Diego. Start your meal with the seafood platter that includes oysters, crab, and shrimp, or try the crab cakes with lemon aioli. You can enjoy entrees like prime rib and mashed potatoes, salmon roulade with a basil potato puree, or fire-roasted cauliflower with Japanese eggplant."

"For dinner, I’d recommend the nearby Island Prime, where you can dine with a picture-perfect view of San Diego’s skyline. READ MORE: The Best San Diego Beachfront Hotels"

"The food is still very good, and like everywhere else, prices here have risen, but additionally days of operation have been reduced, so it requires more ..."

"When The Hake temporarily shuttered after a successful two-year run and move across Prospect St, the new ocean view was the main focus. It should’ve been on the new chef though, Aarti Sanghavi, whose food shows the synergy and parallels between the Indian cuisine of her heritage and the Latin stylings of The Hake’s menu. Take her superlative opah chorizo."

"Many of us have canine friends we want to get an evening walk and soak up some sun, especially if we’ve been working all day. Turns out you can have your wine and walk your dog, too!. This venue’s patio is dog friendly, so you can bring Rover and let him enjoy exploring the outside world while you explore a new Riesling."

"The House of Pacific Relations International Cottages showcases the traditions of 34 national groups, some of which have their own cottages (build originally for the 1935 Exposition). The goal is to promote multicultural understanding through exhibits and programming. (Location: Balboa Park)"

"The Wells Fargo Museum, located inside the Colorado House, features one of the company’s original 1867 Concord stagecoaches. The recreated and historically-furnished former hotel also houses actual historic telegraph machines and a variety of other memorabilia related to the banking and transportation company. Photo Courtesy of Historic Old Town Community Foundation"