Best Zoo in Soledad Mountain

"For example, if you love animals or are traveling with kids, San Diego Zoo is in the park. It’s huge with many open areas for the animals, and also margaritas and craft beer for the adults. If you just love parks or nature, you can stroll through the park itself or one of its many gardens- including a rose garden, a Japanese garden, and a botanical garden. Note that some gardens (like the last two) close at night."

"San Diego Zoo Safari Park is 35 miles north of San Diego in Carlsbad, east of Escondido, and is a haven for some of the planet's most amazing animals. Get up close and personal to them in habitats that mimic their own. Situated on 1,800 acres, it's home to more than 3,500 animals from Africa and Asia, including giraffes, rhinos, and lions."

"The world-renowned San Diego Zoo spans 100 acres and houses more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals. Plan to spend at least a half-day at the zoo to get the full experience, which includes shows and animal presentations. During the summer, Nighttime Zoo event series allows visitors to stay later into the evening."

"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."

"Donut Star offers the classics but also has some uncommon flavors like their chocolate-glazed red velvet and it’s open 24 hours!. Address: 601 W Washington St., San Diego, CA, 92103"

"I'm always looking out for great donuts and Donut Star in Hillcrest did not disappoint. After having sushi for dinner, we needed something sweet to ..."

"Artisanal donut loves flock to Nomad Donuts for their ever-changing and tasty menu. Executive Pastry Chef Kristianna Zabala uses locally-sourced ingredients from Farmer's Markets and specialty retailers to make small batches of beautiful donuts in flavors like Banana Chip Cake Nutella and Smoked Coffee Maple Bacon. Nomad Donuts' commitment to the community doesn't stop there as they're often collaborating with breweries, restaurants and other organizations around town."

"Fans love this shop for the unique variety of flavors, including chai, ube taro coconut (which member Sarah Ordene proclaimed “are the stuff dreams are made of”) and the top-notch vegan options. In response to Henderson’s vote for Mary’s Maple Bacon Bar, fellow member Kari Helstern stated, “Find out when Nomad does their honey sesame ginger kimchi candied bacon donut!!!. I’d give BOTH kidneys for that one."

"A photo posted by Nomad Donuts (@nomaddonuts) on Jan 7, 2017 at 11:26am PST. Nomad Donuts boasts “gourmet donuts inspired by the world yet created with local ingredients.” They even offer vegan donuts. Of course they have the classics like chocolate and maple but they also provide donuts for the more sophisticated pallet."

"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 Museo de las Californias chronicles the history of Baja California from prehistoric times to the present. The exhibit kicks off with replica cave paintings, then covers important historical milestones, illustrated in many cases by realistic dioramas and scale models, including replicas of a 16th-century ship, several missions and even a freestone chapel."

"Veterans Museum at Balboa Park honors the memories of the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States as well as the Wartime Merchant Marine. The museum houses permanent, rotating and visiting collections of patriotic, military and war-related artifacts and memorabilia. *Small donation requested."

"On various Tuesdays each month, the museums in Balboa Park offer free general admission to residents of the County of San Diego and active military (and their dependents). Please check the calendar as things are subject to change, but this is the schedule at the time of this writing:"

"Located in the historic Old Navy Chapel, the museum preserves and honors the memory of men and women of the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and Wartime Merchant Marine. The collection contains artifacts, documents, photographs, memorabilia, and artwork from the Civil War to the present."

"The hardest part about getting dessert is deciding what to order. Thankfully, Square Bar lets you get two in one dessert-like drinks, that makes your decision just a little bit easier. This up and coming cafe specializes in coffee and tea, and you can put boba in any of them."

"Normal Heights, TemeculaMariposa has been making all of its sorbets and ice creams at its Normal Heights location for the last 20 years. Stop by for favorites like Mexican chocolate or white chocolate raspberry ripple, or summery specialties that include watermelon sorbet and lime or lemon sherbet. How to order:Limited seating is available on a first-come basis."

"This well-loved family-run Adams Avenue shop has won a slew of awards and accolades for its ice cream over the last 20 years. Several rotating seasonal flavors — think lemon, watermelon sorbet, and peach during summer — are found alongside a long list of staples, including coconut almond fudge and Mexican chocolate."

"The April grand opening is postponed but pints of gelato are available for takeout Monday through Thursday from 3-7 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 2-7 p.m. Delivery is also available through GrubHub."