Skip to main content

San Diego Safari Park

In this episode - San Diego Safari Park . . .

(Listen for today's special guest). The audio version - No foolin'.

Where do you live? Have you ever entertained the thought that you live near a magical place? No, I'm not talking about Disneyland; I'm referring to your backyard. You say, "My backyard is in the middle of nowhere.”

California residents are fortunate; sometimes, with work, chores, and daily routines, it's easy to forget we live among nature's bounty of landscapes, plants, animals, and tourist attractions. One of the most famous attractions is the San Diego Safari Park in Escondido, California. A world-renowned wildlife sanctuary and botanical garden that provides visitors with a unique experience of observing and interacting with animals in their natural habitats. This park spans over 1,800 acres, making it one of the largest wildlife parks in the United States.

On Sunday, March 26, 2023, we were invited to share a birthday celebration with my mountaineering friend Brendan and his family. It's been years since we've visited what was previously called the San Diego Wild Animal Park. And from what we experienced, much has changed. Let me give you a little context for those who’ve never been there.

Before you arrive, download the App for your phone or pick up a park map. The park has several sections, each offering different animal exhibits and activities. One of the most popular exhibits is the African Plains, home to diverse animals, such as giraffes, rhinoceroses, and zebras. Visitors can take a guided safari tram tour to explore this park section or opt for a hot air balloon ride to get a bird's eye view of the animals and their surroundings.

Our favorite and popular exhibit is the Tiger Trail, a habitat designed to mimic the natural environment of Sumatran tigers. Guests can observe these majestic creatures as they roam their territory, play with enrichment toys, or swim in their pool. The park also offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the Tiger Trail exhibit, where visitors will learn about the park's conservation efforts and get up close with the tigers.

Let’s listen to our eight-year-old Safari explorer and tour guide comment on the tigers: Audio recording - in front of the tiger exhibit.

In addition to animal exhibits, the San Diego Safari Park also features a botanical garden (Lori's favorite) with over 1.5 million plants, including rare and exotic species from around the world. Early spring, and we strolled the self-guided gardens tour with no crowds. However, join a guided tour led by expert horticulturists if you prefer. This diverse park offers many activities and experiences for visitors of all ages, including a petting zoo, a butterfly exhibit, and a lorikeet aviary where visitors can feed and interact with these colorful birds. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, challenge the FlightLine Safari, a zip-line that whisks visitors over the treetops of the African Plains exhibit.

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is committed to wildlife conservation and education. The park has several ongoing research and conservation projects, including preserving California condors and reintroducing Peninsular pronghorns into their native habitat. Visitors can participate in educational programs to learn more about the park's wildlife conservation efforts.

Overall, the San Diego Safari Park offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages and interests. With its diverse animal exhibits, botanical garden, and commitment to conservation and education, it is a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.

P.S. (The podcast includes a memorable treat at the end.)

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular of All Time

The Compass of Cuba: Mom

🎄  Preview of this week's  On the Fly  blog: A Holiday Tribute to Mom. As the holidays hustle with pixels and beeps, the world scrolls along in a smartphone-y sleep. I log off for a moment—just one little minute— To breathe in the past and to sit myself in it. My mind doesn’t wander to faraway places, Or trips full of tickets and new airport faces. Instead, it drifts backward, as memories do, to Cuba, Illinois, where the best moments grew. To a home full of warmth, in the wintry Midwest, Where my mother—dear “Marcie”—put love to the test. With a smile that could melt the most frigid of dawns, and hugs that hung on you like shivering fawns. She came from La Rochelle in France, brave and bright, Across oceans and war shadows, into new light. A town full of strangers soon felt like her own, And her courage built up the foundation of home. “Oh yes, we know Marcie!” the locals would say— “It's Doc Ball’s French lady! She brightens the day!” She cleaned, and she cooked, and sh...
2 comments
Read more

Feeling Human Again

In this episode, The Unexpected Thankfulness of Feeling Human Again I’ll be honest with you: My triumphant return from France was not the glamorous homecoming I had imagined. No graceful glide back into routine. No cinematic jet-setter moment where I lift my suitcase off the carousel and wink at life like we’re old pals. Instead? I came home and immediately launched into a two-week performance piece titled The Great American Couch Collapse. My days blurred together in a haze of soup, hot tea, tissues, and desperate negotiations with the universe for just one nostril—one!—to function properly. The living room sofa became my emotional support furniture. And any creative idea that dared tiptoe into my congested brain was gently shown the exit with a firm but courteous, “Not today, friend. Try again later.” When life hits the pause button like that—when you’re exhausted, sick, and mentally unplugged—how do you find your spark again? Somehow, today, I felt it. A tiny shift. A clearing of th...
1 comment
Read more

A Holiday Reflection–Mother's Love

In this episode,  How a Mother’s Love Built My Memories– A Holiday Reflection As this holiday season approaches and the world buzzes with shopping, planning, and busy schedules, I find myself embracing something wonderfully simple: taking a moment to pause. Not to check off a list or recharge devices, but to breathe deeply, remember fondly, and honor the person and place that have shaped my sense of home long before I had the words for it. This year, after regaining my strength from a lingering post-travel fog, my mind didn’t wander to exotic destinations or future adventures. It drifted backward—across oceans and time—to Cuba, Illinois, in the early 1960s, and to the woman whose love built the foundation of my world: Mauricette Elaine (Bontemps) Ball. My Mom . We came to Cuba after leaving La Rochelle, France, in 1959—a transition so dramatic I only appreciate its enormity now. My mother, barely in her mid-twenties, stepped off that plane and into the Midwest with a courage that s...
1 comment
Read more

Believing Is Seeing

🎄 In this episode, Believing Is Seeing . . . It's December, we bustle, we wrap, and we dash. We sort life into boxes— myths  here,  to-dos  in a stash. We whisper of Santa (adult code: “Not Real”), but hold on one minute—let’s rethink this whole deal. For the stories we cherish, the movies we stream, hold more truth in their sparkle than we grown-ups may deem. So hop in this sleigh and hold on real tight— We’re chasing down Santa by the glow of his light! Scott Calvin once landed in the North Pole’s cold air, with elves, cocoa, and snow everywhere. He squinted and frowned—“This just  cannot  be so!” (Like thinking tangled lights will detangle if we  blow .) Then Judy the Elf gave a cocoa so steaming,  and said something simple . . . yet surprisingly gleaming: Seeing’s not believing—no, that’s not the key. "Believing is seeing!"   Just trust, and  you’ll  see!” Kids don’t need a map or a satellite screen to know Santa’s workshop is her...
1 comment
Read more