San Diego's Hot Theme Parks
by Karla Von Huben



San Diego is blue and green and gold, a large city with a small-town feel, sun-washed and snoozing beside one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the world. It's home to many attractions, but none more beguiling than the world-famous San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park and Seaworld.

The zoo is located on Balboa Park's East Side. Even though the lot is huge, it usually fills up, so get there early. Not only is the zoo more fun when there are fewer people to get in your way, the animals are livelier in the morning. If rolling out of bed at 9 a.m. while you're on vacation doesn't appeal to you, wait until summer to visit. During the summer, the zoo is open at night and it's enchanting: lights twinkle in the trees; the animals will hold lengthy conversations with you; and it's cool and fresh. Make sure you take the bus ride first and then walk back to your favorite attractions. Zoo attraction not to be missed: the walk down Tiger River; the Polar Bear Plunge; and dinner at Albert's (located in Gorilla Tropics).

Zoo hours vary from season to season, as do the animals on exhibit. Call 619-234-3153 for comprehensive recorded information or visit the zoo's website at http://www.sandiegozoo.org for more details.

The Wild Animal Park and the San Diego Zoo are both run by the San Diego Zoological Society, but they are as different as night and day. The 2,500-acre park contains huge enclosures where the animals interact as they would in their natural habitats. It's the visitors who are "caged." You'll be taken on a ride through the enclosures on the Wgasa Bush Line Monorail. It's as close as you can get to Africa without actually going to Africa. However, beware. The park is blazing hot in the summer so you should come equipped with a hat, water and plenty of sunscreen. If you forget them, the gift shops, which are filled with irresistible stuff, will supply you. The huge enclosures are the main attraction, but there are shows as well. They're all well done, but "Rare and Wild America" stands out above the rest.

Like the zoo, the Wild Animal Park is open late on summer nights and at during the Christmas holiday. If you have time to see only one attraction in San Diego, make it the Wild Animal Park! Full detailed information is available at 619-234-6541 or 760-747- 8702. The park's website can be accessed at http://www.sandiegozoo.org.

The last major San Diego theme park is Seaworld. Seaworld sprawls over a large site on Mission Bay. There are five shows performed at Seaworld (beware the "Soak Zone"), as well as numerous exhibits, gift shops and restaurants. If you're in the mood for something utterly fall-on-the-floor-laughing idiotic, don't miss the Sea Lion and Otter Show. The actors vary but the script never does, and it's always funny. Seaworld is seductive, but if you're not careful you can get a bad sunburn from water-reflected light. One of the best things to do is sit and watch as handlers hook up the famous Budweiser Clydesdales for their daily drive.

After spending some time watching these magnificent horses, you'll have plenty of material for your next party - you'll be able to tell your friends the difference between the wheelhorses and the swing pair! Seaworld is delightful, educational and just plain fun. Like the other major attractions, it's open late in the summer.

You can find more information on Seaworld at http://www.themeparks.com/seaworld/swcafaq.htm or by calling 619-226-3901. Have fun!