Sand Diego Zoo with a side of Autism

Day three we decided to take a bit of a break from all of the Disney joy and headed on down to San Diego.

What many don't know…is that it's actually cheaper to buy what's called a City Pass than to buy entrance fees to Disneyland.  Well, it is if you plan to go three days….you can't get one for less…but anyway…

We got So Cal City Passes which included 3 day park hopper passes - so both Disneyland AND California Adventures - as well as Universal Studios.

The pass also includes Sea World and you can add on the San Diego Zoo.

We didn't want to go to Sea World as we had heard how crowded it can get and with everyone trying to view at the same tank windows….I don't know….just didn't sound like a good idea with all the anxiety we were facing…enclosed spaces…heavy crowds….best not try it.

The zoo seemed like a better idea as even when busy…it's HUGE so you don't really notice!

It was probably the warmest day of the entire trip.  Great for loads of walking - NOT!

We spent a fair portion of our time attempting to figure out where we were…and how to get to some particular animal.  I feel the map and the path markers were designed by two different monkeys!

We started with a little Hippo action….we got to see the new baby hippo later on…but alas…failed to get a picture.  Probably because it was nursing and wouldn't pull it's head out from under mom!

We also saw the new baby gorilla!  He was SO cute with all that hair sticking straight up!

Seems like there was an extraordinary amount of Aviaries!  Or maybe we were walking in circles…??

Our Monkeys!

Taking a break from walking!

We finally talked our Sweet Boy into getting on the guided bus tour.  I highly recommend seeing the zoo this way…Much easier than doing all that walking!

That poor Polar Bear!  He looked so hot!

 Baby Giraffes! 

 Are we there yet?  Behind them is the line for the Pandas……we decided to skip 'em……..just couldn't face it!

Some bears……

 Some Macaws….just out walking around…nobody was watching them….until a guy tried to pet one…then they came out of the woodwork like SWAT!

Our beautiful flower posing with another beautiful flower!

 Little Man watching the flamingos….

A little ballet at the zoo?  Don't mind if I do!

 Sweet Boy's favorites!  The elephants!

We walked to the other side of the park to see that doggone Polar Bear again because Little Man wouldn't get on the Sky Train…a gondola type deal….so the way back - through the elephant exhibit was a rough one!  Pretty cool cacti on the way tho!

 Sweet Pea almost vaulted over the fence when she figured out these little guys had babies!

She said, "I just want to jump over there and love them firmly!"  

We're looking into some counseling! ;-)

Look at the size of these aloe plants!  I kill these suckers in weeks….can't imagine how old these are!

The zoo was a good choice to break up the commercial joy at Disneyland.  Despite all the walking...there was a long car trip at either end…and our Sweet Boy loves car trips!

So…I'm' going to call it a win!