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San Diego Zoo

We spent the better part of a day at the San Diego Zoo recently.

Starting with the bus trip, which was included in our ticket price, this was a great to get oriented. With an overall view of the entire zoo, this helped us decide the areas where we definitely wanted to spend more time.

Our driver explained the individual areas and the animals that would normally live in either that continent or country. She stopped often along the way to show us an animal if they were visible. If they were not, she gave us some hints on the best time to see them.

She also told us about a “kangaroo bus” which is a hop on, hop off bus. This bus stops at four different spots throughout the entire zoo. We used this bus at the end of the day when we wanted to get to one more place.

Well laid out, the San Diego Zoo let us go from Africa to Asia and everywhere in between. We saw animals of that specific area. Signage by each animal helped us  learn as it would explain the animal, their habitat, and pertinent facts about their life in the wild.

Volunteers are readily available to answer questions, give directions, and help with navigating the map. We stopped and asked questions several times.

Since we had reservation at Albert’s Restaurant, a sit-down restaurant at the San Diego Zoo, we headed there to eat lunch. Albert’s, located in the Lost Forest Zone, is a full-service restaurant. Both inside and  outside offer a terrific view of the private waterfall. With a tasty lunch we enjoyed a glass of wine. Not a bad way to enjoy the zoo.

Albert’s was named for the most famous resident ever at the San Diego Zoo. He was a handsome silverback western lowland gorilla. Born in Africa, Albert arrived at the zoo in 1949 when  he was four months old. He and two baby female lowland gorillas were hand raised at the nursery at the zoo. When he reached maturity, he lived in an open-air grotto, located where the restaurant is now located.

In 1965 Albert fathered the first western lowland gorilla at the San Diego  Zoo. This was only  the seventh gorilla born in any zoo. He died peacefully in 1978. His grandchildren  and great-grandchildren are still living at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego  Zoo  Safari Park.

The rest of the day we wandered past lions, tigers, and bears. Oh my…what a great way to spend a day.

For more San Diego fun, check out https://travelsandescapes.net/?s=san+diego

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San Diego Zoo and Safari Park

The first episode of Animal Planet’s THE ZOO: San Diego at the San Diego Zoo features our own San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. 

 
This heartwarming television series will take you behind the scenes to share the incredible stories of the animals that call the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park home. THE ZOO: San Diego also shares the world-class, highly specialized care each animal receives from veterinarians, keepers, trainers, and researchers, many of whom have deep and meaningful relationships with the animals they have dedicated their lives to caring for. The show also reveals the often-surprising steps we take in our journey to end extinction.

THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO will introduce a wide range of animals to Animal Planet audiences this season, including pandas, giraffes, Galápagos tortoises, koalas, elephants, mountain lions, two baby cheetahs that are learning how to be ambassadors for their species and a flock of ostriches known as the “Spice Girls.” Viewers will watch as California condors are brought back from the brink of extinction and get an up-close look as Joanne the gorilla celebrates her fifth birthday along with her troop. Animal Planet audiences will also follow the animal care teams—keepers and veterinarians at both the Zoo and the Safari Park—many of whom have dedicated their lives to caring for animals, and the numerous projects and initiatives that place this nonprofit organization at the forefront of wildlife conservation.

About San Diego Zoo Global:

As an international nonprofit organization, San Diego Zoo Global works to fight extinction through conservation efforts for plants and animals worldwide. With a history of leadership in species recovery and animal care, San Diego Zoo Global works with partners in science-based field programs on six continents, and maintains sanctuaries and public education facilities in many places. Inspiring a passion for nature is critical to saving species, and San Diego Zoo Global’s outreach efforts share the wonder of wildlife with millions of people every year. Current major conservation initiatives include fighting wildlife trafficking and the impacts of climate change on wildlife species; broad-spectrum species and habitat protection efforts in Kenya, in Peru and on islands worldwide; preventing extinction in our own backyard; and expanding efforts to bank critical genetic resources and apply them to the conservation of critically endangered species. 

Way to go… Check it out for yourself.

There will be a special two-hour season premier on August 10 at 8 pm ET/PT. The following week this will return to its regular schedule of 9 ET/PT.
 

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Cabrillo National Monument…San Diego

 

First…a little history.

As the park’s namesake, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo led the first European expedition to explore what is now the west coast of the United States. Cabrillo departed from the port of Navidad, Mexico, on June 27, 1542. Three months later he arrived at “a very good enclosed port,” which is known today as San Diego Bay. Historians believe he anchored his flagship, the San Salvador, on Point Loma’s east shore near Cabrillo National Monument. Cabrillo later died during the expedition, but his crew pushed on, possibly as far north as Oregon, before thrashing winter storms forced them to back to Mexico.

Cabrillo National Monument, established in 1913, commemorates Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s voyage of discovery. A heroic statue of Cabrillo looks out over the bay that he first sailed into on September 28, 1542. At the Visitor Center, the film “In Search of Cabrillo” and an exhibit hall present Cabrillo’s life and times. Ranger-led programs about Cabrillo are usually available on weekends and on many weekdays during summer months.

Visiting…

Stop at the Visitor Center. Information about the park, tidepools, and trails, exhibits showcasing Cabrillo and the native people, films documenting the park and its history, and commanding panoramic views make the Visitor Center here an ideal place to start your visit.

Bring your shoes if hiking is on your agenda. The Bayside Trail is about 2.5 miles roundtrip. You’ll descend about 300 feet as you walk past native coastal sage, prickly pear, and chaparral. Leftover military control stations, bunkers, and other remnants of the defense system which protected the harbor during WWI and WWII can be seen on your way through this coastal Mediterranean ecotype.

Wear waterproof, sturdy shoes if you want to explore the tidepools. Keep in mind the rocks get slippery. Remember to explore by looking. These are protected to maintain the marine life in their natural habitat. Don’t take anything home with you.

The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is a reminder of sailing ships and oil lamps. When in operation, a dedicated keeper was on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No vacations. No time off. An oil lamp was lit in 1855 to reflect the light off the newly installed Fresnel lens. This was reported to be seen 32 miles away, protecting ships from the rocks and coast. Being the highest lighthouse along the coast, it seemed like an ideal spot. It wasn’t. Fog and low clouds often obstructed the light. In 1891 the lamp was extinguished for the final time. It was shut down and a new one was constructed at a lower elevation.

Definitely worth a trip, the Cabrillo National Monument offers an insight into San Diego and California history. With so much to do here, plan on spending the day.

If You Go: Cabrillo National Monument is located at 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive
San Diego, CA 92106. The entire park is open from 9am until 5pm. The only exception are the tidepools which close at 4:30pm. Park passes are available at the Entrance Station until 4:20pm. For more information, https://www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htm.

 

 

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Halloween in San Diego?

Heading to San Diego in October? Here are some great Halloween tricks…or treats.

If you are in the area or traveling to San Diego this October, take a look at some of these events for Halloween. Because San Diego’s weather is so mild in October, many of these sorts of events are held outdoors including one that is set in nature.


Haunted Trail in Balboa Park

Perhaps the best outdoor setting for a terror-filled experience, especially since the park is pretty scary at night any time! The spooky and dark trails are located in the Marston Point section of the Park which is east of Sixth Avenue and Juniper Street in Balboa Park. Look for the orange signs with the ghoulish writing to point you in the right direction.

The Haunted Trail in Balboa Park starts on September 25, 2009 and goes until October 31, 2009. This will allow plenty of time to get the living daylights scared out of you! The Haunted Trail is open from 7pm to 12 Midnight Fridays and Saturdays and 7pm to 11pm Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The monsters and witches take a break on Mondays and Tuesdays except for October 26 and 27, 2009.

Admission: $14.99 per person

For more information, call: (619) 696-SCARE or buy your tickets online.

Please note: This experience is not recommended for gremlins younger than 10 years old.

Haunted Hotel

Rooms decorated to bring back the spirits of Hollywood horror films from the past, the hotel is situated in an old building that probably has stories of its own to tell. The Haunted Hotel is located at 424 Market Street in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. The terror starts on September 25, 2009 and goes until October 31, 2009. Operating hours for the Haunted Hotel are: Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm to 1am and Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7pm to 11pm. The venue is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays except for October 26 & 27, 2009.

Admission: $14.99 per person with plenty of free street parking available since parking meters are not enforced after 6pm.

For more information, call: (619) 696-SCARE or buy your tickets online.

Please note: This experience is not recommended for gremlins younger than 10 years old.

Scream Zone at the Del Mar Fairgrounds

Three haunted attractions await you; the House of Horror, the Haunted Hayride and The Chamber. Each dwelling is inhabited by terrifying creatures and scary scenes. Local actors play the part of the many ghouls and monsters that dwell in this very scary Scream Zone. Be prepared to scream your head off.

The Scream Zone at the Del Mar Fairgrounds is open September 25 & 26th, October 2-4th, October 8-11th and October 15-18th. After that, the Scream Zone is open every night from October 22 until October 31st. The hours are as follows: Sundays-Thursdays are from 7pm to 11pm; Fridays & Saturdays from 7pm to Midnight.

Admission, Discounts & Parking

“Triple Haunt” – House of Horror, Haunted Hayride & The Chamber: $27.99

“Double Haunt” – The Chamber plus House of Horror or Haunted Hayride: $18.99

“Single Haunt” – House of Horror or Haunted Hayride: $14.99

There is no cost to enter The Scream Zone complex. Parents who aren’t planning on entering the attractions can have something to eat or drink while waiting for the kids.

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San Diego Butterflys

Who doesn’t like the friendly butterfly? Starting this weekend, the San Diego Zoo will have thousands of the colorful insects on display at the Butterfly Jungle.
The zoo’s Wild Animal Park will play host to the Hidden Jungle, an aviary that looks like a South American rain forest. Guests walk through as thousands of species of butterfly flit from plant to plant, looking for pollen. A close encounter is almost guaranteed, as the butterflies often mistake people for flowers.
Although butterflies are the stars of the show, no pollinator will go uncelebrated—this year’s theme is Pollinators of the Animal Kingdom, including birds, bugs, and bats. A Discovery Station in the park will have educational displays about bugs and the ecosystem; there’s even a bat cave with live bats. The event is great for kids, with crafts, puzzles, games, a Butterfly Wrangler performing, and a daily butterfly costume parade (so those leftovers from Halloween will get a second use).
Through April 26. Free with the cost of admission, which is $35 for adults and $26 for kids 11 and under. Look online to purchase tickets.

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Mission San Luis Rey

Mission San Luis Rey

Discover history of California Missions with a visit to Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, California.

First some history:

Father Fermin Lasuen, successor to Father Junipero Serra, founded Mission San Luis Rey in 1798. This was the 18th mission in the chain of 21 missions in Alta California.

Mission San Luis Rey was named after King Louis IX of France, a 13th century king known for his compassion for the poor.

Prior to Spanish occupation, the Luiseno people inhabited this area for hundreds of years. Luiseno homes were dome-shaped, using a branch frame. The chief and shaman made and upheld the laws of the village. The men hunted and fished and the women gathered plants and food. Pestles for grinding were made as were baskets.

Missions were not authorized until the threat of Russian encroachment into the area in Alta California. Spain had learned to claim land by establishing a mission and sending dedicated padres with a few soldiers. The Mission San Luis Rey became home to over 3,000 Indians, 50,000 head of livestock, and large land cultivation. Grapes, oranges, olives, wheat, and corn were irrigated by water channeled from a nearby river. By 1830, the Mission was the largest building in California.

Throughout the years Mission San Luis Rey flourished and then decayed. In 1892 a group of Franciscans from Zacatecas, Mexico sought refuge at the Mission. From 1892 to 1912 the church, living quarters, the quadrangle, and barracks were rebuilt. This Mission restoration and preservation is an ongoing process and archaeological investigators continue to unearth the Mission’s past.

Some other quick facts:

  • There were eight bells in the church
  • There are now four bells in the church
  • The timber used for the beams and roof came from Mt. Palomar via ox carts
  • The oldest pepper tree in California is in the quadrangle
  • The cemetery is the oldest burial ground in north San Diego county still in operation
  • In the 1950s Walt Disney Studio filmed part of the movie “Zorro” in front of the gates

We spent a morning taking the self-guided tour of Mission San Luis Rey. The period rooms portrayed life as it was throughout history. Ranging from the lifestyle of the Luiseno Indians to the Friars’ bedrooms to the Mission kitchen to way the Mission San Luis Rey is today. The original Lincoln Document which returned the Mission to the Church is included in one room.

Entering through the front doors of the Historic Mission Church, we first noticed the Spanish Colonial architecture. Both Baroque and Classical styles were represented throughout. Paintings and decorations showed the combination of Spanish and Indian cultures.

Wandering through the cemetery we noticed grave markers dating as far back as 1800 and up to 2020. The ruins of the adobe barracks that once housed Spanish soldiers assigned to protect the Mission San Luis Rey are well preserved.

Not to be missed is the oldest pepper tree in California. Even from the gates of the courtyard, this tree is impressive.

When you want a glimpse of life in a Mission, understand how Missions affected California history, and discover the rich history surrounding a National Historic Landmark take some time to visit Mission San Luis Rey.

If You Go: Mission San Luis Rey is located at 4050 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA.

Visit http://www.sanluisrey.org for more information