San Diego Zoo

In 1916 Dr. Harry Wegeforth heard the roar of a lion left over from a World’s Fair in San Diego. At that moment, the prominent physician decided a zoo was needed in San Diego. Open 365 days a year, the San Diego Zoo welcomes San Diego families as well as visitors from around the world.

The 100-acre (40-hectare) Zoo is home to over 3,700 rare and endangered animals representing more than 668 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park.