666. The San Diego Zoo

Where: San Diego, California
When: June 1996
With: Dad and Ashley

A year after our first big vacation to somewhere other than Florida (see Hawaii), my dad decided to try it again. This time, we'd be doing a trip that is on many people's bucket lists, though I didn't realize it at the time. We'd be exploring the coastline of California along the Pacific Coast Highway. Our first stop was at the southern most point in San Diego.

I don't remember very much of our time in San Diego, though we only spent a day and a half. It actually took the pictures here to jog some vague memories of what we saw. For example, I have no recollection of the view of the naval bases that we could see lining the San Diego Bay or of the Coronado Bridge spanning overtop of it. 

Ahh the mid-90s and the overalls. 

A view of the San Diego skyline. 

And the view back on Coronado Island. 

Luckily, the attraction I really remember seeing is also the top attraction in the city: the San Diego Zoo. Established in 1916, it was one of the first zoos to see itself as a conservator of wildlife rather than simply for tourists to gawk. 

I believe the photos from the zoo are a combination of mine (on my little camera I got when I was six) and my dad's. I'm learning as I go back through photos that my dad likes to take a LOT of photos of wildlife. 

First up, we have some sea lions, which you don't usually have to go to a zoo to see in California as they tend to smatter the entire coastline. But they are so cute!

And then, always a favorite, some flamingos. Fun fact: they get their pink coloring from the shrimp they eat. 

Flamingo wanna-be's. 

No shortage of birds in the zoo.

Of course, the peacocks with their distinct call, just wander around the grounds of the zoo. 

And a special treat? Watching this guy devour a little bunny rabbit. 

My mom is terrified of gorillas, so we always make a fuss when we see them, even if she isn't there to experience it herself. 

Next, we have a stream of antelope, deer, and gazelles. All very cute and safely hidden from the more senior members of the food chain. 

Some big ol' antlers. 

A unique member of the zoo: tortoises straight from the Galapagos. I had no idea what the Galapagos was, but in 11 years time, I would be there seeing these guys in their natural habitat. 

Don't let those disgruntled preteen faces fool you, the giraffes are always a crowd pleaser.

 

 And another favorite: the elephants. I even love the topiary ones. 

Zebras. 

Looks like a fancy cow. 

Must have been a Wednesday. 

I don't think I have ever seen a rhino horn this large ever since. 

And now for the obvious Wizard of Oz joke. Lions...

...and tigers (white ones)...

...and bears. Oh my. 

No idea what this guy is, but I say a marsupial.

Same for this guy. 

Meerkats before they were celebrities. 

I do remember being in love with these sculptures of a family of hippos enjoying a day at the beach. 

And then the actual hippos. 

 

And finally, a couple of crocodiles. 

After a full day at the zoo, we ended our evening with a Padres game, the other part of this trip I remember. 

While this in no way makes me feel like I've seen San Diego, I can say I smashed the zoo all those years ago. I look forward to returning with a better camera, a better memory, and better hair.