Hidden Treasures of the San Diego Zoo

Some parts of the Zoo are just not as popular as the other main exhibits. Some are so off the beaten path, few people even know they exist.

• Fastest Way to the Pandas - After you walk through the entrance, ask the attendant to point you to the Fern Canyon stairs. Fern Canyon is the most direct and the shadiest route to get to the pandas. Once you reach the bottom of Fern Canyon, make a left and start walking until you see the signs for the pandas.
• Beyond the Reptile House - Some people think that there is nothing beyond the always popular Reptile House - not so! There is a whole section of different varieties of reptiles to the west of the Reptile House, including giant tortoises, gators, iguanas, frogs, skinks, and geckos.
• Hummingbird Hut - Tucked away to the left of the Wegeforth Bowl and the Reptile House, is a large collection of bromeliads, but there is also something else in a little old stucco building - it is a special house for hummingbirds. Enter the building on either side and be sure to check for hummingbirds as you push back the plastic chain barriers to get inside. Once inside, be still and just watch the action around you. Hummingbirds literally buzz by your head to get one from one end to the other.
• El Condor Pasa - Large flying birds are always amazing to see in real life. The Zoo has located very large aviaries around its grounds but one group of aviaries just doesn't seem to get as many visitors as the others because of its location. This group of large flying birds (like the Andean condor) is located on in their own aviaries on a bridge that is located between Ituri Forest and the Polar Plunge. You can literally take the high road (the bridge) or the low road (the walkway) - do yourself a favor, take the high road.

Flamingos

• Children's Zoo - If you have children with you, take them to the Children's Zoo. Even if you do not have children with you, go to the Children's Zoo. The Children's Zoo recently underwent a remodel and features an improved petting area which includes bunnies, miniature horses, goats, sheep, and pigs. In addition to the petting area, the Children's Zoo also features a Mouse House made of bread, 2-4 nursing rooms for baby animals, bird egg incubators, a porcupine, marmosets, an otter grotto and a naked mole rat exhibit.
• Orchid Greenhouses - On the third Friday of each month, the Zoo opens up its orchid greenhouses to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The orchid greenhouses are located on the most northern side of the Zoo between the East African Kopje exhibit and Horn & Hoof Mesa. There is no extra charge.
• Great Shopping - Gift shops are located throughout the Zoo but the largest ones are located near the exit from the Zoo. The stores carry a wide variety of products from around the world. Naturally, stuffed animals, Zoo t-shirts and hats are available but there is also a wide assortment of ceramics, art pieces, and things for the home that are unique and attractive. All proceeds from the sales go toward helping the Zoo. These stores ware very popular with the locals as well so much so that some locals know that they can buy a ticket to enter the Zoo, go to the gift shop, make their purchase, and get the ticket price refunded at the Gift Store.