Best Zoo in Sand Hill

"Little ones (and bigger kids too!) can get super hot walking around all day, so head to the Savannah Cool Zone for some splash time. You'll find water spraying and big, slippery play critters that spout water: a turtle, a lion, and a crocodile. On a warm day, your tyke is sure to dry quickly as you continue your adventure, but we suggest going all in and wearing a swimsuit for this essential pit stop."

"San Diego Zoo Safari Park is 35 miles north of San Diego in Carlsbad, east of Escondido, and is a haven for some of the planet's most amazing animals. Get up close and personal to them in habitats that mimic their own. Situated on 1,800 acres, it's home to more than 3,500 animals from Africa and Asia, including giraffes, rhinos, and lions."

"(And, no, I’ve not missed San Diego Zoo – see my thoughts on the zoo and Sea World below). You can read more about the Bilboa Park Museums here."

"This not-for-profit aquarium and zoo connects kids with the animals and plants of the California coast. Located on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista, the Living Coast Discovery Center offers family-friendly activities and events such as shark, ray, turtle, and eagle feedings; guided trail hikes; Overnight Adventures; and VIP Animal Encounters. Seasonal exhibits promote wildlife conservation and educate young visitors about their impact on the environment."

"This nonprofit discovery center is there to provide environmental education related to coastal resource conservation. You park in a parking lot and bus takes you over to the center. Once there you can see the sharks, visit the sting ray touch tank, and see the bald eagles they have there."

"This is located in the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista and is a popular choice for school trips. The experience here is pretty unique. You get to feed bat rays and have meet-and-greets with reptiles."

"The Lost Forest is a fun little area packed with extensive trails that wind through exhibits and aviaries. These trails are home to animals from the rainforests of Asia and Africa, and wind their way up into the canopy as well as along the forest floor, with arboreal animals displayed above and ground dwellers below. You’ll find monkeys, barbirusas, tigers, great apes, okapis, and several various species of exotic birds."

"Guests will feel like there are in the rain forest when they enter the Lost Forest. The Lost Forest is in the northeast corner of the Zoo. Some animals in this area include hippos, tigers, okapi, otters, birds and primates."

"The Asian Passage is south of Panda Canyon and is a simulation of a tropical Asian rain forest. This scenic passage includes grizzly bears, snow leopards, and sun bears. This spectacular area also features the Sun Bear Forest, which resembles a southeast Asian rain forest, and the Hawaiian Native Plant Garden."

"The Asian Passage area includes the Sun Bear Forest, Grizzly Bear exhibit, and more. It’s a fun area to explore, and isn’t quite as big as Africa Rocks."

"Elephant Odyssey is one of the most well known parts of the park. It’s a huge area that’s dedicated solely to several beautiful African and Asian elephants. The Elephants are free to roam among large areas, and it also includes the Elephant Care Center where you may see a zookeeper caring for one of them."

"The Elephant Odyssey is home to the African and Asian elephant habitat. This area includes the majestic elephants along with the Elephant Care Center and Fossil Portal. Guests can also see lions, jaguars, California condor, camels, and the Malayan tapir."

"This isn't your average cinnamon roll, in more ways than one. The cinnamon rolls are all DIY with frosting flavors like cake batter and coffee and toppings like cookie dough and Oreo cookies. The cinnamon rolls are also completely vegan."

"Peace Pies serves a range of raw, vegan, and gluten- and soy-free foods, including pies, pizzas, wraps, salads, and desserts. Committed to a zero-waste policy, they also compost their food scraps and use environmentally-friendly packaging. Peace Pies has locations in Ocean Beach and Encinitas."

"Peace Pies offers a full menu of raw, vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free foods. Not only will you find the renowned pies, but the eatery offers pizzas, salads, wraps, entrees, dried goods, and chocolates. 4230 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107 (2 miles away)https://www.peacepies.com/"

"One of the few, if not only, purely raw vegan spots in San Diego. Owner and creator JP brings a menu that will have you drooling back for more. Every item is homemade with love, sourced from a local farm and crafted with delicious care."

"It’s a diner that pays homage to every era time has gone by since diners were a thing. From a brightly colored 50s retro diner with a milk bar and vintage care behind the hostess, to the train room with a black and white film showing above each booth, to a modern red room dedicated to corvette car lovers. A radio DJ booth pumps out Frank Sinatra, New York, New York and other classic tunes like Wild Thing, which matches the 70s groove room we dined in."

"Corvette Diner is a San Diego institution now located in the Point Loma area of Liberty Station. It's a 50s diner the serves up shakes, burgers, fries and other comfort food by sassy wait staff dressed in poodle skirts. Kids love it not only for the retro decor, casual vibe and food, but there's a killer arcade called Gamer's Garage in the back with 50 games and opportunities to win prizes."

"Have a blast from the past by taking your family to Corvette Diner in Liberty Station. This restaurant is more than a place to eat, it’s a true experience!. Retro decorations, car-themed booths, music, and wait staff full of character and decked out in full costume make this a place treat to remember."

"OceansideGet here early to snag a picnic table overlooking the Oceanside Harbor. Best for brunch, this reasonably priced spot is known for fresh-baked cinnamon coffee cake, enormous pancakes, and chicken-fried steak doused with homemade country gravy."

"As is perhaps appropriate given the origins of both the term and the practice of “al fresco,” we’ll begin with this local favorite of Continental cuisine. North Italia offers fresh, handmade pastas, pizzas, and other classic Italian favorites, all chef-prepared every day. The convenient location inside Fashion Valley Mall offers not just leisurely dining and takeout at a responsibly distanced outdoor setting, but also an upscale shopping adventure right nearby"