San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Insider Tips from a Local

My husband and I absolutely love the San Diego Zoo and its sister property, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (previously known as the San Diego Wild Animal Park). So much so, that we’ve been members for years.We appreciate the impressive number and species of animals housed here, the lush gardens, and the picturesque settings of these two parks. But more importantly, the Zoo and Safari Park are a renowned conservation organization. They have several programs committed to preserving endangered wildlife species worldwide.The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park while the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is situated 35 miles northwest of San Diego in the rolling hills of the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido. With a massive 1,800 acres of land, 300 species and more than 3,600 animals on site, the Safari Park can feel overwhelming for a first-time visitor. However, with some advanced planning and tips we’re providing, you’ve got the tools to ensure your remarkable experience.Timing Your VisitOf no surprise, weekends and holidays are always the busiest times to be at the Safari Park, as are the summer months when many families vacation in San Diego. Getting to the park as early as possible to park opening is wise for many reasons. The animals are more active in the morning, you’ll navigate fewer crowds, it’s the ideal time to watch shows and keeper talks, and if you’re visiting in the summer, this park can get quite warm as it’s more inland. Temperatures can easily reach the high 80s and, on some days, well into the 90s.Other months of the year tend to be much more comfortable and here’s an insider tip you’ll appreciate: more animals give birth in the spring, so if you’re visiting at this time, you’re likely to see more of these adorable babies.Pre-Planning Your Visit- Pre-Purchase Tickets and Download the AppPlan to spend no less than a full day here if you want to get the most out of your Safari Park experience. I highly recommend downloading the San Diego Zoo Safari Park app. This GPS-enabled map will allow visitors to view the daily schedule, discover dining and activities, import their tickets or memberships to the digital wallet and add their must-see wildlife to the day planner. Though paper maps are available after passing through the Safari Park entrance, guests can download a PDF map to familiarize themselves with the layout of the Park. Download it here for Android or Apple devices. In addition, if you want to avoid the lines at the ticket booths at the Park entrance, you can purchase your tickets and tours in advance (more about tours a bit later).Tickets can be purchased online here or used in combination with a San Diego Go Explorer Pass, or San Diego CityPASS. If, however, you are using the veterans’ or AAA membership discounts on admission, these tickets must be purchased at the park entrance.Money Saving Tip: If you plan to visit the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Safari Park, you can also by a combo-ticket that saves you a little bit of money. What to Wear for the Safari ParkDepending upon the time of year, it’s always good to check the weather forecast. Just be sure to check the weather conditions in Escondido versus San Diego as these areas can vary quite a bit. My best advice is to layer your clothing. You may want that jacket or sweater for your early morning arrival and then not need it once the sun comes out. Or need it again, once the sun goes down. Also, I’m a big fan of wearing cotton clothing that’s cool and comfortable. And if you want to dress in safari-type attire, go for it. It’s all part of the experience, and you won’t be alone.Since you’ll be doing a lot of walking in the Park, be sure to wear good tennis shoes or hiking shoes. DO NOT wear flip-flops. You are not at the beach and you’ll regret this decision by the end of the day.What to Pack for Your VisitMake sure to come prepared for your Safari Park visit, especially if you’re bringing little ones with you. Even if you don’t, you’ll be glad to have these items during your exploration time. To ensure we don’t forget the necessities, we make a list and then check those items off as they’re packed to go.Use a Light BackpackDon’t forget your backpack! This is the best way to carry your most-needed items, but do keep your backpack a lightweight type so it doesn’t become too heavy as the day unfolds. Take a Re-useable Water BottleWe make sure to include a re-usable water bottle for each family member and we keep it in the freezer overnight, then fill it with ice water in the morning before leaving for the Park. There are places to get refills throughout the Park including complimentary ice water from vendors you can use to refill your bottle.Bring Your Own Snacks and MealsI do not pack meals when visiting the Safari Park, but you certainly can. Because the non-profit organization consisting of the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Safari Park are unable to customize food items to meet all dietary restrictions, they allow outside food to be brought into the park. This can be a big cost-saver for families and I’ve seen many of them take advantage of this option.When our family visits, however, we do bring snacks. You’d be surprised at how hungry you will be with all the walking you’ll be doing. Our favorites? Granola bars, fruit snacks, and trail mix.Be aware that you can’t bring glass bottles, straws, and large coolers. Don’t Forget Your Hat, Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Wipes and Hand SanitizerThis might seem like an unnecessary reminder, but when you’re getting ready to head to the Park in the morning, these are items that can be easily missed. Again, the park can get quite warm, especially during the summer and early fall months, so you’ll want to make sure to protect your skin with a good hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. And speaking of protection, I always keep a small pack of hand wipes and hand sanitizer with me, especially when I’m sharing public spaces (and germs) with others (and animals!). Take BinocularsIf you have binoculars, make sure to bring them along. You’ll be glad you did when they provide some unbelievable close-ups of the animals. The lighter the better so they’re not too heavy to lug or carry. If you don’t, here are some lightweight ones that even connect to your phone for some cool photos!Now that we’ve established your planning and packing strategies, let’s talk about the tips you’ll need once you’re in the Safari Park to make your visit even better.Start Your Visit with the Africa TramThe difference between the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park is the number of animals that run practically free-range in the Safari Park. This is mainly due to the park’s initial designation as a breeding facility for rare and endangered species. Hence, animals here have a lot more space to roam.We always begin our Safari Park experience with an expedition on the Africa Tram. Not only is this a relaxing adventure on a path that takes visitors around some of the savanna habitats, but the 25-minute guided tram tour offers a myriad of information about the Park and the opportunity to see more wildlife in what’s designed to be close to their original habitat.Tour tip: The Africa Tram is located in the African Outpost. You don’t need reservations, so it’s a first-come, first-serve experience. Try to get seats on the left side of the tram as this will give you the best opportunity for sightings and photos.Must-See Animals and ExhibitsWhile there’s so much to see and explore animal-wise at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, we have our favorite areas and exhibits that shouldn’t be overlooked as these stand out as absolute winners in our book.Walkabout AustraliaWhen the Safari Park opened Walkabout Australia, we were so excited! Imagine walking a picturesque path without barriers between you and the Australian wildlife, where wallabies and kangaroos cross your paths and meander the grounds at leisure. Walkabout also includes a platypus exhibit, the only facility with these beautiful creatures seen outside of Australia.Tiger TrailSumatran tigers call Tull Tiger Trail their home, representing one of the best-designed tiger enclosures in the world. Guests will find great photo spots and amazing viewing windows as these beautiful cats pace back and forth in front of the viewing windows, lounge by the water, cool off in the stream and stretch out on rock outcroppings overlooking the waterfalls.Sadly, fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers exist in the wild and thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, over 25 tiger cubs have been born at the Safari Park. This is also one of the exhibits that you can visit on one of your last stops in the Park since tigers are mostly nocturnal and are more active at twilight.World Gardens and Condor RidgeJust a short distance stroll from Walkabout Australia and Tiger Trail leads to the highest vistas in the Safari Park featuring desert cacti and Native American fauna frequently seen in the Southwest. Here you’ll find the black-footed ferret, desert big-horned sheep, bald eagles, and the endangered California condor among others. And the area provides an expansive and impressive view of the Park and the surrounding San Pasqual Valley.African OutpostThis meandering loop takes guests past a variety of African birds and mammals including waterfowl and includes the Lion Camp and Cheetah Run. You’ll find okapi, rhinos, nyalas, red river hogs, vultures and more.Dining at the Safari ParkVisitors have 17 different dining experiences to select from in the Park with a variety of menus ranging from burgers and hot dogs to Mexican-inspired entrees, soups, salads, pizza and paninis. Our favorite place to dine, however, is the open-air Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook offering incredible views of the African Plains as you enjoy tasty sandwiches, fresh salads and an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage of choice. You’ll get a much-needed break, will love the surroundings and savor the moment. Reservations are highly suggested.Take a Safari Tour- Add-On ExperiencesThis will take some advance planning and reservations, but these up-close-and-personal add-on experiences are so worth it, even if you just choose one.The San Diego Safari Park offers nine different safari experiences with 27 variations. They range from open-air caravan safaris, behind-the-scenes safaris, the fascinating cheetah run, and more to roar and snore safaris, which are overnight sleepover adventures in nature. Our favorites and ones we recommend to locals and visitors are the Caravan Safari (the most popular tour at the Park) and the Roar and Snore, where you don’t have to get an expensive ticket to South Africa to hear the sounds of the elephants, lions and more nearby.Photo courtesy of Christy MillerThis is an ideal park to venture into these unique experiences and one of the main reasons visitors come to the Safari Park or return for a future visit.There are a host of other activities in the Safari Park that can more than help fill in your entire day’s visit which include animal encounters, a Lorikeet Feeding Experience, a petting zoo, and so many charming shops in each of the areas of the Park. Whenever you choose to visit and whatever activities or tours you decide to schedule in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, we hope your experience becomes a magnificent experience you’ll long remember.Last Updated on May 30, 2024 by Maria HaaseThe post San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Insider Tips from a Local appeared first on San Diego Explorer.

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Fantastic 6-Day California National Park Road Trip Itinerary

6 Days995 Miles3 National Parks (Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon)1 Camper VanCountless MemoriesWhen I was a kid, my family would get an RV rental every year for a couple of weeks and drive EVERYWHERE around the US. San Francisco – New York City  ✔ San Diego – Seattle – San Diego  ✔ National Parks  ✔ Los Angeles – Miami  ✔So when I was offered the opportunity to work with Roadsurfer, a campervan company with locations in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco (in the US), I was excited to try them and share some of those childhood memories with my husband Greg and our dog Robby.If you are planning a trip with a campervan around California, read on. I will share my 6-day California National Park itinerary, fun places to visit, tips for traveling with a dog in the campervan, and more.6-Day California National Park Road Trip Itinerary Our 6-day road trip around the 3 popular California National Parks was such a fun little getaway and doing it with a campervan made everything so easy and convenient. We didn’t have to worry about checking into hotels, packing/unpacking a thousand times, storing our food or finding places to eat, looking for restrooms etc. You have everything you need right there with you. It’s awesome!!! Take a look at the route we took below here:Day 1: Pick up Camper and Drive North Day one was kind of a long and exhausting one. We left San Diego at around 7:45 AM and arrived at the Roadsurfer location just when they opened at 10 AM. We opted for an early pickup time so we could get to our first campground on Don Pedro Lake in Tuolumne County at a somewhat reasonable time. As we were the first customers in the door, our pickup was super quick and easy. In hindsight, it was a little too quick, and I wish we had asked more questions about our camper van and gotten to know all the cool features and functions a bit better. When you go pick up the van, I recommend you take your time and familiarize yourself, make sure you know where everything is and how it works. We didn’t and found the camping chairs in their hidden compartment under the sofa on the last day. Don’t be like us, ha!We packed up our supplies into the van, dropped our car off at a relative’s place, and were ready to go at around 11:15 AM! Our goal was to get out of Los Angeles before the mad Friday afternoon rush hour and it worked out perfectly. We stopped at a hole-in-the-wall taco shop along the 5 (not noteworthy), and then had a few quick coffee/dog walk breaks along the way. The drive on the 5 and the 99 is not exciting or pretty, but it gets you North quickly. Once we turned on the 59 in Merced, we drove through some stunning meadows, and the light and stormy skies during the golden hour made for some stunning scenery.We made really good time and arrived at our campground just around sunset at 7:30 PM. We had just enough time to set everything up and get settled when we had a short but torrential downpour, which cut our evening walk a bit short. After a quick dinner, we decided to go to bed early and rest up. Day 2: Explore Pinecrest Lake, Cider Tasting & Sonora The next morning, we were up bright and early, and we had our first wildlife experience. After I got up, I took our dog Robby for a walk, and we ran into Tom, the turkey. Fleming Meadows campground on Don Pedro Reservoir has its own rafter of wild turkeys. Robby was really excited and wanted to say hi, but Tom did not seem to be interested in making an acquaintance. Oh well. We continued our walk down to the boat ramp and enjoyed the beautiful view of the huge reservoir. After coffee, we drove over to Pinecrest Lake, a stunning lake in the middle of the Sierras. On our way, we stopped at the Sugar Shack for some delicious breakfast burritos. Delicous and the perfect fuel for our 4 mile hike around the stunning lake. Robby loved the hike and especially the waterfalls and so did we! Just look at these photos! Don’t forget to add Pinecrest Lake to your itinerary!After our hike, we a hard cider tasting at Indigeny Reserve scheduled. We got to try a sip of each of their 9 hard ciders on tap. I have to say that I am usually a fan of dry and plain ciders, but they had some unique flavors that were fantastic. I mean, Chocolate dipped strawberry cider “should” not taste good according to my taste buds, but oh my was it good! It really tasted like the real deal and did not have this weird “fake” taste to it, that some of the flavored ciders have. And the surroundings of the cidery are just stunning. You drive through the orchards, pass through a covered bridge (I didn’t know we had any of these in California!) and then sit under shady oak trees as you sip you cider. For dinner, we headed to Sonora, the capital city of Tuolumne County. It is such a cute little mountain town with lots of shops and restaurants. I really loved the vibe here. After a long hike and lots of mountain air, a burger is always a good idea, right? We went to The Diamondback Grill and their burgers were so juicy and delicious. They had all kinds of unique toppings that you could mix and match to your liking. I ordered myself my own invention of a “Philly cheesesteak burger” with provolone cheese, grilled onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers. YUM!Happy and with full bellies, we strolled through town, checked out some cute stores, and ended up in the alley behind the Sonora Tap Room, where they set up tables and had some live music. What a fantastic way to end the day!Day 3: Visit Yosemite National Park I have to say that a return visit to Yosemite was one of the highlights of this road trip, but what made this extra special was that I could share it with my husband Greg and my dog Robby. I had been to Yosemite a few times as a kid, traveling with my family in a motorhome, but it had been 15 years since my last visit. I was stoked to come back and Greg was stoked to go there for the first time. We left pretty early and decided to have breakfast in the park. I just love that convenience aspect of RVing. You just get up in the morning and hit the road, then stop wherever you want and have breakfast, make some coffee and enjoy. Heck, you can even lay down and take a little nap in the middle of the day if you want to. It makes your travel experience so much nicer, when you have everything you need right there with you. We took the northern entrance to the Park, following HWY 120, which gives you stunning views over Yosemite Valley. I remember the first time I watched Lord of the Rings. When Frodo and Sam arrive in Rivendell, the home of the elves, I immediately thought of Yosemite. A lush valley, towering mountains, and gushing waterfalls. It feels like you enter a dream. There are 2 tunnels at the top of the pass and after each, the view takes your breath away. I definitely recommend pulling out into the little parking area and enjoying the view over the whole valley. So beautiful! Waterfall Hunting in YosemiteOnce we made it down to Yosemite Valley, we decided to go Waterfall hunting. After all the rain we got this winter, the waterfalls were gushing and roaring with full force. At Bridalvail Falls, we first got to experience the fall while the sun was hiding behind a cloud. A few minutes later, the sun came out and turned the mist of the waterfall into a curtain of sparkling diamonds. Don’t stay too long or you might get soaked though!Across the street, right next to the sheer cliffs of El Capitan, you can see Horsetail Falls. This fall is famous for its firey spectacle in February. When the sun hits the fall just right, it appears as if the water turns into a stream of fire, gushing over the side of the mountain. This is still on my bucket list of things to see!Yosemite Falls was a lot more busy than the first two, but it didn’t take away any of the magic of this majestic waterfall. And the best part? The trail is dog-friendly, so Robby could join us. The trail itself starts near Yosemite Lodge and leads you to the Lower Yosemite Falls. Pay attention that you stay on this trail and don’t fork off to the Upper Yosemite Falls trail, which is pretty steep and you need proper hiking gear. When you get to the end of the trail, I recommend you cross the street and enjoy the view from the meadow. The views of Half Dome and the Upper Yosemite Falls are incredible from there. After all this waterfall viewing, we got hungry. We pulled into a scenic parking lot, put up our camping chairs and had some delicious sandwiches under some redwood trees overlooking a meadow. It doesn’t get better than that!In the late afternoon, we left the park and headed to Around the Horn Brewing Company in Groveland for some beer tasting and a delicious dinner. We had two flights of delicious IPAs, a Cuban sandwich, and a Kimchi Grilled Cheese. The Kimchi Grilled Cheese was so unique packed a punch of flavors as well as a little heat. I know it sounds weird, but it was sooo good!We returned to Don Pedro Lake for our final night at Fleming Meadows Campground. We enjoyed some stargazing and looking for satellites passing by after a long and beautiful day. Day 4: Jamestown, Columbia, and Drive South After leaving our Don Pedro Lake campground for the last time, we headed to Jamestown for breakfast and a little stroll. Such a cute little town. It reminded me a lot of Julian, minus the apple pie. Think small-town feel, antique shops, cute restaurants and a bit of a Stars Hollow meets West Coast vibe. We had a delicious breakfast at The Smoke Cafe, a cute little diner right on Main Street. It serves classic American dishes, lots of Mexican options, and the portions are huge. We indulged in a hearty breakfast and delicious coffee before exploring the small town. On a Monday morning, lots of the small shops were still closed, but I am sure this town is buzzing on the weekends. We checked out some of the open antique shops. They even let Robby in and gave him some treats. We love rummaging through forgotten treasures and memorabilia of times past. After a little stroll around town, we continued on to Columbia, another historic town in Tuolumne County. Columbia has a State Historic Park with lots of historic buildings, shops, restaurants, and activities for the whole family. It looks and feels a little like Old Town San Diego, just without the Mexican influence. We had lunch at one of the oldest saloons in town: St Charles Saloon. What started as an Oyster parlor in 1857 now serves pizza and beer. And delicious pizza it was. I am usually quite picky about my pizza, but these pies were delicious and unique. They had some really interesting toppings as well. Would you try pickles on pizza? I thought it was the most bizarre topping I have seen yet (and I have eaten blueberry pizza before!), but somehow, it worked and next time I make pizza at home, I will add some pickles to mine!We still had a 3+ hour drive ahead of us, so unfortunately, we didn’t get to explore much of Columbia. However, I hope to return someday and spend some more time here. We retraced our drive down Highway 99 to Fresno and then turned left on Highway 180 towards the mountains. We had booked a night at Sequoia Mountain Farms Campground, just a short drive to the entrance of Kings Canyon National Park (or so we thought, more on that tomorrow). We arrived just in time to grab dinner at Pinehurst Lodge, a rustic dive bar just up the street. The burgers were so delicious and the waitress even brought out a hot dog for Robby. How sweet. The views from our campsite over the Central Valley were stunning, and the sunset was spectacular. We enjoyed another night of stargazing and satellite spotting before heading to bed. Day 5: Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks & 3 SurprisesWe had a full day ahead of us, so we got up pretty early. Greg took Robby for a walk and fed him. As he sat down his bowl, he spotted something a little unnerving: a huge paw print in the mud (it had rained a little overnight). We are not trackers, but our best guess is a mountain lion, as there were no claw imprints. If you know what could have left this big paw print, please let us know in the comments! On the one hand, it leaves you a little anxious (we did go to the bathroom outhouse in the middle of the night), and yet it is cool that there is wildlife so close to you, and you really are IN nature. We packed up and drove towards the entrance of Kings Canyon National Park. And here was our second surprise of the morning: Road closed. There was an unpaved, steep road that supposedly could have been an alternative, but that looked a little too sketchy for us, so we took the long way instead. Sometimes things like that happen on a road trip. So, you just have to focus on making a smart decision, even if it means that your plans or schedule will be a little derailed. Without the detour, we wouldn’t have found the cutest little coffee shop along the way with the best breakfast bagels and hearty coffee. It always turns out alright in the end When we finally arrived at the entrance of Kings Canyon, the ranger had surprise #3 for us: the southern Exit in Sequoia National Park is closed due to road maintenance. Oh boy. That would mean we have to cut our already short time in the parks even shorter and double back the way we came. Not ideal, to say the least. We were quite bummed about this, but once we pulled out at our first stop and saw the gigantic trees at the General Grant trailhead, it felt like a trivial problem. Robby couldn’t go with us on the trail, so we went by one by one while the other one waited at the parking lot. The trees are so big and have so much history that they put everything else into perspective. Our lives are nothing but a blip in their lives. There is even a fallen tree trunk that you can walk through. Walking through that humongous tree was definitely one of my favorite moments at Kings Canyon NP. After exploring the General Grant trail, we headed to the Kings Canyon Visitor Center. I don’t know if it was intuition or a gut feeling, but for whatever reason, I decided to stand in line to talk to the ranger about the road closure. I am so glad I did!!! It turned out that the road closure had been postponed until the next day and we could, after all, exit through the southern exit in Sequoia National Park. Wohoo! Didn’t I tell you that things always turn out right in the end?!In Sequoia National Park, we stopped at the General Sherman Trail and just like before, I went first and then Greg went, while Robby was enjoying pets from strangers in the parking lot. We even ran into some people who petted him at the previous parking lot and we were joking that Robby’s fan club was following us. The General Sherman trail takes you down into the valley to the Giant Forest Sequoia Grove, where the largest tree of the world, General Sherman, is located. The tree is currently 274.9 feet tall and currently has a base circumference of 102.6 feet and can grow up to 2 feet in hight and 1 inch in diameter per year. That growth equals one large “regular” tree. Quite impressive, no?The trail is a pretty steep downhill path with a few steps and can be slippery when wet or after it snowed, so I highly recommend good hiking shoes and maybe even some hiking poles. When you make your way back up, just take your time and go at your own pace. From the Giant Forest, we made our way towards the southern exit of Sequoia National Park. Please keep in mind that the road is only recommended for vehicles 22 ft or shorter. Our Roadsurfer van was 21 feet, so we were good to go. The road is extremely curvy and narrow, so we definitely wanted to get down the mountain before it got dark (and to enjoy the views). I love driving curvy roads, but if you don’t, this road is not for you and I would recommend finding an alternate way. In Visalia, we hopped on Highway 65 to go South, then east on Highway 178 into the Sequoia National Forest. We arrived at Lake Isabella just after sunset at our campground called Paradise Cove. It was the only campground open, as it was still early in the season. To be honest, the place was anything but paradise for us. Mosquitos, spiders, bugs, and lots of mean little prickly sticker seeds that got stuck in Robby’s fur, our hands, shoes, and socks made this by far our least favorite campground of the trip. But since we only needed a place to crash for the night, it was all good and we did just that. Day 6: Return to Los Angeles and Return CamperWe got up early to avoid the worst of LA traffic and hit the road around sunrise. Traffic in Los Angeles is notorious, but we were lucky and made it to the Roadsurfer location just as they were opening. We had already loaded our belongings into our car and did the mandatory cleaning, refilling the gas and all the other things on our to-do list before returning the camper van, so our camper van return took only a few minutes. Our Roadsurfer Van Our Roadsurfer van was perfect for this trip around the California National Parks. It was big enough to accommodate 2 people and a big dog and everything we needed for our 5 day trip. Our camper came equipped with a kitchenette (2 stove burner, sink, microwave, fridge, and freezer), a toilet and wet-bath, and ample storage space. We also booked extra equipment, including bedding, kitchen set with pots, pans, utensils, plates, cups and cutlery, as well as 2 camping chairs and a table (which were hidden in a secret spot inside the sofa bed). What I loved the most about our campervan was that it made our schedule so much more flexible. We didn’t have to worry about check-in/check-out times, packing and repacking, keeping ice in the cooler, or finding a spot to eat. We were self-sufficient and once we were set up, we had the ultimate freedom to do what we wanted. Roadsurfer is actually a German company and has 7500 vehicles in over 70 locations in 14 European countries. They expanded to the US and Canada a few years ago and now have locations in San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, as well Calgary and Vancouver in Canada.After doing some research, they are definitely on the cheaper side, especially when you add in the unlimited miles bonus, second driver, and kitchen box. However, they do charge for quite a few extras, such as extra bedding, bike racks, pet cleaning, or early/late pickup or drop-off. So, if you are on a budget, they are a great choice, but you have to watch your add-ons.When you pick up the rental, make sure to take your time to familiarize yourself with the van’s functions, especially if this is your first time with a campervan like this. We should have asked more questions, and I am sure we would have found our camping chairs a lot sooner, ha!I would definitely rent from Roadsurfer again and would recommend them to you as well. Their vans are well-taken care off and they made the whole process super easy. A big thanks again to Roadsurfer for this epic trip!!!Tips for Traveling with a Dog in National ParksVisiting a National Park with a dog can be tricky and definitely quite limiting. Most National Parks, including Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia have strict rules for where pets can and cannot go. The reasoning behind it, is that their smell influences the behavior of wild animals and disturbs their natural behavior and migration patterns. Yosemite was the most dog-friendly and had the most options for including Robby. There are several paved trails he could go on with us and explore. Check out the rules here>>Kings Canyon and Sequoia were the most restricted and Robby was only allowed in parking lots, picknick areas and campgrounds. Check out the rules here>>We knew the limitations visiting the National Parks, but our dog Robby is part of the family and we wanted to experience this trip with him. Yes, we didn’t get to do a lot of hiking in the National Parks, but we still saw a lot. Many of the most popular sights are just a short walk or hike from the parking lot, so we simply went one by one, while the other one waited with Robby in the parking lot. Robby LOVED this. He got so much attention from other people and enjoyed all the pets and cuddles. He even developed a fan following of people he met at several parking lots, ha! If you prefer to do some non-dog-friendly activities, there are also some boarding options near the national parks. We have not tried them, but here is a list of places to check out, if you want to do this option. Finding a private pet sitter on Rover might also be an option. Yosemite:Yosemite K9 KennelsAnimal Care Center MariposaSequoia & Kings Canyon:Visalia’s VIP Pet BoardingYour Best Friend’s InnI hope this California National Park Road Trip Guide gave you some ideas and inspiration as well as some helpful tips for planning your own road trip. Please feel free to reach out or comment if you have any more questions. California National Park Road Trip – Pin for Later:Disclaimer: As customary in the travel writing industry, my campervan rental as well as lodging, activities and restaurants in Tuolumne county were hosted by Roadsurfer and Visit Tuolumne County. This has not influenced my opinion of these experiences. Last Updated on May 23, 2024 by Maria HaaseThe post Fantastic 6-Day California National Park Road Trip Itinerary appeared first on San Diego Explorer.

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Las Brisas Resort, Acapulco: A Hotel with Glitz, Glam, and Resilience

The moment I walked into my room at the Hotel Las Brisas in Acapulco, Mexico, my jaw hit the floor. In general, we live in a world that isn’t suitable for six foot six people such as myself, but everything about this hotel felt like it was built just for someone like me.Private Pool? Oh YES!!!The hotel itself consists of a number of little pink and white casitas strung up a mountainside. The resort spreads out so much that you can’t walk to your room from the lobby unless you have one of the rooms toward the bottom of the hill. If you don’t have a car, no stress. The hotel has a number of small jeeps, each named after a celebrity who has stayed on the property before, that will cart you around wherever you need to go on the premises.Greeted with a pink frozen margarita to match the hotel’s coloration, we hopped onto Denzel Washington. The increasingly expansive view of Acapulco captured our attention as we rode up the hill on the mountain. Acapulco has a long horseshoe bay that lets you see the bulk of what it has to offer in the downtown area. Though some of the view from Las Brisas itself may face you south of the town and looking more toward Puerto Marques.In my room, a little care package sat on the bed to welcome me, complete with a Las Brisas sun hat. That hat that has come in handy several times in the short amount of time I’ve had it. I was here on invite from the Cross Border Xpress via Volaris to attend the Tianguis Turistico 2024 event, so I was among a group who was sponsored to be there.Las Brisas AmenitiesSponsored or not, each casita comes with a personalized hand-painted sign outside to declare/remind you which one is yours. Within the room, a nice king bed rested in the middle and promised to fit me with no qualms. In the bathroom, the stone shower had a rain shower head and a jacuzzi-sized bathtub. The open feel inside of it with the glass ceiling to add extra brightness officially made it the best shower I’ve ever had in my life.Besides the amenities inside the room, the bulk of the casitas — mine included — have their own private pool. Just perfect during a hot and humid day in this tropical paradise. There’s nothing quite like popping a cold beer, getting into your personal pool on the top of a mountainside, and overlooking an ocean that meets a city at the bottom of the mountain’s ridge.At the bottom of the hill, there is also a swimming lagoon and a community pool for the whole hotel that can be reached by jeep and shuttle services from the hotel. And, of course, the Resort offers relaxing spa services and treatments to rejuvenate you during your stay. Hurricane OtisFor the most part, Las Brisas is actually one of the lucky ones when it comes to the destruction caused by Hurricane Otis at the end of 2023. In case you’re unfamiliar, Otis hit Acapulco at 1:25 a.m. on October 25 as a Category 5 storm with upward of 165 mph winds. The Night of the HurricaneAccording to Ricardo Suarez, the General Manager of Las Brisas, the city was told about the hurricane in advance but didn’t have time to prepare for what it ultimately became. On October 24, at 11 a.m., the authorities classified Otis as a tropical storm. It had become a Category 3 by the afternoon. By 5 p.m., a Category 4. As one of the fastest-intensifying hurricanes on record that gained 105 mph speeds within 12 hours, no one was fully prepared for the mass chaos that ensued once it hit.As for the guests at Las Brisas at the time, Suarez told me they gave everybody extra pillows and blankets and told them to stay in their bathrooms and avoid any windows. The crew had fortunately cleaned out all of the coconuts from the palm trees prior to the hurricane being a blip on the radar, which helped avoid the flying bullets they would have become had they still been there. Once all of the guests were safe and taken care of, the staff gathered together in the kitchen and waited.“It was two hours of hell,” Suarez said of the event. “Once it hit, it just kept going. There was no eye, just two hours of chaos with the wind and we could hear the windows breaking, the roof getting torn off, everything.”Since the hurricane happened overnight and there was no power to see anything, they waited until just after 6 a.m. before they emerged, trusting that the hours that had passed proved it was actually over. What it left in its wake was a skeleton of the city. Still to this day, some of the towering skyscrapers have no windows, dangling balconies, and unsafe infrastructure. Homes are destroyed, trees are still knocked over, and with 95% of the city impacted by the storm, they have a lot of work to do before they return it to its former glory.A Community Rebuilds TogetherThat said, the city came together to get things cleaned up in a shining story of the power of community. For Las Brisas, the owner of the hotel and subsequent hotel chain decided their insurance money wasn’t enough and fronted the bill to make sure everything in every room was brand new. They had to replace all of the windows and the roofing, repaint, and essentially rebuild from the ground up.Fortunately, no one on the Las Brisas staff payed too much attention to the usual “roles” as far as management goes and put equal heart and effort into bringing it back to life. With their combined efforts, they were able to reopen the hotel within 58 days of the destruction. During that time, they housed staff members who had lost their homes. Immediately following the hurricane, officials in the city prioritized hotels first so people could have a place to say, as well as restaurants and grocery stores so people could have places to eat.Apart from the carcasses of the destroyed buildings that still act as a reminder of what happened, for the most part, you wouldn’t have any idea that such an insane natural disaster occurred on the property of the Hotel Las Brisas. It is amazing how fast it has gotten itself back up and running.Eating and Drinking at Las BrisasIf you stay here, there are plenty of things for you to do outside of lounging in your pool. There’s the Bellavista restaurant on site that offers a buffet for breakfast and a sit-down dinner in the evening. At the bar you can sip cocktails and enjoy the twinkling lights from the city below you. For the best views, check out the Sunset Bar, one of the most stunning spots on the property. It is open daily for three hours around sunset. The views over the Pacific Ocean seem endless, and the sunsets are always a tad more special with a cocktail in hand, right?There’s also the La Concha Restaurant for those looking for afternoon and lunch options. It also offers a panoramic scope of Acapulco. There’s also access to a secluded beach, though it takes a bit of work to get yourself down there.In the morning, if you want to eat without all the fuss of getting a jeep to get down to the restaurant, you simply call down to the lobby and request your complimentary breakfast to be delivered up to your room. This is just a continental option that comes with some pastries, fruit, and your own pot of coffee. The best part is the delivery, though. There is a little “Drop Box” that you can access from the outside and the inside, so the delivery staff just drops it off, and you can grab your breakfast whenever you need it. That way, you can get ready in the morning without disruption by room service.Final VerdictRegardless of what you do, the Hotel Las Brisas should be at the top of your list when you consider places to stay in Acapulco. Even if you’re not usually a fan of resorts, this will be one of the rare occasions where you’ll hardly want to leave your hotel. Book your stay here>>Andrew J. Stillman wrote this review for San Diego Explorer. As customary in travel writing, the resort provided the stay and experiences free of charge. This has not influenced their opinion and the content of this article.The post Las Brisas Resort, Acapulco: A Hotel with Glitz, Glam, and Resilience appeared first on San Diego Explorer.

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