There is something magical about walking into the Zoo as everyone else is walking out. (not to mention up front parking spots galore!)
We can usually only handle an hour or so of the zoo, so going in an hour before closing is ideal for us. The workers are so happy and upbeat because work is almost over, and the concession stands are closing up so there's no begging for cotton candy! There are very few people inside, so we can linger in front of any exhibit without feeling guilty. Many of the nocturnal animals are beginning to wake up and move around.
Some animals are being fed. Yesterday we saw a mouse being put into the rattlesnake enclosure. We plan out where we would sleep and what we would eat if we got locked inside the park at closing... And what animals we might hear in the night. But our favorite part of the experience is a round trip on the Skyfari at golden hour. We race to point out the Coronado Bridge, the big cage of the Balboa Park botanical garden, Point Loma, and of course, the ocean. We make sure to look down as we pass over the gorillas. Pepper yells hello to every other passenger as they pass us by. I love the way people light up for her. I think THAT'S my favorite part.
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