We got the 3-for-1 passes from Costco for entry to SeaWorld, Safari Park and the Zoo, so we thought we'd try the Safari Park and see how that was. For some reason, we thought it was closer to Oceanside, but it was still 30ish minutes from our condo. Its more inland, and it was definitely warmer! High 80s or so!
Our timing was pretty good though - we pulled up to the parking gate at 9:10 and got front row parking. The park opened at 9, but the safaris didn't start running until 10. And a lot of the exhibits didn't start until 10 or later. The park was really nice, lots of shade up front with several animals on exhibit. We saw flamingos, ducks, meerkats, hogs, gorillas. Then at 10 we headed over to the safari area. It was pretty fun! The tram took us around the huge park and we saw several Rhino, Cheetah, Giraffes, Antelope, Zebras, and tons of African animals that I can't remember the name of (!). We were really close to the Giraffe. Natalie seemed a little more interested in the fact that we were on a tram than she did about the animals, but she did point out the Giraffes.
We brought our lunch into the park and took a food break near the kids water play area. We didn't think to bring a swim suit, but it was so hot out, I figured Natalie would dry pretty quick if she got wet. We told her she could go in, but she was nervous about the sprinklers and wouldn't go. So, I walked through and once she figured out how fun it was, she was SOAKING wet!! It was hard to convince her to get out of there!
We walked up and saw the elephants..it was a little bit of a hike. Then we took Natalie to the carousel. She hadn't ever ridden on one, but we thought it might be fun. She loved it.
Rhys on the otherhand was getting sleepy and fighting her nap a little.
Since Natalie was getting cranky, Rhys was tired, and it was hot, we decided we'd had enough for the day. There were some exhibits that we didn't make it to, but the parts that we did see were really fun!
Natalie did her sleep-in-the-car-get-recharged-stint, so an afternoon nap was pretty much out of the question. It was actually pretty warm in Oceanside when we got back, so we tried a family pool afternoon. The kids loved it and the water wasn't as cold as I thought it would be...I actually got in too!
We walked down to the Harbor for dinner and had ice cream on our way back. Perfect ending to a vacation day!
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