San Diego Zoo

More than 4,000 creatures reside at this celebrated, influential zoo, run by the Zoological Society of San Diego. Started in 1916, in the early days the zoo's founder, Dr. Harry Wegeforth, traveled around the world and bartered native Southwestern animals such as rattlesnakes and sea lions for more exotic species. The zoo is also an accredited botanical garden, lavished with more than 700,000 plants; "Dr. Harry" brought home plants from every location where he acquired animals, ensuring what would become the zoo's naturalistic and mature environment.

The zoo was also a forerunner in creating barless, moated enclosures that allow animals to roam in sophisticated environments resembling their natural ones. The new Monkey Trails and Forest Tales is the largest, most elaborate habitat in the zoo's history, recreating a wooded forest full of endangered species such as the mandrill monkey, clouded leopard, and pygmy hippopotamus. Absolutely Apes showcases orangutans and siamangs of Indonesia; while next door is Gorilla Tropics, where two troops of Western lowland gorillas roam an 8,000-square-foot habitat.

More noteworthy is Ituri Forest, which simulates a central African rainforest with forest buffalos, otters, okapis, and hippos, which are viewed underwater from a glassed-in enclosure; and the Polar Bear Plunge, where you'll find a 2 1/4-acre summer tundra habitat populated by Siberian reindeer, yellow-throated martens, and diving ducks, as well as polar bears. Ideally, take the complete bus tour first thing in the morning, when the animals are more active (waits for the bus tour can top an hour by midday). After the bus tour, take the Skyfari to the far side of the park and wend your way back on foot or by Express Bus to revisit animals you missed.

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