2 weeks Ago By Danielle Dawson
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park will be closing much earlier than they did last year during the summer months.The nonprofit San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance quietly released new, slightly shorter operating hours for its annual peak season — a move that has drawn disappointment from some regular visitors on social media who said they were looking forward to summer evenings in the parks.Watch: Elephants at Safari Park form protective circle during San Diego earthquakeUnder the updated summer schedule, the Safari Park will have the biggest shift, opening an hour earlier and closing three hours earlier than last year.
Now, visitors will be able to access the Escondido park between 8 a.m. and 4 p.
m.This change, the wildlife alliance says, was made as part of an effort to encourage visitors to plan their trips to the Safari Park earlier in the day to enjoy cooler temperatures, instead of the area's sweltering summer daytime highs that regularly breech triple-digits."Summers hours may vary each year depending on historical data, visitation trends, and guest feedback," a spokesperson said.
"The decision was made to open and close earlier this year when the climate is cooler—not unlike other zoos in the region."The spokesperson added most Safari Park guests already arrive in before noon in the summer months and have taken steps to accommodate early birds heading into the summer, including expanding tram departures and changing the hours for restaurants and their Safari Excursions.Get up close with butterflies at San Diego Zoo Safari Park this spring"We encourage locals and visitors alike to take advantage of the morning hours at the Safari Park when other attractions in San Diego may not be open," the spokesperson continued.
The Zoo will also see shortened summer hours, but only by a little. Instead of last year's 9 a.m.
to 9 p.m. operating hours, it will be open to the public from 9 a.
m. to 8 p.m.
The park will also continue with its popular "after dark" program, Nighttime Zoo, featuring special live entertainment and family-friendly activities.Summer hours for the Safari Park begin on Saturday, June 14 and will run until Sunday, Aug. 31, according to the Wildlife Alliance's website.
The zoo's summer hours will kick in on Friday, May 23 and run through Thursday, Aug. 10..
