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San Diego ZoovsSpreckels Organ Pavilion
Both are rated highly by writers. On balance, San Diego Zoo is the choice of most reviewers compared to Spreckels Organ Pavilion. San Diego Zoo is ranked #1 in San Diego with accolades from 6 sources such as Fodor's, concierge.com and Lonely Planet.
San Diego Zoo
Fodor's
Concierge
Lonely Planet
Michelin Guide
National Geographic
Where
Time Out
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Show All Reviews
2929 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
From $0/night
Fodor's "Balboa Park's—and perhaps the city's—most famous attraction is its 100-acre zoo." Full review
Concierge "No other local attraction is more synonymous with San Diego than the Zoo, a 90-year-old institution that lives up to its reputation."
Lonely Planet "This justifiably famous zoo is one of SoCal’s biggest attractions, showing more than 3000 animals representing more than 650 species in a beautifully landscaped setting." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"One of the largest, most diverse and most celebrated zoological parks in the world." Full review
National Geographic "World-renown 100-acre (40-hectare) facility in Balboa Park, with a botanical collection that rivals the animals. Bus tours skirt most enclosures quickly." Full review
Where "It's world-famous for a reason. Visitors can get up close and personal with more than 4,000 creatures from nearly every corner of the world. " Full review
Time Out "Nestled in Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo fully deserves its reputation as one of the finest in the world." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The expansive “habitats” include a tropical rainforest filled with gorillas, a recreated Arctic tundra with polar bears and reindeer, and a Giant Panda Research Station." Full review
Travel + Leisure "This world-famous zoo in Balboa Park houses more than 4,000 animals including giant pandas from China and many rare and endangered species"
San Diego Travel Guide
February 23, 2021
Travel + Leisure "The zoo is home to more than 12,000 animals and more than 650 species and subspecies. Plus, its wildlife alliance arm has made great strides in areas like genetic diversity, reproductive sciences."
14 of the Best Zoos in the U.S.
April 8, 2022
Spreckels Organ Pavilion Fodor's
Frommer's Lonely Planet
Atlas Obscura
1549 El Prado, Suite 10, San Diego, CA 92101-1661
From $0/night
Fodor's "Sunday concerts, regularly performed by civic organist Carol Williams and guest artists—a highlight of a visit to Balboa Park." Full review
i
At Christmastime the park's Christmas tree and life-size Nativity display turn the pavilion into a seasonal wonderland.
Frommer's "The ornate, curved pavilion houses a magnificent organ with 4,518 individual pipes... making it one of the largest outdoor organs in the world." Full review
i
Free hour-long concerts on Sundays at 2pm, given by civic organist Carol Williams... also held in the evening during the summer months.
Lonely Planet "You can’t miss the circle of seating and the curved colonnade... housing the organ said to be the world’s largest outdoor musical instrument." Full review
i
Make a point of attending the free concerts, held throughout the year
Atlas Obscura "The world's largest outdoor organ is played weekly by one of just two civic organists in the U.S. " Full review
