Photos

San Diego's Wild Animal Park is in a semi-arid environment with minimal rain in the winter and spring and usually no summer rain. The hillsides surrounding the park are naturally chaparal vegetation. The Park has supplemented areas with exotic succulents and cacti to create a diverse and attractive landscape.

Within the park are other botantical garden areas, including a coniferous forest, herb garden, African Rain Forest, etc. The center of the park where the large animals are on open exhibit resembles an African Savannah.

The Park is located in a valley surrounded by large hills near Escondido, California. When first developed the surrounding countryside was rural, but now civilization is approaching as with most of Southern California.