Post # 1
Member
6 posts
Newbee
Hi everyone,
I’ve been lurking on weddingbee for some time but have never posted 
My fiance and I are getting married next September 2019 and all of our family members are out of state. We are interested in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park because it looks beautiful, is unique, and fits our personalities being animal lovers.
Has anyone had their wedding ceremony and reception at Safari Park? We know that the park is 35+ minutes from downtown San Diego, so we are a bit worried about the distance. Since most people are traveling (as well as us), would it be better to have our wedding near downtown instead of at Safari Park? Thanks in advance!
Post # 2
Member
24 posts
Newbee
giraffepiaffe : hi there. I haven’t been to a wedding but given how inland the park is, September could be very hot/humid. I’d check with the Safari Park for weather accommodations/advice. You might look into the San Diego Zoo itself too as it’s far more coastal and would have a similar vibe. Plus it’s so close to downtown and right next to Balboa Park so lots of things for out of towners to do. Hope that helps!
Post # 3
Member
6 posts
Newbee
ifwhenmaybe : Thanks for the advice! The only reason why we aren’t considering the zoo itself is because they don’t have a ceremony space for more than 50 guests, the reception areas aren’t as unique as Safari Park.
Post # 4
Member
431 posts
Helper bee
The San Diego Zoo is in Balboa Park, which I think has a lot of ceremony spaces. The Zoo itself has a large reception space (my high school did a dance at the zoo!). What if the ceremony is in general Balboa Park (beautiful area!!!!!) and reception in the Zoo?
If you’re from out of town, being close to downtown will be easier. If everyone is from San Diego, then the Safari Park will be fine.
Post # 5
Member
6 posts
Newbee
therobinsparkles : Thank you for replying Do you have any recommendations on where we could have our ceremony in Balboa Park?
Post # 6
Member
347 posts
Helper bee
sorry to be a downer, but as an animal lover myself I can’t imagine enjoying a celebration in front of animals in captivity
Post # 7
Member
2 posts
Wannabee
hey bee! I’ve never been to a wedding at either zoo or safari park- but local San Diegan here. I would advise against the safari park for a September wedding…September is often one of the hottest months of the year here, and inland areas get super hot. Also, the safari park is very far from the city of San Diego (beaches, downtown, balboa park, etc.) it’s more or less an inland rural area.
Post # 8
Member
581 posts
Busy bee
sensiblesusie : same. I probably wouldn’t go.
Post # 9
Member
6 posts
Newbee
beemack : Thanks beemack for the advice in regards to the weather since we aren’t from San Diego!
Post # 10
Member
619 posts
Busy bee
Yes I’m from San Diego also and the Safari Park and it’s surrounding area is beautiful but really hot in the summertime. It’s also far from beaches and etc so your guests would definitely need rental cars to get around. That being said I find it much nicer and more enjoyable than the San Diego Zoo. I like that the Safari Park provides huge enclosures for its animals. The animals are given the chance to roam and mingle with other species like in nature. My cousin actually held her reception at the Treetops restaurant at the San Diego Zoo. But her ceremony was off site at a Catholic Church. The reception at the zoo was fun and we all got entrance to the zoo to check out the grounds and the animals if we wanted to walk around. If you’re serious about doing a wedding San Diego there are countless beautiful options!! I’m biased but I think it’s the prettiest place ever
Post # 11
Member
619 posts
Busy bee
sensiblesusie : I would agree with this but would also note that the San Diego Zoo falls under the non profit Zxological Society of San Diego and the organization is hugely involved in conservation and species preservation. But it does still give me the creeps to see the animals in captivity. The Safari Park is so much nicer in that respect. The enclosures are enormous.
Post # 12
Member
488 posts
Helper bee
Check out The Prado in Balboa Park
Post # 13
Member
6 posts
Newbee
caligirlinmichigan : Thank you for replying. We have been to San Diego Zoo but the Safari Park looked much nicer due to the park having bigger enclosures. We were also told that the profits from the wedding would go back to the animals, so that is a big reason why we have Safari Park as a top contender. We were thinking about doing shuttle services so that our guests wouldn’t have to drive from San Diego to Escondido.
yaara : Thanks for the suggestion! We’ll have to check out Balboa Park while we are down in San Diego.
Thanks everyone for all the replies and suggestions. We are hoping to have our wedding some place unique instead of at a typical hotel/ballroom and appreciate all the help!
Post # 14
Member
4193 posts
Honey bee
jayrock : I think they actually do a lot of conservation at the San Diego Park. I don’t say that lightly. There’s a ton of activism in SoCal and SeaWorld gets the brunt of it. I don’t know more than that but I do know thry have a good reputation. That’s all.
Post # 15
Member
619 posts
Busy bee
sweatergal007 : yes they do a ton of conservation. And species preservation. I’m from SD and I know people at the organization and they do good works.
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