The San Diego Zoo Safari Park was one of the boldest wildlife preservation projects in the history of the United States, and continues to positively impact conservation efforts around the world. The Park’s 1,000 acres in Escondido’s San Pasqual Valley have been expertly transformed into diverse habitats for more than 3,600 animals and over 1 million plants, while preserving an additional 800 acres as an undeveloped Biodiversity Reserve—with large expanses of coastal sage scrub vegetation at the nexus of two regionally important wildlife corridors.

May 10, 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of this awe-inspiring place, where life-changing moments are experienced every day. Celebrate with us as we look back at some of the Park’s most groundbreaking milestones, as we work toward helping to create a future where people and nature thrive.

What started as a dream became a reality when developers broke ground and construction on the San Diego Zoo Safari Park officially kicked off in 1970. The early years proved to be a critical time for establishing the Park’s reputation as a leader in conservation around the world, as guests came face-to-face with wildlife they had never seen before.

Each decade brought new innovations, groundbreaking moments for endangered species, and life-changing memories for everyone who visited the Park. Celebrate with us as we look back at 50 incredible milestones that made the Safari Park what it is today.

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