Look at this gorgeous lady, and how close you can get to her!

Elephant Valley, At-a-Glance

• Opening Day: March 5, 2026

• Best for ages: 2-102

• Time needed: You can stroll it leisurely in about 20 minutes, but plan on leaving yourself extra time to stop and shop and snack in the shady spots. We spent almost an hour there.

• Stroller-friendly: Absolutely, but I’d still recommend a baby carrier for smaller babies.

• Don’t-miss: The capybara!

This is the entrance to the walk through Elephant Valley, where your adventure begins.

What Makes Elephant Valley Special

Back in April of 2025, the LA Zoo announced that the last two remaining elephants would be moving to Tulsa. Many zoos have closed or are phasing out their elephant exhibits; elephants are social, large creatures. They need to live with lots of friends and have lots of space. That’s just not feasible at many zoos. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is unique in that it is a fence-free area where animals roam large savanna-like habitats. 

Both the Safari Park and the San Diego Zoo are dedicated to preservation and conservation, which I really appreciate. The elephants seem happy, and that makes it so you can actually enjoy seeing these majestic creatures.

I didn't realize elephants are such social creatures, and are happiest in packs.

What you’ll find at Elephant Valley: a beautiful walk through the almost 13-acre area, where you’re elevated and can seeelephants roaming, eating, being fed, and playing together in family groups and packs on either side of your walk. You can get quite close without disturbing them. 

Strollers can get pushed down the walkpath, though in general, the Safari Park is so large and hilly in places that if you have a baby that can fit in a carrier, that’s an easier way to go. There are plenty of shaded spaces and benches, where you can stop and snack and just watch these incredible beings. 

There’s also a spectacular event space, Mkutano House. Perfect for you to plan a milestone birthday or family gathering…

Elephants have arid land, trees, and a pond to play in.

What Kids Will Love Most 

Honestly, it's all about the elephants! You can get close to them, without seeing glass or bars or fences. The staff at the zoo is plentiful and ever-present and will answer any questions, like (this is what my daughter asked):

“How many elephants do you have?” 8

“Where are the elephants from?” These are African Savanna Elephants, and the local weather and area in Escondido mimic the conditions they’re used to.

“Tell me something I won’t know.” There are hundreds of local bunnies in the enclosure. They love it there because they love the elephants' food, and that they’re safe from predators. The elephants ignore the bunnies. But kids can look for the bunnies trying to keep from getting stepped on.

“Wait, why are there capybaras here?” The capybara aren’t inside the elephant enclosure, but they’re in their own area right next to it. It’s part of the park’s ambassador program. The brother and sister capys, Machu and Pichu, like to watch the elephants. The elephants ignore them.

Don't sleep on the capybara sibs. I didn't know they can scamper, but they can really move!

So, Should You Go?

Yes. If your kids like animals, you should plan a visit as soon as you can. (And before it gets too hot there this summer!) Like Legos, the whole of the Safari Park is “best” for ages 2-102. It’s fun for babies to see animals; it’s even more fun for toddlers who can understand a little more of what they’re seeing. Jaded teens are impressed with the gentle giants, and being this close to them. You’ll love seeing how much your kids love being here. It's a great multi-generational outing, because even your parents will have a blast. (Just remember for toddlers and grandparents that the Safari Park covers over 1300 acres, so check a map in advance to determine your plan of attack and be ready for plenty of play, rest, and snack stops.)

The only drawback is the location and the price. It’s a solid 2-3 hour drive from the Los Angeles area, and an hour from San Diego. This means that while you can do this as a day trip (we did, to visit the new Elephant Valley), it makes for a very long day for parents, who can’t nap in the car. The day we went, I drove for 6 hours and walked 10 miles. I’d highly recommend getting a hotel when you visit (check my hotel recs for the area). 

So. Many. Elephants. It's really soothing to just watch them eat, play, and roam.

But, with tickets for adults costing $78 and tickets for kids ages 3-11 costing $68 (you can save $5 per ticket by ordering online), adding in all the food, drinks, and a hotel, makes this a very pricey adventure. Worth it! But expensive. 

The Elephant Valley at the San Diego Safari Park will open March 5, 2026. The Elephant Valley is included with admission to the Safari Park (as is the tram, which you have to take!).

Photos by the author