EPISODE 80: OUR 10 FAVORITE ZOOS TO CHECK OUT IN THE SPRAWL

In this week's episode of Living in the Sprawl: Southern California's Most Adventurous Podcast, host Jon Steinberg shares his list of 10 zoos to check out in the Southern California sprawl . His list includes: The Teaching Zoo in Moorpark, the Santa Ana Zoo, the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, the Fountain Valley Reptile Zoo, the Fresno Zoo, The Los Angeles Zoo, the Living Desert Zoo, the Santa Barbara Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and the San Diego Zoo.

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Transcript

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Hello listeners and fellow explorers. This is living in the sprawls lovely and talented producer slash wife, Lisa Steinberg. I wanted to thank all of you for your continuous support of the show. As a new podcast on the scene, John and I self-support the logistics and research that go into the show. The number one way to support the show is to rate, review and share this podcast with everyone, you know, Many of you have been doing this and it has helped immensely. I also invite you to check out our website and the show notes for other ways to support the show. We are currently working with companies. We currently use ourselves. To get discount codes for our listeners and support the show in the process. These companies include. Every table, just CBD store, gold belly cats, botanicals, and so much more. By using the links on our website, you are letting them know we sent you an intern, supporting the show. You can also support us on Patrion and pod fan. Please check out the website@livinginthesprawlpodcast.com. For updates on companies we are working with our testimonies links codes and new living in the sprawl merchandise Again thank you to all of you our lovely listeners for tuning in every week and allowing us to do what we love Without further ado you're humble correspondent John steinberg Hello. And welcome to another edition of living in the sprawl. Southern California's most adventurous podcast. I am as always your humble host and correspondent. My name is John Steinberg joined by my lovely, immensely talented producer slash my wife. Her name is Lisa Steinberg. We are the team here at sprawl enterprises. Ready to bring you yet another exciting foray into the vast expansive. To reign that we have lovingly dubbed the sprawl. On today's show. We spent a day at the zoo 10 zoos actually. As we break down our picks for the 10. Must visit zoos to be found anywhere within our beloved. Uh, Southern California sprawl. I don't know about you. My favorite animal happens to be a koala. When I was about 19 and the reality of traveling on an international level. Became a reality. I jumped at the opportunity to visit Australia. Why did I choose Australia? One of the main reasons was because I wanted a specific experience. I wanted to hold. A koala bear. In it's native. Australia Homeland. Well, the zoos that we'll talk about on today's episode. Are not long. On koala bears. They more than adequately make up for that. With an array. Of other phenomenal animals. I would say that we have some of the best zoos. In the United States, we have the best zoo. In the United States. And that would put us at a premium. As we advised for the title of best zoos worldwide. Whether you're taking. Your kids to the zoo. So they can interact with animals that connect them. To this larger majestic. World. That we all call home. Or you're someone. That works a desk job. In an air conditioned office. Far removed. From interacting with animals. And seeing a tiger simply puts a smile on your face. We are blessed with a multitude of incredible places that you can. Have personal experiences. With animals. So let's begin. Our countdown. Of the 10 must visit zoos. Located in the Southern California sprawl. At number 10. We've got to Ventura county. The Moore park teaching zoo located in surprise. Surprise more park. Not a city that has. I've gotten a ton of love over the lifecycle of this podcast, but one of the coolest things to see do. In Moore park. Is without question the teaching zoo. It's here. That young zoologists. Learn. How to best interact with animals care for them. Love them. It provide them. With opportunities for wonderful lives. It's on the smaller side. Which you might think means that it's not worth your time, but you would be wrong in this case. Small means intimate. Think of it as you would. Going to a concert at Dodger stadium. Versus one. At say the Wiltern. A decidedly more intimate experience. Where you're not going to be. Trampled on. Uh, by a herd of strollers and crying infants. You'll actually get a chance. To interface with the people who work. At the zoo. The ones who truly really care about the animals. And they will help you learn. And appreciate. As much as possible. About the wonderful animals that they have Okay. And number nine, the Santa Ana zoo at Prentice park. The zoo. Was open in the early 1950s. And at the request of Mr. Prentice. Who gave. Land for the zoo. to the orange county. Community. A request was put in. That there always be no less than 50 monkeys. On hand. As long as the zoo would be in existence. Another one on the smaller side, this 20 acre zoo. Is. Most widely recognized for its. Collection of monkeys. It's not all they have. But it's definitely what they specialize in. On a sunny Saturday. This is a wonderful place to take the entire family. The kids will love. Seeing. Some really beautiful animals. With their own eyes. For those of you that think you've got to go all the way down to San Diego to get a great zoo experience. You're mistaken. You can get one in the orange county area at the Santa Ana zoo at Prentice park. And say hi to the monkeys for us. And number eight, the big bear Alpine zoo. The newest entry. On our list. The zoo in its current location has only been around since 2020. Previously. There had been a big bear. Rescue and recovery facility designed to get. Alpine animals. On their feet. Ready to get back out there. In to the Alpine wilderness. This is actually one of only two Alpine zoos. That you can visit. In the United States. Here you'll find. So I'm really jaw dropping. Creatures, namely the bears. There are actual. The bears. That are located at the zoo. And these furry fellows. Are not to be missed and they're not the type of animals that you frequently see at a zoo. Normally. You get your flamingos, rhinoceros, elephant, et cetera. But bears. No. You don't really see those zoos ordinarily. But that's why this ultra specific Alpine zoo. Is a great place to visit for yourselves. Found. Adjacent to. Both big bear. Iskey and snow resorts. The big bear zoo. Is a tremendous activity for those that mm. Maybe they're not all about going on that black diamond. At number eight. For all of our bear lovers it's the big bear alpine zoo And number seven, the fountain valley reptiles zoo. Now hold that thought. Cause I know what you're thinking. Reptiles zoo. What in the world is that? Well, I'll tell you. It's basically. It's gigantic. Pet shop or it's set up like the conventional pet shop. Except that it's massive. The capital M. And filled with animals that are not for sale. And are not traditionally encountered at zoos. Here you'll find. Snakes and reptiles. Of all kinds that come in all shapes and sizes. On our visit. I had the privilege of holding. Like a 20 foot long. Boa constrictor. For those that are squeamish about reptiles. Yes, you will. have to face down that fear. There are plenty of spiders tarantulas. On hand. But if you can get past the irrational fear. This is a. Singular destination. With experiences that you just can't get elsewhere. When you actually pull up to the reptile zoo, as I mentioned, it's located in a strip mall. In fountain valley. And when you first walk in, you'll think this is just like a pet store. And I don't feel that way because, well, that's kind of how it is. Except that this is new ordinary pet store. It's not even a pet store. It's a zoo. And at this zoo reptiles reign Supreme. We loved our experience at the fountain valley reptile zoo, and believe you will as well. Number six, the Fresno Chaffee zoo. Located. In Fresno. This has been around since the late 1920s. Well, really. Like 1909 was the first reported. Cluster of animals in this area. But the zoo. Has been around the earnest since 1929. Only growing in reputation and size with the passage of succeeding decades. They really are continuously adding. To this phenomenal zoo. Most recently. Opening up an Asian. Themed wing. Of the property. There was an African themed portion of the zoo. Great places for bird enthusiasts. Those that think foxes are really cool. And visitors. That wish. To gaze upon. Those. Outlandish. Pink flamingos. You wouldn't necessarily think that Fresno would have a stellar zoo, but they do. It's one of the oldest ones on our list. And if you find yourself in the central valley, It's definitely worth a visit. And number five, the Los Angeles zoo. There had been. An older zoo, which has now abandoned and was featured. On a prior episode of the show. But in 1966, this much larger. Far more impressive Xu. Opened. In the massive. Park. Now we know is Griffith park. Here or you'll find animals from all around the globe. There have been a couple of. Kind of notable. Animal escapes that have happened. Oh, within the last 50 or so years. One time. A gorilla named Evelyn. Kept. And we're talking like more than three times. Getting out. Of the gorilla section. Notable because. This type of thing, doesn't happen all that often. But fear not. It's extremely safe and the gorillas are actually one of the best. Collections of animals that you can find. At the Los Angeles zoo. During. The Halloween holiday. The turn the park into a veritable. Fright Fest. But there's really no down season. Uh, for aspiring visitors. As the exhibits. And animals that you'll find on hand. We'll connect you with the outside world and help you rediscover your inner child. Number four, the living desert zoo. This is located in the Coachella valley. Thick Palm desert. Lisa. And I had a wonderful experience here. Well, we actually were able to feed. Giraffes. And if you've never fed a giraffe, well, let me tell you it's an experience. That is definitely not to be missed. You've got. An ample amount of animals, native to the desert region. If you visit. In peak times. So late October through March. You'll have a better chance of actually seeing most of the animals. See, there's this thing that happens in zoos. If you visit when it's really hot outside. Pretty simple, the animals. Well, Absent air conditioners. They tend to hide. In areas that are protected from that famed, California sun. So, this is no more the case then at the living desert zoo in Palm desert. But if you visit during the appropriate months, You'll be treated to a wonderful experience from. The train ride all around the property. Checking out the botanical gardens on site. And if you dare. Feeding the giraffe with your own two hands. And number three, the Santa Barbara zoo in Santa Barbara. This is one of the more charming. Uh, places to interface with animals that I've ever had the privilege. Uh, visiting. A wonderful collection. Of animals from. All of the world's continents. It's manageable. Traditionally. Not overrun by tourists. In short, a little bit of a hidden gem here. And it's one of those zoos. With facilities that have clearly been very well-maintained. So you'll never get that. Mildly depressing. Walk. By the tiger area and you look out and you see a tiger who really doesn't seem that stoke to be there as the place. Isn't all that. Well-maintained. It's an immaculate zoo, wonderful place to take your kids. Other family members, friends. Or, you know, what. An early in the game date is actually a wonderful idea here as well. We love the Santa Barbara zoo and highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. Number two. Okay. Now we're hitting the heavy hitters. The San Diego. Zoo and safari park, formerly known as the wild animal park. This is located. In the Escondido. Area of San Diego county. Uh, place. That my parents insisted on taking When I was a kid and I'll forever remember being transfixed. During. What can best be summarized as a mock safari? Into. The recesses of the park. Here. They've got. Buffalo's cheetahs. You can see a hippopotamus. A great many animals that are indigenous to the African continent. If you've always aspired to one day. Set out. On a true African safari, but you don't have the resources to make that happen. This is a splendid secondary option. The type of place that you can literally spend an entire day at what you could actually spend. I mean, a weekend. Maybe even a week. And you would never get bored. And imposing. A hundred acre plus. Of space dedicated. To housing and caring. For the most exotic animals that you're likely to find anywhere in Southern California. It's now referred to as the San Diego zoo safari park. But I still kind of know it as the wild animal park. An incredible place. You've got to see it for yourselves Uh, number one. The San Diego zoo. When I referenced. The sprawl containing the. Country's best zoo. This is the one that I was talking about. As seen. In anchorman. And other pieces of pop culture, the San Diego zoo. Is without question. The nation's best. Lions tigers. Mere cats. Red pandas. That's right. Red pandas. They're all to be found. At this gigantic property. Located. In Balboa park. I've been lucky enough. To visit the zoo on. Probably six or seven different occasions. The most recent of these being during the height of the coronavirus. We're trams. Weren't running. And. Employees. Uh, found themselves prodding tourists. Family's in tow. Two. Hey, put that mask above the nose. The San Diego zoo. It's truly one of the. Marvels of Southern California. For those, that object to the concept of zoos, I dare you. To visit this one. And come out holding that same opinion. The animals here are extremely well cared for. For those of you. Like your humble correspondent and host. I have. A real soft spot for koalas or any other animal that you could think of the San Diego zoo has you covered? This is the place to really schedule an entire trip around. And that's going to do it for another episode of the show. We'd like to thank everyone for their continued support of the podcast really means the world to both Lisa and I. A couple of easy ways to demonstrate that support hop on apple, iTunes, wherever you happen to be listening to the show, leave us a five star rating and some kind words. Those help us out a. I'm not. We'd also like to remind you about our special bonus content, our Patrion, apple subscriptions, content. That we post monthly here. You'll gain access. Too exclusive bonus episodes. Covering topics like the best burgers in the sprawl. Best pizza. Donuts. Pancakes and much, much more. Our Instagram handle is living in the sprawl podcast. Drop us a line. An email@livinginthesprawlpodcastatgmail.com. We'd like to direct you to our terrific. Snazzy website, where you can get your hands on copies of both the living in the sprawl guide. As well as my memoir. And so it went. So it's on behalf of myself. I am as always your humble correspondent and host. My name is John Steinberg. Joined in life love and everything else by my wonderfully talented producer slash my wife. Her name is Lisa Steinberg. We comprise the team here at sprawl enterprises, thanking you from the bottom of our hearts. For tuning into another episode. Of living in the sprawl, Southern California's most adventurous podcast. Talk to you all very soon.