What’s the Best Zoo in the US? Here’s How San Diego Ranked
Local and tourists alike love the San Diego Zoo, but how does it compare on the list of best zoos in the U.S.?
Well, USA Today recently conducted a poll asking people from across the country to vote for their favorite zoological park or organization — and the results are now in. Per the poll, San Diego Zoo ranks among the top 10 best in the US.
Interestingly enough, San Diego’s beloved zoological park came in 8th in the USA Today rankings. Although it was beat out by seven other zoological parks, San Diego was the only one in California to make the list, beating out both Los Angeles and Oakland.
According to USA Today, the San Diego Zoo and its related Safari Park in North County both boast “one of the largest and most diverse zoological collections in the world.”
“Visitors … can explore different zones, including the award-winning Elephant Odyssey with its one-of-a-kind Elephant Care Center,” the publication wrote. “The largest collection of koalas outside Australia resides within the Australian Outback exhibit. Africa Rocks hosts animals from six different habitats on the continent, like penguins, lemurs, leopards, and a host of African birds.”
Here’s the actual ranking and top 10 list from USA Today.
- 10th: ZooMontana – Billings, Montana
- 9th: Saint Louis Zoo – St. Louis, Missouri
- 8th: San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
- 7th: Audubon Zoo – New Orleans, Louisiana
- 6th: Brevard Zoo – Melbourne, Florida
- 5th: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – Colorado Springs, Colorado
- 4th: Honolulu Zoo – Honolulu, Hawaii
- 3rd: North Carolina Zoo – Asheboro, North Carolina
- 2nd: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – Cincinnati, Ohio
- 1st: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium – Omaha, Nebraska
The Walkabout Australia exhibit at the Safari Park was also a nominee for the best zoological exhibits in the country, but unfortunately, didn’t ultimately make the cut.
If you’re planning a trip to see one of the best zoos in the US, check out our ultimate guide to the San Diego Zoo.
Media credit: Image licensed from Adobe
Mike Peterson is a writer, editor, and strategist based in San Diego. When he’s not writing and editing the La Jolla news, you can often find him practicing yoga, rock climbing, or exploring the outdoors with his wife and dog.
