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Tag: San Diego

  • The San Diego Zoo Safari Park & Valley Of The Elephants

    The San Diego Zoo Safari Park & Valley Of The Elephants

    The Safari Park in Escondido is not just part of the San Diego Zoo, it is the crown jewel of zoos.

    The entire park has so much space for the animals that I can almost hear “Born Free” playing in the background. The combination of vast spaces for the animals, gardens with vegetation from exotic locations in Africa and Australia and spectacular views creates an exhilarating experience. We especially enjoyed the section of the park that is adjacent to the condor exhibit.

    My husband and I recently visited the park after a 16-year hiatus and were thrilled with the latest changes and additions.

    The Valley of the Elephants is the newest addition and it is impressive. The elephants have a lot of room to roam as well as interactive toys. Plus, the way the space is designed – visitors can see the elephants up close without disturbing them.

    The park even has a Roar & Snore option where visitors can stay overnight in elegant tents, located near Elephant Valley, and enjoy a night vision safari among other fun activities.

    One of the biggest surprises to me is the addition of the Mkutano House – a large fine-dining restaurant that opened in March of 2026. It is a stunning restaurant with a unique international menu and great views of the adjacent Elephant Valley.

    I suggest getting an early start as there is a lot of space to cover and Escondido gets hot in the afternoons. The day we went, we walked almost 15,000 steps.

    Tram Ride Around Africa
    The Cheetah Space
    Flamingo Territory
    Close View of the Giraffes from the Tram
    Views from Africa
    Cheetah Takes a Break
    Fun Bridge
    Fun Walk on a Bridge
    Enjoying the Surroundings
    One of Numerous Dining Options with Great Views
    The Gorilla Encampment
    More Gorillas
    Near the Cranes
    Cranes
    The Valley of the Elephants
    Elephant
    Elephants
    Entrance to the Elephant Valley
    Elephant
    More Elephants
    Beautiful Vegetation Throughout the Park
    Glamping Is Available at Roar & Snore
    Hot Air Balloon Rides
    Enjoying Our Day
    The Tigers
    Standing Near a Waterfall
    Beautiful Views on the Way to See the Condors
    Beautiful Area to Sit
    A Condor
    The View Near the Condors
    Views Near the Condors
    Lily Pond in Australia
    Kangaroo Time
    Kangaroo Getting a Snack
    Hot Pink Bottle Brush Plant
  • An Awesome Murder Series That You Didn’t Know That You Need To Read!

    An Awesome Murder Series That You Didn’t Know That You Need To Read!

    Thanks to a friend’s posting on Facebook, I have recently read the best set of murder mysteries that I have enjoyed in a very long time.

    The author, Kathleen Helms lives in the North County area of San Diego and uses lots of local locations, from Carlsbad to Olivenhain, in her novels. Even the much-beloved Carlee’s bar and restaurant in Borrego Springs makes an appearance.

    I started the series because it features so many local locations but I continued to read her books because they are so well-written and have such creative plots.

    I especially enjoy the author’s take on artificial intelligence. Helms has an ability to come up with really original plots. She doesn’t overdo it with plot twists – just enough to keep the story interesting.

    I don’t want to ruin the surprise so I will refrain from providing a recap. However, the characters are so believable – some truly sinister and others very likable. I especially love the main protagonist, Loyal Truesdale.

    The six-book series is available via Amazon as well as from the website Kathleenhelms.com.

    My friend Julie, my mother and I all read the entire series quickly. So, now we are really hoping for a seventh book. The first book in the series came out in 2019 and the last one in 2024. Since the main characters are in all the books, I recommend starting with the first one and reading the rest in chronological order.

    The order of the books:

    A.I. Smith

    Loyalty

    Mistrust

    Deception

    Identify

    Destiny

    Borrego Springs Beloved Carlee’s