Looking for a Day Trip? Check out the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

About a 45 minute drive from Encinitas is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (formally called the Wild Animal Park) located at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd in Escondido.

Once you've taken the 45 minute trip, plan to shell out $40 for a Safari ticket. Included in this ticket is the African Tram Safari, rides on the carousel, and normally scheduled shows including the new Cheetah Run.

During Cheetah Run, the spotted sprinter races on a straight 330-foot-long track that allows the cheetah to stretch its legs and reach an astounding speed: 0 to 70 miles per hour in just 4 seconds while chasing a mechanical lure attached to its favorite toy. 

Afterwards the cheetah gets a delicious treat and a bloodsicle (a popsicle made from the blood of the meat when it thaws out).

Although a cat, the cheetah has paws like a dog that help it run faster.

The Safari Park also has a new baby gorilla named Monroe to check out. 

If you are looking for extra excitement, for an additional $70 try the zip line that soars you as high as 160 feet over the park. Click here for more info.