Santa Clara may have had Broncos and Panthers this first Sunday in February, but San Diego has gorillas and hippos every Sunday of the year.
Rejecting a de facto national holiday, visitors to the San Diego Zoo strolled canyons and rode the Skyfari on a day with smaller crowds that usual.
Denver may have prevailed over Carolina in Super Bowl 50, but the Balboa Park zoo — on a gorgeous day in the mid-70s — won over spectators choosing a day of easy parking and few lines. (Unclear how many taped the game.)
With the zoo closing at 5 p.m., however, many visitors had time to catch the second half of Manning vs. Newton. Call it a win-win.
Here are reflections on how NFL-defying zoo-goers enjoyed some star attractions.
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo hippos during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo gorillas during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo gorillas during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
Watching San Diego Zoo gorillas during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Ken Stone
San Diego Zoo gorilla watching spectators during first half of Super Bowl 50. Photo by Chris Stone
