Following my previous posts about where to see various marine animals and shows and where to enjoy sea lions and parades, this is finally the last part of the itinerary. True to a massive theme park that opened in 1964, walking around all day has my legs starting to give out. I'm honestly confused whether my stamina is just depleted from never exercising, or if the park is just that huge.
Just as I was getting a bit exhausted, I noticed a crowd gathering in the outdoor plaza, so I went over and found Santa Claus and real reindeer. I never expected to see real reindeer here, considering they're hard to find even in zoos back in Korea. It was pretty fascinating to see these large reindeer with their magnificent antlers standing there so calmly.
There weren't many people around, so the wait time was short and the vibe was very relaxed. Santa Claus sat the kids on his lap one by one, greeting them warmly and taking pictures. It felt somewhat nostalgic, like the classic Santa I used to see at department stores when I was a kid.
Next, I headed over to the puffin exhibit. Honestly, I'd only ever seen a puffin as a mobile web browser icon; this was my first time seeing the actual feathered bird in real life. The inside of the tank was incredibly clean, and the birds came right up to the glass, so I could observe them from really close up.
They were bobbing on the water, adorably tilting their heads as they moved around—seriously so cute. Personally, aside from the shows, watching these puffins is what I'd recommend most from this SeaWorld visit. Being able to comfortably view animals that are usually hard to see is a huge plus.
I made my way into the stands to watch a proper marine animal show. Quite a few people had gathered in that classic California weather, where the sun is harsh but the breeze is cool. The seats at the front of the stands had 'SOAK ZONE' written in large blue letters. It literally means you're going to get drenched.
I rested my legs for a bit while watching a dolphin lightly leap out of the water to warm up. Seeing it move so agilely started getting me excited for what the main show would be like later. I just watched briefly and then got up.
While waiting for the main show, I passed by a pond where a flock of flamingos had gathered. From a distance, their bright pink feathers sparkling in the sunlight were truly awe-inspiring. But when I got closer to the fence out of curiosity, seeing them swarming around in a massive group, twisting their long necks this way and that, was actually a bit scary. I felt like if they attacked me as a mob, I'd definitely lose.
Finally, I arrived at the orca stadium, the last highlight of the day. A flashy screen stretched out behind the massive tank, and in front of it, a gigantic black-and-white orca made a majestic appearance.
It doesn't have the fast and agile feel of a dolphin or sea lion show. Because the animal is so huge, it kind of feels like a middle-aged man grunting "heave-ho!" internally with every jump. The movements aren't lightning-fast, but the impact of that heavy body launching out of the water and crashing back down is undeniable.
When that massive body slams into the surface, the splash is absolutely enormous. I purposely sat in a safe seat further back because I didn't want to get wet. I stayed dry, but it was highly entertaining to watch the people in the front get hit by water bombs. Unless you don't mind getting completely soaked, definitely sit in the back.
I was tired from walking around all day, but it was time well spent getting to see so many animals that are usually hard to spot. People always say you have to visit the zoo and SeaWorld when you come to San Diego, and now I know why. The scale is massive, and the number and rarity of the animals inside are on a level you won't easily find elsewhere. Kids will obviously love it, but it's a place adults can really enjoy too. It's an absolute must-visit course whenever you come to San Diego.
