Timeline
16:14
Pick up snacks and water at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park before heading out. The park is large, so you will want to be fueled up. Note that the park closes at 5 PM in winter, so this stop works best if you are arriving early in the afternoon or have a specific late-entry arrangement, but generally, it is better to grab food elsewhere. For this evening plan, we will skip the park entry and use its location as the starting anchor.
16:44
Drive from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to the viewing spot. The route is east of Escondido on SR-78, then southeast to the park. Check the route for the best path.
17:44
San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park
Arrive at San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park. Find a spot with a clear view to the west. The visitor center has displays on the history of the site, which you can read while waiting for the light to change. The walk from the parking area is short, about 25 minutes from the anchor if you were walking, but you are driving.
18:14
San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park
Watch the sunset. On October 15, the sun sets toward the west at 18:14. The golden light begins around 17:41. Enjoy the view as the day ends over the battlefield.
18:59
Head back towards the Escondido area for dinner. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is in the San Pasqual Valley. Look for restaurants in Escondido, which is nearby. Check the route for the best path back.
Local tip
The San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park is a quiet place. Respect the history and the nature. The visitor center is a good place to start to understand the context of the landscape you are viewing.
Check before you go
- The San Diego Zoo Safari Park hours are 9AM-5PM in winter. If you plan to enter, check the schedule.
- Sunset times vary by date. This plan is based on October 15 sunset at 18:14. Check the sunset time for your specific date.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to San Diego (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).