The San Diego Zoo, a pioneer in open-air, no-cage zoos, began in 1916 with exotic animals left over from the Panama-San Diego Exposition. The 100-acre (40 ha) zoo is home to more than 3,500 rare and endangered animals and one of the few places where Giant Pandas have been bred successfully. During the summer, it invites people to "rock and roar" in late afternoon and evening with live music, dancers, African stilt walkers, puppets and other entertainment.

zoo.sandiegozoo.org