Visitor’s Map – San Diego Zoo

Vibrant vintage representation of the San Diego Zoo presented in an abstract style.

This abstract image leans more heavily into the realm of artistic design than one of practical use. Animals are depicted in an exaggerated, stylistic form and appear overly dramatized with their emotions – a sly hyena, placid koala and cheeky ostrich are just a few examples of over fifty different illustrated species. In addition to showcasing the diversity and beauty of it’s inhabitants, the map also provides some helpful information for the zoo itself. Paths, including moving walkways, are shown zigzagging throughout, and locations of restrooms, souvenir shops, food stands, drinking fountains, picnic areas and information booths are depicted and listed in the legend.

On the verso is a similarly designed map of the Children’s Zoo, which opened in 1957 on 1.5 acres of additional land from Balboa Park, as well as a more useful map for navigating the zoo’s mesas and canyons.