Big Crowds Welcoming Two New Pandas at San Diego Zoo

"Panda-monium" is happening at the San Diego Zoo Thursday with the debut of the first giant panda bears to arrive in the United States in 21 years.

The zoo will open its Panda Ridge exhibit on Thursday, raising the curtain on Yun Chuan and Xin Bao -- with giant crowds, and heavy traffic, expected. Gov. Gavin Newsom and his wife Jennifer flew to San Diego to attend the ceremony. The opening of the exhibit even led to a proclamation declaring August 8, 2024, as California Panda Day. Click here to read the full announcement.

The increased traffic on Park Boulevard and around Balboa Park is expected through at least Aug. 11, and then on weekends through the remainder of August, according to a statement from the city.

To help ease traffic, people visiting the San Diego Zoo can take advantage of a free shuttle that will pick up and drop off at the Inspiration Point parking lot, where parking is free. Additionally, public transportation is recommended, with bus lanes along Park Boulevard allowing buses to travel more easily, and MTS Rapid 215 and Route 7 provide direct access to the San Diego Zoo.

"Dedicated bike lanes and high-visibility crosswalks on Park Boulevard provide a safe, convenient option for pedestrians and people on bicycles or mobility devices," the city statement read.

Those choosing rideshare options are being encouraged to use the main Zoo Entrance as the address for pick up and drop off, per the city

How you can see the Pandas:

Guests will have several options to see the zoo's newest stars, including:

-- obtaining a free giant panda timed ticket by scanning QR codes located on signs posted throughout the zoo, selecting an available time, and heading to the Timed Ticket line at Panda Ridge at the designated time

-- joining a standby line beginning at 9:30 a.m.

-- securing advance reservations for an exclusive 60-minute Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour , before the zoo opens to guests for the day

Panda Ridge is described as an "expansive and multidimensional experience... inspired by famous geological formations in China, emulating the mountainous forest ecosystems where giant pandas thrive while immersing you into their world," a statement from Erika Kohler, San Diego Zoo senior vice president and executive director read.

More information on Panda Ridge, including how to reserve a Walking Tour ticket, can be found at https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/giant-pandas/visit ..

(Photo Getty Images)