San Diego Zoo

Visit San Diego Zoo

The kid-friendly San Diego Zoo is home to a wide variety of animals and interesting displays, such as a tropical rainforest you can walk through, an Arctic bear habitat with a chilling pool, aviaries, an Asian river setting with tigers, and enclosures for primates and Malayan sun bears that mimic their native environments. There are around 700,000 plants at the zoo, including many rare and endangered species. In addition to a variety of avian, reptilian and mammalian species, you'll also have the chance to see a variety of exotic animals from all over the globe, including those native to South America, Australia, Central America, Africa and Asia.

Weekday mornings make for the best time to take a trip to the zoo. There are fewer visitors and more interaction with the animals during this time of day. It's also when you'll have the best chance of seeing the animals eat. 

Some of the most popular exhibits at the San Diego Zoo that you don't want to miss out on are the gorillas, hippos, swamp monkeys and otters in the Lost Forest and the red pandas and snow leopards at Asian Passage. You'll enjoy life-size polar bear sculptures and a crawl-through polar bear den at the Polar Bear Plunge.

For a truly interactive experience, make sure to watch a show at the 4-D theater and explore a vast range of activities at the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. Two of the best ways to see some of the animals at the zoo are by taking a trip on the Skyfari aerial tram and riding on Balboa Park's miniature train.

Ticket Information

The best way to get tickets for the San Diego Zoo is to visit their website. In fact, you can save money when you buy online. 

With the One-Day, Any Day pass, you can visit the zoo on any day of your choosing for $69. The cost for children ages 3 to 11 is $59. You can save two dollars by opting for the One-Day Value Day pass, which limits you to certain days that you can visit. There are also ticket options that allow you to add a 4-D theater experience to your trip. 

If you want to spend several days exploring the zoo, you should consider buying the Two-Visit Pass ticket, which costs $118 for adults or $108 for kids. You also have the option to purchase a membership pass for only $95, which gives you access to the zoo all year.

Family-Friendly Options

Some of the most popular kid-friendly exhibits at the San Diego Zoo are the Northern Frontier, Australian Outback, Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, Elephant Odyssey and the Children's Zoo. When visiting the zoo with children, you may want to go on a weekday and also visit early in the morning to take advantage of the smaller crowds.

If your little ones are prone to tired legs, you can avoid long walks by taking the Africa Tram, which you'll find at the back of the zoo. You can also take advantage of the free tour bus to see all of the animals and plants. Always bring lots of water and snacks to ensure everyone in the group stays hydrated and happy. 

How to Make the Most of Your Visit

To have a good experience, you'll want to spend at least four hours exploring the San Diego Zoo. Start your day on Front Street by walking to the bus tour area. Visit the Outback exhibit to see 3,700 creatures representing 650 different species. Then, make your way to the Urban Jungle to see all sorts of animals like camels, giraffes and kangaroos. Next, head toward Park Way, where you'll find the Elephant Odyssey exhibit and the 4-D theater. To reach the Northern Frontier, keep going north on Park Way, and don't forget to ride the Skyfari Aerial Tram for a truly unique view of the zoo and its animals and attractions. Visit more exhibits by taking the Kangaroo Express bus, where guests may board and exit at any of the four stops located all around the zoo.

To take the best photos of the zoo, consider going when it first opens at 9:00 a.m. This gives you better access to the animals because there is less crowding.

San Diego Zoo Accommodations

On Site Accommodations

You can stay overnight at the zoo at the Roar and Snore Safari. During your stay, you'll sleep in a provided tent, where you'll have comfortable sleeping pads. If you want a more luxurious experience, you can opt for a premium tent that comes with a queen bed, a space heater, a fan, pillows, linens and more. This overnight experience comes with an up-close animal encounter, a walking tour and nighttime noises. It also provides guests with complimentary dinner and breakfast and, for those 21 and over, access to an on-site bar.

Activities Near San Diego Zoo

Weather, Safety & Accessibility

Weather & Packing

Always dress in loose, comfortable clothes that won't restrict your movements. The zoo sits in a valley, so you may want to dress in lightweight, breathable clothing good for traversing the hills. Wear layers that you can remove when the afternoon sun becomes too hot. Walking or trekking shoes work well for the rugged terrain of the park. Don't forget your hat, sunglasses and sunscreen!

Safety & Accessibility

To stay safe during your trip to the San Diego Zoo, make sure you always stay on the marked paths for the safety of other visitors and native species. Don't ever go beyond the warning signs and respect all of the guardrails, fences and moats. The San Diego Zoo also requests that you not bring in alcohol, drugs, glass bottles, dogs or remote-controlled devices. You're welcome to bring small containers of your own food in addition to water and nonalcoholic drinks.

Visitors with disabilities can take advantage of a number of accommodations, including reserved parking, special bathrooms, handicap-accessible tour buses and accessible habitat areas. It's important to note that the zoo has several steep inclines. To help with this, visitors with mobility impairments can use the zoo's free ADA shuttle service. There's also an accessibility map to locate ramps, lifts and other features.