San Diego Zoo in 360º

Voted best zoo in the world, If your planning on visiting it’s best to get here early, the place is bigger than I thought and you’ll have lots of walking to do, unless you pay the extra for a bus tour. You can easily spend all day here with lots of animals to see including the Cheetah with his doggie best friend and the Pandas.

Shop Location/Facts Things To Do Where To Eat & Drink Getting There Helpful Tips Weather Sunrise & Sunset Nearby Destinations

Update: 30th June 2024

Location/Facts: Corrected amount of animals according to the latest data from the World Animal Foundation

When in San Diego you have to visit the Zoo & Safari Park. Don’t try to do them both in one day though, unless your really short of time as they both have so much to see. The Zoo is built around a fairly steep valley and the steepest is where the pandas are, typically one of the main animals I wanted to see. If your able-bodied it’s not to bad though, but there is a bus that will carry guests if you need it. The entrance to the Pandas is at the bottom and you then walk a one way system back up the hill past other enclosures including the Grizzly Bear until you reach near the top where you’ll find the Pandas. There are guards on the exit stopping people from cheating and going the wrong way to help keep the flow moving fairly.

The other thing to note that I hadn’t seen anywhere else before was at the Cheetah enclosure, they were with a dog companion. Apparently Cheetahs are very skittish, the dogs actually help to keep them calm and the Cheetahs see them as friends not prey.

In all the Zoo has loads to see and definitely worth the entrance fee, but I would suggest at least buying online and purchasing the multi park, so you can also get into the Safari Park and you can also add SeaWorld as a 3rd park to save even more if you were here long enough. It gives you a week from first use to go to them all.

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Location/Facts

The Zoo, located adjacent to downtown San Diego in Balboa Park, is 100 acres in size. It is well known for its lush, naturalistic habitats and unique animal encounters ~~and in 2016 is home to more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals representing approximately 660 species and subspecies.~~ Now in 2024 it is home to 12,000 animals across 680 different species and sub-species with a prominent botanical collection of more than 700,000 plants.

Prices

Military discounts are valid every day of the year, including ALL holidays! Visit as often as you wish!
Seniors age 65 and older receive a 10% discount.
Students age 12 and older receive a 10% discount

1-Day Pass. Includes: One visit to the San Diego Zoo®, Guided Bus Tour, Kangaroo Express Bus, Skyfari aerial tram, and all regularly scheduled shows.

Adult $54. Ages 12+.
Child $44, Ages 3-11.

1-Day Pass Plus. Includes: All the features of the 1-Day Pass, plus choice of one 4-D Theater experience.

Adult $60. Ages 12+.
Child $50, Ages 3-11.

2-Visit Pass

Includes: One visit to the San Diego Zoo and one visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park -or- Two visits to the San Diego Zoo -or- Two visits to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Adult $86.40. Ages 12+.
Child $76.40, Ages 3-11.

Opening Hours

9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Things To Do

There is loads to see and do here, I would of liked more time to see it all more thoroughly if I could have. The Pandas are probably most peoples favourite go to. check out the map.

Where To Eat & Drink

There are restaurants and stalls scattered throughout the park.

Getting There

The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park, just north of downtown San Diego, at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101.

Car, Parking is free in the lot in front of the Zoo. Additional free parking is available throughout Balboa Park.

Helpful Tips

Opening Hours 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Recommend a minimum visit time of at least three to four hours.
If you do use the tour bus, sit on the right side, you’ll see more animals.
Buy tickets online and purchase the multi park, so you can also get into the Safari Park and you can also add SeaWorld as a 3rd park to save even more if you were here long enough. It gives you a week from first use to go to them all.
Military discounts are valid every day of the year, including ALL holidays! Visit as often as you wish!
Seniors age 65 and older receive a 10% discount.
Students age 12 and older receive a 10% discount
Each year, from October 1–31, in honour of our Zoo’s founding, children ages 11 and younger are granted free entrance to the Zoo and Safari Park when accompanied during their visit by an adult.
Park map here.
Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is not permitted anywhere on Zoo or Safari Park grounds or parking lots.
Guests who are on grounds at the Zoo or Safari Park and wish to leave and return the same day at no charge during open hours may have their hand stamped at the Exit Gate turnstiles. Be sure to keep your ticket!
Distance between the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is 35 miles. Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour travel time.
Find out more at zoo.sandiegozoo.org
Get $5 credit for your first Uber ride here.