As a member of the San Diego Zoo for many years, I can tell you that it is a must-see for everyone. The animals and play areas are popular with families. Many adults, including myself, visit the San Diego Zoo for fun and exercise. The tips below for the San Diego Zoo will be helpful to everyone.
Most of our clients visit the Zoo at least once. I make recommendations based on their reviews and on my own experience and family involvement with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
How long can you stay? You can also check out our Tips.
- It is best to spend a full day at the Zoo to enjoy all it has to offer.
- Even if you have only a half-day, it is still worth visiting. You can use the app for navigation or book a 45-minute Discovery Cart Tour with a guide to get a lot of things done quickly.
- It’s not uncommon for animal lovers or families to stay two days.
What makes the San Diego Zoo unique
San Diego Zoo, home to more than 3,500 animals from 650 different species, is much more than a place to see wildlife. The 100-acre San Diego Zoo property is home to 700,000 plants and cageless exhibits with beautiful designs that allow for up-close viewing of rare and endangered animals.
The Zoo is a leader in conservation, species preservation and education. It combines these programs with entertainment to create a beautiful setting.
1. Arrive prepared for your San Diego Zoo visit
Visit the San Diego Zoo every year. We had annual passes to the San Diego Zoo even before we had our daughter.
Preparation is the key to a great day. Here are some important things to keep in mind when you’re preparing, from knowing the Zoo’s location to what to bring.
San Diego Zoo Hours
The Zoo is open every day, even on holidays, and in all weather conditions.
- Standard Hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.
- When to visit? :
- The Zoo opens in the morning.
- On weekdays, after lunch.
- The peak crowds are between 11 am to 1 pm.
- Kids free October Children under 11 years of age are admitted for free to San Diego Zoo, other museums and theme parks. Visit early mornings and evenings during the weekends or on weekdays to avoid crowds.
San Diego Zoo Parking
San Diego Zoo parking at the Zoo is free. The San Diego Zoo parking is free.
TIP: Take a picture of the animal’s section where you park your car so you can find it later.
This will prevent you from forgetting your parking spot. This happens in the excitement!
Prepare for Sun and Walking
San Diego Zoo also serves as a botanical garden. While trees shade certain areas, other parts are still open to the elements. No matter what the season or weather, you should always wear sunscreen. Pack extra sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Even San Diego’s foggy mornings in December can cause sunburns.
The Zoo has a lot of stroller-friendly areas. In fact, locals often use the Zoo as a place to walk and jog in the morning.
Skyfari Tram is a great way to avoid some of the hills. However, for the best experience, wear comfortable walking shoes.
Rent Lockers, Strollers and More
There are a variety of rentals available, including single and double strollers, quarter-operated locks, motorized wheelchairs and wheelchairs. Also, you can store any luggage that doesn’t fit in the lockers.
Front Street Rentals is located near the entrance.
2. You don’t have to pay the full price for admission
San Diego Zoo offers many ways to purchase discounted tickets.
I recommend purchasing the Go City San Diego Pass (if you plan to visit several San Diego attractions), CityPASS San Diego or buying discounted tickets at the gate through aRes Travel, a San Diego-based company.
You’ll save money in both cases and be able to skip the ticket queue when you arrive.
Get a 1-Day Pass – Use My Exclusive Promo Code.
With a mobile ticket or a printed ticket, you can skip the line at the gate and head straight to the entrance. Valid for a year after the date of purchase.
Please send me my San Diego Zoo Promo Code and a list of discounts on theme parks, tours, and sightseeing passes.
3. Use the San Diego Zoo Map App
Download the San Diego Zoo App (see why it’s our favourite), which has a GPS-enabled map.
You can go paperless with this app, which is in line with the Zoo’s mission of reducing waste by not using the paper map most guests take from the bookshelf at the entrance.
4. Check the schedule before you go
Check the San Diego Zoo app for updates on the latest events. These can be found in the San Diego Zoo App.
- Sleepovers and galas are held annually.
- Daily Interactive Activities
- Upgraded animal experiences
- Inside Look Tours
The Zoo plans many family-friendly activities and shows during school holidays and vacations.
5. Giant Panda timed ticket
Many visitors consider it a must to see the giant pandas in the San Diego Zoo. For the best experience, I suggest getting a free Giant Panda Timed Tickets.
You can select a time by scanning QR codes posted on the Zoo signs. Timed Tickets are available at Panda Ridge. You can join the line when you arrive. Stop by the Admissions Booth if you need assistance.
Here are some more tips.
- Tickets can only be purchased on the day of your visit.
- First-come-first-served.
- Tickets are gone once the day’s tickets have been sold out.
If timed tickets have been sold out, you can stand in line at Panda Ridge. Entry is not guaranteed.
If you want to experience something exclusive, book the Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour. This includes a guided 60-minute visit before the Zoo opens to the public.
6. Arrive early to see and do more
Arriving early is important, especially if you are pressed for time. This is my number one tip for visiting the San Diego Zoo in peak season.
Arrive early to avoid the long lines that will form later in the day. When available, take the Guided Bus Tour to avoid long lines later in the day.
Some upgraded experiences begin an hour before the Zoo opens to the general public. San Diego Zoo’s opening hours are pretty consistent.
I like to get in early because you can sometimes see the animals without any obstructions before the rest of the public.
Likewise, the animals are most active in the morning, and some are also fed at this time.
You’ll want to visit early in the day if you only have one day in San Diego, which is unusually hot. The animals will begin to hide in the shade later in the day.
7. Plan your visit on a weekday
San Diego Zoo is less crowded on weekdays than on weekends. However, many of the crowds on weekdays are made up of schoolchildren on field trips.
It is particularly true for those visiting during Kids Free Oct, when weekends may be subject to long waits due to reduced capacity and increased safety and health measures.
It’s quieter on Monday mornings. This could be because a few of the smaller Balboa Park Museums next door are closed on Mondays.
A Tuesday might be more crowded because many museums in Balboa Park offer free entry to residents (and many of them also have an annual zoo pass). Even though summer is still in full swing, Mondays are often busy.
8. Start with the guided bus tour
Regular admission includes a 35-minute bus tour around the Zoo’s perimeter.
If it’s your very first time visiting the San Diego Zoo, this is a great way to get an idea of its layout and discover some interesting facts about animals.
TIP: While the top deck offers better views, it can be a good idea to sit in the shade below the top deck on hot days.
A bus tour can be a great way for tired kids to relax and get some shade in the afternoon (if you ride on the lower deck). Bus drivers do keep an eye out for active animals and talk on a PA system. However, I have seen children sleeping on their parents’ shoulders throughout the entire tour.
9. Skyfari Tram Ride
The gondola ride gives a great aerial view of Balboa Park and the Zoo. Regular admission includes a ride on the Skyfari Tram.
Skyfari also provides a shortcut from the entrance to the Zoo’s back (or Wildlife Explorers Basecamp for the polar bears in the Northern Frontier). You can use the tram to reach the Zoo’s back and avoid the steep hills. Then, you can ride the tram back to the entrance at the end of your trip.
Skyfari Aerial tram starts at 10 am, so you cannot use it after the Zoo opens at 9 am. You can walk to the Skyfari entrance. You can enjoy the following sights:
- Monkeys
- Galapagos turtles
- Reptile House is a popular place for children. Many can spend hours here!
- Hummingbirds
- Komodo dragons
- Wildlife Explorers Basecamp
You can take in the sights at a relaxed pace before you board the tram.
TIP: Make sure you have your camera ready, as the views of San Diego from the tram are breathtaking.
Make a Lunch Reservation
San Diego Zoo offers a variety of food options, including quick service, kid’s meals, and a sit-down restaurant with a good selection of wine and craft beers.
Albert’s Restaurant in the Lost Forest is a beautiful oasis. There are indoor and outdoor seats available, but I like to sit outside on hot days to watch the waterfall.
Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and during the summer months, since this is one of San Diego Zoo’s most popular restaurants.
10 You Can Bring Your Food
You can bring food to the Zoo. Check out the San Diego Zoo’s food policy to find out more about what you can get and what you cannot.
The use of glass bottles, straws and large coolers is prohibited.
11. Take Time to Enjoy Wildlife Presentations
San Diego Zoo offers some incredible VIP animal encounters at an additional cost. If you’re looking to get a closer look at the Zoo animals but don’t want to spend more than the admission price, then use my favourite tip for visiting the San Diego Zoo.
Plan your day according to the dates of Wildlife Presentations and feedings. There are usually a few per day.
The keepers’ presentations will teach you a lot. The animals are at their most active when they are being fed (the keepers have food).
12. Visit Lost Forest Aviaries during the hottest part of the day
San Diego’s weather is generally pretty nice, and the San Diego Zoo has plenty of shade. However, if the sun is too intense, head to the Lost Forest Aviaries.
The enclosures are cool and fascinating throughout the day. They’re a great spot to relax on hot afternoons. You can also sit on a bench and watch the monkeys and other primates in the area.
Birds and gorillas together? Birds and gorillas together?
Late afternoon is when you’ll usually see the bears on Center Street. The area is also very shady at that time.
13. Enjoy Wildlife Explorers Basecamp with the Children
Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, the children’s Zoo, is located at Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. Families love this activity at the San Diego Zoo.
Wildlife Explorers Basecamp is a three-acre interactive area where families and children can interact with nature and wildlife. What to expect
- Interactive Play Areas: Climb and jump to explore habitats such as desert dunes and marshy meadows.
- Hands-on Learning: Participate in activities to teach wildlife conservation through fun and memorable methods.
- Animal Encounters: Learn about animals up close and personal.
- Enter Under a Trellis to Start Your Adventure: Enter beneath a trellis with giant leafcutter-ant sculptures.
San Diego Zoo is a place that you must visit to encourage curiosity and respect for nature.
14. Feeding Giraffes in Urban Jungle
You can feed the giraffes at the San Diego Zoo’s Urban Jungle. Feeding stations allow you to have fun with giraffes.
There are different heights of feeding stations. The lower feeders contain herbivore pellets, while the higher ones contain acacia leaves. It is fascinating to see the giraffes using their long tongues for food.
It is important to feed the giraffe because many subspecies are classified as vulnerable or endangered. You can also help conserve this magnificent creature by feeding it.
