Guide to Visiting the San Diego Zoo - Everything to Know Before You Go -

The San Diego Zoo is truly one of the most if not the most beautiful animal/wildlife park in the world. It is tremendous in size and beauty, plush with greenery at every turn, ideal to spend an entire day while not only admiring the animals, but the trees, plants and flowers as well. The greenery at every turn has you feeling immersed in an endless animal garden, which makes for a pleasant visit. The park’s size is massive, at over 100 acres. So, unless you put adequate time in your day to walk through and visit the park you might have a hard time seeing the 12,000 plus animals that live there. The zoo is located within Balboa Park, which itself is stunning with greenery and plush gardens. Here we’ll go over everything you’ll need to know before visiting the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

The San Diego Zoo is located inside Balboa Park.

If you’ve ever visited Balboa Park, you’ll be aware of what a plus it is to have the zoo located within this neighborhood. In my opinion, it might be the finest neighborhood in the entire city. Why? Because Balboa Park is one of the greatest urban parks in California, blended in with historical Spanish colonial architecture. When you’re in the area, it feels more like a city was built within a massive park, then a park built in a city with over 1,200 acres of gardens, trails and open spaces.

Some of these spaces include the gorgeous Alcazar Garden and the Japanese Friendship Garden, places you’ll love to take in as you admire the beauty, feeling the peaceful vibes surrounding these places. You’ll often see young couples recently married taking picturesque wedding photos, others having a nice picnic, walks and just soaking up nature. Balboa Park also offers plenty of museum options, hosting 17, ranging from art, science, and natural history among other types. This can be an option to combine with your zoo visit or save the visit for another day.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Their Differences

As someone that has visited both parks many times across many years, I feel I can help explain their acute differences as both parks deliver a superb wildlife viewing experience. First, both parks are run by the same organization called the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Below are the differences.

Locations of Each Park

The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park, which has an urban park design, with a groomed landscape and close proximity to downtown San Diego. The urban aspect of the San Diego Zoo’s location (Balboa Park) is one of the core differences in how the San Diego Zoo delivers their experience to its visitors in contrast to the Safari Park up north.

The San Diego Safari Park is located in Escondido, which is a much dryer and slightly warmer landscape, resembling a Mediterranean climate than that of Balboa Park, which is cooler given its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Escondido is about 35 miles north of Balboa Park, and slightly more inland as well.

Size and Layout of Each Park

The San Diego Zoo is over 100 acres and has a layout and design that’s similar to other traditional zoo’s. As you make your way around the zoo, you’ll find easy shaded walking paths and enclosures. The San Diego Zoo from its inception was designed to be a zoo from day one and nothing else, as opposed to the San Diego Safari Park, which started as an animal breeding and reintroduction program. Due to this traditional zoo layout, it is much more crowded than the San Diego Safari Park, especially on weekends. If you have a child stroller, it’s a bit trickier to maneuver in and out of walking traffic.

The San Diego Safari Park, as mentioned above, was built for the purposes of becoming a specialized breeding and reintroduction location. It is much more expansive at 1,800 acres, making it significantly larger than the San Diego Zoo. Its initial purposes and goals were vastly different than that of the San Diego Zoo. The Safari Park was focused on specializing in breeding programs for the reintroduction of rhinos, condors and other endangered species, it was not initially intended to turn into a zoo like animal park.

Animal Exhibits

The way in which each animal park delivers the viewing experience also differs greatly. Given the size disparity and the key differences with each park’s inception, your viewing and interaction with each exhibit will vary between parks. Below are some additional details.

Difference in quantity of animals. The San Diego Zoo has many more animals, species and exhibits, with about 12,000 animals and 650+ species. The San Diego Safari Park on the other hand offers 3,600 animals and 300+ species.

The types of animals for viewing vary greatly between parks. The San Diego Zoo offers more exotic animals to observe, with pandas, koalas, and polar bears. The San Diego Safari Park exhibits animals primarily from the African and Asian continents. Animals such as rhinos, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, lions and even hyenas!

Viewing Animals in a More Urban Setting vs Vast Wide Open Spaces

The layout and design of pathways and exhibits can vary with one being denser, and the other being vaster and more expansive.

The San Diego Zoo has well shaded walkways that can feel leisurely as you observe and pass each exhibit. You can view the animals in much closer proximity as well. Another detail is the close proximity of each enclosure sitting right next to each other, so you can see many different animal exhibits continuously. Though the close proximity of enclosures is a plus, the drawback is it can create dense clusters of park visitors all in one area, creating a crowded experience with the more popular exhibits. to help this, the park also offers bus tours that can cover the entire parks exhibits in a shorter time without having to elbow your way into and out of an exhibit. Another fun activity to do at this park, well, if you’re not scared of heights, is the fun Skyfari Aerial Tram (It’s free with the price of admission). Though it should be noted, this is more of a fun activity in itself to observe the park from the sky, and not to observe the animals from up high as it’s not close enough to see them clearly.

The San Diego Safari Park is expansive, and observing the wildlife there can be akin to exploring the safari in Africa. This layout will require more walking; however, this is a result of each exhibit being larger than your traditional zoo enclosures, allowing animals more land to roam freely. Thus, the extra walking is a small price we pay so that the animals can have a freer existence. This expansive layout also helps with exhibits not experiencing crowding as the enclosures are large and make for easy viewing for multiple visitors at a time. The San Diego Safari Park also offers a bus (but it’s technically not a bus) like tour called The African Tram Safari, allowing visitors to ride through open range habitats with friendlier large animals, which is free with the paid entrance. With extra costs, you can get extremely close and personal with the caravan tours, just like those held in an actual African safari.

Different Conservation Focus

The San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Safari Park work in perfect harmony to assist in strengthening the current wild-life situation at both zoos. They each focus on different objectives as they work to improve the lives of the animals that habitat the park.

The San Diego Zoo focuses primarily on conservation and endangered species research. This critical research is valuable to the well-being of the species held at both zoo locations and beyond.

The San Diego Safari Park’s main goal and focus is to work on breeding and reintegration of species back into the wild. For example, they do critical work with breeding rhinos who are an endangered species, who suffer from low birth rates and poaching. They also helped reintegrate condors back into the wild to strengthen their numbers.

Getting to the San Diego Zoo

Although this particular area isn’t extremely congested with traffic, or difficult parking, there are some things to note about getting to the San Diego Zoo.

The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park, with the exact address being 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. This address will lead you directly into the park.
Expect traffic congestion on the 8, 5, 15 freeways’ during 7am and 9am on weekdays heading into the park. Balboa Park as stated, isn’t a densely populated area so once you arrive at Balboa Park you shouldn’t face too much traffic, with the exception of the immediate parking area near the entrance.
Parking is free! The zoo has a large general parking lot free of cost. Usually, it’s enough to accommodate all visitors, however, sometimes on busy weekends it can get full, and you’ll have to park within the immediate surroundings of the park, in public parking spaces. There is a tram available to takes you directly to the entrance free of charge for those busy days.
EV charging spots are available but limited so first come, first serve.
Public Transportation & Ride Share- Take MTS Bus Route 7 from Downtown San Diego. You can also take the San Diego Trolley (Blue/Orange Line) stops at City College Station, which you can then use to transfer to 7.
Ridesharing is also a great option as you won’t have to worry about parking and the Uber/Lyft drop off designation at the park is right by the entrance, making it a smooth arrival with little hassles.
The hours of the San Diego Zoo are from 9am to 5pm daily, meaning you’ll have to plan your day early, so you don’t have to rush the exhibits if you arrive after 1pm or so.
Best times to arrive at the park? Given the gate opening at 9am, you would do well to arrive earlier as you’ll have first access to the park, meaning fewer crowds, first access to parking, and cooler weather…I love the mornings, so this is an easy one for me. A later evening only really works during the summer. The zoo closes at 9pm during the summer, which means you have the option of coming in after the crowds have gone after 4 or 5pm, which still gives you plenty of time to explore the park in leisure.

Buying Tickets to The San Diego Zoo

This part is pretty lengthy, as the park does its best to offer a variety of packages and activities for families and animal lovers from around the world.

1-Day Pass – Any Day.

Adult Ages 12+: $76
Child Ages 3-11: $66

Includes the following:

One visit to the San Diego Zoo
Guided Bus Tour
Skyfari Aerial Tram
All regularly scheduled experiences

2 Visit Pass

Adult Ages 12+: $128
Child Ages 3-11: $118

Includes the following:

Visitor gets two total visits by the same person on any and all days chosen.
Each visit chosen can be to either the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Safari Park.

Both visits must occur within one year of the date of purchase.

San Diego 3-for-1 Pass

Adult Ages 10+: $168
Child Ages 3-9: $158

Includes the following, one visit to each of the following attractions

One visit to the San Diego Zoo
One visit to the San Diego Safari Park
Sea World San Diego

Important Note: This pass is valid for seven consecutive days from the first visit.

Riding the Skyfari Aerial Tram

Riding the Skyfari is extremely fun, and free of charge, paid for with the price of admission. The ride isn’t so high that would make it too terrifying. It goes at a fun and leisure pace, enough to take in the view. You mostly have to pay attention to when the most convenient time is to climb on the ride. Below I go over the best times.

For the Best Views

9am to 11am will give you the clearest views with the air being nice and clear. You’ll have views of downtown San Diego, Balboa Park, and of course, the zoo without the harsh sun.
After 3pm will give you a cool breeze and nice views of the sun setting.

Avoiding Long Lines

Before 11am will be the slowest and shortest lines for this ride. Most people are finding their way around the first exhibits they came for and are saving the tram for later in the day.
During Lunch Time 12pm to about 1:30pm, most people are hungry and choosing to eat first, before considering the tram.
After 3:30pm, the crowd begins thinning out, making for shorter wait times.
Basically, anytime between 1:30 and 3:30pm are considered peak time and have the longest lines of 30+ minute wait times.
Windy or stormy days shut down the tram as a safety precaution.

Guided Bus Tour at the San Diego Zoo

The guided 35-minute bus tour makes seeing the animals that much easier and convenient. There is no additional cost as it’s free with the price of admission. The bus covers about 70% of the zoo and is a great way to get a head start with a lot of the exhibits, which you can later explore on foot. The bus ride requires no reservation and is first-come first-serve, so try and arrive early.

My family and I usually prefer to do both the walking around the park and then the bus every time, to help maximize our viewing of as many exhibits as possible, even viewing some twice! Important note: strollers are not permitted on the bus, so you’ll have to leave it at the designated stroller zone by the bus entrance. Please be sure to remove and take with you all personal belongings such as cameras, phones, wallets, other important personal items. The Zoo is not responsible for any theft or missing items left unattended.

Top Animal Exhibits to See at the San Diego Zoo.

This is definitely a matter of personal preference. While my kids love seeing the flamingos, my husband the lions, and myself, the birds, it all comes down to spending the most amount of time at your favorite exhibits. Below I’ll add the most popular exhibits, just to make sure you’re not missing out on the good stuff. There are many very fun, world class animal exhibits to see, but here are the most popular ones.

The Popular Bear Plunge

This exhibit mimics the arctic frozen tundra these polar bears need for survival. The large pool gives visitors the opportunity to see the bears swimming around from up top or down below through glass downstairs.

Elephant Odyssey

One of the top exhibits at the zoo. This remodeled enclosure for the elephant’s features California condors, jaguar’s and other animals that lived in prehistoric California. This exhibit includes an Elephant Care Center as well. This detail means you can watch caregivers interact and care for the elephants. There are currently 5 elephants living in this enclosure, which spans 7.5 acres.

Africa Rocks

All your African favorites in one place, from baboons, meerkats, dwarf crocodiles, leopards and even African penguins. The exhibit is divided into six habitat zones, all while showcasing the diverse landscapes from the safari, Madagascar to the Ethiopian highlands.

Monkey Trails and Forest Tales

This exhibit has a rainforest climate theme, providing a lush habitat for capuchins, colobus monkeys, mandrills and other primates. The exhibit features elevated walkways, hanging by ropes which makes for a fun experience as you observe these primates at eye level.

Wildlife Explorers Basecamp

The Wildlife Explorers Basecamp is one of the newest and most interactive exhibits in the park. It about up not that long ago in 2022 and covers about 3.2 acres. The goal is to provide a much more immersive experience, for visitors, but especially for kids. Here visitors can explore amphibians, insects, reptiles, and small mammals. The exhibit does a great job of encouraging hands-on exploration, which is something new and refreshing for visitors of all ages.

The basecamp is divided up into four key features and themes:

Rainforest-Focused primarily on insects, arachnids, and rainforest creatures. kids can crawl through tunnels and play on playgrounds inspired by insect burrows.
Wild woods-Focused primarily on climbing mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Features a cool water play area with splash pads.
Desert Dunes- Focused on desert animals and burrowing animals. Featuring a fun and giant sand play area.
Marsh Meadows- Focused on freshwater wildlife and various aquatic creatures. They have a water play area where kids can interact with water features and explore the ecosystem.

Booking Upgraded Experiences

For those visitors that are looking to enhance their experience at the park, the San Diego Zoo has introduced “Upgraded Experiences” for an additional cost. These VIP style packages offer premium behind the scenes experiences with guided tours and closer encounters with animals. Here is a detailed look at the different Upgraded Experiences you can book.

Discovery Cart Tour

Price per person $55
Duration is 60 minutes
Group size is small, shared tour.

Included details of the tour are as follows:

A guided tour in an open-air cart covering a large portion of the zoo.
A zoo expert shares fun facts and behind-the-scenes insights.
Great for families, seniors, and those that aren’t too excited about walking all over the park.
Ideal for those who are visiting the park for the first time and want a thorough and fun overview of the park.

Inside Look Tours/Specialty Animal Encounters

Price is $89 per person
Duration is 90 minutes
Group size is small and intimate

What’s included:

A deeper dive into various animal species, providing thorough insights.
Behind-the-scenes access into animal care areas. Giving you access your conventional zoo visit can’t provide.

Options to visit include the following:

Elephant Care Tour- You get a chance to meet the keepers and get insights into how they care for the elephants.
Big Cat Tour- Focuses on Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs.
Penguin and Friends- Get an up and close look at the African Penguins.
Wildlife Champions- Focused primarily on the efforts of assisting endangered species and conservation.

Animals in Action Experience

Price is $109 per person
Duration 1 hour
Small intimate group

What’s included in this package:

You get direct animal interactions. You get the opportunity to feed, train and touch animals like cheetahs, birds and more.
Observe zoo trainers work with animals up close and see what it’s like to be a zoo trainer.
Every tour is unique as they are always bringing out different animals, making it unpredictable and exciting. Perfect for the animal lovers who want a more intimate look and experience.

Exclusive VIP Experience

Price starts at $675 per person
Duration is 5 hours
Full private experience, customized for your party

What’s included:

A personal guide and tour in private transportation around the zoo.
Customized itinerary where you get to pick the animals you wish to see that interest you the most.
Behind the scenes access, private animal encounters, and you get VIP treatment, who wouldn’t want that!
Delicious lunch and snacks included.
Best for luxury style visitors, special occasions, and those animal and zoo lovers that want the ultimate zoo experience.

Early Morning Cheetah Experience

Price is $109 per person
Duration is 60 minutes

What’s included:

Watch a cheetah up close and personal as it takes off and goes on a high-speed run, showcasing their awesome speed they can carry.
Learn all the interesting details about cheetah conservation directly from zoo experts.
Exclusive once in a lifetime photo opportunity without glass barriers, that alone might be worth the price!
Perfect for wildlife photographers, big cat fans.

Crazy About Cats Tour

Price is $89 per person
Duration 90 minutes
Group size is small.

What’s included:

A deep and thorough dive into the world of lions, cheetahs, leopards and tigers.
a behind-the-scenes look into the interesting world of big cat habitats and also into their training sessions.
Have keeper talks about how the zookeepers care for the felines.
Perfect for the lions, cheetahs and leopard big cat fans out there.

Crazy About Primates Tour

Price is $89 per person
Duration is 90 minutes
Group size is small
Go behind the scenes in Monkey Trails and Forest Tails
Get a close look at gorillas, orangutans, and lemurs, closer than ever before!
Learn interesting insights about primate conservation and behavior.
Perfect for that primate fan of gorillas, lemurs and monkeys.

Tips if You’re Visiting the San Diego Zoo in the Summer

First thing you must do is bring along sunscreen. Although San Diego doesn’t exactly experience extreme heat such as Miami Florida or Austin Texas it’s still warm enough to stick and cause exhaustion when combined with a lot of walking. Try and keep in the shade, the park will allow that given the massive amounts of trees and shade everywhere. Also, pack lots of water and do your best to stay hydrated. Remember that you can bring food into the park so you can stay energized with snacks at home if you need to, but there are plenty of great options for food and drinks inside the park as well.

Bring a hat to block the sun and be sure to bring comfortable shoes. Also, if you can, bring a wagon of some kind or a stroller because the little ones will definitely get tired of the walking, even the adults will too! If possible, get to the park early when it first opens, the heat on a warm summer day with be a non-factor if you start the day early. For the most part, you’ll be fine if you follow these steps and take the necessary precautions. Have a great time!

In Conclusion

Visiting the San Diego Zoo is an unforgettable experience, whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a family looking for a fun day out, or a traveler eager to explore one of the world’s best zoos. With its incredible animal exhibits, lush landscapes, and engaging activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. By planning ahead—considering the best times to visit, ticket options, and must-see attractions—you can make the most of your trip. So grab your camera, wear comfortable shoes, and get ready for an adventure filled with amazing animal encounters and lasting memories!