San Diego Zoo

Baby Orangatang Playing with Bamboo at the San Diego Zoo

Animals You Can See at the San Diego Zoo

With over 3,500 animals, there are many different exhibits to visit. Take the time to learn about these rare and endangered animals. See everything from the Orangatangs to Arctic Foxes. Of course, you cannot forget the primates!

Who could forget the cute koalas! Experience the rare sight of these beautiful, nearly extinct animals at eye-level as you walk on elevated walkways that surround their Queenslander-style care center.

Other animals to see include:

• Giraffes
• Crowned Eagles
• Southern White Rhino
• Elephants
• Orangatangs
• And more!

As you are strolling through the park, you may even see several animal ambassadors on a leash guided by a trainer!

Tropical Rain Forest at the San Diego Zoo

Plant Life at the San Diego Zoo

With over 4,500 species located on the grounds, the beautiful plant life attracts tourists from all over the nation.

Several plants you can see at the San Diego Zoo are:

• Yellow Bells
• Sage
• Kangaroo Paw
• Chinese Silver Grass
• And more!

Take a self-guided botanical garden tour to learn about endangered specimens of their prized plant collections.

For over 100 years, the San Diego Zoo has focused on protecting endangered animals from extinction. To this day, the Zoo maintains its commitment to conservation science and protecting species globally.

The San Diego Zoo strives to keep these animals and breed them within their natural habitats. It is one of the very few zoos in the world that housed and successfully bred the giant panda, an endangered species.

Hand in hand with the San Diego Zoological Society, San Diego Zoo Global, and over 300 other partners around the world, they strive to end the extinction of these beautiful, endangered animals.

Your donations are what keep their conservation efforts alive.

Little Girl on a Hippo Statue at the San Diego Zoo

San Diego Children's Zoo

The Children's Zoo provides play opportunities, as well as an educational opportunity for kids of all ages. Geared toward younger humans, the Children's Zoo is a great place to bring your child to learn about animals and marvel at their magnificence.

Up Close Animal Encounters

Upgrade your zoo experience with VIP access. During this fantastic experience, you will have access to the zoo before the public does.

If you book an Animals in Action tour, experts will bring out lions, tigers, flamingos, and a variety of other animals to touch, hand-feed, and help train.

Take a Ride on the Balboa Park Miniature Train

Located right outside the zoo's exit is the Balboa Park Miniature Train. This train, owned and operated by the San Diego Zoo, gives children a short train ride around a section of Balboa Park.

Your child will ride on a model G-16, a rare vintage model. The G-16 train of Balboa Park is just one of 50 that are left in the world.

Lucas at the Polar Play Area at the San Diego Zoo

Play Areas for the Kids

There are three major play areas scattered among the grounds of the San Diego Zoo

• Elephant Play Yard (Located at Elephant Odyssey)
• Polar Play Area (in the Northern Frontier)
• Koala Climber (in the Australian Outback)

Take a break and rest your feet while you watch your kids play on these jungle gyms.

Book a Private Tour

Upgrade your experience with different tour bundles at an additional cost. There are four tours you can choose from:

• Two-hour Inside Look Tour
• Five-hour Exclusive VIP Experience
• 60-minute Discovery Cart Tour
• Crazy About Cats Tour

Check with the zoo before purchasing, as experiences and tour availability are both subject to change.

Treetops Cafe at the San Diego Zoo

Stop in at Albert's Restaurant for a Bite to Eat

Take a break and grab a bite to eat at San Diego's famous full-service fine dining restaurant, Albert's Restaurant. Sit on the patio and enjoy the waterfall at this delicious joint.

Live Cams to Watch at the San Diego Zoo

The zoo offers a free live cam stream giving you access to many different animals. Watch the baboons, polar bears, and many others!

This live webcam feature is a great way to visit the zoo comfort of your own home. Simply go to their site and click on the 'Live Cam' option.

Double Decker Bus at the San Diego Zoo

Hop on the Kangaroo Bus

These buses are great for traveling throughout the zoo. The Kangaroo buses allow tourists access to a hop-on hop-off travel option at five different stops.

You can take the Kangaroo bus to see the lions, giraffes, and elephants as well as many other creatures.

RITZ 2024

To support the upcoming development of the Denny Sanford Elephant Valley in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is hosting a Rendezvous in the Zoo (RITZ) fundraiser event on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 6:30 – 11:30 PM.

This event is a throwback to the groovy days of the 1960s and 1970s with themed events and live music. The gala will also include appearances from animal ambassadors.

Nighttime Show at the San Diego Zoo

Lunar New Year

The San Diego Zoo holds celebrations for holidays, one of which is the Lunar New Year. In 2024, to kick off the Year of the Dragon, the zoo will hold a special event to ring in the Lunar New Year on February 17th and 18th.

Join the zoo for presentations from horticulturalists and conservationists. The event will double as a Wild Weekend: Asian Rainforest, highlighting animal species native to Asia. Guests are also invited to share their wishes for the new year on the wishing trees and to visit family-friendly crafting booths, where you’ll learn to make paper lanterns and dragon drums.

Other Nearby Attractions

If you haven't eaten yet, grab a bite to eat in the Gaslamp Quarter, a lively historic downtown area. Downtown San Diego is bustling with amazing independent restaurants that offer a variety of global options.

Consider that if you get a Go City San Diego All-Inclusive pass, you could visit the Zoo in the morning, and visit other San Diego attractions in the evening!

No matter the direction you're coming from, once you're on Park Blvd, you will see signs for the zoo.

Parking is free at the zoo! If you cannot find a space, you are welcome to park anywhere in Balboa Park, as it's all free.

Enterning the Outback Portion of the San Diego Zoo

Visit the Zoo During Morning Hours for the Best Experience

The best time to visit is in the early morning hours upon opening. If you get to the zoo early, you will find close parking spaces and experience the Zoo without the hassle of crowding.

The zoo is open 365 days a year, rain, or shine!

Where to Stay Nearby

The best way to get to the zoo early in the morning is to stay at a nearby hotel! Located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, the Pendry San Diego is one of my favorite options near the zoo thanks to its excellent amenities, including a pool, spa, and multiple on-site restaurants.

Hours of Operation

Zoo hours are 9:00 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday. On the weekends, the zoo is open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Be sure to check the hours the day before you go.

Walking Bridge at the San Diego Zoo

Bring Your Sneakers!

If you were to walk every trail at this Zoo, it would take approximately 3.5 hours to tour. Make sure you throw on your best walking shoes, as you will be doing a lot of it!

Bring Your Own Food and Drink

The zoo allows you to bring in your food and drink. However, it does not allow you to carry large coolers with you.

However, larger coolers are allowed within the picnic area.

Emotional Support Animals Not Allowed

Since the zoo houses mostly endangered and rare species, pets are not allowed on the premises as a safety precaution. The Zoo is considered a quarantined facility.

Although service animals are allowed but not if they are in training.

Take your time, learn about the animals, and enjoy exploring this space with your family!