For Costco members, typing “Costco” before any major purchase is second nature. San Diego Zoo tickets briefly belonged on that list, and the answer keeps changing. Right now Costco sells neither park. There are no San Diego Zoo tickets and no Safari Park pass, in warehouses or online.
As a Costco member and longtime San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance member, I check regularly. Below is the current status for each park, what Costco has carried in the past, and where to get the lowest price while none of it is available.
The Short Version
- Costco does not sell San Diego Zoo (Balboa Park) tickets through any channel.
- Costco does not currently sell a San Diego Zoo Safari Park pass either. It carried one online earlier in 2026, and that product page now shows as unavailable.
- Nothing for either park is stocked in warehouses, and Costco Travel does not bundle them.
- My promo code lajollamom gets a one-day Zoo or Safari Park ticket for $70 adult, $60 child, with no membership needed.
Are San Diego Zoo Tickets Available at Costco Right Now?
No, for either park. Costco sells neither San Diego Zoo nor Safari Park admission at the moment. Here is where each channel stands:
- Costco warehouses: Theme park tickets are no longer regularly carried at the register or in the gift card section. I’m a Costco member, and my local warehouse happens to be the original San Diego location, so I check when I go. Our readers haven’t found them either.
- Costco.com: The online theme park section carried a Safari Park one-day pass earlier in 2026. That product page now shows as unavailable, and San Diego Zoo tickets have never been listed.
- Costco Travel: Vacation packages are available for Disneyland, Disney World, and Universal Studios, but not for San Diego Zoo or Safari Park.
If you do spot San Diego Zoo or Safari Park tickets in your local warehouse, please let me know in the comments. Inventory occasionally returns without much warning.
What Costco Carried, and What Happened to It
For part of 2026, Costco.com listed a San Diego Zoo Safari Park – One Day Pass. It was online only, never stocked in warehouses, and there was never an equivalent listing for the San Diego Zoo. That product page now shows as unavailable.
These listings do come and go, so if you already have a membership it costs nothing to look before you buy elsewhere. What I would not do is join Costco for it, because there is nothing to buy there today and no announced date for it to come back.
In the meantime my promo code lajollamom brings a one-day Zoo or Safari Park ticket to $70 for adults and $60 for children (ages 3-11), with no membership required and a full year to use it. My Safari Park discount tickets guide walks through it and every other option.
That said, Costco does run occasional flash sales on theme park admission, including 3-day LEGOLAND California passes and Disneyland tickets (that sell out quickly). The Zoo isn’t currently part of that rotation, but if your itinerary includes other parks, it’s worth a quick look when in a warehouse or online.
Where to Find Legitimate Costco Alternatives
The right Zoo ticket source depends on your itinerary. For Zoo-only or Zoo and Safari Park trips, see the rate I recommend below. For multi-attraction trips, a multi-attraction pass may suit you better.
Costco San Diego Zoo Tickets FAQ
Does Costco sell San Diego Zoo tickets right now?
No. Costco does not sell San Diego Zoo tickets in warehouses, on Costco.com, or through Costco Travel, and it is not currently selling a Safari Park pass either.
Does Costco sell San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets?
Not at the moment. Costco.com listed a Safari Park one-day pass earlier in 2026, and that product page now shows as unavailable. These listings do return, so members can check, but there is nothing to buy there today. My promo code lajollamom gets a one-day Safari Park ticket for $70 (adult) or $60 (child) with no membership required.
Does Costco Travel sell San Diego Zoo vacation packages?
No. Costco Travel offers vacation packages that bundle hotels and tickets for Disneyland, Disney World, and Universal Studios, but does not currently include San Diego Zoo or Safari Park.
Does Costco sell San Diego Zoo annual passes or memberships?
No. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance memberships are sold directly through sandiegozoo.org, not Costco.
Can I use a Costco Shop Card to buy San Diego Zoo tickets?
Costco Shop Cards are only valid at Costco. The Zoo doesn’t accept them, so they can’t be used for admission.
What’s the best alternative to a Costco San Diego Zoo discount?
Our discount tickets guide is the right starting point. It walks through the rates currently available.
Why We Love San Diego Zoo
I’ve been a San Diego Wildlife Alliance member for some time because I love both parks. Since the focus of this post is on San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, you can later dive deeper into my love of San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido.
- The animals: You’re going to see animals after all. My favorites include the koalas, polar bears, Galapagos turtles, elephants, pygmy hippos, and the monkeys. And the pandas are here too.
- The new children’s zoo: Wildlife Explorer’s Basecamp is a special area to the left of the entrance just for younger kids. It includes animals and insects you won’t see in other parts of the Zoo, plus a huge climbing area and splash pads.
- Free transportation once inside: The Zoo is hilly, so the aerial tram is a welcome ride between sections. The guided bus tour is also included with general admission.
- Parking: The lot is large, though it is no longer free. General parking is $16 per vehicle, $8 for City of San Diego residents with advance registration, and members park free once they register a car.
- Easy navigation with the app: Download it before you go to map exhibits, plan a route, and check show times.
More San Diego Zoo Planning Resources
- 15 Insider San Diego Zoo Tips From a Long-Time Member
- San Diego Zoo Animals and Attractions: The Must-See List
- San Diego Zoo for Kids and Toddlers: Tips From a Member
- Where to Eat at the San Diego Zoo: Restaurants, Snacks & Drinks Guide
- San Diego Zoo vs. SeaWorld San Diego: Which Is Best to Visit?
- 10 Best Hotels Near San Diego Zoo: Luxury To Budget
- 7 Ways the San Diego Zoo App Helps Plan Your Visit
- The Unexpected Origins of the San Diego Zoo
