How to Buy Discounted Tickets to the San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is our city’s number one attraction and a great add to nearly every itinerary. It is definitely possible to buy San Diego Zoo discount tickets. Which method you choose depends on how many other San Diego attractions are on your itinerary and perhaps any memberships.

The options chosen here are by far the most reliable to eliminate the need to scour the web for promo codes that simply don’t work.

1. Go San Diego Card (Most Popular Bundled Attractions Pass)

The Go San Diego Card saves up to 55% off of admission to nearly 40 top San Diego attractions in three simple steps:

1. Choose the pass option that best suits you (you can buy an all-inclusive pass or build your own) and buy your pass in advance.
2. Get your pass on a mobile device or print it at home.
3. Show the pass at any eligible attraction and you’re in for free.

See also: 10 Benefits of the Go San Diego Card Discounted Attractions Pass

The passes are available in 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7-day options, each at different prices. Make sure the attractions you’d like to visit are listed on the option you buy. This by far the most popular discounted, bundled San Diego attractions pass. Tip: Be careful where and how you buy the Go San Diego Card. If you buy through them directly, you will not have to redeem a voucher at a specific attraction in order to activate the card.

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2. aRes Travel (Most Popular for Single Attraction Tickets)

aRes Travel is a San Diego based, authorized ticket seller to major California attractions. They offer a myriad of ways to buy San Diego Zoo discount tickets in addition to other popular San Diego attractions such as LEGOLAND, Disneyland and SeaWorld San Diego.

If you are looking to buy individual tickets to only the San Diego Zoo, this is by far your best choice. Passes can be printed at home and presented at the gate. You do not need to redeem a voucher at the ticket booth. aRes Travel charges a $2 per person convenience fee but you will still come out ahead.

Buy Discount San Diego Zoo TicketsaRes Travel - go straight to the gate

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3. Bundle Your Hotel with San Diego Zoo Tickets

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4. Multi-Day Balboa Park Explorer Pass

The Multi-Day Balboa Park Explorer Pass with One Day Zoo Admission includes the ability to visit the Balboa Park museums for seven consecutive days AND a one-day admission to the San Diego Zoo. This is convenient because the Zoo is right next door to Balboa Park.

This San Diego Zoo ticket includes one-day admission, guided bus tour, and Skyfari aerial tram. Tip: Some museums are closed Mondays; The San Diego Museum of Art is closed Wednesdays.

Price: $101/adult and $66/kids

Or, you may bundle this pass with a variety of other San Diego attractions for additional savings:

• Balboa Park Explorer Pass + Hornblower Cruises
• Balboa Park Explorer Pass + Old Town Trolley Tours
• Balboa Park Explorer Pass + USS Midway
• Balboa Park Explorer Pass + Old Town Trolley Tours

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5. California Explorer Pass (Includes Los Angeles and San Francisco Attractions)

The brand new California Explorer Pass launched in 2019 and offers an excellent solution for those on a California road trip. Explore 3, 4, or 5 major California attractions over 30 days. Participating attractions include:

• Universal Studios Hollywood
• LEGOLAND California
• San Diego Zoo
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Warner Brothers Studio Tour
• Knott’s Berry Farm
• Knott’s Soak City
• Six Flags Magic Mountain
• SeaWorld San Diego
• Belmont Park
• California Academy of Sciences
• California’s Great America
• Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

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6. AAA (aRes Travel Discount Is Currently Better)

The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park offer a special 10% discount for AAA members when you show your card.

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7. Military Discounts

The San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park offer special military discounts and even free tickets.

• U.S. Armed Forces personnel receive a complimentary 1-Day Pass to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park upon presenting a Common Access Card (CAC) or Uniformed Services ID Card at any ticket window. Complimentary admission is reserved exclusively for active duty service members, however.
• Military spouses and eligible dependents receive a 10% discount off the 1-Day Pass at both the Zoo and Safari Park, when showing a valid dependent ID card.
• Check with MWR Departments for other applicable San Diego Zoo discount tickets.

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8. Trusted Tours & Attractions

Trusted Tours also offers a discount on 1-day passes to the San Diego Zoo. At the time of this writing, aRes Travel’s discount is a bit better but it never hurts to check.

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9. Go In A Group

Groups of 15 or more can receive a 10% discount off of the regular 1-Day Pass ticket price.

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10. Senior and Student Discount

Ages 65 and older are eligible for a 10% discount off of the regular 1-Day Pass ticket price. Students ages 12 and above are also eligible for a 10% discount off of the adult 1-Day Pass ticket price. Neither can be redeemed online as a photo ID will need to be presented at a Zoo ticket booth window in order to be eligible for the discount.

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11. San Diego Zoo Gift Cards

The holidays are around the corner. Did you know that it’s possible to give San Diego Zoo gift cards? This could provide great value to zoo lovers and enable them to save off of San Diego Zoo tickets, one of their many special experiences or an annual membership.

These gift cards can be purchased in denominations of $50 and above.

See also: Book Early Morning with the Pandas at the San Diego Zoo

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12. San Diego Zoo Membership

Regular visitors should absolutely consider a San Diego Zoo membership that will allow multiple entries per year for one flat rate. There are multiple membership tiers to consider that come with a variety of perks.

Learn also how to buy discount tickets for:

• San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• SeaWorld San Diego
• LEGOLAND California
• Aquatica San Diego (seasonal)
• Disneyland
• Universal Studios Hollywood
• Six Flags Magic Mountain
• Knotts Berry Farm

See also: 13 San Diego Discounts: Experience the City for Less