Your Quick Guide to San Diego Zoo Food Policy & What You Can (and Can’t) Bring

There is so much to see and do at the San Diego Zoo, from exploring amazing exhibits to spotting rare and endangered animals. Knowing the Zoo’s policies ahead of time can help make your visit smooth and stress-free.

Whether you’re packing snacks, figuring out stroller rules, or planning what to bring, this guide covers everything you need to know—from the San Diego Zoo food policy and bag policy to pet rules and more.

San Diego Zoo Food Policy

When visiting the San Diego Zoo, one important detail to plan for is the food you’ll bring—or buy. Understanding the San Diego Zoo food policy ahead of time can save you money, help accommodate dietary needs, and make your day far more relaxed.

Visitors have several options when it comes to food and drinks, from bringing their own snacks to dining at restaurants throughout the park.

The San Diego Zoo food policy outlines what outside food and beverages are allowed, which containers are permitted, and what items need to stay at home, so you can plan confidently before you arrive.

Outside Food and Drink Policy

The San Diego Zoo food policy allows outside snacks and drinks. You are welcome to bring your own single-person food supply (placed in small containers). Note that there are no on-site food storage facilities (only lockers), so bring only what you will consume that day.

I was told a while back, while on a tour, that because the Zoo is a nonprofit, packing your own food is often the best way to handle specific dietary restrictions, though their on-site menus have improved significantly in recent years.

While popular dining spots like Albert’s Restaurant offer delicious dining, bringing your own food allows you to eat what you want. It also saves time by avoiding waiting in line or for food preparation.

Like a lot of theme parks, the food can be pricey. Many Zoo guests bring in lunch but then splurge on snacks like a soft-serve cone at Hua Mei Café (a personal favorite of mine).

You can also feel free to eat your own food at any of the picnic tables in front of the dining establishments.

Although a picnic lunch is welcome, certain items are prohibited. For example, you cannot bring glass containers or straws. Paper straws and their wrappers pose a risk to the animals if accidentally ingested.

Small Coolers and Containers

Many visitors pack food in small coolers to bring into the Zoo. Specifically, six-pack-sized coolers or small Tupperware containers are acceptable if they fit under a stroller.

The general guideline is that coolers and large food storage containers should be no larger than 12″ x 12″. Coolers with wheels are not allowed.

Alcohol Policy

Visitors may bring non-alcoholic drinks. Craft beer and other alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at designated dining areas inside the park. Outside alcohol is prohibited, and the San Diego Zoo strictly enforces this policy to maintain a family-friendly environment.

Some spots where you can grab a beer include Zoo Brew in the Lost Forest and San Diego Craft Beer & Margaritas on Front Street.

Special Dietary Needs and Restrictions

As mentioned already, the San Diego Zoo food policy addresses special dietary needs and food allergies by allowing guests with dietary restrictions to bring personal food items.

Over the years, Zoo restaurants have gotten better at offering vegetarian and gluten-free items. But not every restaurant has these options.

However, if you have dietary concerns about dining at the Zoo’s restaurants, you can call customer service or use the chatbot on their website to ask more specific questions.

Food and Drink Options Inside the San Diego Zoo

For those who don’t want to bring food, San Diego Zoo dining options are pretty good, actually. If food is important to you, plan your day around seeing the exhibits near the restaurant you want to go to. It is not easy to walk across the Zoo to eat somewhere.

Some dining spots to check out include:

• Albert’s Restaurant (Lost Forest): This is best for sit-down dining and fish tacos.
• San Diego Zoo Sandwich Company (Front Street): Easy to-go near the entrance
• Sabertooth Mexican Grill (Elephant Odyssey): I had really good tacos here recently.
• Hua Mei Café (Asian Passage): Ice cream and orange chicken.
• Sydney’s (Outback): Barbecue
• Busy Bee Café (Wildlife Explorers Basecamp): This is a newer, massive family-centric spot. It’s famous for family-sized portions.
• Lagoon Terrace (Front Street): Pizza by the slice, hot dogs, meatball subs, draft beer.

To learn more, check out our article on San Diego Zoo restaurants.

San Diego Water Bottle Policy

I always bring a standard-sized plastic water bottle or Hydroflask to the Zoo. As mentioned earlier, don’t bring one that’s glass, as that’s not allowed.

There are drinking fountains all over the park, and you can ask for cups of ice and water in any of the restaurants for free. Of course, you can also buy a pricey bottled water if push comes to shove.

San Diego Zoo Bag Policy

Navigating the San Diego Zoo’s bag policy means understanding size restrictions and storage options for items you don’t want to carry.

Bag Size and Restrictions

Visitors can bring backpacks, handbags, and satchels. These items are generally permitted, provided they meet standard size limitations. Oversized bags are not guaranteed entry, so plan accordingly.

Luggage and Travel Bag Storage

The San Diego Zoo offers paid luggage storage for visitors who need to store larger items during their visit. This is a checked luggage service, not self-service lockers. Stop by the main ticket windows for assistance.

Storage fees are:

• Small items: $10 per piece
• Medium items: $12 per piece
• Large items: $15 per piece

Car seats can also be stored at these rates. Storage is same-day only.

Self-Service Lockers

Separate from luggage storage, the Zoo has self-service lockers available at Front Street for securing smaller personal items like bags and backpacks during your visit. Note that these lockers are not for luggage check., first-come, first-served, and intended for small to medium personal items and not for large suitcases.

Strollers and Wagons at the San Diego Zoo

Families visiting the San Diego Zoo have several options for managing their little ones’ transportation. You can bring your own strollers or wagons, or choose from on-site stroller rentals.

Note that strollers for rent are on a first-come, first-served basis near the entrance. For reference, here are the current rental prices:

• Stroller single: $16
• Stroller double: $20

While strollers and wagons are fantastic for exploring the San Diego Zoo, they have restrictions on certain rides and attractions.

For safety reasons, these items are often not allowed on trams, tour buses, or select exhibits. Securing them in designated areas before participating is typically required. For instance, there’s stroller parking at the Guided Bus Tour, which starts and stops in the same spot.

I rode this tram with my family members, who had a fold-up stroller, and it was super easy.

San Diego Zoo Camera Policy

I bring my DSLR camera with a big zoom lens to the Zoo all the time. Visitors can bring cameras for personal use, but professional equipment is restricted.

• Tripods: Allowed but must not obstruct pathways or habitats.
• Drones: Prohibited to ensure animal and guest safety.
• Professional gear for commercial use: This requires advanced permission.

Plan accordingly if you’re capturing your adventure. And don’t be surprised if you see some media cameras there on occasion that have special permissions. On media days, you’ll see tripods in a lot of places.

San Diego Zoo Pet Policy

While service animals are permitted, pets and emotional support animals are not.

Service Animals

The San Diego Zoo follows ADA guidelines for service animals. They must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and are allowed in most areas, keeping their distance from Zoo animals.

Service animals may need to check in with Guest Services upon arrival and may be restricted from certain exhibits for the safety of both Zoo animals and the service animal.

Nearby Animal Daycare Services

Since there isn’t a kennel service on the Zoo grounds, travelers with pets can look into nearby daycare facilities for pets and emotional support animals.

Nearby Pet-Friendly Hotels

For overnight stays, look at one of the many pet-friendly hotels in nearby Downtown San Diego, including Alma Hotel and Pendry San Diego.

You’ll also be conveniently located to San Diego International Airport and Santa Fe Depot train station. (The only thing is that you typically can’t leave pets unattended in hotels to go sightseeing.)

What You Can’t Bring to San Diego Zoo

For safety and enjoyment, certain items are not allowed inside the San Diego Zoo. The Zoo has published a detailed and specific list of items that are not allowed inside the park. Some are already mentioned in the San Diego Zoo food policy section and other sections of the article, but here is the complete list.

• Disposable straws
• Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes (The Zoo is 100% smoke- and vape-free)
• Outside alcohol and illegal substances
• Weapons and replicas (including toys)
• Any transportation device not approved as a mobility device per ADA (e.g. hoverboards)
• Disruptive items (e.g., drone, laser pointers, noisemakers, sporting equipment)
• Coolers larger than 12″ × 12″
• Glass bottles or containers
• Pets and animals other than trained service animals
• Costume masks or attire resembling staff uniforms
• Professional photography/recording gear intended for commercial use without prior permission.

Plan Your Perfect Day at the San Diego Zoo

With thoughtful preparation, you can ensure your visit to the San Diego Zoo is stress-free and memorable. Whether packing a picnic, renting a stroller, or exploring exhibits, understanding the San Diego Zoo food policy and other guest guidelines will help you focus on the fun instead of logistics.

We have an entire article focused on San Diego Zoo tips, but here are a couple of quick highlights:

• There’s a large on-site parking lot at the San Diego Zoo. As of 2026, parking fees apply and are charged at the following rates:
  • General parking: $16 per vehicle, per day
  • Oversized vehicles: $44 per day
  • City of San Diego residents: $8 per vehicle or $22 per oversized vehicle, per day (advance registration required)
  • Parking remains free for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance members, but license plates must be registered in the Member Parking Portal. Multiple payment options are available on-site.
    
• To see the pandas, you’ll need a complimentary timed-entry ticket on weekends, which can be reserved through the San Diego Zoo app or by scanning a QR code at the entrance. On weekdays, a standby line is typically available.
• Get there early to see the animals when they’re most active.
• We’ve heavily researched how to get San Diego Zoo discount tickets.
• Prioritize everyone’s safety and respect the Zoo’s wildlife for an enjoyable experience.

Ready to go? Visit the Zoo’s website for updates, download the San Diego Zoo app for maps and schedules, and grab your discounted admission. Don’t forget about the sister park, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which has similar camera, food, and bag policies.