As a long-time member, I can say the San Diego Zoo is a must-see for all ages. Families enjoy the kid-friendly atmosphere, animals, and play areas. Plenty of adults I know visit for exercise and fun, too. Everyone, though, will benefit from the San Diego Zoo tips I’ve listed below.
The majority of our clients go to the Zoo at least once. I base my recommendations on their reviews and also draw on my four decades of visiting and my family’s involvement with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
How Long to Stay Tips
What Makes the San Diego Zoo Unique
Home to over 3,500 animals representing 650 species, San Diego Zoo is more than just a place to see wildlife. Its 100-acre property also houses 700,000 plants and features beautifully designed, cageless exhibits that provide up-close views of rare and endangered species.
As a leader in conservation and species preservation, the Zoo combines education programs with entertainment in a setting that’s as scenic as it is inspiring.
1. Arrive Prepared for Your San Diego Zoo Visit
We have been visiting the San Diego Zoo for decades. My husband and I held annual passes even before our teenage daughter was born.
We can confidently say that preparation is key to an enjoyable day. From understanding the Zoo’s layout to knowing what to pack, here are some essential things to remember when preparing.
San Diego Zoo Hours
The Zoo is open daily, including holidays, rain or shine.
- Standard hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (extended hours during special events like Night Zoo in summer and Jungle Bells in winter).
- Best times to visit:
- Early mornings when the Zoo opens.
- Afternoons after lunch on weekdays.
- Peak crowds: Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Kids Free October: Children 11 years old and under go free to the San Diego Zoo and other museums or theme parks in San Diego. For smaller crowds, visit early mornings or evenings on weekends, or stick to weekdays.
San Diego Zoo Parking Fees
Effective January 5, 2026, the era of free parking in Balboa Park is over. The San Diego Zoo main lot is now a paid facility managed by ACE Parking.
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance members: Free parking but you must also register your car to get it.
- The Cost: General parking for non-residents is $16 per vehicle per day.
- San Diego Residents: If you are a City of San Diego resident, you qualify for a discounted rate of $8, but you must register your vehicle in advance through the city’s portal to verify residency. Kiosks cannot verify residency on the spot.
TIP: Take a photo of the animal section where you park to easily find your car later.
The Zoo parking lot is large, and the above idea will help you avoid forgetting where you parked. Trust me, in the excitement of being there, this happens!
Prepare for Sun and Walking
The San Diego Zoo is also a botanical garden. While some areas are shaded, many remain exposed to the weather. That being said, no matter the weather or season, arrive wearing sunscreen. Pack a hat, sunglasses, and extra sunscreen—San Diego’s foggy December mornings can still lead to sunburns.
While the terrain can be a bit hilly in some areas, the Zoo is stroller-friendly overall (in fact, many locals use it as their morning workout spot for walks and jogs).
To bypass some of the hills, hop on the Skyfari Tram, but make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes for the best experience.
Rentals for Lockers, Strollers, and More
Various rentals are on offer, including strollers (single and double), quarter-operated lockers, wheelchairs, and motorized wheelchairs. You can also store luggage that won’t fit into lockers.
All are available at Front Street Rentals near the entrance on a first-come, first-served basis.
2. Don’t Pay Full Price for Admission
There’s no reason to pay full price for admission when there are numerous ways to buy discounted tickets to the San Diego Zoo.
One of my favorite tips for visiting the San Diego Zoo is to invest in the Go City San Diego pass (if you’re going to visit multiple San Diego attractions), CityPASS San Diego, or to buy straight-to-the-gate discounted tickets and upgraded experiences through San Diego based aRes Travel.
In both cases, you’ll save money, skip the ticket line, and head straight to the gate when you arrive.
1-Day Pass— Use My Exclusive 2026 Promo Code
Skip the ticket line and go straight to the gate with a mobile or printed ticket. Valid for one year from the purchase date.
Final price (after my discount): $70/ages 12+ and $60/ages 3–11
Use promo code lajollamom to save $8!
3. Use The San Diego Zoo Map on the App
Download the San Diego Zoo app (see why we like it), which also has a GPS-enabled map.
The app allows you to go paperless, which aligns with the Zoo’s mission to reduce waste by avoiding the paper map most guests take from a bookshelf near the entrance.
Tip: Cell reception in some valleys and tree-covered areas can be spotty, so it does help first-timers to also carry a copy of the paper map. Keep it in good condition and return it to the kiosk at the front if you don’t use it.
4. Look At the Schedule Before You Commit to a Route
There’s an ever-changing roster of neat and interesting happenings at the San Diego Zoo, so be sure to check the schedule of events and the animal feedings for the day of your visit. You can find these in the San Diego Zoo app.
- Annual galas and sleepovers
- Daily interactive activities
- Upgraded animal experiences
- Inside Look Tours
During school vacation weeks and holiday breaks, the Zoo often plans special family activities and performances.
5. See the Giant Pandas (Yun Chuan & Xin Bao)
Seeing the giant pandas at the San Diego Zoo is a must for many visitors. The Zoo currently cares for two giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, and viewing procedures can vary depending on expected crowd levels.
On busier days, the Zoo may use complimentary same-day timed entry for Panda Ridge. When this system is in place, you’ll scan QR codes posted near the entrance and select an available return time. At your scheduled time, head to Panda Ridge and join the timed-entry line. If you need help, staff can assist.
On lighter days, Panda Ridge may operate using a standby line instead, with no timed tickets required. Entry is still first-come, first-served, and wait times can vary.
A few important things to know:
- Panda access is always managed on the day of
- Timed entry (when used) is complimentary and first-come, first-served
- Once time slots run out, they’re gone for the day
- If the Zoo is using a standby line, entry is not guaranteed during peak periods
Because there’s no reliable way to know in advance which system will be in place, it’s best to check posted signage or the San Diego Zoo app when you arrive.
Best times to try:
No matter which system is being used, timing makes a big difference. Panda Ridge is usually easiest to access very early in the morning or later in the afternoon, when crowds thin out. Midday is typically the most congested time to wait.
If seeing the pandas is a top priority, you can also consider booking the Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour (additional fee required). This 60-minute guided experience takes place before the Zoo opens to the general public and offers the most predictable way. I have done this and highly recommend it.
6. Arrive Early to See and Do More
Arriving early is especially important if you’re pressed for time, and it is one of my top tips for visiting the San Diego Zoo during peak season.
The Zoo can get busy (though nothing like the crowds you’ll encounter at major theme parks), so get there when it opens. Take the Guided Bus Tour first to avoid the lines that will form later in the day.
A few upgraded experiences start an hour before the Zoo even opens to the public, such as the panda tour mentioned above.
I really like getting in at 8 a.m. because sometimes you can get deep into the Zoo for unobstructed animal viewing before the public arrives.
The animals are at their most active in the morning, too. The keepers feed some of them around this time.
If you can only visit on an unusually hot San Diego day, you’ll definitely want to come in the morning, as the animals will hide away in the shade as the day progresses.
7. Plan Your Visit on a Weekday
As with many San Diego attractions, weekdays at the San Diego Zoo are less crowded than weekends. Remember that crowds on weekdays may be largely made up of young school children on field trips.
This is especially true if visiting during Kids Free October, when the Zoo is busy. Monday mornings, except holidays, are among the best times to go because it’s relatively quiet.
On the other hand, Tuesdays might be busier because some Balboa Park museums have free resident entry (and many residents also have annual Zoo passes). However, Mondays can still get busy during the summer.
8. Take the Guided Bus Tour First or in the Late Afternoon
The 35-minute guided bus tour around the perimeter of the Zoo is included with regular admission.
It’s a nice way to start a San Diego Zoo visit if it’s your first visit, because you’ll get a feel for the layout of the Zoo and learn some interesting animal facts along the way. Riding it first helps avoid the lines that form later in the day.
TIP: The top deck of the bus definitely has better views, but on hot afternoons, you may want to sit down below for the shade.
Here’s when late afternoons make sense to ride. If the kids are tired, a bus tour is also a nice way to rest and catch some shade (if riding on the lower deck) in the afternoon. The bus drivers keep a lookout for active animals and do talk over a PA system, but I’ve seen many children sleep on their parents’ shoulders right through it.
I will also take it in the late afternoon to rest. I’ve been visiting for many decades, and I still learn something new every time I ride.
The Kangaroo Bus, a smaller cart that took people between stops, is no longer operating.
9. Ride the Skyfari Tram
This gondola-style ride offers an amazing aerial view of the Zoo and Balboa Park. Rides on the Skyfari Tram are also included in the regular admission price.
More importantly, Skyfari is a useful shortcut between the front entrance and the back of the Zoo (or Wildlife Explorers Basecamp to the polar bears in the Northern Frontier). That means you can take the tram to the back of the Zoo to avoid scaling the Zoo’s high hills and then ride it back to the gate at the end of your visit.
Skyfari Aerial Tram starts running at 10 a.m., so you can’t use it to get to the polar bears right after the Zoo opens at 9 a.m. Instead, stroll leisurely to the Skyfari entrance. Along the way, you can see:
- Monkeys
- Galapagos turtles
- Reptile House (a favorite for kids—many can spend a lot of time here!)
- Hummingbirds
- Komodo dragons
- Wildlife Explorers Basecamp
This relaxed pace lets you take in the sights before boarding the tram.
TIP: Be sure to have your camera ready, as the views from the tram across San Diego are spectacular.
8. Make a Lunch Reservation
While the San Diego Zoo, like all zoos, has its share of quick service and kid food, it also has something many other zoos don’t: a quality sit-down restaurant with a nice wine and craft beer selection.
Albert’s Restaurant is a wonderful oasis among the trees in the Lost Forest. You can choose between indoor and outdoor seating, though I prefer sitting outdoors to watch the waterfall near the patio, especially on a hot day.
I would suggest making a reservation, especially during weekends and summer, as it’s one of the more popular San Diego Zoo restaurants.
You Can Bring Your Own Food
If you are wondering if you can bring food inside the Zoo, the answer is yes. For more details on what you can and cannot bring, check out the San Diego Zoo food policy and other policies to learn more.
Glass bottles, straws, and large coolers are prohibited.
11. Make a Lunch Plan Before You’re Hungry
The San Diego Zoo has plenty of quick-service and kid-friendly food options, but it also covers a large area. If you don’t make an Albert’s reservation and wait until everyone is hungry, you’ll often face longer lines—or realize the place you want to eat is on the opposite side of the Zoo.
Planning ahead helps you:
- Eat earlier or later than peak lunch hours
- Build a real break into your day to rest
- Avoid backtracking across hills and canyons just to find food
This is especially helpful if you’re visiting with kids or trying
12. Make Time for Free Wildlife Presentations
At an added expense, there are some amazing VIP encounters with animals at the San Diego Zoo. However, if you want an up-close look at some of the Zoo’s animals without spending more than the price of admission, use one of my favorite tips for visiting the San Diego Zoo.
Find out when the Wildlife Presentations and feedings will be, and plan your day around them. There are usually several per day.
The animals are most active during feeding time (the keepers usually have food), and you’ll learn a lot during the keeper presentations. Check the schedule.
13. Visit the Lost Forest Aviaries During the Hottest Part of the Day
San Diego weather is usually pretty wonderful, and there is plenty of shade at the San Diego Zoo, but if you feel like you’re getting too much sun, you can head over to the aviaries in Lost Forest.
These enclosures are fascinating and relatively cool throughout the day, making them a great place to chill out on hot afternoons. Gorilla Tropics is in this area, too, and you can sit on a bench to watch them and other nearby primates swing around.
Birds and gorillas together? Yes, without the predators, the lush, untrimmed greenery in this area supports the gorillas’ need to snack, as well as the birds’ nesting and courting habits.
The bears along Center Street are often visible in the late afternoon. It’s also shady here this time of day, too.
14. Play at Wildlife Explorers Basecamp With the Kids
Wildlife Explorers Basecamp is the children’s zoo. It’s one of the many things to do at San Diego Zoo for kids that families enjoy most (this post has helpful tips like what to take to the Zoo with a toddler).
Wildlife Explorers Basecamp is a three-acre interactive zone where kids and families can connect with nature and wildlife. Here’s what to expect:
- Interactive Play Areas: Climb, jump, and explore habitats like desert dunes, marsh meadows, wild woods, and rainforests.
- Hands-On Learning: Engage in activities that teach wildlife conservation in fun, memorable ways.
- Animal Encounters: Get up close with animals and learn their stories.
- Eye-Catching Entry: Enter under a trellis featuring giant leafcutter ant sculptures to start your adventure.
It’s a must-see spot at the San Diego Zoo, designed to inspire curiosity and care for the natural world.
Plan Accordingly
15. Feed the Giraffes at Urban Jungle
At the San Diego Zoo’s Urban Jungle, you can get up close to the towering giraffes and even feed them. The feeding stations are a fun way to interact with the giraffes.
You’ll find feeding stations at different heights. Low feeders offer herbivore pellets, while higher ones have leafy acacia branches. It’s fascinating to watch the giraffes use their long tongues to grab the food.
Feeding the giraffe is not just a fun experience but also an important one, as giraffes are listed as endangered or vulnerable in many of their subspecies. By feeding them, you also support efforts to conserve these magnificent creatures.
Other Helpful San Diego Zoo Tips You Need to Know
Animal Stories and The Zoo: San Diego
Every animal has a unique story worth learning. The San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park are currently featured on an Animal Planet television series called The Zoo: San Diego.
- Watch The Zoo: San Diego on Animal Planet to:
- Gain insights into the animals and their enclosures.
- Identify featured animals using plaques with their names during your visit.
- Knowing the animals’ history enhances your Zoo experience.
Dining at the Zoo
Sample local flavors during your visit:
- Albert’s: Try the fish tacos.
- Front Street Cafe: Offers burritos and tacos.
- Local craft beers are available at Zoo Brew, San Diego Craft Beer, and Margaritas.
Check out San Diego Zoo restaurants for more about the best Zoo dining experience.
Timing and Sunlight Tips
- Late afternoon sunlight is strongest along:
- Park Way (near the zebras).
- Elephant Odyssey.
- Africa Rocks.
- Summer strategy:
- Start at Polar Bear Plunge in the morning, when the bears are most active.
- Use the Skyfari Tram to reach uphill exhibits, then walk downhill through sunny areas before temperatures peak.
What are your favorite San Diego Zoo tips and tricks? Share your ideas!
See also: 40 Things to Do in Balboa Park and Top Hotels Near San Diego Zoo
Katie Dillon
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