14 Insider Tips for Visiting the San Diego Zoo Now From a Member

As a long-time member, I can say the San Diego Zoo is a must-see for all ages. Families love it for kid-friendly fun, and adults enjoy its peaceful setting and close-up wildlife experiences.

I recommend dedicating an entire day to fully experience everything the San Diego Zoo has to offer. However, it’s possible to enjoy many of its highlights in a half-day if you’re short on time.

The tips below will help you make the most of your visit, no matter what schedule and time you must explore.

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

San Diego Zoo parking is free. You’ll see tall poles with animal plaques on them that are meant for you to remember the section you’re in.

The Zoo parking lot is large, this 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 parts are still 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.

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, be able to skip the ticket line and head straight to the gate when you arrive.

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 is in line with the Zoo’s mission to reduce waste by avoiding the paper map that most guests usually take from a bookshelf near the entrance.

4. Look At the Schedule Before You Go

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. Get a Giant Panda Timed Ticket

Seeing the giant pandas at the San Diego Zoo is a must for many visitors. To make the most of your experience, I recommend getting a complimentary Giant Panda Timed Ticket.

Scan ticket QR codes on signs posted around the Zoo, and pick an available time. At your scheduled time, head to Panda Ridge and join the Timed Ticket line. If you need help, stop by an Admissions Booth.

Here are a few more tips:

• Tickets are only available on the same day of your visit.
• They’re handed out on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Once tickets run out for the day, they’re gone.

If timed tickets are no longer available, you can join the standby line at Panda Ridge from 9:30 a.m. until the pandas are off habitat, though entry is not guaranteed.

You can also opt for exclusive experience, consider booking the Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour (additional fee required), which includes a 60-minute guided visit before the Zoo opens to the public.

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 (when available) to avoid the lines that will start to form later in the day for the bus.

A few upgraded experiences start an hour before the Zoo even opens to the public. San Diego Zoo hours are fairly consistent (check on the day of your visit) and typically opens at 9 a.m.

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 as well.

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 is the case 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, where weekends are subject to wait times due to current reduced capacity and increased health and safety measures.

Monday mornings are one of the best times to go because it’s relatively quiet. It could be because a handful of the smaller Balboa Park museums next door are closed on Mondays.

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 when summer is in full swing.

8. Take the Guided Bus Tour First

The 35-minute guided bus tour that takes you around the perimeter of the Zoo is included in the regular admission price.

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.

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.

9. Ride the Skyfari Tram

This gondola-style ride will give you an amazing aerial view of the Zoo and Balboa Park. Rides on the Skyfari Tram are also included in the price of regular admission.

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. and you can’t really rush over to it and head straight to the polar bears. Instead, if you arrive at 9 a.m., you can enjoy a leisurely stroll. 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

This relaxed pace lets you take in the sights before boarding the tram.

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.

11. Make Time for the 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 (which seem like they are replacing scheduled Keeper Talks) 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.

12. 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 in addition to the birds’ nesting and courting habits.

The bears along Center Street tend to be visible in the late afternoon. It’s also shady here then, too.

13. Visit 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.

14. 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 San Diego Zoo Tips

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 tips for visiting the San Diego Zoo? Share your ideas!

See also: 40 Things to Do in Balboa Park and Top Hotels Near San Diego Zoo