- Address: 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- Hours: Open daily 9am - 5pm, hours extended in some months
- Admission: Adults: US$37, Children (3-11yrs): US$27
San Diego Zoo
Packed into 100 acres (40 hectares), the superb San Diego Zoo presents a stunning variety of nature's largest, smallest, noblest, oddest, and most endangered creatures. This famous zoo has more than 3,000 animals representing over 800 species in a beautifully landscaped setting, typically in enclosures that replicated their natural habitat.
Stop first at the San Diego Zoo visitor center to pick up a map. Highlights of the zoo include the Tiger River bioclimatic exhibit, which realistically recreates an Asian rainforest environment, and Gorilla Tropics, which does the same with an African rainforest. The koalas and the rare giant pandas are also popular, so is Absolutely Apes, which has orangutans and siamangs climbing in lush forests. Finally, don’t miss the African Rock Kopje, where klipspringers (small antelopes) clamber about rocks.
The gardens at the San Diego Zoo are renowned and some of the plants are used for the specialized food requirements of particular animals. Especially for kids, the Children’s Zoo allows young ones to pet small critters; they will also enjoy the animal nursery, which shows off the zoo’s newest arrivals. For an aerial perspective on the park, take a ride on the Skyfari.
Practical Info
San Diego Zoo is located in the northwestern corner of Balboa Park, which includes the San Diego Museum of Art. You can easily get here by bus or by car; parking is plentiful, but does fill up on weekends. The best time to visit the zoo in the morning, when the animals are most active. Getting around the zoo is easy, as you can walk, take a bus, or take the Skyfari cable car, which goes across the park. The zoo has a restaurant, snack carts throughout, and a gift shop.
Tours & Tickets
San Diego Zoo
With literally thousands of wild animals including many on the endangered species list, its no wonder that San Diego Zoo is world famous. With more than 4,000 ... Read more
Location: San Diego, California
Duration: Flexible
San Diego Zoo and Safari Park Combo Tour
With literally thousands of wild animals including many on the endangered species list, its no wonder that San Diego Zoo is world famous. With more than 4,000 ... Read more
Location: San Diego, California
Duration: Flexible
San Diego Zoo with Transport
Visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo to see where the world’s largest collection of exotic wild animals call home. Explore a vast number of open-air ... Read more
Location: Anaheim, California
Duration: 11 hours (approx.)
Go San Diego Card
With access to 43 attractions, activities and tours all around San Diego, the Go San Diego™ Card offers something for everyone! Visit the San Diego Zoo, ... Read more
Location: San Diego, California
Duration: 1, 2, 3, 4 or 7 days
San Diego 3-for-1 Pass: SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
Sunny San Diego is home to some of the best family attractions in Southern California, and you can enjoy three of them with this special 3-for-1 pass! Enjoy ... Read more
Location: San Diego
Duration: 7 days (approx.)
San Diego Tour: Hop-on Hop-off Trolley
Discover San Diego at your leisure with a one-day ticket on the Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour. Create your own itinerary to see the most popular sights of San ... Read more
Location: San Diego, California
Duration: 1 day pass
San Diego GoCar Tour
This cute little 2-passenger GoCar is easy to navigate and so much fun to drive, allowing you to see San Diego sights on your own schedule. You’re guided with ... Read more
Location: San Diego, California
Duration: Flexible
Theme Park Transportation: San Diego Zoo
Come to one of the worlds premiere zoo's without the hassle of driving.. Enjoy round-trip transportation to one of the premier parks in Southern California and ... Read more
Location: Anaheim, California
Duration: 11 hours (approx.)
