San Diego Zoo

The World Famous San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park is one of the largest and most progressive zoos in the world with over 4,000 animals of more than 800 species. It's a great place for kids and adults of all ages!

Parking Fee:
$6.00* for a standard vehicle or $8.00* for an RV

Hours:
Summer Hours/Nighttime Zoo (through September 7): 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Summer/Fall Hours (September 8–October 4): 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Fall Hours (October 5–December 18): 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Buy Tickets! San Diego Zoo Save $2-$3 Per Ticket

San Diego Zoo Interesting & Important Facts..

• The Zoo has free extra long parking spaces set aside for buses and RVs.  You may also park in front of the Zoo along Park Boulevard.  No overnight parking is allowed at the Zoo.

• The San Diego Zoo also operates the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, which displays animals in a more open setting than at the Zoo.

• The Zoo is not only known for its animals; but, also its vast botanical plant and orchid gardens. The Zoo and Park also act as "rescue centers" for rare and endangered plants.  The Orchid House is open for the Orchid Odyssey on the third Friday of every month and select Sunday’s from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• If you are looking for a fine dining restaurant with a full bar, visit Albert’s located in the Tree House complex next to Gorilla Tropics.  It is open for lunch and summer evening dining and overlooks a private waterfall.

• The San Diego Zoo is one of only four facilities in the United States to carry the giant pandas, which are a critically endangered species.

• In order to make your visit more resourceful take the 40-minute bus tour of the park before you do anything else. The tour will help you get your surroundings and give you some idea of which areas of the park you want to be sure and revisit, since it is not possible to view the whole park in one day.

• The food at the San Diego Zoo is not cheap, like most theme parks in California.  It is about $11 for a cheeseburger and a drink, or $3.75 for a box of popcorn or a coke. Good news is, you can take the plastic container with you and have it refilled anywhere in the park for a buck.

• The Zoo is year-round with San Diego’s perfect climate. Best time to save money is in October, when kids are admitted free.

• The San Diego Zoo is located near downtown and can be conveniently reached by car or public transportation from downtown hotels.

• The panda exhibit is most popular to visit at the San Diego Zoo.  Make sure to get there early because this will probably be the longest line.

• San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park memberships may NOT be used at other parks.

• For students attending school in San Diego County, the membership fee is $42.00. The Student Pass offers unlimited admission to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park.  It offers everything else a membership pass does, except guest passes or discounted coupons.  Student passes can only be purchased in person at the Membership Booth with proof of current school enrollment.

San Diego Zoo Discount Tickets

Two Park Ticket:
Combined San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park tickets saves about 10% over buying them individually.

AAA Members:
Members receive 10% off San Diego Zoo tickets.

Senior Discount:
Seniors age 60+ can receive 10% off  San Diego Zoo ticket.

Military Personnel:
Go in uniform and get free regular admission ticket. Bring your military ID to get 10% off a Best Value San Diego Zoo Ticket.

Zoo Membership:
A one-year pass costs less than full-price tickets to the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, it's tax deductible, and you can enjoy the zoo's magazine for a year as a bonus. You also get discounts on the additional paid activities at both parks such as the Skyfari sky ride and special tours.

Buy Tickets! San Diego Zoo Save $2-$3 Per Ticket