How to maximize your visit to the San Diego Zoo including tips for getting around the park, avoiding crowds, buying tickets and more.
Last updated: January 2, 2025 
By
Katie Dillon
Katie Dillon
Katie Dillon is a travel advisor and founder of La Jolla Mom. She uses her extensive hotel knowledge and local insights to help readers experience the best of San Diego, figure out how to buy attraction tickets for less, and use her special perks at luxury hotels worldwide.
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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 recommendations on their reviews, but also draw on my four decades of visiting and my family’s involvement in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
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.
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.
The Zoo is open daily, including holidays, rain or shine.
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.
TIP: Take a photo of the animal section where you park to easily find your car later.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
During school vacation weeks and holiday breaks, the Zoo often plans special family activities and performances.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 as many places suggest, 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 Skyfar entrance. Along the way, you can see:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
It’s a must-see spot at the San Diego Zoo, designed to inspire curiosity and care for the natural world.
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.
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.
Sample local flavors during your visit:
Check out San Diego Zoo restaurants for more about the best Zoo dining experience.
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
And, don’t forget to save money on sightseeing with my discount tickets or a Go San Diego Card.
Hi, I’m Katie, a travel advisor and founder of lajollamom.com. We are your trusted source for advice on San Diego hotels and things to do, VIP perks at luxury hotels worldwide, and discounted theme park tickets. We can help you spend less and upgrade your trip.
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This is very helpful.
My husband and I lived in Chula Vista from 1971- 1975 as he was in the navy during the Vietnam War. Our best times were spent at the zoo.
We are now old, and would like a trip to the zoo.
This will be helpful.
I hope we get there.
Thank you
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