Ultimate San Diego Zoo Travel Guide
Not only is the San Diego Zoo one of the top attractions in San Diego, but it’s also one of the most famous zoos in the world. Located inside Balboa Park, the zoo is home to thousands of animals, gorgeous botanical gardens, immersive habitats, and some of the best conservation programs in the country.
Whether you’re visiting with kids, planning a solo trip, or adding it to your larger San Diego itinerary, my local’s guide covers everything you should know before going.
san diego zoo travel guide
Located within Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is just a short drive from downtown. First things first to note: there is only ONE entrance to the zoo, so there can be lots of traffic at peak hours. Get there early or a few hours after opening to avoid it. Second, the hours vary by season; the zoo is open as late as 8PM during the summertime. Check to confirm that day’s hours before your visit.
One major advantage the San Diego Zoo has over many California attractions is free parking, although lots can fill quickly on weekends and holidays.
best time to visit the san diego zoo
best months
The best time of year to visit the zoo is surprisingly not during the summer. Factoring in animal activity as well as human crowd size, I most recommend visiting the zoo between February through May or November.
December is an especially busy month, and the animals are less likely to be active during the hot summer months.
Worth noting: in October, kids 11 and younger get free admission to the zoo. You will either want to visit then for the discount, or avoid it for the bigger crowd size.
My favorite time to visit: February and the month of May through mid-June.
best days
Weekdays and non-holidays are the best days to visit the zoo. Weekends in general get crowded; they’re even busier during holiday weekends.
Weather-wise, the animals love colder or gloomier days. San Diego doesn’t get rain often, so the animals take advantage and tend to be more active then.
best time of day
Not-so-fun-fact: there is only one entrance to the Zoo (parking lot and walk-in gate), so the traffic adds up quickly. Get there early to avoid the rush; you will also have an easier time taking pictures in front of the lion statue.
Morning visits are usually cooler, less crowded, and better for seeing active animals (they love mid-day cat naps).
Another option is to go in the late afternoons in the summertime. The zoo is open late (around 8PM) so that “second shift” arrival time is a little more chill and the animals get more active towards the evenings, too.
how much time do you need?
The San Diego Zoo is one of my favorite ways to spend a day in San Diego. You can spend as little as 3-4 hours, but I recommend setting aside a full day. Even with little kids, there’s so much to see and it’s not uncommon to spend more time than you think.
When I last visited with my little cousins (ages 3, 6, 7) we thought they’d only want to stay a few hours, but we ended up staying until closing! We saw everything and the day didn’t feel overly long, too jam-packed, or exhausting.
best exhibits at the san diego zoo
lost forest
The lost forest was designed to look like a rainforest. As such, it’s a little more humid but provides ample shade. I recommend doing this midday when temperatures are the hottest. Notable animal exhibits include the hippos, tigers, gorillas, and monkeys.
wildlife explorers basecamp
The newest part of the Zoo, it was designed with kids in mind and features a few play structures, a splash pad, and indoor animal exhibits (featuring the beloved axolotl). I recommend exploring this area during lunchtime or last; it’s a great way to get out energy and play instead of just look at exhibits.
elephant odyssey
Elephant Odyssey gets you SO close the elephants; it’s crazy. Notable animals include elephants and antelope, as well as the lions (towards the top of the exhibit). This is a leisurely part of the Zoo, but because there isn’t much shade, you want to explore this area earlier in the day. See my San Diego Zoo Itinerary for my exact “formula” for how I explore the entire zoo.
northern frontier
As the name suggests, the Northern Frontier of the zoo is the upper part of the Zoo; it’s located in the very back and is one of the higher points of the zoo. This is one of two Skyfari points; the other is near the entrance of the zoo.
Within this area you’ll also see zebras and mountain lions, among other animal exhibits. From here, I recommend you head to the Eagle Trail; that trail has a bit of an incline, and it’s easier to enter from Northern Frontier than the long way (the back of the Lost Forest).
africa rocks and urban jungle
Both Africa Rocks and the Urban Jungle are sometimes missed by visitors, but they’re worth making a point to see. You’ll see the giraffes, penguins, baboons, and leopards.
outback
Home to koalas and near Center Street (where you’ll find the bears), the Outback is a smaller section of the zoo but is a great place to enjoy the shade and stop for a snack or souvenir.
reptile house
Part of what differentiates the San Diego Zoo from the Safari Park is the full reptile house, which is home to some of the largest snakes in the world, as well as dragons and iguanas. While it’s easy to find, don’t forget to stop by the Reptile Walk, too.
skyfari and guided bus tour
While not an exhibit, I want to touch on the Skyfari, as well as the guided bus tour. Both of these are free and I highly recommend them. The Skyfari takes you from the front of the zoo to the back (and vice versa) while also showcasing picturesque views of Balboa Park and downtown San Diego. Kids LOVE this as it feels like a ride but it also helps maneuver around the zoo without having to walk a bunch of extra steps.
The guided bus tour is also worth taking. This covers about 75% of the zoo and the guide touches on conservation plus navigation tips while pointing out different exhibits. The line moves quickly, and buses leave every 15 minutes or so. I recommend sitting on the right side for the best view of the animals. As far as upper vs lower deck, the upper deck gives you a bird’s eye view into the exhibit, whereas the lower deck provides shade cover.
best food at the san diego zoo
best sit-down restaurant
There’s only one sit-down restaurant, Albert’s. It’s located where the old gorilla exhibit used to be, so the outdoor section has a view of the waterfall and is covered/ shaded. I recommend booking a reservation ahead of time, especially on weekends. The food/ service isn’t out-of-this-world; I’ve eaten there once but don’t really plan to go back.
best quick-service food
The newer Busy Bee Cafe is located near the front of the zoo and has all of the staples (burgers/ chicken) as well as family meal deals. It’s located next to the newer Base Camp with kids’ play areas, so it’s convenient and a great place for families to regroup.
Hua Mei Café is located in the center of the zoo near the panda exhibit; there’s lots of picnic benches and umbrellas, and the food is pretty good (similar to a Panda Express vibe). Don’t confuse it with The Pagoda (located just a few feet away); the menu is limited and the food is premade. Hua Mei is way better.
best snacks and desserts
Hua Mei Cones is my favorite for a sweet treat; you get blizzard-like soft serve cups that are large enough to share with the family. Another tip is to get the refillable popcorn bucket at the beginning of your day (Kettle Corn by the Reptile Room). It’s a fun souvenir, and everyone ends up snacking on it, so you stay satiated throughout the day.
Also worth noting: the pickles are kind of small, not the jumbo size you’d find at Disneyland (it’s the Oh Snap brand you may have seen at Target).
coffee and drinks
The Zoo does serve alcohol and craft beer (one of San Diego’s specialties), as well as coffee. I personally bring my own water and juice to save money.
tips for first-time visitors
As a local, it took me a few visits to really get the hang of the San Diego Zoo. Now that I know it well (and have talked with quite a few staff members and volunteers), here’s my best advice for first-timers:
Download the official zoo app. I usually avoid these things at all costs, but it’s worth it. The app shares animal presentation times and lets you build a custom itinerary so you see everything you want to see.
Wear layers in the spring through June. San Diego experiences May grey and June gloom; it will be chilly in the morning, then much hotter in the afternoons.
Also, there’s a splash pad for kids. Bring extra clothes to change into after!
The Zoo is shaped like a bowl; the middle is lower (by the pandas) and the outer perimeters are higher, so there’s a lot of hills.
Use the elevator when you can. As much as I love adding in extra steps and stairs, save your legs. You will do a lot of walking!
Take the free bus tour first. It shows you about 75% of the zoo and helps you get a feel for the layout.
Sit on the right side for best animal views. Top deck gives you a bird’s eye view; bottom deck provides shade.
Use the Skyfari strategically. It’s not just a ride; it takes you from one end of the zoo to the other (from the front entrance to the polar bears at the back).
The wait time varies but the line does move.
Utilize the zoo’s live cam feature to see if animals are on exhibit or not (they have backspaces they can move to freely). I especially recommend this for the polar bears and pandas.
You can bring in your own drinks and snacks; I like to pack a lunch to save money, then spend on a sweet treat at the end of the day.
There is a bathroom inside the Roar Store right by the entrance; it’s air-conditioned and not well-known, so stop there if you see heavy lines around the other restrooms.
san diego zoo vs safari park
I have a full post that compares everything from animals to special upgrades to walkability; see San Diego Zoo vs Safari Park for a detailed comparison.
For a quick cheat-sheet here:
The San Diego Zoo is denser, located closer to downtown/ other tourist attractions, and better for visitors who want to see a large variety of animals efficiently.
The Safari Park feels more immersive and spacious, with safari-style habitats and incredible upgraded wildlife experiences.
For families with small children, I recommend the Zoo.
is the san diego zoo worth it?
100% yes. The San Diego Zoo is truly one of the best attractions in Southern California because of its scale, landscaping, conservation work, and overall visitor experience.
san diego zoo FAQ
how long does it take to walk the san diego zoo?
It depends on a few things, including how many animals you see, if you stop for food, and how long you spend at each section. If you have a smaller list of animals you want to see, you can finish your visit within 3-4 hours.
To see everything plus stop for food, plan to spend the full day.
is the san diego zoo or safari park better?
It depends on what you want. To see the most animals, visit the zoo. For a more unique experience where you can see animals in larger, open habitats similar to their “real life” environments, check out the Safari Park.
can you bring food into the san diego zoo?
Yes.
is parking free at the san diego zoo?
It’s not, unless you are a zoo member. Parking fees go to the city, not the zoo, unfortunately.
what is the best day to visit the san diego zoo?
During the week; I find Tuesdays and Wednesdays to be least crowded.
is the san diego zoo good for adults without kids?
Yes! I love going with friends, or even alone sometimes.
is it worth it to get a zoo membership?
If you plan to visit at least twice, or visit the zoo and the Safari Park, the membership is worth it. You also get free parking (all members), plus discounts on food/ souvenirs (depends on which tier you choose.)
