San Diego Zoo Inside Look Deluxe Review: Crazy About Cats Tour

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of the San Diego Zoo; I think it’s one of the most interactive attractions in California, and they are world-class when it comes to animal care, so you can truly visit guilt-free. The Zoo offers a free guided bus tour as well as a Skyfari aerial tram, but their upgraded experiences have always caught my eye. I recently took the Inside Look Deluxe Tour, and while they have a few different themes, mine was the Crazy About Cats version.

The two-hour experience combines a ride in a deluxe cart with stops at multiple wildlife habitats, including areas that aren't normally open to the public, along with time to get off the cart and see the cats from a closer perspective, plus the opportunity to meet one cat up close. With a maximum of 10 guests, the tour is personal, intimate, and truly interactive.

Because the exact animals and habitats can vary, this review is based on my personal experience rather than a guarantee of what you'll see on your tour.

Below, I share what the Crazy About Cats tour was actually like, from check-in and riding around the zoo to the wildlife we saw, how close we were able to get, and whether I think the experience is worth the extra cost on top of your admission ticket.

san diego zoo inside look deluxe review

The San Diego Zoo's Inside Look Deluxe Tour is designed to be more interactive than a traditional guided tour. The two-hour experience is led by a zoo educator who shares fun facts, stories, conservation education, and answers your questions as you ride around on a deluxe cart. My tour included 10 people; we were split into two carts and had two zoo educators (LJ and Mark) who complimented each other wonderfully and made the tour SO fun.

While there are different tour themes, Crazy About Cats is exactly what it sounds like: a cat-focused tour featuring both big and small cats and an opportunity to meet one cat up close. Crazy About Cats is specifically for ages 5 and up; there are other Inside Look Deluxe themes that are all ages, but overall, I think 5 is a good starting point. Two hours is a long time for kids to stay focused, especially when you still have the rest of the day to spend at the park. I’ve been on other San Diego Zoo tours with children as young as 3, and that seemed a little too young to really enjoy the experience.

While the exact animals and habitats can change, here's what my experience was actually like.

what is inside look deluxe?

Here's the quick overview:

• The tour lasts approximately two hours.

• It's led by a zoo Educator (for my tour, we had 2 educators).

• You'll travel around the Zoo in a deluxe cart. The cart is very comfy and my group of 10 was split into two carts (5 each) so we weren’t all squished together.

• You'll visit multiple habitats (we saw

• Some portions take place on foot. In my opinion, the walking is pretty minimal, so you still have plenty of energy for exploring the rest of the zoo. Some areas were dirt paths, others were paved.

• You do get to see some behind-the-scenes areas that aren't normally accessible to the general public.

• The tour includes stories about animal behavior, care, conservation, and the zoo's conservation work.

• Regular zoo admission is not included; you need to purchase this prior to the tour starting.

It's also marketed as a shared group experience, rather than a private tour. That said, with 10 people max, the tour still felt very intimate and interactive!

crazy about cats: what the tour is like

traveling via cart vs walking around

One of the first things you'll notice is that this isn't the same as simply hopping on the Zoo's regular guided bus tour.

The deluxe cart is fancy. Seats are padded and it’s a roomy, smooth ride. Our group of 10 was split into two carts, so we were not all crammed together, either. The cart allows you to move through different areas of the Zoo while the educator provides commentary along the way. They have a mic so you can hear clearly no matter where you sit. And when you factor in how hilly the zoo is, the cart really helps maximize what you can see in the 2-hour window without spending all of your energy.

At times, you get off the cart to walk closer to the exhibits, so it feels much more interactive than simply sitting through a narrated drive. This made the experience feel more like an exclusive tour of the zoo rather than just transportation around the zoo.

The official tour describes this as getting closer than usual and exploring areas that aren't open to the general public, and that was true in my experience. We went into a little section right next to the lions, for example, where we were able to look at educational props; we also saw the behind-the-scenes care station for the mountain lions, which included some of their toys.

our tour guides

Most of the time your tour guides (also known as zoo educators) are chosen at random, but I want to give them a little shout out here because they were so incredible. LJ and Mark had great chemistry and complimented each other well; the balanced education with entertainment and made the tour fly by without passing too quickly, if that makes sense.

I would honestly pay for the fancy $400+ tours just to learn from them again; they were that good. That said, I have taken tours with 4+ other guides at this point, and have never had a bad experience.

what cats we saw

This is obviously the part that makes Crazy About Cats different from the other Inside Look Deluxe themes. As a group, we held a “cat count” and ended up seeing 10 cats total by the end of our tour. I feel so bad that I am forgetting one (it might be a 4th leopard), but the cats we saw include:

• 2 lions (male and female)

• 2 mountain lions - very rare to spot them during a regular zoo visit

• 1 cheetah - our “up close” animal

• 1 jaguar

• 3 leopards (amur and snow)

What made our tour unique was that we were able to see the cats when they were more active; because most are nocturnal or crepuscular, they tend to be sleeping or resting during standard zoo hours. Earlier admission (and an earlier tour start time) was key for seeing the animals pacing, eating, playing, and running around. We spent about an equal amount of time at each different exhibit, and the tour never felt rushed or slow.

We started with the leopards, and the zoo has a few different kinds. They were all easy to spot, pacing around, and almost as curious about us as we were about them. Our educator, Mark, shared a fun donut analogy for differentiating the different spots:

• Leopard = looks like a glazed donut

• Cheetah = donut hole

• Jaguar = sprinkle donut

It was very special to see the mountain lions (some call them pumas); they’re located at a convenient spot within the zoo right next to the Skyfari, but they’re very hard to spot during standard hours. This was a highlight of the tour and we all geeked out.

Further along the tour, we saw the jaguar (Nindiri) eating, which was honestly crazy. The zoo does not do live feedings and they don’t often feed the animals on-exhibit, so this was rare and surprised the zoo educators, too. I am squeamish, but it wasn’t overly graphic/ scary (the 5 year old loved it) and added a uniqueness to our tour versus a standard tour visit. If you have taken the free bus tour, you may know of Nindiri’s “spicy” personality, but the educators shared a few more anecdotes that I hadn’t heard before (even on other paid tours). I can now confidently say she is the most intimidating animal at the zoo!

The jaguar is right next to the lions, so we pulled off to a little cubby to touch fur patches and compare claw shapes; this was educational but also interactive.

Lastly, the tour ends with an opportunity to meet one cat up close, although the zoo doesn't guarantee a particular animal or encounter because wildlife viewing is subject to availability. We saw Kelechi the cheetah with her dog buddy Elvis at Wegeforth Bowl (more on that below). The tour ends there, so you are at a central location to explore the rest of the zoo (or grab lunch) afterwards.

what else we saw

Although Crazy About Cats is the focus, the experience isn't simply two hours of looking at one type of animal. As we navigated around the zoo, our educators pointed out other animals and allowed for a few minutes to check out other exhibits where it made sense.

For example, we saw the elephants right after the jaguar, and got to check out the maned wolves after seeing the mountain lions.

We also saw the Sichuan takins; they are completely off exhibit at this point (the pandas took their space), yet still have a home at the zoo, so it was unique to be able to see them while exploring the mountain lion care station.

A key tip that our educator shared with us: if you are walking around the zoo and want to see if an animal is on exhibit (like the polar bears), check the live cam on their website. This will help save you a few steps just in case they are off-exhibit.

the up-close experience

As I mentioned, our up-close experience was with Kelechi the cheetah and her dog, Elvis. If you have ever seen the free daily show at the zoo, you may have seen Kelechi and Elvis before, so that isn’t necessarily the most unique part of the tour. That said, because we were a tiny group of 10, the experience was much more unique and you could tell that Kelechi was a little more relaxed than she is during the public tour.

\We were sat right at the front and able to take tons of photos. Worth noting: we were so close that we could actually hear her purr!

One thing I appreciated about the Inside Look Deluxe experience was that it wasn't solely focused on getting closer to animals, which sometimes feels exploitive. Instead, our zoo educations talked about how the animals are cared for, conservation efforts, and the zoo's partnerships around the world, which added more context to what we were seeing. You can tell that the animals are happy and well-cared for, which is should be the standard for all zoos and animal facilities.

inside look deluxe vs. a regular san diego zoo visit

In a world of upgrades, hidden fees, and more, it’s fair to wonder if the upgraded experiences at the zoo are actually worth it. Our tour consistently mostly of out-of-town first time visitors; I was the only local/ zoo member. Whether it’s your first or 100th time visiting, here’s how I’d compare the Inside Look Deluxe Tour to a standard visit:

a regular zoo visit

• You explore at your own pace.

• You choose which exhibits to visit.

• You can spend as long as you'd like at each habitat.

• You have more freedom to change your itinerary.

• You can stop to eat or use the bathroom at any point.

• You don't have to pay for any extras.

• The Skyfari and guided bus tour are free/ part of your regular admission.

  • The Skyfari is purely sight-seeing; the guided tour includes fun facts, zoo history, and information conservation efforts (but you’re not able to ask questions).

inside look deluxe

• You’re with a dedicated zoo educator that shares fun facts, unique animal history and personality traits, and answers all of your questions.

• You're traveling with a small group (10ish total).

• You get early entrance into the zoo, and are able to see a few exhibits before they get crowded (and while the cats are more active).

• Even with a cat theme, you visit multiple habitats and get a good feel for the zoo set-up.

• The tour is a well-designed, planned experience from start to finish.

• You get opportunities to step off the cart and see wildlife more closely, as well as behind-the-scenes care areas.

• You learn more about animal care and conservation.

My opinion: If this is your first-ever visit to the San Diego Zoo and you want to see as much as you can in one day or you’re a repeat visitor who has a good feel for the park, the upgraded experience is worth it. But if you plan on visiting again or want a little more flexibility in how you spend your day, skip it.

is san diego zoo inside look deluxe worth it?

Honestly, this depends on what you're looking for. The tour is such a great value for the price you pay, but it is very much cat-centric (as described). You get a true behind-the-scenes feel, but the tradeoff is that it’s not going to give you an overview of a variety of animals.

I'd recommend it if you're:

• A serious animal lover

• Particularly interested in the theme you've selected (ex: lover of lions, cheetahs, jaguars, etc. for Crazy About Cats)

• A repeat San Diego Zoo visitor, or a tourist wanting to elevate your experience

• Interested in animal care and conservation

• Celebrating a special occasion

• Willing to spend more for a guided experience

• On a time crunch and want to see as much as you possibly can in one day

I'd probably skip it if:

• This is your first visit and you haven't explored the zoo yet, but plan to return

• You want to keep your Zoo day affordable

• You'd rather explore at your own pace

• You don't particularly care about the animals featured in the tour theme

• You want a guaranteed opportunity to see a specific animal

Ultimately, the Inside Look Deluxe Tour is such an underrated San Diego experience and provides a behind-the-scenes experience that even longtime zoo members will enjoy. It’s fun, interactive, and the two hours is packed full of stories and education without dragging on. You are left with plenty of energy to explore the rest of the park, and the early admission gives you a head start to really make the most of your Zoo visit.

That said, you don’t see a whole lot of unique things that you can’t see during a regular zoo visit. One of the appealing parts of the tour is that it’s more private and takes place earlier in the day when the cats are more active and engaged. So yes, you can see the jaguar during your standard visit, but she was moving around and easier to spot during our tour.

And while the main selling point of Crazy About Cats is the up-close cheetah viewing, you can sometimes see her as part of the free daily show (I have before). Keep in mind that the opportunity to see the cheetah is never a guarantee, even if you pay for the upgraded tour.

Overall, though, I loved this tour! Not just because I’m a cat lover, it was also the perfect mix of interaction, education, stories, and fun facts. My two tour guides had great chemistry and made the tour special from start to finish.

would i do crazy about cats again?

Yes! I took the tour by myself for this website post, but I’d love to bring my mom or boyfriend back to experience it with me! They definitely had FOMO seeing my photos and hearing my stories. Out of all of the zoo upgraded experiences that I’ve taken, this is the only one I really plan to take again.

tips for booking inside look deluxe

A few things to know before booking:

book the theme you actually want

Inside Look Deluxe has rotating themes; some are for all ages and others are 5 and up. While my tour guides did a great job sharing fun facts about other animals as we traveled around the zoo, the focus was very much on the cats. Choose your theme and book accordingly to get the most out of the tour!

PS: If you can, try to book on a gloomy or overcast day versus a peak summer sunny day. The animals prefer the moody weather and are more likely to be active.

give yourself extra time

Keep in mind that there is only one entrance to the zoo, meaning one way in and one way out! While you get to enter the zoo early as part of the tour, you still want to give yourself plenty of time to beat morning traffic, park, and make sure you have your tour ticket (and admission ticket) ready to go.

wear comfortable shoes

While you spend most of the time in the cart, you still do walk a little bit (and on a few uneven paths). Wear comfy shoes! The zoo has sharper hills and inclines than expected; I always wear my most comfortable Hokas.

don't book expecting a specific animal

This is especially important for Crazy About Cats; if you are booking it just to see the jaguar, you may be disappointed. Wildlife viewing is subject to availability, so the animals you see can change.

plan the rest of your zoo day around the tour

You get early entrance to the zoo, and I found that the Crazy About Cats Tour covered quite a few exhibits, so you don’t want to retrace your steps. I’ve shared my One Day Zoo Itinerary that helps you see everything in one day, but some of the areas you will want to focus on after your tour: pandas, gorillas, and the explorers base camp.

frequently asked questions

how long is san diego zoo inside look deluxe?

The Inside Look Deluxe experience lasts approximately two hours.

does inside look deluxe include zoo admission?

No; zoo admission is separate and is required in addition to the tour. You must have your admission ticket purchased prior to the start of tour.

what animals will you see on crazy about cats?

The exact animals and habitats can vary; it truly is dependent on animal availability and their mood (none of the animals are forced to do anything, thankfully). On our tour we saw lions, the jaguar, mountain lions, leopards, and a cheetah (10 cats total), plus other animals like elephants, Sichuan takins, and maned wolves.

is crazy about cats good for kids?

The experience is currently available for children ages 5 and up; we had a 6 year old on tour who loved it and was very engaged the entire time. Comparing it to other tours I’ve taken with kids, this was probably the best for them. I think having a cat “theme” really helped; you know if your child is interested in cats or not, whereas the other tours have more variety but don’t hold kids’ attention as well.

is inside look deluxe the same as a regular zoo tour?

No. Inside Look Deluxe is a two-hour themed experience with a dedicated zoo educator (we had 2 on my tour). You get early entrance into the zoo, travel around on a nice cart, visit multiple habitats, a private mini show, plus access to some areas that are not open to the general public. Comparing it to the free bus tour, this is specifically focused on cats versus the entire park. You also get to ask questions, see the animals more up close, and finish with a private viewing of one of the animals.

is inside look deluxe a private tour?

Somewhat; it is technically a group tour but is very small (around 10 people split to 5-6 in two carts), so it still feels intimate and exclusive.

do you get to touch or feed the animals?

No.

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