San Diego Zoo

Visiting the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park is more than a chance to see animals from all over the world: It’s a chance to experience one of the world’s finest facilities for learning about rare and endangered species, all in naturalized enclosures spread across 100 acres.

More than 3,700 animals from 650 species are showcased at this renowned zoo, which first opened in San Diego in 1923. Today, its crowd-pleasing wildlife includes lounging lions and fuzzy koala bears as well as intriguing oddities like naked mole rats and two-toed sloths.

Things to See at the San Diego Zoo 

The zoo is made up of nine different regions, each with its own resident wildlife:

• Urban Jungle: See some zoo classics in this area near the front entrance: giraffes, cheetahs, rhinos, and hippos.
• Outback: Peek at Australian wildlife such as laughing kookaburras and the largest koala colony outside of Australia (koalas sleep a lot, but you’re more likely to see them awake first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon).
• Africa Rocks: View the kinds of animals you’d see on an African safari, such as baboons, lemurs, and meerkats along with adorable servals vervet monkeys; this area also has African penguins, whose donkey-like call gave them the nickname of jackass penguins.
• Asian Passage: See Asian wildlife up close—the famous pandas along with red pandas, sun bears and leopards—as well as American grizzly bears.
• Northern Frontier: Get a look at polar bears, mountain lions, and zebras. You can also find one end of the sky tram here as well.
• Elephant Odyssey: You’ll certainly see a lot of elephants here, but also lions, jaguars, camels, and capybaras.
• Lost Forest: This wide-ranging area is home to a few wildlife-filled trails: the Tiger Trail, the Hippo Trail, and the Monkey Trail.
• Reptile Walk: Peer at the various reptiles and amphibians and say hello to the Galápagos tortoises, some of whom have been here since 1928.
• Wildlife Explorers Basecamp: Kids can get their wiggles in play areas and check out the hummingbird habitat, the “spineless marvel” insects, and Komodo dragons. Catch the other end of the sky tram here.

Besides just viewing the animals in their habitats, daily activities at the zoo include a variety of presentations about wildlife given by zoo specialists and caregivers. Take a seat inside at the 4D Theater to enjoy a special-effects-laden movie about diverse animal habitats around the globe.

How to Get Around the San Diego Zoo

You can easily spend a full day here exploring on foot: the Zoo covers about 100 acres and sits in a natural canyon, so has some hilly pathways. 

To get the lay of the land first, hop on the double-decker Guided Bus Tour which stops near the front entrance and circles the park in about 30 minutes. During your own explorations, take a ride on the Skyfari Aerial Tram, which will whisk you from one end of the zoo to the other (both are free with admission).

Before you arrive, download the San Diego Zoo App to use the GPS-enabled map to plot your own route and see the daily schedule of activities. The app is also handy for storing your admission tickets and finding the zoo’s dining options, restrooms, and shops.

How to See the San Diego Zoo’s Famous Pandas

In August 2024, the giant pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao made a highly anticipated debut at the zoo, and will stay until 2034 under an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. There are a few ways to see the Panda Ridge exhibit within the Asian Passage area: You can get a free timed ticket when you arrive at the zoo, wait in the standby line, or book a special 60-minute early-morning walking tour (at an additional cost).

Where to Eat at the San Diego Zoo

The dining options at the San Diego Zoo include classic offerings (burgers, corn dogs, ice cream), but there’s also a lot of variety to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, and anyone who’d like an adult beverage. Casual spots include pizza by the slice at Lagoon Terrace, tacos and burritos at Sabertooth Mexican Grill, and Asian cuisine at Hua Mei Café. More kiosks such as The Pagoda and Bamboo Bar offer pretzels, coffee drinks, ICEEs, and even draft beers and margaritas.

For a full-service sit-down experience, book a table at Albert’s in the Lost Forest area. The restaurant is named after the beloved 400-pound Western lowland gorilla who lived at the zoo for almost 30 years, and whose children and grandchildren still live here.

Add-on Experiences at the San Diego Zoo

Enhance your visit with one of the various add-on tours and experiences, such as the one-hour guided Discovery Cart Tour. Or try one of the Wildlife Adventures, which includes the two-hour Inside Look Deluxe tour where you can go behind the scenes to see animals and their caregivers. Or, splurge on the VIP Experiences to get your own private guide on a customized tour of up to seven hours.

Accessibility at the San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo offers a variety of accessibility features: wheelchair and ECV rentals, an ADA shuttle for those with mobility issues, and ADA-friendly seats on the Guided Bus Tour. Visitors with autism or sensory issues can pick up a Kulture City sensory bag (including items such as headphones) or make use of designated quiet areas. (Explore more accessible attractions in California, including those that accommodate sensory issues.)

Where to Stay and Things to Do Near the San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo lists a variety of nearby hotels with preferred rates for zoo guests.

Given its location within Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is close to many of the museums and green spaces within this gem of a city park, including the Fleet Science Center and the Comic-Con Museum. Just outside the zoo entrance, little ones can ride the Balboa Park Miniature Train, which travels a half mile in four minutes and offers a fun view of park.

The zoo and Balboa Park are near countless other San Diego attractions as well, including downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter, amazing taco shops, and incredible beaches.

How to Visit the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo has a sister location in Escondido, about 30 miles away: the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Is home to roughly 2,600 animals who reside on 1,800 semi-arid acres. The Safari Park offers its own unique experiences, including overnight stays in safari tents.