San Diego Zoo - Tips for Visiting

By Casey Makovich
Published: July 18, 2024
Flamingos Teaser

The world-famous San Diego Zoo is a must-see when traveling to Southern California. The large, 100-acre park is home to over 4,000 rare and endangered animals from around the world, including pandas, koalas, tigers, polar bears, and more. The park also boasts a botanical collection of more than 700,000 exotic plants.

The zoo is rated the #2 zoo in the World by TripAdvisor and is consistently a Travelers Choice Award winner -- which includes a list of the top zoos in the world based on millions of traveler reviews. Check out our helpful guide before you visit, which includes ways to save on admission, San Diego Zoo tips, must-see exhibits, other nearby attractions, and much more.

San Diego Zoo Tips for Visiting

  • If you visit with Go City, you can skip the ticket booth and go straight to the turnstiles for park entry. Your San Diego Zoo 1-Day Pass ticket includes unlimited use of the Guided Bus Tour, Kangaroo Express Bus, Skyfari aerial tram, and all regularly scheduled shows.
  • Wear comfortable footwear. The San Diego Zoo consists of 100 acres of hilly terrain.
  • Take advantage of the guided double decker bus tour and go in the morning to scope out your must-see exhibits. Follow the bus route along with your map to get a lay of the land.
  • It may also be helpful to use the hop-on hop-off Kangaroo Bus. The bus makes 4 stops throughout the park and arrives at each stop every 15 minutes.
  • The zoo allows outside food so pack snacks and a picnic lunch if you want to avoid paying for food in the zoo.
  • Hydrate. Bring a water bottle or purchase a souvenir fountain drink cup with a straw and lid for discounted re-fills all day.
  • Spend some time in the shadier terrain in the Lost Forest exhibit when temperatures are at their peak. This area of the park features the most shade so it tends to be cooler and gives you a break from the sun.
  • Parking is free, so no need to worry about budgeting in some extra space for those parking fees.

What is the Best Time to Go to the San Diego Zoo?

bird-paradise-flowers-shining-bright-san-diego-zoo

Plan to spend a full day at the zoo. Go early to avoid the busiest times and to increase your chances of seeing the animals when they're most active during the day before the temperature rises. This will also maximize the number of feedings and keeper talks you can enjoy. These special events take place at regularly scheduled intervals throughout the day. If you are interested in any of these, be sure to consult the operating calendar before your visit.

What to Bring

  • Water: You'll be walking around and out in the sun all day so bring a water bottle to fill up at various fountains throughout the park.
  • Sunscreen: Bring sunscreen, because most of the exhibits are outdoors.
  • Camera: There will be lots of photo opportunities and plenty of adorable critters -- be sure to bring a cellphone or camera.
  • Picnic: The park allows outside food, which can be a smart way to save on dining.

What to Do at the Zoo

See below for a list of our recommended exhibits to check out during your visit.

Africa Rocks

The San Diego Zoo’s Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks spotlights the amazing biodiversity found on the African continent. With six new habitats that span 8 acres dedicated to African plants and animal species, including including African penguins, baboons, lemurs, and more. These habitats are all unique, and are organized under the following concepts:

  • Cape Fynbos
  • Madagascar Forest
  • Ethiopian Highlands
  • West African Forest
  • Acacia Woodland
  • Kopje Woodland

Guided Bus Tour

cheetah-yoga-best

Enjoy a ride on the double-decker bus for a narrated tour of the zoo. You'll see lots of the zoo's highlights and popular exhibits along the way. This is especially helpful as the zoo is quite expansive and walking its entire expanse can get tiring. Go on the tour early in the day and follow along on your map to get a feel for the zoo's layout as you go.

Northern Frontier

Home of the zoo's polar bears, this exhibit is a must-see for any Arctic enthusiasts out there. Watch a snow white fox frolic, caribou meander, and polar bears swimming or playing in the underwater viewing area. Stay for a Keeper Talk, during which you'll learn about the unique maned wolf species and see the animals do enrichment exercises.

Elephant Odyssey

travel-zoo-wildlife-waterwall-san-diego

See lots of elephants and check out the Elephant Care Center facility. This exhibit also features other California-native animals of the past and present, including large birds, cheetahs, lions, meerkats, and more. Stay for a Keeper Talk to watch lions or jaguars enjoy enrichment programs -- and if you've never seen either of these big cat species being playful, then you're in for a real treat.

Lost Forest

 

Take a stroll through Lost Forest to see tigers, hippos, monkeys, gorillas, and more. Be sure to walk through Scripps Aviary and Owens Aviary to see the rare and exotic bird species. You'l also find the Tiger Trail here, which is a great opportunity to see these majestic great cats if you can't get to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This section also features a number of botanical exhibits and gardens, including the Bog Garden, the Fern Canyon, and the Hawaiian Native Plant Garden. It's a must-visit for fans of flora and fauna alike!

Urban Jungle

Head to the Urban Jungle exhibit to see giraffes, kangaroos, flamingos, rhinos, sleepy koalas, and more. This distinctive exhibit combines many of the zoo's animal ambassadors together in one exhibit, so there are plenty of critters to meet and engage with during specialty demonstrations.

Discovery Outpost

This exhibit features lots of reptiles, insects, and birds. Kids can run around in the playground and get up-close to the animals in the petting zoo where visitors can pet the wooly coat of a sheep or comb a gentle pygmy goat's hair. Stay for the Keeper Talk, during which you can meet Baba the pangolin and learn about this rare animal.

Skyfari® Aerial Tram

Take an airborne shortcut over the treetops to the other end of the zoo and enjoy spectacular views of the zoo, the animal and plant collection, and surrounding Balboa Park.

Best Time to Visit the Zoo

camel-san-diego-zoo

The best time to visit the San Diego Zoo is when it opens, you'll be able to enjoy exhibits with thinner crowds as the zoo tends to get busier as the day goes on and weekdays are less crowded than weekends. Most of the park is outdoors so it's best to save the zoo for a fair weather day.

Things to Do Nearby - Attractions & Activities

The San Diego Zoo is right in the middle of beautiful and historic Balboa Park, which has a bunch of great museums for the entire family to enjoy. Make the most of your day and walk down Park Boulevard to check out some of the attractions right in Balboa Park.

San Diego Natural History Museum - Explore the diversity of plant and animal life at the San Diego Natural History Museum (the NAT).

Fleet Science Center plus IMAX - Play scientist for the day by building skyscrapers, interpreting images from the Hubble Space Telescope, and comparing medical tissue samples. See what's playing in the world's largest IMAX dome for even more science-themed fun.

San Diego Model Railroad Museum - Check out the world's largest model railroad display and learn all about the prominent role railroads played in the westward expansion in the United States.

San Diego Museum of Art - Take a stroll through the region's most visited art institute nationally renowned for its collections of Spanish and Italian Old Masters, South Asian paintings, and 19th and 20th century American paintings and sculptures.

Japanese Friendship Garden, San-Kei-En - Take a stroll through three tiers of beauty and serenity in the Japanese Friendship Garden, created as a gesture of friendship between the U.S. and Japan when San Diego and Yokohama, Japan became sister cities in 1950.

San Diego Automotive Museum - This is a must-see for any automotive buffs or car enthusiasts. Cars on display are restored and preserved by a dedicated team of volunteer technicians who work hard to make this museum special.

Air and Space Museum - Designed to celebrate aviation and space flight and inspire students to excel in technology, mathematics, and the sciences, the Air and Space Museum is a fascinating exploration of all things air and space.

Save on Tickets with Go City®

Remember, Go City is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which includes San Diego Zoo tickets, plus admission to your choice of other top attractions. Save on top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple San Diego attractions for one low price.

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

balboa botanical
Blog

Enjoy a free day near San Diego’s science hotspot

Free things to see and do near San Diego’s science hub.
Mission Beach lifeguard station at sunset
Blog

San Diego in July

July is a great time to visit San Diego, as the summer season gets into full swing and festivals, concerts and outdoor events pop up across the city. The weather is balmy, the sea shimmers invitingly, and there’s a festive holiday atmosphere in the air. Sure, it can also get busy as vacationers arrive in search of sun-kissed sands, swoonsome sunsets and some of the best beer in the States but, well, this laidback buzzy beach town is no LA or Miami in that regard. Read on for our guide to visiting this SoCal stunner in summer, plus all the best things to do in San Diego in July… Visiting San Diego in July Temperature: 66-75°F • Average Rainfall: 1 day/month • Average Sunshine: 10 hours/day Leave the umbrella at home and pack light for July trips to San Diego. We’re talking linens and cottons – think floaty summer frocks, shorts, tees and open toes. Don’t stint on the sunscreen either; San Diego enjoys a Mediterranean climate, which means hot, arid summers, so it’s essential you protect yourself against the harmful UV rays while working on that golden California tan. A hat the size of Saturn, a decent water bottle, and sunglasses that would make a Kardashian blush wouldn’t hurt either. Summer is one of San Diego’s busiest seasons, so it pays to book your flights and accommodation well in advance, although you can also often find last-minute offers for that spontaneous weekend escape.  Check out our guide to where to stay in San Diego here. Increased tourist footfall inevitably means longer queues at some of the bigger attractions. Unavoidable, we’re afraid, but you can at least take the edge off by saving some $$$ on regular entry prices. A Go San Diego pass does precisely that, and could save you up to 50% when visiting multiple city attractions. We’re talking SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, Belmont Park, whale-watching cruises, and many more.  Find out more about Go San Diego pass options, and get yours here. Things to do in San Diego in July July 4th Fireworks If you’re in town early in the month, you won’t want to miss the multiple firework extravaganzas that light the night sky on the fourth of July. Hit up Mission Bay or Coronado for some of the best views in town. San Diego Pride The hip Hillcrest neighborhood is where it’s at for all things Pride. Expect colorful rainbow flags galore, plus processions, parades and an epic weekend-long festival in Balboa Park, featuring drag pageants, international DJs and lots and lots of dancing. Read our guide to San Diego’s July Pride events here.  Baseball Season Cheer on local heroes the San Diego Padres at their home in Petco Park. Baseball season is already in full glorious swing in July and, well, can you really say you’ve been to San Diego if you haven’t seen the Padres in action? No, dear reader, you cannot. Kit yourself out with the essential baseball accessories (a hot dog, a beer and a giant foam finger), and get ready to revel in the thrilling atmosphere of a Major League game. Pro-tip: tours of the Padres stadium are included with a Go San Diego pass! Animals After Dark Extraordinary enough in the daytime, San Diego Zoo is arguably even better by night, when crepuscular critters rouse from sunlit slumbers and go in search of their supper. The zoo is open nights throughout the summer season, with live performers and tribal rhythms adding to the already electric atmosphere. You can of course also go during the day if you prefer: here's our guide to the best times to visit. S’mores on the Beach Nothing says ‘summer in California’ more than sunset s’mores around a beach BBQ, as the waves lap gently against the shore. Pack your marshmallows, chocolate and cookies and hit up s’morish cookout locations at the likes of La Jolla Shores and Coronado Beach. You’ll need to book in advance if you want to nab a spot in front of the iconic ‘Del’ hotel on Coronado. But trust us when we say it’s worth it for the gorgeously soft golden sands and swoonsome Point Loma views. Summer Ales There are well over 100 microbreweries operating in beer-mad San Diego, and July is a great time to sample a selection of their superb summer ales. North Park and Hillcrest are particularly dense with taprooms, with Hillcrest Brewing, Modern Times, the Belching Beaver and Fall Brewing Company being among the most popular. Or hit up hippy-dippy Ocean Beach for laid back sun-kissed oceanfront vibes with a sup of ale at the likes of Ocean Beach Brewery and Kilowatt Brewing. Bottoms up! Whale-Watching There’s a whale migration super-highway that passes right by the California coast as humpbacks and their blue and gray cousins head for the warm waters of Baja’s breeding grounds. Summer is prime time to spot humpbacks and blue whales here. Take a stroll up Point Loma with a good set of binoculars if you want to catch a glimpse. Or, to maximize your chances of viewing these majestic creatures, set sail on a cruise of the bay with seasoned operators who’ll know precisely where to look, yet another activity that’s included with a Go San Diego pass. Mission Bay Only the largest man-made saltwater bay on the planet, Mission Bay is manna for water sport enthusiasts. This huge playground – some 4,600 acres of beaches, waterways and palm-shaded paths – has something for just about everyone. Surf, paddleboard, jet-ski, wakeboard or sail on its azure waters; take kids to the beach for sandcastle contests and splashing in the shallows, or pack a picnic and take a bird-spotting stroll along its lush shores, saying ‘hey’ to resident coots, ducks and sandpipers along the way. Save on San Diego Attractions, Tours and Activities Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Lifeguard station on a San Diego beach
Blog

Is San Diego Safe?

San Diego’s golden beaches, fine museums, world-class attractions and buzzing nightlife mean you’ll never struggle for something to do in the town they call America's Finest City. From picnicking at the botanical gardens in Balboa Park to meeting curious critters at SeaWorld, riding the 100-year-old rollercoaster at Mission Beach and sipping fresh beer in the city’s famed taprooms, there really is something for everyone here. But is San Diego safe for tourists? Read on to find out more... How Safe is San Diego? Regularly ranked among the 20 safest cities in the country, and named the safest big city in the US by the FBI in 2017, thanks to its lower than national average crime rate, it’s fair to say San Diego is a pretty decent bet for a worry-free vacation. This is a city where violent crime is rare, if not entirely unheard of, and where you’re more likely to get a nasty sunburn than become a victim of crime. So far so safe, but as with most major cities there will always be an element of petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching, with tourists inevitably providing the easiest pickings for opportunistic thieves. And while Downtown areas are mostly ok, the likes of the East Village does have a slightly higher crime rate than the Gaslamp Quarter or waterfront Embarcadero due to its large number of nightlife venues and other businesses, including the Petco Park stadium, home of the Padres baseball team. To prevent a tiny minority of crooks and criminals from spoiling your trip, you should follow a few basic precautions such as staying alert to shifty looking characters and generally trying not to walk around with a flashing neon sign above your head that alerts would-be thieves to your status as a walking, talking ATM. Tips for Staying Safe in San Diego Opportunists after a quick buck will tend to ply their trade in and around the biggest attractions, especially where crowds of tourists make it easier to become invisible and disappear fast. Avoid being a victim by keeping your wits about you around the likes of San Diego Zoo and Balboa’s Park’s other big hitters, such as the San Diego Museum of Art and Air and Space Museum. San Diego is a party town with bustling street markets in the likes of Hillcrest and Ocean Beach, a thriving nightlife scene and major annual festivals that draw hordes of revelers from around the world, including the annual Oktoberfest, Pride parade, Comic-Con and County Fair. All of these are prone to creating the kinds of crowd that are so beloved of petty crooks. Scams like ‘friendly helpers’ hanging around ATMs or people offering to take a nice souvenir photo of you with your or smartphone may seem obvious, but the element of surprise often pays off as, flustered and embarrassed, you willingly hand over your expensive camera equipment only to look on helplessly as it vanishes into the crowd. In the unlikely event you do lose your valuables to a bag snatcher, scammer or pickpocket, don’t try to give chase – it’s not worth it. Instead, report the incident to police, put it down to experience and try not to let it spoil the rest of your trip. Oh, and make sure you get travel insurance before you go on vacation! It’s also worth remembering that, as long as you take reasonable precautions such as keeping cash and valuables out of sight, being alert to lurkers at ATMs and not falling for obvious scams, it’s likely the worst thing that will happen to you in San Diego is waking up with a sore head after one too many of the city’s famous craft beers. Or coming out in lobster-red blotches after inexpertly applying your sunscreen. Staying Safe in the San Diego Sun San Diego is an outdoorsy kind of city, with a warm Mediterranean climate, some great canyons and nature reserves for hiking, and some of the best beaches in California. So it’s inevitable you’ll spend a fair bit of time in the sunshine, whether baking on La Jolla’s golden sands or exploring the many museums and gardens in sprawling Balboa Park. Simple precautions like slapping on the sunscreen and drinking plenty of water cover most of the bases, but it’s also worth packing a good moisturizer, especially in autumn when the hot, arid Santa Ana winds are at their most punishing. If you’re hitting the beach and feel like cooling off in the water, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the warning flags and their meanings. Red means no swimming; checkered marks the boundary separating surfing and swimming areas and yellow with a black ball in the center means no surfing. Riptides are not uncommon along this stretch of the California coast so make sure to swim only where there are lifeguards present. In the event you’re caught in a riptide, remember to swim sideways through the water, parallel to the shore, then diagonally towards the beach once free. Above all, stay calm. La Jolla Shores, South Mission Beach and Coronado Central Beach are some of the safest beaches for swimming, especially if you’re traveling with young kids. Nighttime Safety in San Diego San Diego is generally safe at night, even for solo and female travelers. Thanks to good street lighting and visible policing, even the Downtown neighborhood is largely trouble-free. But, like everywhere else, it pays to take sensible precautions such as dropping friends and family a note of your plans if you’re going out alone at night and avoiding trouble hotspots like quiet streets and late-night public transport. San Diego’s nightlife is the stuff of legend. Late-night taprooms and dive bars jockey for position with classy rooftop cocktail joints, comedy clubs and music venues galore. There is, truly, never a dull moment here. Do drink in moderation, especially if you’re on your own, and don’t accept offers of drinks from charming strangers. By all means you should make new friends in this most sociable of cities, but it’s always safer to politely decline the free drink and pay for your own until you’re certain your new pal or pals can be trusted. If they’re genuine, they’re unlikely to be offended. Ideally take a cab home rather than using public transport at night. Apps like Uber and Lyft operate in San Diego, or hail a yellow cab. Check for the San Diego County identification badge and be sure to ask your driver to start the meter when you hop in. Save on things to do in San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.