Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Reinforced security
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Enhanced cleaning
Daily cleaning
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Conciergerie
We take care of you
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Comments (199)
This is a great way to get outside and enjoy the great weather in San Diego. There are great restaurants and places to eat inside. Bring water to have during your hikes and walks. The volunteers do a great job to give you information about the animals as you walk around. There are buses to help you avoid walking too much around the park, and a lot of spots to pull up and sit down to eat if you pack your own lunch. The weekdays are busier do to the school field trips. So the afternoon before they close is the perfect time to come.
World class zoo. So many wildlife from different countries not seen before. Better than Columbus Ohio Zoo variety (aka Jack Hanna) and that is a worthy competitor.. A must see. Plus sky gondola and bus tour included. An all day excursion. Glad we visited, sets the standard for zoos. Wow!!! And well maintained, clean new construction and a variety of restaurants.
So glad we got the chance to visit the worlds best zoo! Never seen such super friendly staff. The zoo owns at 9 am and it was already getting crowded when we reached by 9am. There is a few good bus then please do not miss the free air tram which connects you to two different parts of the zoo
Animals are well-cared for. There are some neat exhibits, and you can tell SD Zoo is really into conservation. The surrounding landscape is a beautiful botanical garden in itself--in between watching the animals, we love exploring all of the unique plants. Taking the free shuttles around the zoo helps extend your day--otherwise, wear really good shoes, bring water, and be prepared to walk some steep hills.
Definitely one of the best zoos that I’ve visited in the world. Spread over 100 acres of Balboa Park, they have meticulously recreated many natural, cage-less animal habitats. This is a beautiful space to walk around, taking in over 12,000 animals and even more plant species. I definitely felt closer to, and more ‘at one’ with, the animals.One minor criticism is that the guided tour buses have diesel engines; converting these to electric motors would help to reinforce the green message that the zoo otherwise promotes really well.
Very crowded on weekends apparently. Be ready to do lots of walking unless you reserve cart rides in which they drive past selected animals and stop at few spots to allow you to see animals from close and take photos. But they don’t cover all the spots in the 1 hour cart ride. Also, the ticket for cart rides is separately bought and not included with the general entry pass ticket. Great collection of cat species to see including snow leopards, jaguar, lion and Cheetah
Voted the #1 zoo in the world according to the zoos web site. So you know you come to the right place for zoo visit. On our weekend visit recently, the zoo was packed with people which I imagine that the crowd is back to pre pandemic level.I feel this is the best zoo in world as well as I have visited zoos all over the world. This zoo houses over 15,000 animals with over 100 acres of land adjacent to the famous Balboa Park in San Diego. The facility is well planned out with trams and cable cars taking visitors around the zoo. The zoo is well maintained and fresh. All animals are kept in good conditions.The staff are well trained and friendly. All of them are very helpful in giving directions and explanation of the animals. We were lucky to encounter the training session for the red panda and got a very good class on endangered animals.Since this year is the year of the Tiger, many people congregated at the Tiger section. We were able to see the Tiger sleeping.If you dont feel like walking a few miles to see all the animals, I would suggest to take the tram at the entrance and feel out the lay of the land and then go back to the section you want to visit. You should end up at the polar bear section and then take the cable car back to the exit. This is the most efficient way to visit the zoo.
It truly is one of the best zoos in the country. Everything was very easy to navigate, the bus amenity is great, and the staff was very helpful. The exhibits were beautiful! The animals were active and in good health. I went on a Monday, which kept the crowds lower. Check out the Java Cafe and try the mini donuts, yum! Make sure to walk down the fern canyon trek. No animals but its a beautiful path and one of the older portions of the zoo. Oh, and the tacos at the sabertooth diner by the elephants..... hands down the best Mexican I had while visiting San Diego! Cant wait to visit again, I want to see the safari next time!
Been to many zoos including DC, Vienna, Sydney, Auckland, Wellington, but this zoo at San Diego was the most impressive. Animals looked lively and seems like the zoo does a good job taking care of them. There are buses to get you around the park quicker. Volunteers and staff are available to answer questions. It takes a whole day to see and enjoy everything, great place for anyone who likes animals. Highly recommend!
World-class zoo. The layout of the zoo is great. Amazing selection of animals. The animals live in good conditions. They were very active. I recommend getting the app for the zoo as it helps you navigate. I also recommend eating at Albert’s Cafe.
Zoo is only for kids? No.I can say San Diego Zoo is really for everyone. This is a must when visiting San Diego, specially if this is your first time in SD. You dont really see that many varieties and numbers of animals in other zoo(s) in California. You would find yourself very close to many animals, such as lions, polar bears, etc.Be ready to spend 4+ hours over there. Recommend buying tickets online in advance to avoid long line of ticketing. Save you more time for discovering the zoo.Parking is free and parking lot is huge.
Kids really like animals. They had fun. The zoo is beautiful. Be prepared to walk a lot. Theres a lot of up/down hills. On the day I visited, the Lion, the tiger, and the polar bear were all sleeping. We purchased tickets online and we arrived at 11am. No line to go in. Overall it was enjoyable.
SD Zoo is world famous for good reason. The entire park experience is not just spent admiring exotic animals but also the tropical and unique plants as well. This park is absolutely massive so bring good shoes and water (we were allowed to bring in a plastic bag with coconut water, water bottles and sunscreen). Even at a moderate pace expect to be here a bare minimum of six hours.Parking here is indeed free and the lot is immense so do not worry about finding a spot.There are decent food options scattered here and there: Mexican, deli, Panda Express. We ate at Treetops Cafe and the turkey wrap was phenomenal ( as well as the views from the dining area!)My only complaint regarding SD Zoo is that there could be more restrooms spread throughout, so bring a map and plan accordingly.
Very kid friendly. Lots of activities for young kids to do. Such as theaters, mini playgrounds, picture opportunities etc. My favorite part is riding the air tram which is free with every ticket. Like the fact that parking is free too! No wait to get in even though it was very busy on new years eve. I was able to find parking g and buy a ticket very easily. I walked around for 3 hours with a 5 year old a three year old. Lots to see and do! Masks were not enforced so there is a mix of people who are wearing masks and others who did not even have any on.
This was an amazing visit! There were so many cool animals and it was very enjoyable. It was a lot of walking, so wear tennis shoes! I would highly recommend going to the aviaries, as they have all sorts of birds that fly all around you. The Parker aviary even has a pair of adorable, tiny monkeys walking around! It truly is amazing watching the birds, it’s almost like real nature. My favorite stop is probably the Marsh aviary though, as it is very peaceful. Overall, a great experience! The only reasons I dock a star are price and the map. It was quite expensive to get in, and while that is acceptable for an entire days visit, it was still over $200 for three people. The other issue that I had was the map. The paper maps that are provided are horribly inaccurate with distances and didn’t have clear markings of where to find specific animals. There was an app with a digital map but as several areas have two levels, it was also hard to navigate now. Finally, the online map is so full of icons that whenever you zoomed out, you couldnt see the actual map for all the icons. Still definitely worth a day trip though, and I will likely be back again sometime!
AMAZING ZOO!!! You can totally tell that every staff member truely cares and loves the animals they care of everyday. They love what they do and take pride in their purpose. It’s amazing to see such passion in person. All are so knowledgeable and keep the zoo on tip top shape. I would suggest adding on an inside look tour to see the behind the scenes action and get some amazing feeding opportunities. You get access to some exhibits, too! It’s also very lush and beautiful. I didn’t get to see the safari park, but I assume it’s just as great as the zoo. I also admire all their efforts after us the world to conserve the worlds animals and land they thrive on.
I enjoyed visiting the zoo with my family but it was very crowded, there isnt a system when it comes to everyone looking at the animals for a decent/fair amount of time. My family and I ran into the issue of waiting for very long periods of time or not even being able to see each animal because other people would just stand in the front for A VERY LONG TIME. And we went on a slow less packed day, which is what an employee told us. I understand everyone person paid to be there and see each animal but part of being in a public area where others have paid as well, is being considerate to those around you, more specifically, children. In my opinion, at least give each child a chance to look at the animals.However, I did enjoy it, a lot of cool animals, the employees were nice and helpful and the souvenirs were very cute.
You cannot visit San Diego and not visit this zoo!! Best zoo I’ve ever been to hands down! Exhibits are large for the animals and provide a lot of viewing points. Plan to be there all day if you want to soak up all there is to offer. Animals seemed healthy and happy. Pictures and words do not quite do this place justice
We visited San Diego for winter break and this was on our list. We have the National Zoo and Baltimore Zoo nearby. I can tell you without a doubt that San Diego zoo is very special and deserving of all the accolades it receives. The bus tour is a must, sit on the right side. The volunteers and staff are very knowledgeable and so friendly. The exhibits themselves are easily navigable and there are so many different species to see.On the comfort front, there are so many spots to sit and relax. Also, I wasnt expecting so many food options in a zoo. There were plenty of options to choose from.We loved walking and seeing the plant life as well. Its gorgeous there. Highly recommend.
First time in San Diego and it was a great time! Saw lots of animals I’ve never seen in person before. And the design of the zoo itself is nice. Definitely worth the $60. Wear some comfortable walking shoes cause you’ll be walking a lot unless you pay extra for the bus tour they have.
Totally worth the price and time. It’s the largest botanical garden in the country and an animal sanctuary. Our kids enjoyed the ride on the bus, as it was pretty short and engaging. The walking paths were easy to navigate and there was something wonderful around every corner. Love it!
Going to the San Diego Zoo was amazing. The zoo is clean and very well kept. The people working are friendly and patient.There is a bus that you can hop on-hop off to your the zoo. There are plenty of places to get food and snacks.Our experience was very pleasant and fun.
The zoo is a can’t-miss for both tourists and locals. Every time someone visits, I take them there and I have a membership. The work they do in conservation is a great legacy for the world. The exhibits are amazing and show how much they think of the animals well-being. You may not always see every animal you want to see because they have the ability to sleep beyond our sights, but you will for sure enjoy creatures big and small that will inspire you to care about our environment. Be prepared to walk, a lot! Or make plans for taking the bus.
Since the Covid precautions have been lifted this place is a lot more fun. The have free guided bus tours and then a kangaroo bus which stops at certain points to help with covering the park. The newly recorded kids explorer area was tons of fun and interactive. The sky view air trolly is another great way to cross the park. You can bring in your own food and drinks to cut the cost. If you plan to go more than once in a year just go and buy a membership. The park is huge and cannot be fully covered in 2 days. The kids get tired from all the walking but love seeing the different animals. I wish the gift shop was 1 and had all the toys the vendors had around the zoo.
This is the biggest zoo I have ever seen. The ticket is priced fairly at $62. It has more than 3000 animals and is built on a 100 acre land. There is no way you can see all the animals in one day just prioritize the animals you want to see. There is also an option to get an electric scooter for $50 which is very useful if you don’t mind spending a little extra since it is pretty big but I definitely recommend visiting it as it is worth it. In your ticket what is already inclusive is the chair lift, bus ride
The San Diego Zoo is a national treasure. Walking through the exhibits is like walking through a most beautiful park. There is so much to learn and observe. The animals are accessible and appear to be loved by visitor and staff alike. My favorite was a rhino playing ball with himself. Although the apes having lunch with visitors were also fantastic. I look forward to my next visit for you just cannot take it all in within a single visit.
This is the best zoo in the world. I thought that with everything the zoo has to offer, $65 for a one-day pass is extremely reasonable. We spent six hours because the weather was so beautiful, but I could have stayed all day looking at all the animals. When I went to the koala exhibit, a very helpful employee named Charlene came and talked to my group for about 30 minutes about everything with the koalas, and it was very informative and interesting.
This zoo is amazing! The vegetation is beautiful and unique, the animals dont seem depressed like in other zoos. They have plenty of space to roam in every habitat. Staff was friendly everywhere we went, offering a smile and advice if we looked lost. The Skytari was a favorite for the kiddos, the line was pretty much non-existent, the longest we waited was maybe 5 minutes to board. Food options were abundant and even the Zoo talks for certain animals were upbeat and informative. Cant recommend this place enough!
It was my family first time at the icon zoo.I enjoyed it just as much if not more than my 2yr old great-nephew. We all loved it. It was handicap accessible for my mom. Options of motorized and non motorized wheelchairs. It look like you can get lost but you cant maybe just a little turned around but then you realize that its all one big circle. The signs with the arrows can be confusing but rest assure either way you go you will find what you were looking for. Going to the Safari Park in a few days. I am excited to see more.
One of the nation’s best zoos. It has massive amounts of animals and a knowledge base to go with it. There are many interactive elements that are fun and educational, especially the new area designed for a more kid and family engagement.
Another great place to visit. Accessible to disabled and mobile, it really needs a trolley to and from the parking lot for all. You can spend two days there easily. I recommend the Skyway tram to get from one end of the park to the other and the bus tour to see which places you want to revisit on foot. Best place for old and young alike.
I could spend two full days and probably feel like I still have things to see. I love the big cats! I thought that I wouldnt have a preference as to what I saw, however it was hard to pull me away from the tigers, lions, jaguars, etc. I feel like I only saw a small part of the zoo on this tour. I will have to return soon!
There are so many animals to see, there is food there so no worries bout that. I recommend taking a bus tour because you wont miss any animals(I did). And 2 so that your feet dont hurt(again, mine did). I always recommend using their map app so that if you are walking you either dont get lost or you can see all the animals. Trust me, using the map is pretty useless. There are restrooms scattered around the whole zoo, so thats good. They have a whole variety of animals too! They have African, Asian, Forest (like Rainforest) too! Its a really nice place to go if you are looking for a little adventure! Dont forget the sunscreen (I did)!
The best place to visit with a kid in San Diego. Lots of animals visible up close. Elephants, tigers, lions, hippo, polar bear and many more. Penguins, flamingos and alligators were there too. No more Panda, which was a bummer, but was still a lot of fun.Plenty of food choices and vegetarian options
Incredible park. Definitely worth seeing while in San Diego! Very well organized and extremely clean. I recommend definitely doing the bus tour upon entering first, since it’s included with every ticket and is entertaining and gives you a general feel for the park areas. Try to get a seat on the upper tier on the right side! Our favorite animals in the park were the polar bears, gorillas, and the giant anteater!
Great grounds but disappointed with the animals. First the grounds I found it amazing how they matched the flora with the animals and the enclosures were very well done. I have to say it got very confusing going around even looking at their maps. We wasted time on the bus I would not do it again.They pushed a lot of political agendas. Even though I agreed with most of it this took away from the enjoyment and relaxation of walking around looking at exhibits.As for the animals they have a good variety of birds and primates. I am a big fan of aviaries and you won’t be disappointed.We went to bear country and saw only one type of bear. I believe we did not miss a turn but it is possible to have. There were a number of exhibits empty. We just had a higher expectation in this area. Our zoo back home where I use to live has more variety of animals just not as big.This is my advice be there when it opens then go straight to the back and work your way forward skip the bus by the time you are done it will be very crowded. We went during the week and it was bad even though school was in session so not go on the weekend if you do not like crowds. Oh ya forget healthy eating LOL
San Diego Zoo is one of the best zoos in America, so I have read.It is not inexpensive; my wife & I paid about $62/each for a one day pass. There are discounts available for 2-day passes and other discounts and attractions nearby.What is most amazing about SD Zoo is its size and age. The zoo has been here for 100 years or more. In a city of 1.4 million, and with beaches, desert, mountains above 4,000 ft elevation, and an international border all in s 50 mile radius (only city in America that can boast all of these criteria), more than 100 acres are set aside forever just for the zoo!I call that miraculous, and s boon to the city, for conservation efforts for all species. Take a double decker bus tour (included in admission cost) and you will learn many facts about helping to preserve earth for the next generation!I recommend this zoo to everyone I know!
We had a great time here! The Zoo was very busy. Even though it was busy we still spent most of the day enjoying the animals. The weather was nice as usual for San Diego. We did end up eating lunch at the park and yes is was very expensive, but good though. Highly recommend visiting if youre considering going.
Great zoo, but a few things they dont tell you upfront... we were there for 5 solid hours walking the whole time and missed stuff. This zoo is HUGE. See the red pandas and koala. They have the widest array of animals Ive ever seen. If you have kids, forget seeing the whole thing in a day...so much crying heard from little ones. Use the bus which we didnt. Ride the skyfari which we did. Take 2 days if you can afford it and have that much time for a zoo. Parking is free. Food prices are ridiculous. Do the same day free refill cup of your group is a cool with that. $14 vs almost $7+ for a single drink. Show up at 4/5p to avoid most of the crowds.
A world class zoo that I have been fortunate enough to visit twice now, this truly is a zoo that sets the standard for excellence. Even with my limited knowledge of zoology, it is clear that the staff at San Diego Zoo maintain excellent conditions for the animals, and emphasize education and conservation rather than simply trying to maximize profits. The exhibits are huge and many forms of enrichment are present in every one. My favorite exhibit both times I went was the gorillas. They are so responsive to people, and watching them at feeding time was a blast. If I lived in the area, I would buy a membership and hang out there all the time. Truly amazing animals in a pristine environment makes for an unforgettable experience. If you’re in San Diego, this is an absolute must see.
I mean, you can’t go wrong. I’ve been visiting this Zoo since I was a kid and I’m now 50+ and they don’t call it the best zoo for nothing. They have a recently opened (re-built) children’s area that once had the petting zoo. This area is amazing and not just for kids.For those families with youngsters, there is a fun activity area with a fun splash pad.What I love about the San Diego zoo is their passion for wildlife and conservation. It’s always worth a visit if you’re in the area and if you live close, an annual membership is a no-brainer.
This place is great. Pro tip use the Kangaroo bus to get around. Theres a few stops throughout the park. Also, theres a cool new kids part, called Base Camp, there is water play activities. Good place to end the day with kids - bring a change of clothes!
One of the better zoos that I have visited. The place is gigantic and there are lots to see, but still completely doable to check out everything in a day. I would definitely recommend coming here at least once. My favourite is the sky ride and I really enjoyed the buses as well, regardless if you decide to do a free tour (45mins) on the bus or simply take the express bus (15mins) for a loop around the park.I also love the fact that they allow you to buy an alcoholic beverage and walk around the park with it as well as the free refills with their cups or cheaper refills with the alcohol cups.This was definitely a fun time and a must if you have children. Coming on a weekday is probably recommended and there is plenty of parking.
A lot of hype about this zoo, left me a little underwhelmed. Still a good zoo. I liked hearing that many of their animals are rescues. I went for a corporate event. We enter the zoo at 6:40 pm. We were encouraged to take the double Dekker bus that we would see the whole zoo. The bus is about a 40 minute trip around the zoo. However do not sit on the left side of the bus you will really not see much on the left side of the bus. Although it was evening many animals were asleep and we did not see mini. Looks like a good facility I’m sure we’ll go back here a few pictures
Best zoo in the world. Together with the Safari Park cant be beat. One of the best collection of animals and insects in a great setting. Exhibits are great. Especially the newest ones. Underrated is their plant collection. One of the best. Highly recommend.
First time visit with my family. Really amazing zoo with lots of opportunities to get really close to the animals. The kids really loved it. Word of advice use the bus to get around the park. Made it so much easier to see stuff.
We did the inside look for polar bears and friends. Our tour guide, Isabelle was friendly and did a good job informing and educating us. The tour started promptly so be on time. It was a great way to start the day. Polar bears were active and we could see them without the crowds. I was impressed that it covered much more including feeding giraffes and walking through the koala bear outback habitat. We stopped to see several animals along the way. The bears were all playing and active in the morning. We covered a lot of ground in 90 minutes in a golf cart without having to walk. Inside look is $90 but worth the price particularly if you have a fan of polar bears in the house or young kids who can get tired of all the walking.
This is by far the best zoo in USA, try reaching there by 9am, 1 day is sufficient to visit most of the exhibits if you plan well... (with kids its impossible to cover the while zoo in a day). Book tickets in advance to avoid wait time.
This zoo is top notch. I was not pleased about the price but it was worth it. They have the kangaroo bus for you to hop on and off at various stops. Then a bus tour that drives you around. Was not crowded. The animals were amazing and appear to be cared for well, a lot of conservation acts connected to the zoo.
Fantastic zoo. It is definitely a must visit. You can’t come to San Diego without visiting this amazing zoo. There are different types of trails - I recommend 3-4 hours to check them all out. Your kids will love to visit every animal and see them in their habitat. I loved the panda trail although there is no big Chinese panda but the red small panda is worth the visit. I loved the monkey trail, the elephant trail and the African trail. There are lots of restaurants and also shops to get memorabilia from your favorite zoo. This zoo can be visited with your family or as a couple or as friends or even solo. Completely recommended.
I went second time and it always fun. Kids love it. No waiting to get in plenty of parking. Love the animals and they really take care of the habitat. Would recommend to go early and see the main animals because afternoon half of them are sleeping or hiding in corners for shade.
Very nice zoo, animals are well cared for. Everything is clean including the bathrooms. A wide variety of different animals and tons of reptiles. The gondola was a hit for my 4 year old son.
It’s the San Diego zoo. I don’t know if more needs to be said. It’s world renowned for a reason. There’s a never ending array of animals and fauna to look at. The go through the time and expense of making every exhibit educational and interesting.
The San Diego zoo is a lot of fun. You’re gonna need at least two to three days for just one park to complete it if you wanna see everything because it’s so large. My grandpa is getting dementia. We went to the zoo on a trip a year ago and he doesn’t even remember we went. However, he still remembered “the animals that look like zebras.” He remembered the okapis and liked them a lot. He was able to have that happy memory.
Not a big fan of zoos, and having animals in cages. But, we were recommended this zoo from EVERYONE, so we figured we’d try it. The actual grounds of the zoo are beautiful, and lovely to walk around. A good amount of the animals spaces were big (bigger than other zoos), but a bunch of exhibits were closed. This zoo is far too expensive for what it is, but overall, I think If you have kids and want to go to a zoo it’s this. It had a lot of educational material and was very clean.
World class zoo for world class visitors Lots of neat creatures and probably one of the best zoos in the country. Although.... the safari park is probably cooler. They really focus on conservation and sustainability so thats nice. I went for a work trip so totally worth haha
One of the best zoos in the country.Definitely worth everything.Enjoy a full day of excursion and learn from diversity of animal exposures.Definitely the best plan with kids.Bring comfy shoes, and remember to take water and snaks.
Had a great time here with my family, and all enclosures are very well kept for the animals. The couple times we got food wasnt that good so pack snacks or eat beforehand. Other than that it was worth the trip!
Breathtaking in every way. The wildlife and plant species are so inspiring. I especially loved the Aviary trail and the birds of paradise.The Zoo is well-maintained, easy to navigate, and the staff is amazing. One single trip is not enough.
Hands down the best zoo ever! Youll need a whole day here to get around and see everything. Animals looked healthy and enclosures were well maintained. Amazing close up views. Not like other zoos where you cant see anything or theres nothing there. Had a great time for sure.
Absolutely favorite zoo so far. We travel and go to the zoo at each location. Loved the forest atmosphere the entire zoo has. The exhibits are huge and you can tell the animals enjoy the space and toys. Watched a random trainer inside the cheetah cage feeding him and playing with him with a stick and a toy tied to the end. They answered questions and it was a fun unexpected experience.Tip for entry, there is a kiosk left of the bronze lion statue. If you are paying with card and no coupons or discounts then get your tickets there and avoid the line all together.
Great place! A lot of walking but worth every penny. Middle of the day the animals are pretty idle but get active for viewing later on the evening. Highly suggest taking the bus tour first to get a good lay of the land.
I love the San Diego Zoo! You can see the animals pretty close and they all look happy and well cared for. The zoo is very large with a lot of animals to see, my favorite was to see the flamencos and monkeys. Parking is free. They have good food options too.
We had an amazing time and enjoyed this large and well maintained zoo. The volunteers are extremely helpful, we had a great chat with Mary while watching the elephants. Glad we had the opportunity to check this off our bucket list while in San Diego.
This zoo is nothing short of incredible, we came all the way out from Utah to see this zoo, I have heard so much about it over the years, and it lived up to my expectations and more! I absolutely loved the guided bus tour, it was so much fun, so worth the wait. The 4D theater was adorable and cute even for adults its entertaining. We also rode the sky lift and that was so thrilling. If I can give one recommendation to any new comers that would be to utilize the kangaroo stops, it saves a lot of hill trekking, part of the reason we couldnt see the whole park. Dispite this being a zoo, I have to say my favorite part was all the exotic trees and flowers, this was a fabulous time to go as spring flowers are blooming everywhere making the park come alive, and they are all different species from all iver the world, some almost extinct, to needing a new place to thrive. I love this zoo for the conservation they strive to maintain, super inspiring and amazing.
This is one of the best Zoos in the country. It is very clean and well organized. The staff takes pride in their work and it is a very fun environment for adults and families alike. We will always make it a point to stop here when we are in town.
Omg. Such an amazing zoo. I always have reservations with going to zoos, but people were recommending it and it indeed didn’t disappoint. You can easily spend a day there. Especially nice were the areas with birds where you could walk around them.
A zoo doesnt get better than this. This is an amazing place. If you ever visit San Diego never miss visiting San Diego Zoo. They have so many animals and the zoo keeper takes pretty good care of them. My experience was worth every penny.
The park is HUGE. The zoo is an absolute must to visit. There’s so many animals to see, from big to small. The zoo staff were friendly and helpful with any questions we had about certain animals. Parking isn’t a problem as there were plenty of spots to park.
Very nice zoo. Many animals. Very clean. There is no unpleasant smell from animals. The toilets are cleaned. There are many toilets on the territory. There are also many places to eat on site. You can buy souvenirs, make a drawing on your face and much more. You can eat very tasty in the restaurant. The food is delicious and everything is fresh. Thank you for such a nice and clean zoo 😍
Considered one of the top Zoos in the world. Amazing collection of animals from every continent, including endangered species. Natural habitat enclosures have replaced old style cages.Summer night time hours until 9pm.
This zoo is unbelievable awesome! I have never seen a better one, the animals were great and the place is kept very clean. The volunteer guides there were very helpful and friendly to my husband and I.
I can see why people consider this the best zoo. I suggest getting there in the morning preferably on a week day if you bring kids. It takes around 6 or 7 hours to see everything with stops at some of the villages. They do have a very large variety of animals but I was blown away by all the plant life, the rainforest is a legit large jungle you can see from the high bridge. When you were walking through the outdoor exhibits ot was so real with all the countries plant life they brought in. There is definitely a certain way you should walk the park to avoid going up multiple steep hills. Overall well worth it and fun way to spend the day.
The San Diego Zoo was a fun experience especially for my children. The food and drinks are expensive so bring water atleast. We ate once and it was enough to keep us full. The animals look healthy and they keep the whole park clean even the bathrooms are super clean. Lots of walking so bring comfortable shoes and bring your wagons if you have kids.
It was my first time to the San Diego Zoo and even thou it was quite expensive, it was surely enjoyable! It was a lot of walking and they had a trolley for you to ride and take you to places around the zoo. The restaurants were pretty busy with lines. The animals were incredible to see!
This is the best zoo I have ever been to. On the day I went, Xmas activities and lights made this trip extra special. I walked through the turnstile at 9 am and left at 8 pm, closing. The day was magical. The guided bus tours and sky tram are all free with the price of entry.
Be ready to walk beacuse this place is HUGE they do have a kangaroo bus line that travels through the park as well as a sky gondola. Love you can bring in your own snacks definitely will be back soon! Cant wait to check out the safari!
Must see place when visiting San Diego. While the giant pandas have been gone for a few years, there are still new exhibits being built. Recently they opened a new hummingbird and komodo dragon exhibit. You can get a good workout since the zoo is on a slope, but if you cant move well Id recommend the bus tour near the entrance. If you want the best views youd want the top level and sit on the right side as most animals will appear there. Best to go early to avoid crowds and the animals are more lively.
Great amenities for ADA persons. Shuttle service, wheelchair rentals $14, or scooters $55. Enjoyed the staff and all the exhibits. Bring your kids to the Wildlife Explorer exhibit which has a water feature amid a playground and bridge.
Small zoo with a big price tag. As zoos go, this was just average. The facilities are good but the animals and their habitats were not to the standard of other zoos. We left after only a short time and wouldn’t return.
Hands down a must see for anyone that can get to San Diego. Very easy to get to within the city. Parking free on site. However...it was insanely busy so plan accordingly. We got there at 11am thinking wed see some people leaving already but people were still arriving in droves! We took the sky ferry (free) to the back and then walked to the front. Took us five hours to do almost everything. Every exhibit was so well done-absolutely incredible. Plenty of shade everywhere. The animal enrichment was such a focus-it was so cool! The signs are well done and volunteers very helpful not to mention wealth of knowledge. Bathrooms well stocked and clean. Pathways and gardens-pristine. Customer service well noticed. Well worth every $ today. Thank you San Diego Zoo!
What a great zoo, it is massive. You definitely need to wear some comfy shoes but well worth it. So many great exhibits and animals to see. Also has a gondola to ride going over the park.
Worth the visit! Visited the 1st of June so all of the elementary schools were taking field trips (kids had a blast!). We entered thr zoo at opening (0900), bought our tickets online (I HIGHLY encourage this!) and walked straight in. We ate a delicious breakfast in the park and sat in the hummingbird exhibit waiting for the sky tram to open (sit down, listen, and watch these wonderful birds fly around you and relax). The aerial tram is a super way to start your day (opens at 1000am). If you want to get away from the big crowds, come at opening, check out the exhibits close to the air tram and take it across the park (gives you a great perspective of the depth & breath of this very eco-friendly zoo). On the far side of the park, you will enjoy lighter pedestrian traffic and you can enjoy the zoo before children get hot, tired and fussy. If you are adult visits with no kids like us, follow the fun hints above.
Worth it! Took us 4 hours to check out the Zoo, its pretty big. Well maintained and best activity to do while in San Diego. My 3yo had so much fun and theres alot of snack stores and restaurants to stop by when you guys get hungry.
Best place to bring the family for a magical experience. The price also includes bus tours and a skyfariWe fed the giraffes 🦒 too! Theres also a rhino feeding opportunity. 🦏 SAVE THE CHUBBY UNICORNS!!Best of all, our kids had a great time. Although it can be pricey, we felt good knowing that its a non-profit wildlife habitat, and that the proceeds fund their operations and research into endangered species, etc. Worth it!!
Beautiful zoo in the middle of Balboa Park!Lots of hills so be prepared for some serious incline lolOr take the zoo bus around and hop on and off!We went mid-afternoon and got to see most animals but there were still quite a few sleeping. Probably better to go in the morning if you can!
Yesterday was my first time going to the San Diego Zoo. Its a very beautiful place. I love trees and plants, and the landscape is wonderful. They are doing a good work there with the animals.
The Zoo was wonderful! When I went to visit on Valentines Day it was not too busy a decent amount not over packed. The park is huge and offers a bus tour or amtrain. I loved the sections over the park a lot to see and fun to do.
I always love coming to the zoo and seeing all da animals. My daughter has a blast and my mom payed for the tickets! Win win. It might be a bit pricey to buy stuff there. I mean $6 for a water. For reals!? Not even a big water. Im talking small. But the money goes towards the zoo employees and the animals so for a few extra bucks I can manage. It was still a fun day. And I feel privileged to live this close to the best zoo in the country.
This is one of the best place to visit. I had a great experience there together with my family. They have a lot of wild animals, fish and birds of different species. The geographic scenario is a complete imitation of natural habitat. There is mountains and valleys covered with huge trees and a stream of water that leads into a water fall which has an amazing relaxing effect. All the roads and walking path are marked with directions , numbers and there are maps posted in different locations to help you easily navigate without fear of being lost. If you like hiking and walking, this is also a perfect place to burn your excess calories while enjoying the natural beauty and amazing creatures at the same time. Well for those who don’t like walking for a long distance, there is an option for you. The amazing double deck tour buses will take you all around and there is someone who will be explaining to you what’s around including the deep history of the species and the place. And the greatest of all is the superb aerial tour with skyfari trams that takes you above everything and gives you unforgettable life experience. Each tram carries 2 individuals and you all this are covered in your original ticket, so you don’t have to worry about paying an extra dime. For the parents who have young kids and still opt to walk around, they have strollers available at a fair price.
The largest zoo in the world!!! Of course its great. Very big, so I recommend you take the tour and use the skycar to get around. Fun place. Got a chance to feed a gariffe too!!! Exciting
Absolutely love to go into the San Diego zoo and seeing all the animals. It was a great trip and a great birthday for us to get away and just relax. If you get a chance and youre in San Diego I would definitely stop at the zoo
It was a lot of fun, and we got to see many animals. Unfortunately the pandas are unavailable at the moment and I dont know when they will return, but they still have a lot of animals to see. I liked the red pandas and lion best though.
This zoo is awesome. There are plenty of attractions, restaurants, shops, and even guided bus tours. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes because this zoo is HUGE. The perfect place for an all day family outing.
The best zoo I have ever been too! San Diego Zoo cares about wildlife and it shows. We went and saw the new Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. Here are some pics! It was so much fun. I suggest bringing a bathing suit and towel for kids as there is water play. The shops there sell water tops, but not bottoms. Or flip flops. Lots of places to climb and play.
One of the worlds best zoos. Its rather pricey (admission, food, souvenirs), but profits go back to running the zoo and their programs, so I dont mind so much. Some of the most active animals Ive seen in any zoo, too!
What an amazing place! My family and I heard amazing things about the San Diego Zoo, but the stories and photos just dont do it justice! This place is so massive you need more than one day to enjoy everything, be sure to grab a map or ask Zoo employees for directions as you can get turned around easily.
The animals are cool and the gondola is also cool. The red pandas were shy, which is understandable. The food is expensive. Also, the zoo entrance PA voice is read by an employee live rather than being prerecorded messages, which is kind of funny.
Man I lovedds this place! They take care of the animals. I would love to donate and support the animals that are being taken care of there. Also big hand for all of the volunteers you guys are amazing and Im glad the zoo have people like you. Keep up the good work.
Beautiful zoo! Start from the back and work your way down the park towards the entrance; fewer people that way! So much fun and had perfect weather!
Great place to visit for kids. My daughter loves it and it us really good for her to walk around to explore different kinds of animal. We all love it!
The zoo truly lives up to it’s top-tier ranking. All of the exhibits are well kept and somehow the animals at the zoo like to lay right next to the glass for viewing. The best exhibits we stumbled upon were the Komodo dragons and the Hummingbird habitat. I would also recommend walking to the back of the zoo and then taking the gondola back toward the front to avoid long gondola lines.
I have wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo for years and I finally got the opportunity! Wow!! It certainly didnt disappoint!! It was an all-day blast of more than 17,000 steps! I suggest that you bring your own food and drink, which is permissible, because the food choices there are only OK and are very expensive. Children need strollers for sure as it is just too much walking for anyone under the age of 8. Everyone should have sunhats and sunscreen. The Skyfari Gondolas and the bus tours are amazing! Dont spend the money to park at the zoo lot. There are plenty of free lots in Balboa Park within tram and/or a short walk. Be aware that while there were Giant Pandas, they have been sent home to China after a successful breeding program.
Wow, what a great zoo! Free parking. Enclosures are huge and does not feel like your typical city zoo. All animals seem happy and well cared for. Food at this zoo is surprisingly good. Unfortunately shows during Covid have been cancelled indefinitely. Lots of walk in aviary enclosures. If you don’t like walking, invest in the kangaroo bus route, it will talk you to 4 major stops around the park. Visit the zoo bus tour first thing as you enter to get a feel for the park, it’s free and queue is short most of the time! Love that this zoo and safari park is a non-profit and all proceeds from merchandise and food goes back to taking care of the animals! Would highly recommend if you are visiting San Diego, and also visit the Safari Park in Escondido if you have extra time.
Great zoo felt like Disney world with so many animals. I live in nyc where we have the Bronx zoo and even then this was well worth the visit. Took about 3-4 hours to do the whole park
An excellent day! I absolutely love going first thing in the morning and lining up to enter. There is so much to see. I love the free rides that are included with the ticket. My favorite animal to see is the orangutans and polar bears.
A must see in the city, a world class facility! Get a 2 day pass and visit the safari park as well. Get here before open to get good parking and see the opening ceremonies. Then get on the tour bus right away. We saw so much while the animals were active. Definitely a good idea to figure out where to go and how big the park is.
Absolutely amazing zoo. Saw animals that I have never heard of in my life. Property was beautifully maintained. I would recommend 5 hours for a visit.
The San Diego Zoo was a great experience. It is a large zoo with the opportunity for a lot of walking. If you dont want to do as much walking though, take a bus tour or grab the kangaroo bus. Both are included with admission. We loved seeing the hippos and polar bears. There were quite a few active animals and did not leave disappointed. You can grab a paper map or use digital on your phone. The food is fairly expensive so if you want to save, bring snacks. We brought our own water bottles in. They sell refillable popcorn buckets and soda cups. Plenty of bathrooms. We loved the shaded trail during the hot part of the day. Its a really nice zoo with a large assortment of animals.
My daughter loves coming here. Theres a lot of walking. So, come dressed accordingly. There are so many animals to see. Hard to go through the whole park in just 1 day.
Always heard about how the San Diego Zoo was amazing… but aren’t all zoos pretty much the same? After spending a day here, I know why this zoo is considered the best. It really is a place you must visit.
We had an amazing private tour which included feeding okapis, which are very cool looking giraffe relatives with zebra-like legs. Being so close to the animals was awesome. Our tour guide (Phil) did a great job, and you can tell from the other tours we saw that all the guides are very personable and enjoy sharing their knowledge. I’ve also been to the zoo without a tour and you can ride the large double deck buses for no additional charge. The zoo is huge so if you’re not doing a tour probably smart to decide what you want to see in advance.
Highly recommend the Animals in Action tour! Get up close with the animals and feed a few special friends. Be prepared to walk and bring snacks as choices are pretty limited.
This zoo is huge! There are a lot of animals, though the rhinos and tigers were not present. We had some great up close encounters. All staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Vending everywhere. Unfortunately there was an excess of trash in some places. Overcrowded
Having been to a few zoos around the world, I can absolutely say that the San Diego Zoo holds its own as a world-class zoo. Somewhat reminded me of the Seoul Zoo with an extra level of polish. Absolutely loved the hop-on/hop-off bus tours they had operating throughout the park. If youre ambitious, you could probably tour the zoo in about 3-4 hours not including the shows. Everyone else can probably get their fill in about 4-5 hours. Would definitely go again!
Great zoo!! Great experience! Animals appear well cared for, clean, engaging enclosures. The conservation efforts are impressive!! Awesome place! Looking forward to going back soon!
Probably one of the best zoo in the world, if you want to see entire zoo then must visit on the dot when it opens then also probably you may not complete entire zoo, but anyway could see too many animals from all part of the worlds . Must try their bud ride.
The San Diego zoo is world famous for a good reason! A very well designed layout makes for a great experience. I was surprised at how much verticality the park has.Unfortunately the Panda bears returned to China last year. But there are still plenty of cool exhibits to see at the park.
Come check out the new childrens area, plenty of space for you to sit back relax and enjoy some fun in the sun. Bring towels and bathing suits. Its recommended, plenty of fun in the sun in the new water splash area. The newly developed area has a full kitchen for your lunch needs as well. Beer, burgers, kids meals and family meals, youll find what youll need in this new area.
Amazing zoo! Lots of animals, easy to see most of them, and oftentimes they are very close to guests. I also like that so much of the institutions focus is on conservation.
The world famous San Diego Zoo. There is a reason they are world famous. They are living in 3031 while we are stuck in 2021. They are breaking ground that no one knew needed to be broken. They are the Platonic Ideal of a zoo.You will not get through the whole zoo in one day. Even if you get there when it opens, you will miss something and have to come back.These animals are happy and healthy. They are taken of care of amazingly well. I wish I was taken care of as well as they are. Their well being is the first priority. Our being able to see them and enjoy them is second. Dont worry its a close second.Pro tip- take the bus tour when you get there so you can see the layout right away and plan your day from that.
A great place to visit for adults and kid, a like. Youll need the whole day there and even so you will not see the whole park. Stay as late as you can as the animals are more active as the sun sets
My daughter absolutely loved it here. Shes one year old and enjoyed the Zoo more than Disneyland! It was a calm and quiet day so that helped.There are a lot of uphills and downhills so keep that in mind if youre bringing a stroller or have mobility issues.
Wonderful place! The animals are amazing and well cared for, many of them rescued. Well worth the admission price. Free parking! The rhino talk was the best😉
Definitely a must do when in SAN. Plus kids are free in October.Recommend taking the bus tour around the zoo to kick of the visit. It will give you a great overview of about 80% of the exhibits with some fun facts. Also recommend arriving around 9/9:30 so you can see the animals during their most active part of the day and during their breakfast period.
My grandkids and daughter took me for my 61th birthday hadnt been there in 50 years. So much has changed. It was so wonderful. Loved all the animals. The staff was great! Totally love the bus tour and the skytram and my grandkids. Love the 4D animated movie. I thought I was great too. Thanks guys and thanks to San Diego zoo for a wonderful time
We spent ALL day here without even realizing it! Recommend you go on a weekday like us, not crowded at all. Loved seeing all the animals, seem healthy and well maintained. We got lucky and got some great action viewing of the hippos and tigers. Concerning Pandas, if you didn’t know, they are longer at the San Diego Zoo. They were moved to China in 2019. Note… bring walking shoes, there is no direct path to see all the animals; a lot of back and forth on path to see the whole park.
Hands down, the best zoo Ive ever visited! Saw so many animals, most were out and about! Very cool place, would recommend for kids and adults!
Wish I had more time here! Animals were very active when I went and even got to see elephants! Very easy to walk around and offers bus tours too.
Ive been to many zoos but this was hands town the best one Ive ever seen!! So many carefully crafted exhibits where the animals seem so happy and well cared for. I was able to see so many animals Ive wanted to see since I was a child and many of them were so active! Theres nothing like this place and it is beyond worth the admission price. Dont miss out on an amazing experience here at the San Diego zoo 🥰
Fantastic time! We had the perfect walking path. Make sure to plan enough time to spend at the zoo. We did most of the zoo and it took 5 hours with a lunch break. Animals were active and well taken care of!
The San Diego zoo is probably the most toured zoo in the world. Hundreds of animals on display. There are mule choices of transportation.... busses, walking, sky fari, and smaller electric carts. The zoo is clean and focus is on natural environments.
My family and I love it here! It’s quite the experience. Don’t skip over anything!If you want some tips, all I can tell you is our favorite animals… Andean Bears, Capuchin Monkey’s, Coati, Foosa, Giraffes, Koala’s, Laughing Kookaburras, Lions, Leopards, Jaguar, Maned Wolves, Meerkats, Polar Bears, Red Pandas, Squirrel Monkey’s, and the Wallaby’s. As you can see we love them all…If you have time, I encourage you to meet the wildlife ambassadors at Wegeforth Bowl.Let me wrap this up by saying the San Diego Zoo is a non-profit organization. They do an amazing job at educating visitors while providing the best care for all living things, plants and animals. With that said, as much as the wild is much different from being housed in a zoo- these animals are provided stimulation and enrichment. If you have any doubts, please read up on the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and their efforts.
Phenomenal place, something for everyone. Vast zoo with every animal imaginable. Leave a minimum of two hours to explore and relax, especially in the hot summer.
The tickets are very expensive!Zoo is awesome, i would recommend you to first take bus tour and then explore reptile area and take skyfari from there.There you will have polar bear and mowgli 4D experience
It lives up to its Worlds Best reputation. Loved every minute. The animals are amazing. Tour bus is an informative and enjoyable attraction. All the employees we talked to love working there, too.
Nice place bit somehow disappointed, even though my family and I were able to see some cool animals, we couldnt see pandas and red pandas, polar bear, penguins, tigers, rhinoceros and fishing cat. Even in the humming bird exhibit, we only saw one, so I am guessing the animals were taken somewhere for whatever reason or so because other people were complaining about the same issue with the very same species. The kids enjoyed the gondola ride very much but they were sad about not been able to see so many animals they were excited to see for weeks.
Tons of animals to see. Lots of walking and hills. We bought the tickets online because its a little cheaper. They have beer there popcorn buckets that are refillable. You can also buy the soda souvenir cup for unlimited refills for the day also.
The san Diego Zoo is always a must see. Lots of good fa.ily time and educational. Masks are optional. Restrooms were clean. Check on the web site for price reduction opportunities. Wear comfortable shoes. Enjoy.
Great day at the zoo. 2 bus tours one included with your ticket. Different restaurants available to choose from. New water area for little kids. Lots of different animals to see. Will definitely come again.
A fun place to go with your family, by yourself, or with friends. I loved how the zoo was arranged by biome and had facts about each animal. We learned so much. Also, the memberships arent unreasonably expensive if you live in there area
San Diego Zoo is incredible. One of if not the best zoos around. The animals look very well cared for and park amenities are great. The polar bear enclosure was a personal favorite.Dont forget suncream / a cap if you visit in the summer.
The zoo has free parking, all the staff was helpful, and the animal enclosures are very well done. Since it is December, they also had Christmas lights and fun activities and music performances. Definitely the best zoo I have been to.
The zoo is well laid out to tackle in one day if you’re up to the challenge. They open with an animal presentation, we were lucky to meet an opossum. There are plenty of ways to get around, we used the bus tour and skyfari, there is also the kangaroo bus with stops to hop on/off throughout the zoo. Many active/ visible animals. Very helpful, friendly volunteers. I was surprised how limited the merchandising in the shops throughout the zoo was, but we did find a couple things as these purchases support the conservation work around the world. New hummingbird habit and komodo kingdom are great additions to the entry/ exit area
I dont usually like zoos because I cant shake the feeling of animals not being in wild, but this place really makes you feel good about where your money is going. I absolutely LOVE this place and didnt get enough of it before I moved away.
Best zoo Ive ever been to in my life. They have everything. Lots of walking and lots of hills. Take the free bus tour when you get there so you get the lay of the land. Its easy to get lost in the zoo.
We love going to the San Diego Zoo! The new explorer area is awesome! We went on a weekend and it was really busy, but we still saw tons of animals!
We had a great time, the zoo had plenty of cool animals. It was awesome to see a Koloa and Tasmania Devil and more animals from Australia. I’ve never seen a snow leopard or grizzly bear. The exhibits were great and for the most part the animals looked happy.
What an incredible experience.Go early that is when the animals are most active.Took the sky train to the other side of park for no line waiting and worked my way back.Very minimal back tracking to see most exhibits.Volunteers were helpful and informative.Park was clean and there were refreshments and restrooms handicap and mom friendly very often.
Honestly, I was very exited and was very biased for its favor of being good (with it apparently being one of the best somehow).But afterwards I realized it wasnt anything special, there are many other zoos that offer much better at a much lower cost. The best was probably flamingos and thats about it, maybe the two peacocks? But everything else was so dull. while the zoo was extravagant, all the animals had little to no freedom of movement, they all seemed depressed (even for a normal zoo) and a majority of the animals were passed out, if they were even there at all! Even the most basic of zoos know that you need animals for it to be called a zoo. Now the tram was somewhat interesting, it gave a whole view of the surrounding area and that was pretty neat and all, and there was a bus that would stop at random inconvenient places, getting on would show you like half the zoo (which is like a quarter of a normal zoo) but other than that it was mostly just shops, as if you didnt just spend hundreds of dollars to get your family in there in the first place, now you can spend 60$ on some plastic bubble blowers to make sure you cant pay this months rent. And if you wanted to see anything other than what you could see anywhere else, you have to pay even more just to see what is thought as impressive there (not much apparently). Now over all while there are some cool gimmicks to the place, (a tram, a bus that shows what little there actually is, and some wierd jungle book knockoff no one will see) nothing here is worthwhile. Id recommend setting your sights somewhere else.
Best zoo I’ve ever been to. Disney level quality and amazing care of detail for both the park goers as well as the animals. The new insectarium is excellent.
Amazing zoo! The animals are well taken care of and the staff are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. We managed to see everything in right around 6 hours and I hit my step goal with ease!
A great experience.So many firsts. Siberian reindeer were beautiful. First time seeing a polar bear ever but the big guy was hiding at the back.I hope these guys dont go extinct.Also I had no idea that this zoo was also the most incredible botanical garden Ive ever seen. Even a collection of trees that looked like they were out of Dr.Seuss book. I have seen anything like them. I think we will come again next year with more time to explore.
Amazing Zoo , Amazing experience! Must visit when in San Diego! This magnificent zoo is for everyone for all ages! Come and explore the fun 😁🌴💯
Always liked this zoo. Its huge, and the areas are separated by climate/regions, so its easier to see a collective of animals that live in similar habitats.The admission is a little pricey, but affordable. Its was just adults in our group, and we barely got to see everything, without much time for rest. This zoo is huge.The map can still be confusing, I recommend using they mobile version (you can scan the QR code at the entrance). Overall, always enjoyed this show as a kid, glad to see its still nice. Also, they let you bring your own snacks and water too. Wish I had known that. I was starving, but those food stand lines were ridiculous. PSA: if you have kids, ask them what they want from the menu PRIOR to arriving at the register to order, not the moment you get there.
Love SD Zoo! We are local so it’s a great spot to visit periodically as members! Food is your typical zoo food, but great snack options!
Our first time visit yesterday April/2022 ,was absolutely FANTASTIC!! we had no idea how huge this zoo is ! it compares nothing to la zoo.we got to see so many animals.the food is scrumptious.theres lots of walking but it makes it easier with all the shade the trees give.we will become a members so we can enjoy it more often .you need more than a day to see and do it all.WE LOVED IT HERE !
Free for active military. The cleanliness and staff was amazing. Food prices were reasonable and the animals were perfect.Highly suggest the bus tour first!
This was a wonderful zoo, not only because of the animals, but because the zoo itself is beautiful to walk through. I will say however, it may be a strenuous walk for those who have any physical challenges walking long distances or uphill. It’s worth the walk, but be prepared. Unfortunately, this is also the most expensive zoo I’ve ever visited. This is the priciest zoo I’ve ever visited at $50+ a ticket. This is the only reason I’m not giving the San Diego zoo 5-stars. I’ve a family of 5 so….that’s a bit to spend for a day at the zoo.
This is really a great zoo worth visiting with the family. It is very well maintained and has rare species of animals to see. The visiting fee goes to the conservation efforts so you will be contributing to an excellent cause. Parking is free but I suggest going there early to find a spot easily. There are water fountains inside for drinking, which is really helpful. Food places close too soon though during the week. Do take the bus tour at some point as well as the Skyfari for the experience. I would definitely revisit this place.
This Mega Zoo is outstanding. It’s got everything from lions, polar bears and insects, pretty much everything you could hope for in a zoo. one of the most under rated features is the botanical gardens that complement every exhibit/areas all around the zoo full of exotic and unique plants. Buses and a sky tram are free services inside the zoo. The parking is also free. Admission is like 62$,when I went there reservations were not required can buy tickets at gate.I’d suggest coming early as there are less crowds and the animals seemed more active early on, plus you might need the day to see the whole zoo. Also there are a lot of birds here like hundreds if not thousands of different birds. Polar bears n all the cats were my favorites.
I loved the experience. Spent the whole day here but still ran out of time. I did the complimentary bus tour and then planned out my walk throughout the zoo. Even though it was a weekday, it was completely packed and sometimes I had to wait in a long line to see the animals. The zoo is a non-profit and takes part in wildlife conservation which is cool. Paid extra to do an insiders tour and fed the giraffes, totally worth the money. Staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable. Would visit again.
Beautifully landscaped and appropriately modelled habitats replicatingthe actual species habitat in the wild. It has been some 50 years since I last visited the zoo, and it has changed considerably. Where animals were unfettered in open space surroundings, they are now contained with heavy-duty nets, no doubt because of inappropriate human-animal interactions. Still, one can get quite close to some of the animals, though pictures are marred by the netting.I will say I was flabbergasted at the cost of admission, and the rather lame gift shop items, horribly overpriced. Fortunately, I brought my lunch or Im sure I would have been horrified by the cost of sustenance as well. There were quite a number of alcohol venders which also surprised me. I was fortunate to take a senior excursion from my home in Riverside, and the cost of the bus and admission was still less than the cost of a one day adult ticket, no senior discounts offered (!) I honestly dont know how a family could afford a days outing unless they became members. I have travelled and attended zoos all over the world, and none of them cost the outrageous price I managed to evade here. And yes, there are many zoos that are just as famous and do just as much research and conservation as the San Diego Zoo, so I just dont get it. I come from Chicago, and the Brookfield Zoo is one of the best in the world as well. Most anyone can afford to spend the day there. BTW, the San Diego Zoo is known as the most expensive zoo in world...
Great zoo with lots of different animals and great restaurants. Very clean and nothing was closed down or too busy. If you’re military you can walk right in with your military ID. Overall great experience and beautiful area.
Best zoo Ive been to before. Huge area with an insane animal variety, we walked in at 9am and didnt leave til 4:30. The design of the park was just stellar and i enjoyed walking through it as much as I enjoyed the exhibits.
Quite an amazing place! Weve been there on numerous occasions since we live in San Diego. They have some wonderful exhibits, something to see around every bend. My personal favorite spots are the Koala enclosure, the reptile building and the apes. Its a good idea to ride around on the bus, and see the layout of the zoo, then get out and walk to the exhibits you want to see. Its also fun to save time by climbing into the sky bucket and enjoying the stellar views. My husband has the best route that takes us a day but we can see everything.There used to be a two-headed corn snake, but sadly he passed away. Theres a resident peacock and if youre lucky, hell come close and fan his feathers. Bring a camera along for sure, and enjoy the horticulture as well as the animals. After all, its all happening at the zoo!
Cool zoo. Didnt even get thru 25% of it. Which if circumstances were better, we would have got there when they opened! I advice arriving at 9am, wearing good shoes and sunscreen! You can bring in your own food and drinks! We saw the things we wanted too and had to leave because traffic...2 1/2 hours home! 😬 They have a double decker bus to tour on and a tram! 😱 They say you can see the whole park in 4-5 hours, but we had a 4 1/2yo to chase...lol Bring a stroller or you can rent one. The bubble blowers are less expensive than Disneyland...fyi. The new baby giraffe was out sunbathing, so cute! Enjoy!
The San diego zoo is a great place to visit its has a large selection of animals and exhibits to see the tour bus the kangaroo bus and the sky rail makes it very convenient to get around in the zoo. Nice low impact walk, refreshments and bathrooms located convenient throughout, friendly helpful and informative staff. The animals and facts about them. Its a whole adventure. How the animals live there and how they can interact with us in some parts is awesome. Beautiful exhibits. The animals all look great. We ate lunch at the sandwich restaurant right near the entrance. Food was delicious and pricing very reasonable. One of the reasons we visit often is not only because we have annual passes, we enjoy walking the zoo and Balboa Park. Keep up the great work!!!
This is a must do if youre in the area.We went on a weekday and arrived 15 minutes after opening. There was no wait to get into the park, the staff was friendly and very knowledgeable.I recommend getting on their tour bus, there was a 30 minute wait as soon as we walked into the park, but well worth it.Lots of walking but the Kangaroo buses are a great way to get to different areas of the zoo. Which allows you to rest a bit while getting to your next stop.
Was a great experience! My family and little one loved it! If you’re a big fan of the zoo it’s definitely a zoo you have to visit!
World renowned zoo. Lots to offer for the avid and amateur animal lover. Lots of walking for our two young kiddos. Skyfari (free with admission) and tiger were big hits for our crew.
This place is so good! One day is not enough for this place! We hardly covered 60% of this place in a day! Completely worth the ticket if you have kids with you as the species of animals are so many! Saw pandas for the first time in my life and you could actually feed them! Cute place to visit when in SD
Definitely a place you must visit when visiting San Diego. Kids and adults will have a blast. Look for coupons and deals before purchasing tickets directly through their website as they are cheaper.As soon as you arrive take the guided bus tour. Its a double decker bus. This is included with admission. It takes you around the zoo in 35 mins or so and you get a good feel of the entire zoo. This will help you plan what to visit when walking.Another attraction is the aerial tram. Usually has a long line but the line goes fast. Its not as scary as you think. You can take it from the entrance or at the top. If you take the tram when you enter you can reach the top and take a kangaroo bus that will bring you closer to the entrance again. Or you can just take the tram in the end before you leave from the top.Plenty of places to eat, water filling staitions and restrooms around the zoo.A large variety of animals to see in the zoo. The zoo is up and down hills so be prepared to walk. We didnt feel this was an issue as most of the areas are shaded and plenty of benches are available to rest.There is also a 4D movie. Its not included with general admission and costs extra. Not worth the extra money. Its not bad but not really exciting either. Very short and not a lot of 4d effects other than water sprayed on your face.They take photos at the entrance and a few other locations. Recommend taking them using the same card. After your visit go online to view the photos and you can purchase and download them for a decent rate.Recommend starting early as it does get crowded by mid day.Plenty of free parking available as well. If you go early you can get real close parking.
HUGE ZOO, took us about 4 and a half hours to see everything. Most animals are up close which I loved and they had plenty of them too. TOTALLY MISSED THE POLAR BEAR! Did not expect it to be 2 floors and the sky ride was awesome and included with the ticket. We spent plenty on snacks which were good. Such a great looking place with much greenery which gave shade to about 90% of the park for those hot days.
A day well spent. Go early and take the bus which takes you around the zoo (30 mins) and you will get a great overview. Wait for the upper floor of the bus so that you can see things that you would not be able to see otherwise (even when you spend hours of walking, you cannot see things that you can observe on the upper floor)
While in the San Diego area we decided to visit the San Diego Zoo for the first time. It definitely did not disappoint! We spent 4-5 hours and walked to everything in the zoo. Walking is by far the best way to experience the zoo to the fullest. The tour bus does not get very close to the animal exhibits and only stops for brief moments. Grab a map on your way in and you can choose a path to see everything. We went during the weekday and the zoo was not packed at all. We could get close to the glass without having to wait to see the animals. If youre in San Diego this is highly recommended.
This is an awesome zoo to visit but be prepared to walk a lot of terrain with varying elevation. I would highly recommend going on the bus tour first since it will help you see almost the entire zoo with a knowledgeable guide. Everyone queues to sit on top, but I would say the bottom is better for young kids because you can see everything a lot easier. From the top, you may only have a good view in one direction. The entrance to the bus tour is right by the entrance.If its going to be hot, do the urban jungle and elephant rocks area first because there is the least amount of shade on that side of the zoo. Take a ride on the sky tram for a great overhead view, but be ready to leave your stroller parked if its a double because only small strollers fit. There is a sky tram near the exit at the front of the zoo.
We had a great day. This was well worth the price of a ticket. Extremely clean. Fairly well organized. Very little to nitpick. The people seem to love working there. They pack a ton of experience into this park and get full use out of every last nook and cranny. We can highly recommend lunch at Alberts. My best advice is to take the free bus tour when you first get there. It takes about half an hour, and you get a great view of the park that helps you plan and prioritize.
A great place to visit, specially with the family. You can spend the whole day without even notice. All facilities are in a very good condition, animals are in great shape, they have a huge diversity of animals.I went for the first time on 2007 and went back on mid 2021, and can tell you, they now are even better than before.
The zoo is huge, the visit took us the whole day (5 hours in total). We saw all the animals, its really impressive and beautiful !!
All I can say is bring a good pair of walking shoes because your going to need them. I would also take a hard right when you get into the zoo and go that way around. If you don’t your going to be walking up hill very soon and it is going to make the visit a lot shorter. The amount of women pushing baby strollers up that large hill was more than impressive. I would have died and lost my kid all on the same visit. Make sure you take the Safari tour of the zoo it was a lot of fun, and I was able to rest the dogs for a hot minute. This is one of my favorite places to visit because of the animals and the how much the zoo does for the conservation of the animals.
Had an amazing experience here. There is a selection of animals that you dont find anywhere else, and there is always a staff member or volunteer around that can explain and give you info on the animal you are interested in.The Polar Bears are in outdoors only until 1 PM, after that they are free to stay inside (I missed them unfortunately)The entrance fee is overpriced relative to other similar zoos, but I think its worth it. Additionally you can bundle and save with the safari zoo and more.
What an fantastic experience this place is the best zoo I’ve ever been to ! The animals are majestic 🦒 🦓 and well taken care of. I would never pass up a trip to this zoo take your friends and family a lot of the profit goes back into helping animals. They serve beer and other alcoholic beverages in the park it’s such a fun place to explore and is worth multiple visits!
If youre visiting San Diego and love animals you have to live this experience. Its a great zoo with multiple tours and you have everything to spend all day here. A lot of a animals to see, great service from the employees and definitely a world class experience.
So many species to see… Love the bus tour. We were able To tour the whole park in one due thanks to the kangaroo buses, offering different stops at different locations on site allowing us visitMore spots in park. It was so shaded and cool that walking around was not so demanding. The different plant species and water falls were so beautiful. Also the aviaries were just amazing. AMust see in San Diego
San Diego Zoo was a place I wanted to see since Ross’s monkey (from “Friends”) end up thereMy impression from this zoo mostly is great!Big specious parking, we visited on weekends and have no problem to place our carFree maps next to entrance will help you enjoying trip and don’t get lostFor those, who doesn’t like walking around bus-trip with guid is availableWe bought the tickets online a day before, which was a great idea - save us a lot of time in a line to get them (it cost us $68 for adults)You have to try a zip line! Amazing view across the park will make you speechless!Zoo itself was quite impressive:- big variety of all kinds of animals & birds- sections of living area are big, multilevel, specious- animals and birds looks healthy and well fedIf there was something I didn’t like - it was lack of observation points of some animals which I simply haven’t seen. I walk around empty cages while animals have been resting at some places unreachable for the eyeAnd felt really sorry for some pollar animals (pollar bear, penguins etc) suffering in such a hot climateBut other then that - everything was perfectAnyway, if you are around - You should visite#SanDiegoZoo#SanDiegoSightseeing
The biggest zoo in the world. The zoo is well organized. There is a cable car, a tourist bus with guidance. There are souvenir shops and food stalls (everything is very expensive). It is recommended to be in the place for at least half a day.
We had a great time and during the kids free event. The bus rides are a life saver and we got to see all the animals. Wasnt crowded so it was easy to social distance. The night time events with the music and bubbles was great for the little one
San Diego Zoo: Visiting the San Diego Zoo has been on my bucket list for years and even though it took until my 30s to get there the wait was worth it. The zoo has a lot of great exhibits with many of them allowing you to get pretty close views of the animals. Some of my favorites were the koalas, hippo, and penguins. Just as impressive as the animals was the landscaping. There are plenty of beautiful plants, trees, and even a waterfall. Included with your ticket is a double decker bus tour around the zoo and parking is free. I should warn you that if you are older, injured or out of shape there are many hills that might be difficult for you to navigate. As much as I liked this park I would like to mention that if you only have time to visit the zoo or Safari Park then visit the Safari Park.Doughboy_Food_Reviews
4.7 (199 comments)
Review №1
2022-06-21Let’s be real- this zoo is just unbeatable. It is a magical experience just to walk through it , let alone to witness the stunning variety of animals and plants. Hands down it is a must-see of San Diego. Definitely download the app and try to do the bus tour early morning or in the evening as I think the animals are more lively. There is always a chance that you won’t get to see some of the animals but you won’t be disappointed with the monkeys, koalas, and the many stunning aviaries. The history of the zoo and its many many animals is also captivating and a gift that keeps giving after you leave. It is definitely doable in one day but another day may have alleviated some of the angst of seeing or not-seeing some of the animals.
Review №2
2022-01-06We loved visiting the San Diego zoo. Its world famous for a reason. We also learned that its not only a zoo but also a botanical garden. It is stunning to walk around. There is so much nature and beauty aside from the animals.They grow so many different plants and trees there.The bus tours are well worth it to check out the outside of the entire zoo and see animals along the way. Plan to be here for at least 3 hours if not more. Also the zoo allows you to bring food and snacks so you dont have to worry. Theyre so baby friendly which was great. Theres a whole baby station where you can wash your baby bottles if you plan to be there long and need to feed the baby with a clean bottle. I loved it.
Review №3
2022-04-18Its been a few years since weve been here but it has changed in such an amazing way!!! The new childrens area is great!!! They have beautiful new exhibits, new buildings and structures. They have a wet play zone for the kids with waterfalls, arcing waters and splash zones. They also have a dryer you can pay to use to dry off too! They have amazing new merchandise for the kids as well. If you havent been here in a while, Id highly recommend it! We had so much fun!
Review №4
2022-06-28What a nice and interesting place to visit!We enjoyed our day at the zoo.They have big varieties of animals and bird species.They have many entertaining things to do like the skyfari tram, the guided tour buses and the 4D theatre.I love the design of the exhibits that can make you feel the habitat of each animalThe staff are very helpful and friendly.The parking lot is very large and there are no parking fees.
Review №5
2022-04-08This place is great! Plenty of benches and shady spots along the trails. I spoonful advise you bring a water bottle which they will refill with water or buying a free refill soda. Plenty of animals to see. Plenty of things s for kids to interact with. Theres a reason this is considered one of the best zoos in the world. Definitely a must visit if visiting San Diego. If local buy the champion membership. Skipping lines, separate entrance, and includes wild animal park as well. Good for 2 people and you get two free passes. So if 4 purple going. It basically pays for itself on first visit. Clickhelpful if you found this helpful please
Review №6
2022-06-13This is truly one of the best zoos ever. Very high quality habitats, healthy animals all the way around, and good layout make for an incredibly enjoyable experience. But, it is not perfect, although its issues are fairly minor. The lines for food are outrageously long, and the food itself is overpriced. While I understand that its not going to be restaurant quality food, the prices are still a bit high for what youre getting and service is poor at best. But, compared to the swath of good experiences here, the food is a small problem in a great zoo. The only other problem I have is that it will take you 2-3 days to see everything if you go at a reasonable pace. Its so much, the thing kinda suffers from success. Entrance prices can be a bit much as well, but they have to fund this amazing experience somehow.If you can deal with the downsides, this is one of the top zoos Im the world, and for good reason. This place is an experience as much as it is a zoo.
Review №7
2022-05-25Had an absolutely wonderful time at San Diego Zoo with the family.Very clean and well organized place. Super convenient to have the bus running during business hours if you dont want to walk around, but I do recommend walking to fully enjoy every aspect.Animal enclosures and facilities are neat and easy to see the animals are well cared for.One of my favorite things was the variety of plants and trees throughout the entire park. Lots of non native species to appreciate.Lastly, the gondola ride is a beautiful way to see the zoo from above or quickly get from one side of the zoo to the other.
Review №8
2022-04-05The family loved it. This zoo is amazing! And huge! We spent the entire day there and still did not see everything. Be sure to bring your walking shoes because there is a lot of walking. There is also a bus the will take you around the park too. And they have a Gondola! The Staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. A must go if you are in San Diego. Buy tickets online and you will save some money too. Free parking!
Review №9
2022-01-10My husband and I love visiting animals in zoos and aquariums all over America. This is the BEST ZOO in AMERICA hands down! The animals were so enthusiastic and energetic to visit with me. It is hard to say which animal was my favorite when each of their personalities where unique.I suggested you download the Zoo APP before you arrive. It is a GREEN tour guide that is very informative and easy to use. We used the zoo app to search for specific animal questions and locations. Then the app directed us to the animal step by step. Since we used the App, we were able to see more animals than expected.If you want general animal for a zoo gift buy it at the main entrance. I bought a very cute sweatshirt at the main entrance of the Zoo for myself. Remember each part of the zoo has a gift shop. The gifts items are directly related to animals in that area.100% Satisfactory, Volunteers Thank you for treating the animal with the respect they deserve.
Review №10
2022-02-14We had absolutely perfect weather for this visit! The zoo has just gorgeous grounds with lots of trees and plants.The animals were amazing to see because the enclosures were intimate. The bus tour was exceptional A wonderful place to visit for all ages!! Will definitely return soon!!