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San Diego Zoo
Zoo
Balboa Park, San Diego
"Do the bus tour first to see everything and plan out your day."(43 Tips)
"We love the giraffes and the Skyfari aerial tram."(25 Tips)
"Hippo Pool, Panda Canyon, Polar Bears and Gorillas are a must."(22 Tips)
"Love this place♥ (guided bus tour was also great!!!!!)"(10 Tips)
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Afnan OJuly 29, 2016A very active and big zoo. You will need water and try walking in the shade. Whenever you do the bus tours make sure you are on the right side of the bus to see most of the animals. My son enjoyed it.
Upvoted 2 weeks ago
echoJuly 26, 2016Impressive conservation efforts. Super knowledgeable staff (be sure to take advantage of the bus tour, sit right upper deck). And of course PANDAS (1 of 4 zoos in US exhibiting pandas) and BIG CATS!
Upvoted Mar 5
AlesoJune 14, 2016The zoo design is wonderful you can feel you are actually in the enviorement of the animals you are looking, has several spots to have snacks or even a beer, souvenir shops, kids will love it
This was a great zoo! There was so much to see, and the skyfari, the kangaroo bus and the guided tour was all amazing. Not to mention "Call of the Night," was great too.
Jeff S.April 14, 2017I would put this zoo on my bucket list. I keep going back even though I crossed it off many years ago. You will be amazed at how close you'll see the animals in their surroundings. It's well worth it.
- San Diego Zoo is one of the biggest and best zoos in the country. Wide range of exhibits and habitats you can't find anywhere else. They also advocate tons for wildlife preservation and animal safety.
Amanda BirchNovember 26, 2017I've been going here for years. They just opened the new "Africa Rocks" exhibit a few days ago and they did a stunning job! The African Penguins all have name tags and are very friendly.
Very clean and has the friendliest keepers to answer your questions. Together with the Safari Park it is the best Zoo in the US, if not the world. Wear comfortable shoes. Check the map ahead of time.
Justin GianninotoApril 4, 2018Explore the globes animals through this gorgeous, modern and clean wildlife safari/conservatory right in the middle of Balboa Park. This is a must!
Noel ClarkeJuly 26, 2016I'm not a fan of Zoo's but this one seems to care about the animals and is definitely a zoo where educating the children that visit is something they take seriously. Check it out.
Dillon CarpenterNovember 8, 2014First thing: take the bus tour and get the top right seats! Find out where you want to go and then make use of the Kangaroo bus and the Skyfari!
Natalie S.December 22, 2013If you can, do the inside look tour. Worth every penny. You get to feed the camels, giraffes and skip the 45 min. Panda line. Staci was our tour guide and she was awesome. You learn a lot.
Hannah CorriveauJanuary 23, 2015The animals here are loved and cared for by the best zookeepers in the country. It's a place to go to spend all day or just relax quietly in one of the aviaries after a long day.
- Your first visit admission ticket may be counted towards your annual pass, which makes sense if you plan to visit at least once again.
Peter ChinFebruary 21, 2015Awesome! Hands down one of the best Zoo's one the west coast (maybe the best). Great layout to get around to see everything and several options for transportation in the park (buses and sky tram).
Jenny V Martinez RJanuary 19, 2015Excellent park for families to enjoy. The animals healthy and well fed. Recommendation for the bus ride sitting on the right side as the animals look better. Recommended
Dwight YoungDecember 29, 2014Best zoo in the world. Nothing else comes close. Well-designed exhibits present animals as they would be in nature. Research and education mission is evident in the information given.
Timmy LarsonJuly 14, 2014Great zoo! The Kangaroo Bus is to get around faster. The actual tour bus you board near the entrance. If the hippos are sleeping, wait 5 minutes. They'll have to take a breath.
eric bornemannOctober 17, 2021Really the Rolls Royce of zoos. Amazing location and enclosures for the animals… but damn is it expensive. In the summer go in the morning and then come back at night when less crowded and cooler.
Abdulaziz AAugust 31, 2016The best zoo have ever visited, very clean, organized & well managed. Animals looks relaxed and well served. A wonderful place to visit👍🏼
Mohammed AlrabahMarch 25, 2016Amazing Zoo, take day pass and enjoy unlimited skyfari Aerial tram, guided bus tour, and kangaroo bus.
Gilbert HernandezJuly 28, 2015Nice zoo. They have transportation inside the zoo, which is good to move inside. Not recommended in high temperatures in the summer, as animals stay in shades and you can't see them.
- Julie CummingsJanuary 27, 2015Head to the Panda exhibit early to miss a long line & to see their morning feeding. Parking is free. Pace yourself because there's lots of walking.... its huge. Best zoo we've ever seen!
Shelley SykesOctober 17, 2015The month of October, kids are free. This in turn creates lack of parking and hundreds of people. We have come during regulars months and had more enjoyment, less crowds and plenty of parking.
Çağrı Mert BakırcıSeptember 7, 2012San Diego Zoo is a "must-see" attraction not only in San Diego, but also in the world. It is amazing! The zoo is more than a "zoo". It is also a park that you can have fun and find many things to do!
Justin OrdovezaAugust 12, 2020You can rent a wheelchair or an electric scooter. The park has steep paths and narrow entryways especially at the aviary (bird) spaces.
Social News NetworkAugust 14, 2013Beautiful, beautiful zoo, but it's gigantic. To fully enjoy the experience, get a two-day pass. Otherwise, you'll end up dragging your feet four or five hours into it. The pandas are a must-see.
Allison EdenzonDecember 24, 2015Amazing animals, take the sky tram! So much fun to walk around with friends or on your own and see the animal kingdom.
Crafty FoxApril 26, 2019The Same Diego zoo never disappoints! Beautiful landscaping throughout will emerse you in the habitats of the animals. Staff is knowledgeable and always has interesting tips about the animals.- Sara TaylorOctober 15, 2017Had an amazing day here - arrived right at 9 and didn’t leave until 6. So many amazing things to see! Recommend doing the animals in action tour. Totally unique and totally worth it.
Ignis Dalini EcheverriSeptember 30, 2013Huge, beautiful, one of my greatest places! Hippos, Rhinos, Bears, Elephants, Gorillas, uff!.. Arrive early, don't buy during your visit (to walk free), you can buy yours presents in the exit store.
Kelly McQuienNovember 12, 2013Go early, soon as the zoo opens. See the pandas, polar bears, koalas, whatever you like most as early as possible. Loved the sky tram, great views!
JuliaAugust 15, 2013You'd better spend the whole day there! There are so many things to do and see. Too many animals, shops, and the summer festival performances. Amazing!!
Maina KhojaJuly 6, 2015If you can go in a cool cloudy day you'll see animals in full action. You need a pass for riding the cable cars, hop on/off bus and for feeding giraffes
If you're a San Diegan, it's definitely worth getting a season pass! You can bring a guest (with Diamond Level) every time you visit! Great place to bring visitors with no extra expense to you.- Rachel MercerJanuary 30, 2013Go on a Monday for the lightest crowds and easiest viewing of the Baby Panda. Many of the animals are most active between 10am and 1pm. Hippo Pool, Panda Canyon, Polar Bears and Gorillas are a must.
- Kyle MaceyDecember 16, 2017Do the bus tour first to see everything and plan out your day. The reptile and insect exhibits are super neat!
Denise D.December 13, 2019Gorgeous animal park. Great staff to help you navigate and offer interesting facts about the animals as you view the exhibits
Lloyd AustinApril 6, 2014Always purchase the bus tour that gives you all day access to "Express Buses". Worth every penny, but you still have to do a lot of walking. Strollers ARE allowed on Express Busses. :-)
Tim DengMay 30, 2019Huge zoo! You’ll need to spend the whole day here. I’d go on the tour first thing to get a lay of the land.
Patricia Leite HuamaniApril 25, 2013Most beautiful place in San Diego, no doubt of that. Go straight to the Polar Bear Plunge and the Panda Trek because they get too crowded.
Nico PitneyMarch 28, 2022New Children's Zoo, Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, opened in 2022. Over 100 species in 4 distinct environments. New hummingbird and Komodo dragon exhibits too.
Take the bus tour and skyfari ride early in the day before it gets crowded.
Jason H.September 11, 2017Enormous zoo can be overwhelming! Take the bus tour and ride the tram and then pick and choose. Orangutans are cool. Aviaries are beautiful.
Sydney LimJanuary 8, 2018Amazing zoo, well worth a visit if you're in SD. Come when it's not too hot or cold so most animals won't be hiding from sun/chill
Rosaura RomeroSeptember 13, 2015Loved it! So much to see, beautiful place to spend the day. The polar bears made my day :) must see
Christine HaJune 4, 2016See wildlife in their near natural habitat. Take guided bus tour: sit on upper right for best view. $50 adult day pass. 🐅🐪🐘
Ninja CentralAugust 19, 2014The best zoo in the world! Bring your own food and drink coz it's expensive here and the food sucks! It's only worth paying for a soft serve ice cream. ;)
- Jinnie LOctober 8, 2014Skyfari tram was great!!!! I've been wanting to come here for a long time :D best zoo ever! Love this place♥ (guided bus tour was also great!!!!!)
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The 100-acre Zoo is home to over 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park.
Open until 6:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
(619) 231-1515
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Places inside San Diego Zoo
- 9.5
"The whole exhibit is amazing but be sure to check out the tar pit demo/replica in addition to admiring the elephants. Fascinating historical stuff!"
Katie M - 8.9
"Easily the best way to get from one end of the park to the other. Also a lovely way."
Miriam Goldman 
"Parking is free and well organized. Get here early."
David Hylton
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- 8.9
"Summer hours in the evening are the best time to go to catch animals running around. If you're into plants, they have a great native garden at the very north end of the park."
Dave Pereira - 9.1
"The mercats of course"
Jessaca Lapham - 8.7
"Go see the lions when it's cooler outside they are more active and you'll get a great photo opportunity"
Holly Schnee
Places people like to go after San Diego Zoo
- 8.2
"Beautiful! There was a 30-60 min wait but it was so worth it. Don't forget you can only see pandas in 4 zoos in the United States."
Erin McNamara - 9.6
"Picnic spots all around, great for a date or family day"
Caroline Li - 7.1
"I agree with the roll recommendation. Had the artichokes and they were great!"
Blaine Morgan
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