The San Diego Zoo is located adjacent to downtown San Diego in Balboa Park. A 100-acre (40-hectare) urban paradise for all ages, the San Diego Zoo is a must-see in Southern California. Winding paths through a tropical oasis will bring you up close and personal to more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species and subspecies. Also at the San Diego Zoo is a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. Be captivated by the gentle Giant Pandas, Gao Gao and Bai Yun in their new home - with their new baby!. See Koalas and Kangaroos, Polar Bears, and Gorillas, tigers, and hippos and ride on the Skyfari aerial tram for a bird's eye view.
The lively atmosphere makes the San Diego Zoo a great place for family fun. Discover the wonders of wildlife with animal encounters, interactive experiences, and exciting shows. A leader in animal care and conservation, the world-famous San Diego Zoo is at the heart of the San Diego experience.
Meet the mandrills and golden-belled mangabeys as they swing through the trees of African forest. Watch the hippos swim and play in their amazing 150,000 gallon pool. Take a 40 minute guided bus tour around the zoo as you are exposed to some of the best exhibits. Hear the calls of the colorful macaw or watch tigers on the prowl at the Tiger river.
See giant pandas feast on bamboo or get up-close and personal with a colorful toucan. Swing over to The Joan B. Kroc Monkey Trails and Forest Tales habitat. Other must sees include playful orangutans and siamangs at Absolutely Apes and frolicking polar bears at Polar Bear Plunge.
Yes, San Diego Zoo is open
Did you know... The continent of Africa covers 20 percent of the Earth’s land surface.
Go on an adventure throughout the continent that spans a variety of ecosystems at the San Diego Zoo's Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks. Made up of six exhibits spotlighting the amazing animals and plants found on the African continent.
Kopje at Africa Rocks is home to
Meerkat
Rock Hyrax
Klipspringer
Bateleur Eagle
Dwarf Mongoose
Red-leaved Rock Fig Tree
Madagascar Forest at Africa Rocks is home to
Coquerel's Sifaka
Ring-tailed lemur
Fossa
Blue-eyed Black Lemur
Red Ruffed Lemur
Honey Badger
Elephant Tree
Hamadryas Baboon
Gelada
Nubian Ibex
Red-hot Poker Tree
Acacia Woodland at Africa Rocks is home to
Leopard
Vervet Monkey
Bee-eater
Black-headed Weaver
Camel Thorn Acacia
African Penguin
Leopard Shark
Pincushion Protea
West African Dwarf Crocodile
Floating Fig Tree
Attractions at Asian Passage
Attractions at Discovery Outpost
Explore Elephant Odyssey at San Diego Zoo. The 7.5-acre habitat is the most ambitious exhibit project that San Diego Zoo has ever developed. Guests have an opportunity to see elephants in a truly unique setting.
Attractions at Lost Forest
Be transported into a world inspired by China's giant panda reserves in the Zoo's Panda Trek.
Attractions at Australian Outback
Attractions at Northern Frontier
The San Diego Zoo has one of the world's largest collections of mammals, birds, and reptiles. The 100-acre (40.5-hectare) zoo, founded in 1916, has more than 800 animal species and more than 6,500 plant species.
As a guest of the San Diego Zoo, every dollar you spend enables the zoo to continue their conservation and research work. And by learning why it's important to save these animals and protect their habitats, you, too are helping to preserve the planet, now and for future generations.
By walking along pathways, into aviaries, and through bioclimatic zones.
Take the 35-minute Guided Bus Tour that gives a good overview of the Zoo
Hop on an Express Bus that stops at several locations to assist guests in accessing different areas.
Best of all, navigating the zoo has never been easier with the San Diego Zoo App. Download it below.
Follow the map to one of the preset walking paths or find directions to your favorite animal. The GPS-enabled app map will keep you on the right path.
Address: 2920 Zoo Drive in Balboa Park, near downtown San Diego
Phone: (619) 231-1515
Hours: Gates open daily at 9am. Closing times vary by season. The Zoo is open 365 days a year.
Parking at San Diego Zoo is FREE
Official Website: sandiegozoo.org
What's included with your admission to San Diego Zoo
General Admission to the World Famous San Diego Zoo.
Free Admission to the Children's Zoo
Unlimited use of San Diego Zoo's Express Bus.
Unlimited use San Diego Zoo's Aerial Tram Ride.
A 35- minute fully narrated Bus Tour.
By Car
San Digo Zoo is located North of Downtown San Diego, situated in beautiful historic Balboa Park at Park Boulevard and Zoo Place.
Directions: From Hwy 163 South, exit at Park Blvd, and follow the signs. From Interstate 5 South, exit at Pershing Drive and follow the signs.
How to get to San Diego Zoo via Amtrak
Take the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego Station.
From there, walk 0.3 miles east to State Street and B Street. Then take San Diego Transit bus 7 (69th and University via University Avenue) to Park Boulevard and Zoo Place. Walk 0.1 miles to the zoo.
By public transit: Take Rapid 215 or Route 7, stop at the Zoo. For fare and schedule information, call 511, or visit sdmts.com.
Tip: Families Save on MTS Family Weekends! On Saturday and Sunday two children (12 and under) ride MTS Bus and Trolley routes FREE with a paid adult (18 and over)!
AAA Member Discounts to San Diego Zoo
AAA members who show their valid AAA membership cards at ticket windows located at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park will receive 10% off a 1-Day Pass. Valid for up to 6 people. Discount cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer.
Senior Discount to San Diego Zoo
Seniors age 60 and older receive a 10% discount off the 1-Day Pass. Discount cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer.
Military Discount to San Diego Zoo
All active-duty U.S. and foreign military personnel with valid military identification are given a free 1-Day Pass at the ticket windows. Dependent family members receive a discount of 10% off the 1-Day Pass. (Contact your base MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation) or Ticket and Tour offices for further dependent discounts) Discount cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer.
Note: AAA discount, Senior discount, and Military discount, cannot be applied online as guests will need to present their AAA cards, photo IDs and valid military identification in person.
As a guest of the San Diego Zoo, every dollar you spend enables the zoo to continue their conservation and research work. And by learning why it's important to save these animals and protect their habitats, you, too are helping to preserve the planet, now and for future generations.
| SeaWorld | San Diego Zoo |
| San-Diego Embarcadero | Birch Aquarium |
| LEGOLAND California | USS Midway |
| Balboa Park | Aquatica |
| Getting Around San Diego | Compass Card |
