Mobile ticket
The San Diego Zoo is a 100-acre wildlife park and home to over 12,000 rare and endangered animals, representing more than 650 species and subspecies. Located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park, the Zoo is also an accredited botanical garden, caring for more than 700,000 individual plants, including a prominent curated assemblage of close to 13,000 specimens, representing 3,100 species.
The expansive new 3.2-acre Wildlife Explorers Basecamp is designed to appeal to all ages and foster empathy for wildlife by exploring nature. Built on the site of the historic Children’s Zoo, the basecamp features fresh and innovative elements, including eight buildings and habitats dispersed throughout four different habitat zones: Rainforest, Wild Woods, Marsh Meadows and Desert Dunes.
Tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to visit.
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Strollers and wheelchairs are available for rental at the front plaza near the entrance
Please visit the San Diego Zoo's website for more information on complimentary timed tickets and standby lines for the giant panda viewing
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
*Unlimited use of Skyfari Aerial Tram
*Unlimited use of the Guided Bus Tour
Tickets good one year from original date of purchase
Food and drink
Hotel pick up and drop-off
3,751 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Tracey R,
Sep 16, 2025
- Viator
Wear comfy shoes as it’s a lot of walking but well worth it. Lots of food and toilet stops but food is quite expensive
Herb P,
Sep 5, 2025
- Viator
Great scenery but that gives so much cover for animals it’s difficult to see them, Discovery Tour is great, bus tour weak, everything overpriced. Walking is difficult but that’s expected. Worst thing—different employees gave different answers which resulted in bad experiences and it occurred on multiple occasions.
Jonathan S,
Sep 2, 2025
- Viator
Returning to the San Diego Zoo and seeing the pandas after so many years has been the best experience.
Kerri H,
Sep 1, 2025
- Viator
Lots to see and do Many animals and great staff Free parking Easy to get to Tram ,sky ride and much more
YI L,
Aug 12, 2025
- Viator
Unfortunately on the day of our visit it was a very hot day and lots of animals decided it was also too hot for them too and they went to sleep under shade or shelter.
Operated by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance