San Diego Zoo 1-Day Pass: Any Day Ticket
Overview
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.
Additional Info
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
San Diego Zoo
A majestic wildlife park and botanical garden, the San Diego Zoo is a must-see in Southern California. Winding paths through forests and mesas bring you close to more than 12,000 rare and endangered animals, including koalas, tigers, Galápagos tortoises, polar bears, and more. Explore Africa Rocks to discover penguins, baboons, lemurs, weaver birds, and other unique wildlife. Enjoy up-close encounters, interactive experiences, and exciting educational presentations. This wild and fun atmosphere makes the San Diego Zoo a great place for families to connect with animals and plants, and learn how to become wildlife allies. As a leader in wildlife care and conservation, the San Diego Zoo is at the heart of the San Diego experience. We hope to see you soon!
What‘s Included
*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
Parking Fees - beginning January 5, 2026 Balboa Park charges a flat rate of $16 per vehicle, per day
Options
San Diego Zoo
Reviews
4,268 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Worth the hype
kimberlygY7252CD,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a great day at the zoo! Not crowded at all on a Thursday in February. Bus tour first thing was wonderful. Animals were all out and about. We enjoyed the orangutans the most-such funny antics!
Ticket troubles but good experience overall
Matthew K,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The zoo was great. The experience overall was amazing. The only issue was with our tickets. We purchased a multi-attraction ticket through Go City via tickets-at-work; a site for discounted tickets offered by one of our employers. Our ticket offered the option to visit 2 attractions from a provided list. There were no restrictions, you could visit any 2 on the list. However, after visiting the San Diego Zoo Safari Park the previous day, our tickets were showing invalid at the Zoo gate. We should have had access to both parks based on the ticket we had purchased. We explained that to the employee at the gate, who was less than empathetic, and kept insisting we had purchased a different type of ticket than the one we had, or that there were “premium” and “lesser” attractions and that we only got one premium attraction which was used at the Safari Park. We insisted that wasn’t the type of ticket we had purchased. This seemed to be a common problem because another couple was having a similar issue with their tickets at the same time. There was no understanding from the employee, or openness to the possibility that we were right, or that the issue may have been their system processing our ticket type. We finally gave up, spent additional money to purchase new tickets so we didn’t miss any more time in the park, and contacted tickets-at-work. They verified the ticket we purchased through them should have been valid, and they will be issuing a refund for the unused portion of the ticket. However it will not be the amount we spent on new tickets the day of. If the Zoo contracts with 3rd parties, they should at least be familiar with those types of tickets, and should be able to handle admissions issues with those tickets. The lack of understanding or willingness to help definitely ruined the beginning of our day. Luckily we were still able to make the best of the experience and enjoy the Zoo.
The best day with family!!
Jamie O,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The staff were all amazing. Super helpful, friendly and knowledgeable no matter where we were in the park. We are visiting from Rhode Island and I wish we were closer. I would come all the time. We will definitely be back!!
Great experience!
E8562JArickyb,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Amazing park! Would definitely return with grandchildren!
Great for toddlers!
975samanthad,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brought our 3 year old and it did not disappoint! We loved the bus tour and sky tram that was included in the ticket! Strollers are must for families with little ones!
Awesome
SGRIERSON,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Remember mornings at the zoo are awesome. It’s not crowded and you can see things that you normally wouldn’t see in the zoo is open to the public.
Enjoyable.
mcalpat,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the Panda 🐼 tour. It was well worth the money. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. About 30 people per group but you get ear pieces so no problem hearing her.Park was beautiful. Have fun.
Awesome experience!
sabasr2026,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such an amazing experience today. We booked the Panda experience, but unfortunately due to rain it took us nearly 3 hours to get there. I do not recall the lady’s name - sorry- but she radioed down, explained our situation, they sent a cart to pick us up and get us down to the Panda’s. We were also able to stay past our time and get the full experience. All in all, everyone we had contact with were so kind and friendly. Not only will we be back, but we are buying a membership!
Great part-day visit
mackenzieg367,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I went with my 13mo old son and we saw so many plants and animals and learned so many amazing facts! We love going to the zoo! We are wildlife alliance members so the admission and parking were covered. We were there for approximately 4 hours on a Tuesday afternoon (11am-3pm) and the crowds were not bad. We could easily see most animals without needing to wait through crowds. All the staff and volunteers are so friendly and nice and so knowledgeable! We can't wait to go back to see even more animals!
School Field Trip
A3905LJannaj,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I brought my class to the zoo for a field trip today and take part in the Sensational Scientist educational program! The staff was amazing and the program was very well run! After the program we were able to explore the zoo ourselves! Go on a cooler, cloudier day and the animals are more likely to be a bit more active! We got to see so many amazing things and had an absolutely, fantastic field trip! Would recommend for field trips, educational programs, and for personal visits!!!
From US$78.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance