How to Spend a Day at the San Diego Zoo
I’m not sure what it is about May, but that seems to be the month that my family visits the San Diego Zoo. Last year, we made the trek down (grandparents and all) for my daughter’s first visit. This year, we went just as a family of three and it was such a great visit. The first visit was sweet, but, at almost three years old now, she was full of wonder and curiosity during our recent experience and truly enjoyed every part of the day.
Getting There
It is best to get to the San Diego Zoo at opening (9am). Yes, that does mean it’s an early start if you’re coming from Orange County. By getting there at opening, it won’t be nearly as crowded and will offer plenty of time to explore before leaving at a good time for that car nap on the way home.
We went at opening last year versus around noon this year, and it was a night and day difference. Having a later start doesn’t mean you won’t have a good time, just be prepared for some crowds around certain exhibits and waiting.
Both of our visits were on Saturdays, so if you can get there on a weekday, even better!
On our way down, we stopped off at Hidden House Coffee in San Juan Cap. Highly recommend! I had a hot honey lavender latte with oat milk and my husband had an iced vanilla latte. He said he found his “too floral”. We split bagel bombs, which are basically a bagel dough filled with cheese and other fillings (i.e. meat, more cheese, herbs, veg).
Before You Go
The zoo’s hours vary depending on the season and events. Currently, the zoo is open daily from 9am-7pm, with the summer hours of 9am-9pm beginning May 24th.
I recommend bringing your own food and water. Large coolers are not allowed. We brought two individual coolers and a small tote for our food. Backpacks and reusable water bottles are allowed. Read more HERE.
Wagons are also allowed, unlike Disney parks.
Strollers are available to rent on a first come, first served basis. Currently, a single stroller is $16, and a double is $20.
There are also lockers available for rent.
Be sure to wear sun protection, as even gloomy mornings can have plenty of midday sunshine.
Be prepared for a LOT of walking, including uphill/downhill. Wear good shoes!
If you plan to visit Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, bring a swimsuit, towel, and water shoes for your kid(s). I didn’t realize there was a splash pad, but we just rolled with it because I always bring an extra pair of clothes.
Tickets + Parking
We purchase and print our tickets ahead of time, it saves money and time upon arrival. Currently, children under the age of 3 are free, children 3-11 are $62, and ages 12+ are $72. Per their website, the zoo also offers value days, multi-day passes with a discount, AAA discounts, discounts with Go City San Diego and San Diego CityPASS passes, as well as senior and student discounts.
Parking is free. There are numbered signs in the parking lot, so take a photo of the one closest to you to remember where you parked.
Exploring the Zoo
After walking through the entrance, look just to your left to grab a map. I also recommend downloading the San Diego Zoo app. On the app, you’ll find an interactive map with activities, daily wildlife presentations, updates/closures, and more.
I highly recommend starting with the bus tour. There is stroller parking to the right of the entrance. NOTE: Keep your food secure if you leave it in your stroller. Squirrels will eat any snacks left out and we have seen them tear open Ziploc bags.
The bus tour line moves quickly. The tour itself is 35-45 minutes long and a great way to see a lot of the wildlife and property. TIP: Sit on the top level, on the righthand side (passenger side). You will see more wildlife from this side and level.
After the bus tour, we like to walk through Treetops Way connecting to Monkey Trail, down through both levels of Scripps Aviary to Hippo Trail (my daughter is REALLY into hippos right now!). From there, go along Lower Park Way to the elevator next to the Pagoda and take the elevator up to level 2R to Bashor Bridge. For us, the bus tour coverage of the Marsh Habitat and the Northern Frontier is enough, so we walk across Bashor Bridge to Elephant Odyssey. From the bridge, you will go right for the Elephant Odyssey.
Then, we like to walk to Urban Jungle to see one of my favorites- giraffes! There is an option to feed the giraffes for $7 per biscuit, with tickets available beginning at 11:30am. It is first come, first served and the line can get long. Children under 4 cannot feed the giraffes themselves but can watch as an adult does.
After the Urban Jungle, take Front Street to Reptile Walk (kids usually love this exhibit) and then make your way to the new Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. This kid-friendly area opened up in 2022 and we had SO much fun experiencing it this visit. We started with the Spineless Marvels to observe and learn about the bugs. My daughter loves the bee and butterfly areas.
After this, she climbed around outside in the play area and then we made our way over to the splash pad. As I said earlier, we didn’t come prepared for a splash pad. BUT we made the most of it and she just ran around in her clothes. Thankfully, I always keep an extra pair of clothes in our backpack.
It’s completely up to you about whether you start with the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp or the rest of the zoo. I knew my daughter would have a hard time leaving that area, so we saved it for last.
All of that adventure and play helped her have a GOOD car nap on the way home.
Other tips:
Toddler-sized potties (like those at Baby Care Centers in Disney parks) can be found at the back of Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, to the left of Rady Ambassador Presentation Area.
There is a first aid station with a small care center for nursing mothers and to warm bottles/baby food next to the Reptile House.
Although I recommend bringing your own food, I read that the Sweet Shack and Busy Bee Café are both good. People also rave about the popcorn, and refills are $2 each after initial purchase of a bucket. There are many areas around the zoo to fill up your reusable water bottle, usually found close to a restroom.
The red pandas (another favorite of ours) is currently next to Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, instead of their usual spot along Lower Center Street.
The Kangaroo Bus can transport you to its four stops throughout the zoo. The stops are marked by yellow kangaroo signs. Strollers are allowed, space permitting.
The Skyfari Aerial Tram is a great way to see the zoo from above and get to opposite sides of the zoo. It operates 10am-close. You can bring your folded stroller, as long as it does not exceed 23 inches wide. Our BOB stroller did not fit, but our UPPAbaby Cuz does by less than half an inch!
