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!

Admission Included

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

4.70

4,195 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

3412

508

155

Fun at the SD Zoo
stephensM670RS,,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This park is well worth the admission to get in. The park is massive with so much to do and see. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. After spending 5 hours there we felt like we only covered 1/3 of the animals. Will definitely make a trip back to see more.
Wonderful place to see animals!
H5712TTkristins,,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great place to get your steps in. It's beautiful! The plants are as amazing as the animals. Hoping for baby cacacals. The two baby giraffes are adorable. We missed the baby fossa in Africa rocks. The jaguar was right up by the glass.
Great experience
ivancK4394LI,,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great place to bring kids and family. We had a great time. I highly recommend it. I would say the only downside it’s relare to the food options. I think they should have more healthy options.
Fun but not for everyone
Raphie P,,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
🦍animals - They look pretty healthy and well taken care of - Enclosures are big (yay!) so sometimes its hard to spot them - Re: pandas. Go see them when the line isnt long. Its a short walkthrough and there are only 2 of them ♿️ not that accessible - Scooters and wheelchairs were available - But its hard to move around with anything with wheels. When the path is too steep, you’ll have to use the elevators, which are limited. Many of them only fit one scooter at a time. The biggest elevator could only fit 3 at a time - Some paths are also narrow so its hard to navigate through the crowd with a scooter - Dont go if you tire easily tbh. Its a lot of walking
Still a great stop!!!
shannonsF5238QN,,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I used to live in SD and had a zoo membership for years, but moved to Idaho 14 years ago. E are here for my hubby’s work trip and while he was in meetings today I had to go to the zoo! It’s still the best! Little more expensive than I remember, but had a great time. I covered the entire park in about 3 hours. It was a Thursday, so not too crowded or anything.
Coffee, Unicorn Slurpees & Zoo Adventures
silviasA3983XH,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It’s always so nice going to the zoo with my family! Our routine has become grabbing coffee, a unicorn slurpee, and heading straight to the bus tour. Then we walk through all the bug exhibits. Such a fun place!
We had a great day!
Fearless03554900959,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We both had a fantastic time! The docents were very informative. The Chinese lunch we had was excellent. Thank you for an amazing day!
An Unforgettable Adventure at the San Diego Zoo
x0cen,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The San Diego Zoo is an unforgettable destination, featuring diverse habitats, world-class animal care, and immersive exhibits that make learning about wildlife fun and inspiring for visitors of all ages. I had an amazing time and thoroughly enjoyed every moment exploring the incredible animals and exhibits. The experience was so fantastic that I can't wait to return soon and discover even more of what this wonderful zoo has to offer.
Best gift ever.
sugeyg2026,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Being gifted the annual pass was possible the best gift to receive. I know that the price might seem high specially in this economy but if you have little ones or just love animals it worth. I’ve gone 4 times since being gifted the pass in December. The kids love walking around and parking is included. We pack a lunch and just buy refillable drinks.
Did not disappoint!
lynnz360,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I’ve been wanting to come here for years, after watching Joan Embery bring animals from the zoo to the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in the 70s. The weather today was perfect, and the zoo was not crowded. We started with the bus tour, which gave us a nice overview of the exhibits. Most of the animals today were active, which made for an enjoyable experience.