San Diego Zoo Tours and Activities

San Diego Zoo which includes zoo animals
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One of the largest zoos in America housing around 4000 creatures, San Diego Zoo offers an enchanting and educational experience for visitors of all ages.

San Diego Zoo welcomes around 5 million visitors every year, and it’s easy to see why. Spanning a huge site, the zoo houses about 4000 animals from over 650 different species and subspecies. All of these creatures live in realistic habitats, with most exhibits out in the open air.

See water buffalos and hogs among the native animals of Africa, or watch tropical bird species fluttering around two different aviaries. You can even see tigers, elephants and gorillas up close.

San Diego Zoo specialises in protecting endangered species and runs a successful breeding programme. Some of the most famous inhabitants are the giant pandas—watch them sleep, eat and play at the walk-through Panda Trek exhibit.

For a great overview of the entire zoo, board one of the tour buses for a 35-minute trip and narrated introduction to the zoo. For a more playful approach, head off on the 50-minute comedy tour. Express buses are a great way of cutting the walking time between the different parts of the park—with five stops spread around, pick up a day ticket and hop off where you like. For a birds-eye view of the zoo, get on the Skyfari, a gondola ride carrying you high above the park.

If you arrive early you’ll not only be able to beat the crowds, but will have a chance of seeing the animals at feeding time. And don’t worry if the sun isn’t shining—unlike human visitors, the animals are more likely to come outside on cloudier days, rather than hiding in the shade.

With 10 food outlets including cafés, fast food stalls and a restaurant, you have plenty of dining options. San Diego Zoo is open daily, including during public holidays. Opening hours are extended during some holiday periods and over the summer.

Reviews of San Diego Zoo

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
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4 - Good
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" "4 - Good 34.61538461538461%
3 - Okay
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2 - Disappointing
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1/5 - Terrible

AGB
2 Sep 2019

We turned up, saw the prices and add ons and realised that 2 adults and 4 kids was going to cost upwards of $600 for a day at the zoo so decided to cut our losses and over priced parking and head to the beach

4/5 - Good

Julie
13 Jul 2019

Quite a big place. Need plenty of time to get around to see everything.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
27 Apr 2019

Parking was insane. Again.. get there early.

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Top San Diego Zoo Hotel & Accommodation Deals

Holiday Inn Express San Diego Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express San Diego Downtown, an IHG Hotel
2.5 out of 5
1430 7th Ave, San Diego, CA
Holiday Inn Express San Diego Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Wyndham San Diego Bayside
Wyndham San Diego Bayside
4 out of 5
1355 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA
Wyndham San Diego Bayside
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
4 out of 5
1 Market Pl, San Diego, CA
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Inn At The Park
Inn At The Park
3 out of 5
San Diego
Inn At The Park
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
4 out of 5
207 5th Ave, San Diego, CA
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
La Pensione Hotel
La Pensione Hotel
3 out of 5
606 West Date Street, San Diego, CA
La Pensione Hotel
Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Hilton San Diego Bayfront
4 out of 5
1 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA
Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.