San Diego Zoo Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the San Diego Zoo. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• San Diego Zoo 1-Day Pass: Any Day Ticket

• San Diego Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

• 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown San Diego and Old Town

• 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park

• San Diego Zoo and Safari Park 2-Visit Pass Ticket

Currently, a 1-Day Pass to the San Diego Zoo costs US$78 for visitors aged 12 and up, and US$68 for kids aged 3-11; children under 3 can visit for free. Additional options include Value Day Passes, a 2-Visit Pass, and the San Diego 3-for-1 Pass, which includes entry to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and SeaWorld® San Diego.

Yes, the San Diego Zoo is worth visiting—it’s among the city’s top family attractions. Considered one of the country’s foremost zoos, it sprawls across a vast 100 acres (41 hectares). The zoo is home to hundreds of species—including giant pandas, elephants, and cheetahs—that live in unique, naturalistic habitats. Booking online helps guarantee your entry and save on ticket costs.

Per one customer who booked the San Diego Zoo 1-Day Pass: Any Day Ticket, “I’ve heard about the wonders of the San Diego Zoo my entire life, and it did not disappoint. I only wish we had more time to explore all the zoo had to offer. One day simply was not enough!”

Every October is Kids Free Month at the San Diego Zoo, when children 11 and under can enjoy free admission when accompanied by a paying adult. February is Free Seniors Month, when visitors 65 and above get free entry to the Safari Park.

Yes. You can visit the San Diego Zoo without an advanced reservation and purchase same-day tickets upon arrival. Book your tickets online before your trip to get the best rates and ensure a smooth visit.

During the month of October, all children 11 and below can enjoy free entry to the San Diego Zoo. Meanwhile, February is Free Seniors Month at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and all visitors 65 and older receive free admission.

Yes, free parking is available in the lot directly in front of the San Diego Zoo. If that lot is full, you can take advantage of additional free parking available throughout Balboa Park, the 1,200-acre (486-hectare) public park housing the zoo and other city attractions.

There’s no bad time to visit the San Diego Zoo, but if you want to beat the crowds, it’s best to try weekday mornings. Weekends, summer, and school holidays can be very hectic. To take advantage of the zoo’s open-air attractions, visit on a good-weather day.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the San Diego Zoo. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in San Diego:

• USS Midway Museum

• Coronado

• Balboa Park

• Cabrillo National Monument

• Gaslamp Quarter

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in San Diego.