Reviews of San Diego Zoo (Zoo)

Adel Oro

I love San Diego Zoo. and I'm sure all the kids love the zoo because the way it's look like right now it's really safety and it's full of all animal you like to see it's really amazing to see it front of you instead of watching it in the TV it's a lot different. you will like definitely to see it right there front of your eyes the place is beautiful and they put a lot of work and it's very safety place. also the price very reasonable it's pretty cool place I really really like it and my family we have fun.

Saeed S

We stayed there all day long. We had so much fun watching wildlife being taken care of by great staff there. It is a great place to spend some money and time.

Arsah K

Absolutely hands down one of the best zoos ever! I never wanted to go to a zoo because of horrifying stories I’ve heard of some, but this zoo and their conservation efforts and research made me happy! Love what they’re doing!

Rose McMahon

Did not see a lot of animals, too many kids as it was free kids day in October. The wait was too long for the tour bus. Kangaroo bus much better. Parents do not discipline their children

Robert Burk

Great zoo but nearly impossible to see all in one day. There is so much to see and with it being built on the side of a hill there is some hill climbing needed. Animals seem to be well cared for. There are volunteers everywhere to help you find your way and answer questions about the animals.

Mike Alexander

Loved the African bird aviary. Wear comfy shoes.... It's huge. Well worth admission. A great experience.

Danielle Lingle

I just signed up for zoo membership. It's been well over a decade--the last time I had a membership my children were in elementary school (they are now 20 and 24 years old). While some things are the same, like the flamingos that greet you near the entrance; the Skyfari with it's mind-boggling views of zoo, city skyline, and Balboa park; and Albert's Restaurant, with it's consistently good food; much has changed. We loved the new Africa Rocks area. Baboons, penguins, big cats, and a waterfall you can walk behind were some of our favorite features, but the carefully curated plants and landscaping, coupled with education about the prehistoric creatures that once roamed local landscapes (with some full scale sculptures to show how BIG they were) created a time-out-of-mind experience. And if you love koalas, you are in for a treat. For locals, membership is well worth the cost. I now enjoy walks in a world-class botanical garden...that just happens to have amazing animals along the trails. I'm also excited about going through a year of seasonal changes with the zoo. One important thing to know, for parents of young children--the Children's Zoo is being completely redesigned, and it's currently under construction. Check the San Diego Zoo website for updates.

Dustin White

Clean, tons of fun and very informational. Staff was friendly, but food and drink prices were astronomical. Bring spending money. Still a good place to take the kids on a day excursion. 10/10 will be back.

priscilla ramon

Plenty of parking, I think because we came on a weekday. There were tons of different animals that look healthy and happy. The atmosphere was great but be prepared with comfortable shoes.

Nicholas Hannon

So much land to explore so many animals, if you go on the bus tour sit on the top right side of the bus at the entrance the gate employee told us the front left was the best but that was not true top right for sure. Food is about $12 a person and drinks are expensive at $6 a drink. Bus guide is recommended! Have enough time to look around this place is huge! They close at 6pm. Parking lot is huge. This place was clean and employees were helpful. Clean bathrooms, overall highly recommended to anyone for a great time and day! Amazing park and really was wild experience can't wait to come again!

Anne Cara

It has been years since I visited SD zoo... but got me surprised how much it improved. So many attraction that they added and cool tour guides. I love it! Will go back again. ❤

David Rudd Sr

We were on our honeymoon. It was my beautiful bride's first visit to the San Diego Zoo, and they ruined her for all other zoo's.

Mandgni Srenat

We have been visiting zoo since 2012. Amazing place , always had membership. Like the convenience of free parking. Renovations are amazing. We typically stay here for 2 hrs and visit many times. pick the time when the crowds are less.

Nick Robitsch

Wonderfully maintained zoo. Animals were healthy. I follow this zoo closely through their show and online periodicals. They do so much for the preservation of animals. Finally got to see it in person. Was worth the wait.

Michael H.

Great exhibits and you get a lot of options for traveling around the zoo. Be prepared to backtrack if you miss a hidden trail. Also some paths have hills that are not stroller/wheelchair friendly. Ticket prices are higher than many other zoos, but the exhibits are really good. Definitely recommend if you are in the San Diego area and have half a day free.

Belmontes Deysi

We went in October, all kinds under 12 get in free only that month. We loved it. You have to walk a lot so ware walking shoes. You can bring in your own food from outside the park. The food inside is a bit pricey but very good.

corey hudson

It's really a great zoo! I had fun with all the animals they had! I will definitely be back as soon as I can!

Aaron Joseph

Night zoo was cool. Some exhibits were hard to see due to the lack of lighting. If the theme was to be at the zoo past day light, maybe try adding more lights to be able to see the animals

Stephen Peregoy

An awesome spot to spend a good chunk of your day. There is a bunch to see here. It's very family friendly but still serves some really good beer for the parents or those without kids. The food is solid as well but expect to pay park prices. This is definitely the best zoo I've been to and is worth checking out if you're in the area.

Joe Stephenson

FANTASTIC way to spend your day. One of the best Zoo's in North America. The entire area around it also is amazing to see.

Steven Roeder

Way better than anything we have in Minnesota. We started by taking the bus tour to get the highlights. Take the upper level if you can for better views. There is a lot to ground to cover so have comfortable shoes. There are some ways to reduce the walking: the kangaroo buses, the Arial tram ride, and even an escalator. A great time for kids and the whole family.

Alex Peterson

It was a good time walking around and seeing all the wonderful animals. There is definitely a lot of planning and though that has gone into the animals well being. Many of the animals were fairly active and the one that weren't (if you could find them in their enclosures) seemed to have nice secluded spots. The zoo is really big and kind of hilly so bring water and good shoes. My wife and I walked over 9 miles in the time were were there last.

Ben Chapman

Always love visiting the Zoo! I had not been back since the opening of the new Africa Rocks area, and, well, it does in fact rock! For anyone unfamiliar, there's a lot to see, and lots of chances to get pretty close up views of lots of the animals. My daughter is 5 and had a blast! The SD Zoo is very clean, and the animals are clearly extraordinary well cared for. Snacks and food are pricey, but that's expected. There is lots of shade and tons of benches to sit on all over the park. You sometimes have to park far away, but I've never not found parking. Paths and signage are well maintained and easy to understand. Great Zoo, great experience!

Chrissy Crespo

Best zoo in the world. Staff is amazing caring and each animal is like there child it's amazing the hearts they have. I've only been once but now that I have lived failure it's hard to travel and wish conical I could take my baby who's 17 she loves animals. So god bless me to cost thos amazing zoo again...

Kyle M

I have heard so much about this zoo I was expecting it to be amazing. It was not. It was a great zoo but nothing special. I think I was expecting to much. It is definitely worth checking out but the Milwaukee zoo in Wisconsin is a much better zoo. The Panda bears were really cool.

hannah o

Very awesome zoo! It’s $$ at 54$ a person but it includes the sky lift and a big bus tour. We spent over 4 hours and would highly recommend if you are in the area.

Megan Christensen

Best zoo I've ever been to. They have a lot if babies which I loved seeing as well. The koalas were great and baboons as well. I'm not much of a plant person but they have so many different varieties that go with the featured region, it was very interesting. Comfortable shoes are a MUST- lots of walking but worth it.

Michael Rush

I see why it's gotten so much hype. Gorgeous zoo with so much to do. I look forward to experiencing the Safari next time I'm in San Diego.

Gary M

One of my favorite places to spend a day. There is ample parking and for those willing to spend $22 you can have valet parking which allows you to text ahead and have your car waiting for you when you exit. But the attraction are the animals and plants to view. You can imagine yourself in tropical jungles, or the plains of Africa, to the the outback of Australia. Plenty of places to eat, rest and take a pit stop. If you want you can take a bus tour. If you are a local I recommend the season annual pass for the extra benefits. It pays for it self the second time you and your mate go to the zoo.

Meghan Wheeler

So much to see at this zoo. They are doing a bunch of renovations and improvements. But so many animals and lots of fun stuff for kids too. Did I mention they serve beer and wine here?! Fun for the whole family!

Chloe Turner

Great place for a family fun day or and adventure by yourself! Plan to spend atleast 3 hours there, if you want to see the whole zoo. The animals are all extremely healthy looking and well taken care of. Definitely a place to go back to!

Axel ulen

As a young Sea Cadet I was taken here as part of the 'boot camp' teenagers and reservists were subjected to in the early 1960's. The adults didn't go to the Zoo. It was a real highlight to marching, gas chambers, etc. It also prepared me for Army Basic which was much harder. The zoo was and is more beautiful than when I was there but the memory of such a humane Animal Sanctuary has lasted.

Austin Talley

Beautiful zoo. Lots of walking but there are other easier ways to get around. Loved spending the day here.

Mike Neel

There's a reason why this is a world famous zoo! It's massive and full of wonderful animals and information. Don't get sticker shock at $60/ticket, it's worth it. The ticket includes the park, sky tram, and bus tours. Plenty to do and see and various information sessions around the park. I got the pleasure to see some happy and active tigers, polar bears, a family of baboons, and a baby giraffe to name a few. Seriously, a baby giraffe! The zoo no longer has the giant pandas as their contract ended with China. You'll need to go to Atlanta to see giant pandas. San Diego however, has a red panda which is super cute! Be prepared to walk A TON, but totally worth it. Parking is free which is also a huge bonus.

Rita Mendoza

Awesome we all had a great and fabulous time. They let you bring water and food into the zoo ( no coolers). Lots of things to do and see. We spent approximately 5 hours of fun. I would recommend this zoo to everyone! The experience is amazing.

Kanishka De

One of the best places to visit if someone wants to spend quality time with family over the weekend . Took the guided bus tour first to get an idea of the spots to visit and then covered the entire route by walk. The route could be slightly confusing at times. Took the skyfari west (spot/landmark 18) to come back (to spot/landmark 1) to exit the zoo.

Abigail Guzman

The tour was amazing. So informative. Most of the animals were out. Baby giraffe was the cutest!

Bryan Neubeck

Awesome place to bring the family. San Diego safari park is a step above the zoo. Make sure you go to both. The zoo was great but the safari park was even better. My family still had a great time here at the zoo.

Amy Leigh

Without a doubt the most spectacular zoo I have ever been to. The spacious grounds are very well laid out. The plants there rival those of a botanic garden. The volunteers there are well positioned and plentiful. They are very helpful with any questions from the nearest restroom to animal specifics to directing traffic. The bus is a very nice bonus as the zoo is huge and can be quite hilly. I also love the sky tram and the enclosures are so well designed that you feel very close to the animals. They obviously take very good care of the animals as there are constantly new baby animals at the zoo of every species. This is an A+ adventures for everyone of all ages

Julian Amaya

This zoo is probably one if the best zoo's I've ever been to. The food is really tasty. Alot of walking room so it's not a tight squeeze, you can walk around with beer and enjoy all the animals. This zoo keeps the animals happy and makes them feel at home from wherever the came from. Recommended going 100% Plan to spend about 6 hours there

Kathy Valla

It was good but could have been better.it seemed to take a lot of walking not slot of choices to get around the bus we couldn't see a lot of animals. It was 675 dollars for a private tour. So we enjoyed it but didn't get our money's worth.

Collin Rogers

I was really impressed with the SD Zoo. I learned a number of things. I found the exhibits demonstrated a good balance of care and respect for animals and accessibility/visibility for visitors. Very impressive what they are doing for endangered species. If not for SD Zoo, several wild species might be extinct today.

vincent TV

Great place to bring the kids but do yourself a favor and make sure you get the bus tour. The zoo is so large you and your little ones maybe done walking before you get to see it all. If you do the bus tour you will at least see most of the major animals and then the rest is just extra fun

A V

Amazing place to see most the animals of the world. Lovely staff and volunteers that work their. Family friendly. Highly recommended

Kim Smith

amazing place. had a wonderful time checking out all the amazing animals. They keep this place nice and clean. highly recommend visiting.

Allie Robins

I grew up in Washington DC and enjoyed that zoo when I was a young girl and then again as a young mother and I felt that nothing could come close to that zoo. But then I came to San Diego and wow! What a fantastic experience. This zoo has so much to offer and is so unique in its look and feel. I don’t think you can see everything in one day to be honest...

Judie Pokakaa

Great zoo! The animals look well taken care of. I would take the 35 minute tour first. Then go back and see the zoo. The kangaroo book only has 4 stops but is a great way to see the park. The tram ride is a fast way from the front to back or back to front. Also buy a refillable cup. It is free to get soda refills!

Zach Hluchy

This zoo is fantastic. I spent about 6 hours in this zoo and I could go back and spend another 6 hours there. There was so much to learn and see about the different animals especially the endangered ones. They sell frozen margaritas which were about $14 but we're they delicious. I highly recommend this zoo to anyone. Though it is a little on the pricey side it is definitely worth it

Alex Perez

The zoo is an amazing place. You can see so much and learn a lot of amazing facts. They really care about conservation and it shows. As an attraction, there is a lot to see and the food and drink options are fantastic (though expensive). Sky buckets, a bus tour, or just walking around is an amazing experience.

Tyson Reyes

A must visit for any person! First, this place is considerably less expensive than a theme park. Second even if you have hang-ups over their prices remember everything the zoo takes in, that exceeds the cost of running the place, is put into animal and land conservation. They don't line the pockets of some over-paid execs. They help wild animals and the people who live with them. Apart from that, the zoo is a magical place where you can see wildlife up close, safely, knowing that they are well cared for. But be prepared. The park is rather big and it's almost impossible to see everything in one day. There is also the physical demands this park requires. Unless you want to see small sections of the zoo, to avoid much walking, there are hills to climb and descend, some of which are a little on the steep side. So be prepared. Also, the map of the park makes the place seem bigger than it really is, but that is a good thing. I loved my time there, really loved the keeper talks, and would frequent this place often, if I lived closer.

Tyson Reyes

A must visit for any person! First, this place is considerably less expensive than a theme park. Second even if you have hang-ups over their prices remember everything the zoo takes in, that exceeds the cost of running the place, is put into animal and land conservation. They don't line the pockets of some over-paid execs. They help wild animals and the people who live with them. Apart from that, the zoo is a magical place where you can see wildlife up close, safely, knowing that they are well cared for. But be prepared. The park is rather big and it's almost impossible to see everything in one day. There is also the physical demands this park requires. Unless you want to see small sections of the zoo, to avoid much walking, there are hills to climb and descend, some of which are a little on the steep side. So be prepared. Also, the map of the park makes the place seem bigger than it really is, but that is a good thing. I loved my time there, really loved the keeper talks, and would frequent this place often, if I lived closer.

Ashley Eberhardt

I've been to several zoos across the country and San Diego Zoo is by far the best. It is very large and therefor can difficult to do it all in one day with small children. We have the membership so we can come back often to do a different area. The trails are easy to walk with the exception of two steep hills. The exhibits are spacious and beautifully done. My favorite thing to eat is the BBQ nachos from Sydney's Grill.

N LC

It was beautiful. The animals look well taken care of. Little learning talk sports scattered throughout the day. The skyfari was a fast way to get around the park.

Jose Olea

Amazing and fun place to visit if you're traveling to San Diego or even live here. Lots of animals to see and the annual passes aren't that expensive. Cool thing about the annual pass is you can even go to the safari park as well!! Theres plenty of rest stop benches and places to eat withing the park. Bathrooms are also located all around as well as drinking fountains. Dress comfortable because it is going to be a nice walk under the heat in San Diego weather. I really recommend coming here for a walk and just have a great time with friends, family or your partner.

Brian McGhee

I have only ever been to the zoo in Washington DC, but this place is very nice and the weather makes it even better of course. It was a great day to spend with the kids and animals there. Can't beat the weather, learning and exercise as you are walking all day long.

Erika Barger

The Zoo is AWESOME! The design is something I've never seen. It was well maintained and the workers no matter what their job description was were very helpful and friendly. I was saddened when I learned that the Pandas were sent back to China in May. I wanted my family to see them. Make sure you have on you good walking shoes.

Stephen Masek

One of the best zoo's on Earth. We took visitors from Europe, two college guys, and they loved it. Too bad the giant albino snake is gone. Ticket and food prices are high.

Tookie Scamatakis

The best zoo in the United States. They take such great care of the animals and this place is so clean and nice and well run. Everyone who works here really does a great job and is happy and pleasant to deal with. I'm very very impressed with how this zoo is run.

Jay Jewell-Roth

This is the best zoo I've ever visited. The ticket price may be high, but the animal variety, conservation efforts, park size, and Pandas will always stay with me. You could spend several days here and still not see everything there is to see. I would love to come back next year during vacation!

Kristina Derosier

They have a lot if babies which I loved seeing as well. The koalas were great and baboons as well. I'm not much of a plant person but they have so many different varieties that go with the featured region, it was very interesting. Comfortable shoes are a MUST- lots of walking but worth it.

Xena Brooks

My son isn't super interested in animals but the couple times we've gone to the MN zoo he has enjoyed himself. He has a great time just walking around and checking things out. I like that there are plenty of places to eat and we always bring our own lunch and snacks to help save a little money. They do a lot of fun events throughout the year too. We are excited to go to the Pumpkin Trail for the first time this year.

Jodi Nerren

The zoo is even bigger than I remembered from my first trip over a decade ago. Plan on LOTS of walking - which is totally worth it because there are so many animals here that you can't see at most other zoos. The food and souvenir prices were surprisingly reasonable compared to other entertainment parks we've visited. We'll definitely be back someday!

Steven Elliott Miller

The zoo is also an arboretum with thousands of varieties of trees and plants. Animal exhibits are integrated easily into this environment, giving the impression of a (long) walk through a forest. Large aviaries allow visitors to walk in and mingle with the birds directly. Friendly and helpful staff, good food available. A terrific experience. Staff theatrical performance at closing was uplifting and engaging. Five stars plus.

Daniel Fiedler

The zoo is great for family fun and to see cool animals. If you can go at night you get to see the nocturnal animals more active

Flameheart

Absolutely breathtaking! It holds a very special place in my heart and I go as often as I can. By far, this is the best zoo I've ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Trista Dunbar

Don't miss if you are in San Diego! Truly one of the best zoos! Excellent in enclosures for the animals and experience getting up close and seeing them. Great compromise of being able to view and animals having space. Vegetation is fantastic and keeps you cool and comfortable. So many fun family groups that you can spend time watching. Aviaries were amazing!

chelsea arseneault

In a word - dreamy! Highly recommend. Zoos are definitely not something we typically go for, but this is so much more than a zoo, it's a whole experience. Immaculate, beautiful, organized, and expansive - the whole place is breathtakingly beautiful. Tickets include unlimited sky tram and bus transport - good shoes, water, sunscreen are a must.

Edward Klein

I recently made a visit to the zoo after probably a ten year absence. However, in that time, I've visited the Safari Park a couple of times. After this most recent visit, my opinion remains the same - the Safari Park is the better experience. If you have the time to do both on a San Diego visit, certainly do so. But, if you have to pick one, spend the time to head out to the Safari Park. While the zoo is large, it's not so different in layout from other zoos that I've visited. One thing we ran into a lot of - no animals in sight! Most of them were hiding away in shaded areas where they were not visible. Several sections could really stand a redesign so that, even when the animals are in the shade (and they were the smart ones, it was hot!) they can still be observed. The visit was mostly a disappointing walk from one enclosure to another with few signs of animals. The Safari Park does a much better job of allowing you to actually see the animals. One of the big features of the park is no longer in play - the Chinese Pandas have been returned to China. The party that I went with was particularly interested in seeing these and the decorating around the area is still adorned with them - but they're gone.

Adel Oro

I love San Diego Zoo. and I'm sure all the kids love the zoo because the way it's look like right now it's really safety and it's full of all animal you like to see it's really amazing to see it front of you instead of watching it in the TV it's a lot different. you will like definitely to see it right there front of your eyes the place is beautiful and they put a lot of work and it's very safety place. also the price very reasonable it's pretty cool place I really really like it and my family we have fun.

Nick Robitsch

Wonderfully maintained zoo. Animals were healthy. I follow this zoo closely through their show and online periodicals. They do so much for the preservation of animals. Finally got to see it in person. Was worth the wait.

Melody Fuller

The best zoo I have ever been to. I loved that they offer companion passes for people with disabilities. The accessibility and accommodations were wonderful. The bus tour guide, Doug, was so fun and knowledgeable.

Thomas Wright

This is a great zoo. Be prepared to do a lot of walking. Great exhibits very well organized. I great place to visit .

Kayla Fawcett

For the price and how much time you spend here it is well worth it. You can spend the entire day here easily and still not have enough time for everything. There are over 10 restaurants/shacks to get food at so you have plenty to choose from. There are bus routes that go around and are plenty of maps to make sure you don't get lost. It's a must go to place if yoy are in the San Diego area for sure!

Trevor Tooke

This is a great zoo! Very clean, well organized, with a great variety of animals. The staff were helpful and well-educated. Our young family of 5 had a great time here.

Cory Robinson

China give us back the Pandas

Simon Di

A great zoo for people of all ages. If you plan on taking the time to see the whole park (and you should), give yourself a day. Lots of enclosures and exhibits to see in a well kept and clean zoo. Manage your expectations though: depending on the time of day, some animals may be asleep or hidden further in their enclosure. The concessions are what you'd expect from a zoo and the prices are commensurate so bring a lunch if you want to save yourself some money. All in all, definitely worth a visit for families from out of town.

Stephanie Kemp

How small are the cages? My local zoo is better. In this day it shouldn't be allowed. Also to help environment they need to use electric buses instead of the dirty diesel buses they are using. Paper cups for my drink would have been better too.

Genaro Hernandez

The San Diego Zoo is great! I've been going since I was a child and there is always something new to experience. From the new Africa Rocks exhibits to new babies around the park to the animal encounters, there is something for EVERYONE. The conservation efforts are a big plus too!

Ryan Grice

One of the most amazing zoo's In the world. I was thoroughly impressed and spent almost the entire day there. Animals are well kept and you can really tell the staff have a passion for what they are doing. The mentions and efforts for the animals is unprecedented. I cant wait to go back!

Benjamin Williams

Can’t say enough about the zoo. They have everything to make this an all day experience. The animals are kept in state of the art areas and they look to be genuinely enjoying themselves. We bought a year long pass and it is so worth it to just pop in for an hour or two to go for a walk.

Shelby Trznadel

Amazing. The best zoo I have ever been to. The animals looked well cared for and happy, there's benches and bathrooms everywhere, and it was all super clean. A must see if you're ever in San Diego.

Stephanie Bonner

The zoo is one of our favorite places to visit as San Diego natives/residents. The San Diego zoo is such an incredible place to visit. I personally feel like we’ve got one of the best zoo’s in the world. The park is huge and usually takes more then a day to explore it entirely. Especially if your bringing kids. For anyone that lives in San Diego or visits often I would recommend buying the year pass. With the type of year pass I purchased I’m able to bring in a guest every single day if I wanted and all the bus tours are free, as well as 10%pff all food and merchandise. My two children daughter (6) and son (2) ALWAYS have a wonderful time and enjoy visiting a few times a month!!

Abhishek Andhare

We loved our visit here. We missed the Panda but we saw almost everything in a single day. I would recommend exploring the Zoo in at least 2 days.

Isabella Powers

My family and I went to San Diego for our spring break. This was one of the many stops while we were there. The animals were cool and mostly visible. My favorite animal is a panda and the panda was just sitting in the middle of the enclosure. My sister likes koalas so seeing all of those koalas in the trees was cool for her. The zoo workers are nice and helpful. There is an air trolley that goes from one end of the park to the other. I rode that a lot. We brought a lunch and some water because we were staying for awhile. As you can see, there is nothing boring about this zoo. It really is the best zoo in the world

Leah Koppi

this is a great zoo lots of stuff to see. you kind of feel bad for a few animals caged up smaller areas than you would hope for. Hopefully they get some exercise elsewhere. We did enjoy seeing everything and had a great time at the zoo from what I recall the prices weren't all that bad

David lucas

Well laid out. Great things to do. Fantastic assortment of animals to view. We loved it. A huge site - lots of walking. Take your own food and drink, expensive inside.

Renae Littleredfae

Such a beautiful place to visit. The San Diego Zoo takes at least 2 days to completely see everything. Their conservation efforts are amazing. I would definitely recommend visiting.

Alicia Byykkonen

Very great zoo. Staff is helpful and friendly. The exhibits were clean and the animals were awesome!

Amira Gharib

This is a really good zoo to visit with family. It's very big, so you can easily spend a whole day there. Plus, pandas! Yay. The polar bears are really fun to visit because they swim around in front of you.

Rosa G.

We love this zoo! Each time we come, it's a great experience! Haven't been here in 5 years, but this time was great, too, because there's so much new exhibits!

Dalton Benedict

Very nice zoo with lots of options for the entire family. There are plenty of sights to see and ways to see them. They have buses going around the entire park and plenty of different areas with shows containing the animals. They also have some first hand feeding experiences and plenty of the exhibits let you get right up close to the animals. (Still safe of course) The zoo is also kept pretty clean and staff are pretty very helpful.

Michael Johnston

Absolutely loved the zoo! Also really enjoyed the Safari Park. We were able to see a lot more animals at the actual zoo which was nice. Our ten month old loved the bus ride and skyfari.

Alex Yang

What a great zoo. One of the best places I have been to. Had a blast back in the day. Great places to stay all around.

Rex Cole

Always a great time. This time of year really brings out the crowd. Evening/night hours in a park like this is a must. Enjoy!

john6013

Amazing zoo very lively and big. Kangaroo buses available inside at 4 stops great for hop in hop off. Lots of animals. So much to learn. Keep your tickets handy you will need it when taking the kangaroo bus( little frustrating). Take the bus tour as your enter so you can mark the map locations as where you want to go. Tour guides are amazing. Fun place.

L Margoni

Amazing zoo! So many incredible animals to see in more natural environments. A lot of great information and very caring staff.

Elizabeth Gonzalez

I loved this place my kids did too! We are definitely coming back now that we won’t live too far! Beautiful place and the staff is wonderful

Randy Chandra

This zoo is one of a kind in the world. The displays and areas are as realistic as it can be, the animals seems very relaxed in their habitat, and there are so many animals there. I particularly like the Africa Rocks area, so realistic and beautiful. You have to spend the whole day here, since there are so many things to see. This is the best zoo in the world, IMHO.

Trista Dunbar

Don't miss if you are in San Diego! Truly one of the best zoos! Excellent in enclosures for the animals and experience getting up close and seeing them. Great compromise of being able to view and animals having space. Vegetation is fantastic and keeps you cool and comfortable. So many fun family groups that you can spend time watching. Aviaries were amazing!

Emma Smalley

What a fantastic day, well worth the long drive!! We enjoyed the bus tour around the zoo to start off, then made our own way to the different areas. I thought some of the areas needed more signage! A few of the animals thought it was too hot, so they hid

Luthien Azaelia

Great park, where the take great care of wildlife, so cool to learn so many things about not just the animals, but the care for them, and the research behind taking care of our planet. Also in a beautiful. Location

Nichole Gould

This zoo is bananas. Take the sky ride. Also take the bus. Went with two small babes. Every worker we encountered had a pleasant and helpful attitude. Aviaries are amazing. It’s all amazing. Love the focus on conservation and every interaction with staff made you feel like you were contributing to conservation with just your ticket.

Julius Sampson

All day fun. Make sure you have on your walking shoes as this zoo is huge!! Wish the pandas were still on display but there are more than enough animals to see and keep you busy all day.

Martha C

Great place for a walk and a peaceful afternoon. Lively music and lush landscaping makes the visit with the animals special. I am a member and this is now my walking place.

Diane Peters

So much fun! The park is clean, staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Loved seeing all the animals, especially the primates. Great place for a family outing. Can’t wait to go again!

Laarni Thornton

Always a wonderful time at the San Diego Zoo! Lots of amazing animals to visit while you stroll along scenic walking paths. Great views on the aerial tram and guided bus tour. Fun entertaiment throughout the day and night for the entire family. Enjoy food and drinks (including happy hour for adults) throughout the park.

Eileen Szparagowski

We had a great day. Lots of people to give advice and directions. Take advantage of the guided bus tour to get a quick overview of the zoo. Then take advantage of the kangaroo zoo bus they can take you from different locations around the zoo. Lots of assistance to give you information about all the exhibits. Would bring my own drinks and some snacks food was pricey. This was a great trip worth the admission price.

Michael Fortenberry

The San Diego Zoo is a MUST see attraction in San Diego. The tickets are a bit pricey, but there are over 3,000 animals in the whole of the expansive zoo .... lots of mouths to feed. Overall, great visit this afternoon that the whole family enjoyed. We very much appreciated the helpful, friendly staff and the kangaroo bus stops throughout the park.

John Ropp

My wife and I bought the Go San Diego Card while we were down in San Diego for a couple days and spent half a day at the Zoo. Absolutely loved it. Everything about the Zoo is great. If you have the time, you absolutely should spend some time here. My Wife and I were able to ride the tour bus and walk the entire Zoo in about 3 hours, but were moving pretty good. If you're slower movers it might take awhile longer. The only recommendation I would make to make your experience a little better is to look at a map beforehand and plot out your course before you arrive so you know which animals and routes to prioritize. Also, a recommendation to the park: you should include a recommended route to see all the animals on your map, that would be incredible helpful.

Manuel B

It was nice they had plenty of buses driving around so you don't have to to do too much walking. And they did have a lot of animals packed into what seemed like a small space. Get a map and have a game plan and you can see everything. They do have a cup deal, so what happens you buy this reusable plastic cup and you can get free refills all day. I think it was worth it.

Carly Golding

Well worth the cost of the ticket. It's a world renowned zoo for a reason! I was very impressed by the bus tour and SkyTram that are included in your admission fee. The animals habitats were large and well designed for each animal, and the park itself is extremely well landscaped and is a beautiful sight in and of itself. Additionally, they have lots of varieties of animals I had never seen in any other zoo. A must see in San Diego; we can't wait to come back!

Erica Clark

What an amazing zoo! We spent eight hours here walking at a steady pace. The animals were lovely! Zoo grounds and washrooms were very clean. We had a very fun time at San Diego zoo! We took the tram which was a lot of fun. Great place for kids!

Runa Chatterjee

This is one of my favorite places. I love going to San Diego to visit the zoo. There is a lot to cover in one day and so many animals to see.

Bari Phillips

This is by far my favorite zoo. So much to see. Beautiful grounds. Love the animals. Great friendly knowledgeable staff! Will definitely come back.

Dale Green

First time going to the San Diego zoo and it was phenomenal. The animal enclosures were great and the vegetation and plants blew me away. There is a good amount of walking, but the bus tour, and aerial tram were a nice break. The weather was perfect. Loved it.

Brock Whittaker

We truly loved visiting this zoo. The bus tour around the entire park was a must! We got to see so much more this way. Also, the animals were out and active in December.

Susan Thomas

The landscaping was Really Well Done. I loved the aerial tram and the tour bus. We had lunch in the full service waterfall restaurant. Very Good!

C H

The animal Kingdom! Come one. Come all! This is an extraordinary walk through the biggest display of condensed animal life in the world. It's breathtaking. It is full of beautiful expressions of loving animal behavior not normally seen in our everyday life. This is certainly a family opportunity that everyone may consider important to do if you can get there. Food is good. It is expensive. It's very time consuming. To experience nature upfront and personal in such an intimate fashion, it is something to remember. The San Diego Zoo is a reward of a lifetime. The Zoo rests in one of the most glorious places on the planet. This is San Diego California. Nothing better than springtime with the animals. Get out with the family today and make the best of this trip. It's time to be an animal lover!!! Yes!!!

Madison Gentile

Wear comfortable shoes! My husband and I went on our vacation- walked over 6 miles in the zoo. Rather pricey $112 total for two adults- plan to stay the whole day to get your monies worth. Exhibits were great, everything was clean and well maintained. Had a wonderful time!

Jnnfr Dmbrwsk

Our first visit. This place will not disappoint. All the staff and volunteer s were very helpful. . The landscape was gorgeous. The grounds were impeccable... So clean which includes the bathroom. We visited on a Saturday and the crowds got busier at 5pm. You do need the map to be sure you get to see all you want . We spent about 7 hours and had a great day . Animals display have lots of information about their species and if they are endangered, threatened, or stable. The background about the generations born at the zoo and how you can help keep these species Food selections were good. Good Value is the souvenir drink bottle. One price and unlimited refills for iccee, soda,tea, lemonade. We had maybe 5 refills throughout the day, which made the bottle very affordable. You just present the re door.

Chris Shenk

This is a place for everyone. You can tell that the animals get a lot of love. The habitats are well thought out and very clean. It did not feel too crowded and the parking is easy. The food was good and reasonably priced for this type of attraction.

Jennifer C

Be prepared for a long walk. Exhibits could have better viewing opportunities, and there should be more restrooms given the number of people they serve. But it's great to know they are successfully restoring endangered species.

Charlie Villarreal

A bit expensive, but very fun. The zoo has a fantastic amount of attractions (like a waterfall near the penguins) and there are so many animals, way more than the amount at my local zoo. The panda was very neat to see, and the penguins were a hit, too.

Doina Panisin

The park is great, lots of vegetation, the staff is friendly. My favorite area is the bird enclosed area, feels like a piece of heaven. However, my 3yo doesn't last here for longer than 3 hours, not many areas for young children to play.

Ajay AJAY

Wonderful place to spend the day. Lots of fun and learning. They have good eateries.The staff are friendly and considerate. Lot of exciting attractions and experiences. Give a visit for sure

Scott Jones

Great Zoo! Expensive but very nice with lots of options. Encourage starting with the bus tour so that you can figure out where everything is. If you take the bus tour sit on the bottom section as you will be in the shade. The app is very helpful as well.

Manal Isam

The San Diego Zoo is not only one of the best in the country, but in the entire world. With a Safari Park, an arboretum, an aviary, and habitats to match the thousands of different animal species here, the zoo is sprawls across the entire north end of Balboa Park with easy access to and from Downtown. The zoo is one of the only places in the world to see giant pandas in captivity and has the largest population of koalas outside of Australia.

nefer pro

We couldn't see the animals, I thing we went at they sleeping time because just a few of them were outside. But was a nice experience we walk a lot and we can't see all the place its really big but i think it's not the same if you take the tour in the bus. They need family bike like Miami ZOO, that will be really funny.

Daniel Fieldstone

CRAZINESS I WAS SPEECHLESS So I was told over and over again by one of my friends that you could find something here that is truly exotic. Something that many people do not even think exist anymore: dinosaurs. I came here and saw so dinosaurs. I think someone was pulling my leg. I felt very let down. I can't believe I believed them. They really tricked me good. The only thing that lifted up my mood was the cotton candy that someone sold me here. Otherwise I would have left in tears. I wanted to see a freakin' brontosaurus.

Eric Ford

Are you serious? This is the number one zoo on planet earth for a reason! Phenomenal. All the animals are happy and having babies, plus it's a botanical garden! Somehow you're almost always walking downhill...

Susan Najjar

My daughter and I recently visited the zoo, and it was a lot of fun. With purchase of a one day ticket, you get to ride a tram that takes you all around the zoo, then there are trams that you can take that make four stops so you can walk and see a few areas then getting a tram to take you to other areas. It sure saves you from having to walk way too far. You also can take the sky ride which goes all the way across the zoo. A great place to spend the day

Brian Regan

This is possibly the best zoo out there. Take advantage of the bus tour and the skyway. Great exhibit sections and lots to see but steep hills and walking to be had.

Daniel Quinn

The San Diego Zoo is well designed and has a great inventory of animals. The zoo is also at the forefront of the fight to save various species from extinction, including the northern white rhino. The staff are very enthusiastic in this regard, so much so that it's hard to interact with then absent such a discussion.

Evan Schwab

The San Diego Zoo is everything you could want in a Zoo and far more. I have been hearing how the Sam Diego Zoo is the best Zoo in the country since I was a child, and I do believe that is true. The atmosphere is beautiful and the animals are majestic. The Zoo came alive with music in the night time. I would travel all the way to San Diego again just to go back to this Zoo.

Billy Hart

It would be a very nice to do if all the animals were not inside their enclosures. It's a beautiful zoo. And they're bacon cheeseburgers are great

Joey Charboneau

It is the most expensive zoo I've been too but the place is top notch. Nice eateries and lots of exotic animals. For a little extra you can schedule a close encounter or VIP tour but the normal ticket was great. Be prepared to do a lot of walking because the zoo is huge, but most of it is shaded by trees. Buses and the sky ferry can take you across the park and give you a rest. Both are included in the normal ticket price.

K Size

We had a great time. Though, I recommend staying at the zoo into the evening to see some of the big cats and such, as they feed them in the evening and are more active then. This is a very large zoo and will take more than one day if you plan to see everything. Pandas had a long line so we skipped those. Excellent zoo overall.

John B

One of the best zoos I've ever been to. Reasons why: 1. Pandas 2. Large space so not over crowded 3. Red pandas 4. Safari 5. Lift that brings you back from other side of zoo to give you birds eye view 6. Baby pandas

Matthew Kitchen

Great zoo, they have a bus tour and bus rides to get around plus an excellent sky tram. The employees are really thoughtful and polite. Parking was no issue (and no cost) which was great. Lots of amazing animals and they do great conservation work. Also didn't know how much they do with plants.

Deb Weinstein

This was my the first time at the San Diego zoo. I was impressed with the vast amount of trees and bamboo, providing tons of shade! Make sure you have good walking shoes on, as there's a lot of ground to cover! A little pricey, but worth it. Arizona has it all wrong!!

H Williams

It is so beautiful right now! The rains made it into a true jungle which makes all the animals happy. The animals have been so vibrant lately. I love how the zookeeper interact with the animals, the animals love them so much. Very happy we have passes.

H Williams

It is so beautiful right now! The rains made it into a true jungle which makes all the animals happy. The animals have been so vibrant lately. I love how the zookeeper interact with the animals, the animals love them so much. Very happy we have passes.

Austine Man

I wish I had more time to spend here! This zoo is MASSIVE and there's a lot of walking but that just means all the animals are spread out and have room to move in their enclosures which is nice. :)

Ignacio Gonzalez

Great place to take the kids. My family loves the LA zoo but the San Diego zoo seemed even twice as big as LA. It was family friendly. The staff was nice. I truly appreciated the free kangaroo bus and guided bus tour. I noticed they are adding a children's play area which will make it that much more fun to visit. We were there for over 8 hours but the the exhibits were so interesting that we didn't even notice how much time we had spent there. The polar bear exhibit was incredible. I loved the Skyfari gondola ride. The reptile area was fun. Oh and the brother bears wrestling with each other was hilarious. The fact that we could take in snacks was a huge bonus especially for a family of four on a budget. There were a lot of areas that were perfect for capturing that family moment picture. Oh the jaguars and the lions, the condos, elephant Odyssey it was all amazing. I could go on for days. I think the only thing I would suggest would be more family restrooms. I saw a dad and his young daughter that had a difficult time going to the men's restroom. I liked that the zoo was very clean and the security staff was present but not overwhelming.

Michelle Davis

My family and I went here on vacay and enjoyed the experience, especially the guided tours. None of the exhibits were closed and we got to see the entire park. Our favorite thing was the tram which allowed us to see the beautiful surroundings of the park and beyond.

Chris Whipple

We showed up at 9 when they opened and only stopped walking for lunch. We saw all but five of the animals and it was a blast! The children's zoo is closed and the polar bears are visiting another zoo, but it was amazing! All of October 2019, kids get in free with each paying adult. We loved to see the monkeys next to the aviary, try both levels. There are definitely more animals out the earlier you go, so try to see as many as you can in the morning.

Timothy Edwards

This place has so much to do and to look at. If you really want to experience this place you better plan a full day from open to close. Wear good shoes and planning on getting lost a couple times in this huge hundred acre, layered wildlife Paradise

Dave Miller

This is a must see when you are in San Diego. There are so many things to see and do. I rushed through ans for plenty of wonderful photos of the amazing animals. Elephants, rhinos, hippos, bears and ao much more. I suggest going early because even on a slow day it fills up fast and can get a bit overwhelming quick.Many things are included with your 1 day pass. The bus tour and the sky tram are included so make sure to stop and see the animals.

Jonathan Silva

This place is AWESOME! I never was a big fan off the zoo. I preferred the wild animal park. Boy, has this place changed!!! The paths are great. The plant life is breathtaking. I actually SEE the animals in their enclosure. I always feel good about buying passes for the Zoo. It's nice to contribute to the welfare of the animals.

Katie Byers

This zoo has a really great reputation and good reason for it. It cost about $100 for two for a day pass, but the experience was well worth it! We spent about 3 hours roaming around and watching animals and still only made it around half of the zoo! Definitely bring good walking shoes (or take a bus tour!) The zoo has taken a lot of time to make the visitors feel immersed in the habitats and get as close as possible to the animals. Definitely a great trip all around!

Kshitij Gupta

Almost after a decade I went to a zoo and it was the really one of the best in the world. The guided tour by Leslie was a pleasure! The only sad thing in an awesome experience was that there were no Pandas :(

Casey Williams

Best zoo ever. Always a good time. I love this zoo and the people running it. Nice job.

Brandon Vidaurri

Love taking my kids to the zoo! It's honestly one of the best zoo's I've ever been to. Can't wait til the new kid area opens up. My kids will love it.

Ann Kyes

The staff and volunteers all throughout the zoo are very friendly and knowledgeable. Bob, a volunteer, went out of his way to locate some brochures of the plants they have and delivered them to us in person. I would definitely work here if I lived in San Diego. We always watch "The Zoo: San Diego" on Animal Planet. An in-depth, behind the scenes look at the caretakers and staff loving the animals they take care of.

Daniel White

I have heard so much about this zoo I was expecting it to be amazing. It was not. It was a great zoo but nothing special. I think I was expecting to much. It is definitely worth checking out but the Milwaukee zoo in Wisconsin is a much better zoo.

Nick Longman

We had a great time here a few months back with the whole family. The facility was very clean. I always say you can tell a lot about a place by how they keep their bathrooms clean.

Glenn & Marsha Floyd

Beautiful zoo...a definite must see place in San Diego. Buses are convenient for families with older folks or small ones. Not too busy this time of year with lots of military families on Fridays after graduation from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

chelsea arseneault

In a word - dreamy! Highly recommend. Zoos are definitely not something we typically go for, but this is so much more than a zoo, it's a whole experience. Immaculate, beautiful, organized, and expansive - the whole place is breathtakingly beautiful. Tickets include unlimited sky tram and bus transport - good shoes, water, sunscreen are a must.

Gal C

Love visiting the San Diego Zoo. It's such a fun, beautiful place, full of entertainment that will keep you busy for hours! Incredible variety of animals from all over the world, the entire place is very well maintained. I love the fact that the zoo is a nonprofit, it's all about the animals!

paola toledo

I’ve heard this is like the best zoo in the nation or what not but it’s not that special. I definitely would not spend that much to go back again. That being said it’s still a nice place to visit. When I went they were still doing construction on the new Children’s Zoo area. That looks like it’s going to be a great addition but if they raise the price for that it might not be worth it.

Charles Mitchell

Great day for the family. Bring sunscreen as it is an all day event. Recommend both the full park bus tour and the kangaroo shuttles to get from point A to point B.

Greg C

This was by far the best zoo I've ever gone to. The exhibits are all very large and have lots to see. B animals are clearly very well cared for. Almost every exhibit had a zoo employee or volunteer nearby to answer questions and share information which made it a fantastic experience.

SnowyShowy 3Q

This has got to be the best place to visit in San Diego. Our Zoo is like no other, you can actually spend the whole day here exploring and looking at exotic and not so exotic animals. There is something for everyone here, great places to eat, a kids zoo, lots of fabulous spots to take pictures. Enjoy.

Eduardo Ramirez

Great zoo to see the animals plus the elephants seem to be thriving and healthy. The entrance fee is a little steep but is all for a good cause.

Peter Scherer

Absolutely a joy to visit! First time in San Diego, and had to commit a day to the zoo! Arrived at opening on a Sunday and spent a solid 4hrs walking around seeing everything. My advice, if you like soda, is buy the refillable cup right away and just refill for free throughout the day, pays for itself after one refill. Also, the Chinese food at Huawei in the Asian Sector was delightful! Portions were great and overall prices were very affordable!

Edward Klein

I recently made a visit to the zoo after probably a ten year absence. However, in that time, I've visited the Safari Park a couple of times. After this most recent visit, my opinion remains the same - the Safari Park is the better experience. If you have the time to do both on a San Diego visit, certainly do so. But, if you have to pick one, spend the time to head out to the Safari Park. While the zoo is large, it's not so different in layout from other zoos that I've visited. One thing we ran into a lot of - no animals in sight! Most of them were hiding away in shaded areas where they were not visible. Several sections could really stand a redesign so that, even when the animals are in the shade (and they were the smart ones, it was hot!) they can still be observed. The visit was mostly a disappointing walk from one enclosure to another with few signs of animals. The Safari Park does a much better job of allowing you to actually see the animals. One of the big features of the park is no longer in play - the Chinese Pandas have been returned to China. The party that I went with was particularly interested in seeing these and the decorating around the area is still adorned with them - but they're gone.

Vernon Harvey

Great experience. Very good staff. Helped with our motorized cart. Very helpful. Amazing displays. We had a fantastic day!! Thanks to all the helpful people that take care of their guest!

Alex Elkins

Great zoo. Decent parking. Needs a "Best Path to follow" to help guests see everything efficiently and help reduce crowding. Overall, a great zoo that's reasonably affordable for what you're getting. AAA discounts? Yes. Military get in for free with ID.

Jake H

I don’t care what other people say, this is the best zoo in the world. Beautiful scenery, large animal enclosures, and fun entertainment and education for all ages. Also interesting that the plant life here is just as diverse as the animal species. Cool place.

Barbara F

This zoo is excellent. The open top bus trip round the zoo is a must do to get your bearings. There is so much to see. Animal enclosures were clean and generously sized. Staff were keen to assist. Food and drinks choices were good too. Definitely worth a visit.

Barbara F

This zoo is excellent. The open top bus trip round the zoo is a must do to get your bearings. There is so much to see. Animal enclosures were clean and generously sized. Staff were keen to assist. Food and drinks choices were good too. Definitely worth a visit.

Art Tibaldo

I almost forgot that in one sunny and hot day of September of 1995, my host from San Diego toured me in this zoo on board a locomotion. It was steaming hot and I couldn't refuse the tour but it was really memorable as there were animals that I first saw at the zoo.

Dale Ann Fernandez

Amazing! We spent the entire day here. You can bring your own food and drinks which is nice. They have incredible food if you'd prefer to purchase food. Definitely worth the ticket price. Check for specials, coupons, and Groupons for deals.

A P

This zoo is amazing, most of the animals have some space to move around, unlike other zoo's. They have so many different animals, birds and other species. It feels almost like a rainforest in some areas. Truly worth visiting.

Aerin Deluca

Fantastic zoo, love the way they've organized compatible animals into common pens to make things seem more natural. As you might expect, food and drink is pretty expensive. Still. Had a wonderful day.

Reggie Wallace

It's world renowned for a reason. Come for the animals, stay for the views and beautiful greenery! Always super clean with lovely volunteers. A must-see for tourists and the go-to for locals. They're always adding exhibits. Worth getting the annual pass!

Sheryl D.

The San Diego Zoo is the best Zoo!! Lived in San Diego my entire life...they are always updating and improving the animal habitats!! Great fun for kids of all ages!!

Breakeven Paradox

Awesome. Beautiful animals. Bit hi priced. Show up early and on a cool day. Definitely a great workout of walking. One of the best things to do in Ca. Bring a camera to get some cool pics. Fantastic big cats.

James Savage

So many animals to see. So easy to lose ones self in the many different settings. Parking lot is huge but even so it fills rather quickly. While it is wheel chair friendly there are some slopes to push up and they are easily rented at the kiosk.

Micah

As a former research intern, I can vouch that the people working there really care about the plants and animals. They have really big, nice enclosures, taking the care to provide proper food and enrichment for the animals. They have fans and misters for when it gets hot, and heaters for winter. There is always research going on to plan for the best breeding programs, enclosure habitats, and enrichment.

Jeff Bellew

There is a reason this zoo is talked about all over. Had an incredible time all the animals, exhibits ,gift shops and restaurants. It is an all day deal , so take your time and soak in the beautiful creation of San Diego Zoo

Ahmed Zidan

Great variety of animals, one of the top zoo's in the world. A bit gutted the pandas weren't there though. Overall amazing place to visit while in San Diego.

Jesse Raines

You could stay here all day and still miss something. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and everything is very accessible. Just make sure you wear some very comfortable walking shoes.

Andrea H.

I like that you can get really close to a lot of the animals. The staff I interacted with were very helpful. A few birds were born just last week, so it was cool to see the chicks in their nests. The food at Albert's was tasty, and the service (Kai) was great.

Cristy McClenny

Our experience was fantastic! The animal habitats were first rate. I highly recommend the bus tour around the park as an overview or a time to rest. The drivers were SO NICE! The koalas, pandas, and orangutans were unforgettable!

Louie Vino

Favorite spot to visit every month. Really awesome experience and outstanding service. Highly recommend a membership to the zoo as it is cheaper.

josias guerra

What can we say about the zoo , nothing but good things, clean environment, friendly staff , ability to bring your own lunch and of course free parking,as an annual pass holders we love the freedom to lesurely come and visit the park without the pressure to see everything in one day , we had the chance to see our favorite animals and got to see all the new expansion plans for the kids zoo , we look forward to our next visit to the park with high expectations

Meredith

The Zoo seems to keep growing and expanding in the right direction. We're local and have been here more times than we can count, but we still have to make a few trips to cover everything. Most animal exhibits are beyond what you see anywhere else. Many trails to walk on that are each a different experience in seeing the animals up close. Restaurant food is good quality, but pricey as you'd expect. You can bring a backpack with drinks and your own food for the day.

Natalia Mikolajczyk

This is probably the best zoo I have ever been to so far. I really enjoyed this zoo. The Safari Park is great too!

Summer Serrano

This is a zoo experience for all ages. The exhibits are well designed and due to that the animals are able to enjoy their space but still interact with the guests when they feel like it. It was nice seeing kids play with the animals through the glass at many spots. There's much money, heart and thought put into this zoo.

RizzoMF

Came from Cleveland. Had a good time. Employees are very nice. Lots of penny presses. Some exhibits could use better views.

Sabrina Bauer

Love the San Diego zoo! Great breeding programs and educated keepers are kind to everyone including the disabled. Some of the big cats are in shamefully small enclosures but as the zoo expandes I hope they give them bigger spaces as they have with other animals :)

Shane Davis

Great zoo lots of unique animals you don’t find at other zoos. Volunteers were great as were the kangaroo bus drivers. Only reason not a 5 could be my expectations were too hi but some of the exhibits seemed quite small for the inhabitants and kinda made us bummed.

Zakk Dann

This zoo is wonderful and the staff are very friendly, the only thing about this zoo that I dislike is that it's not super easy to navigate. Either a new map is needed, or possibly even colored footpaths to signify where you are headed and that way you know which exhibits you've seen and which ones you haven't. And there are SOO many exhibits.

Colleen S

The best zoo around; can't see it all in one day. Food remains somewhat pricey but you are allowed to bring your own food and nonalcoholic drinks in (no hard coolers). Wear good walking shoes and if it's a hot day, don't forget a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen. Recommend you take the bus tour for a nice overview of the zoo and to rest your feet. The sky ride is also fun as it runs across the zoo to the far end. A great zoo.

Linh Quan

Definitely a great way to spend the day! I usually spend a few hours here and I’ll still have time to do something else in SD before the day is over. You can spend the whole day here or just a few hours. I recommend going onto the Skyfari, the view is beautiful. Ticket prices are reasonable and I really support their message on conservation. The parking is free and there is plenty of parking. This is very family friendly and I see many kids having fun.

Erica H

I really enjoy going to zoo's and this zoo is great. It is huge and seeing everything you would have to come pretty early. Suggest figuring out how to walk it before going if you aren't in town for a long period. Kids will love it and you will get exercise as well.

Briana Alvarado

Cute retro hotel with friendly staff. The restaurant's are delicious and give you a discount when you show them your hotel room key card. Hotel rooms are clean and have the basic essentials.

Edward DHerde

My first time in California we took our grandson to this place it was awesome and I would say it is a must see for any one of any age if you are in the area but we walked around with him a 3 years old 4 hours and I know we did not see it all he is pooped and took a very long nap but such the trooper

Katherine Harrell

We had a good time until we came to the leopard enclosure where the poor lonely yellow lab companion was. He looked so sad, mistreated and unloved that I almost cried. Please get that poor puppy a nice, kind, loving home. This really upset my entire family!

Holly Roberts

We truly loved visiting this zoo. The bus tour around the entire park was a must! We got to see so much more this way. Also, the animals were out and active in December. It was perfect weather too! Good times had by all!

Summer Castle

Nice zoo. We have season passes but prefer the safari park in Escondido. Lots of walking so wear comfy shoes and I recommend bringing a stroller if you have little ones. Food is a bit pricey so I recommend bringing your own but the gift shops aren’t bad. Friendly staff and the bathrooms are ok.

Jackie Ammeraal

Huge zoo so even if there are a lot of people it never felt crowded. Food is crazy expensive but you can bring in your own so that helps. It's all in the time of day whether or not the animals are out but when they are out they ate not at all phases by people and almost seem to play to the crowd.

Jack Mcginnis

If you go in the summertime prepare for the heat bring plenty of water. Also wear comfortable clothes and shoes or will be doing a lot of walking. Plenty of fun for the whole family I came with a family of six. More than enough for a whole days activity.

Vincent Gonzales

I had never been to Albert's Restaurant. The service was great. The bread in my fish sandwich was too thin. It made it soggy, tuff to hold, but it did taste good. The sausage soup was tasty. Oh, the zoo at night was fun. The visit was short, but that's why you buy a pass.

Mike S

Well organized and easy to find the animals you'd like to see with the available maps. The zoo associates do a great job of educating conservation. Once the crowd thins out, there are many shows and musicians that take the stages.

Thai Yin

Like a jungle paradise just minutes from downtown. The greenery and shade keeps the place consistently cooler on hot days. Every visit is always a different experience so you'll get your money's worth out of an annual pass.

Jacob Paxton

The hill is just nuts but everything else about this place rocks! Feeding the giraffes, feeding the birds, petting the goats - there is just so much to do! The walk about is great too and my 3 year old had so much fun interacting with all the animals. Make sure you have cash though, you need it to feed the animals and to go on the carousel.

Jenny Baker

Love the zoo! It offers so many animals and helps preserve them. There's a lot of downhill which could mean uphill... instead there is a tram to get you back to the front of the park. Definitely recommend taking the bus ride first to see various animals and get yourself oriented. The Sandwich shop was amazing! Try the chicken curry wrap

Ritu Batra

A beautiful, well kept and amazingly huge zoo. Animals are kept in their natural habitat and they are so healthy - a treat to watch. I found it a bit expensive - especially because one can't really see the whole zoo (it's massive) in a day's time (the working hours are from 10 to 5, I guess). A great experience for kids and adults alike

Ed S

Best zoo in the world. So many conservation efforts are great . The environment is good mix of shade and sun. Membership is completely worth it if you're going to come more than two times in a year. Standard cost for a park. Grab a souvenir cup and popcorn bucket for drinks and snacks all day. Skytram and bus tour are included in 1 day admission.

David Espinosa

A little pricey but a top-notch attraction for the whole family. Bring your walking shoes and hat (some areas have no shade). Your kids will love it!

Simon Lee

This is the world famous San Diego Zoo. It is the most amazing zoo i have ever been to. If you are a lover of animals, you will no doubt have a great time. Every time you go, you will see something new as different animals are active at different part s of days. Sometimes some animals just want to rest. You can spend the whole day here because it is huge! I walked briskly across the zoo in over 4 hours.

Tony Fallone

Beautiful grounds. Spectacular plantings. Animals too! Pricey, but a worthy investment of your day.

Clark Griswold

The San Diego zoo is just amazing. It's a must see. It is quite large and takes a while to see it all, probably a couple days if you really want to see all it has to offer.

Imaris Viera

Well kept facilities and hop on and off buses are very organized and convenient. By the other hand, I think that large animals cages are too small. Lions and leopards doesn't have enough space to walk or run around. It's sad. Some animals don't have enough areas to cool off in the shade on these hot summer days.

John Wadleigh

Worth it! Not many zoos in the world have done so much good for saving and raising animals. The grounds are very large but I highly recommend the gondola ride over the whole grounds! What a view! Don’t waste time in some massive line for something because there is so much to see - just keep walking and take it all in. FYI, the food selections are getting better but still need help with healthy choices.

Bethany Merritt

I hadn't visited the zoo in a while, so I had not seen the new Africa Rocks exhibit. There were so many amazing new animals to see. And the enclosures were so expansive that the animals had lots of space to roam.

Meg Tan

This place is so great for couples or families, even alone. So much to see. Granted to spend at least 4 or 5 hours enjoying the sites, sun and animals. Such a great experience, even if you have people who don't want to come.

Brandon Lanford

Great zoo! Clean facilities and friendly staff. Kids had a great time, stoked the whole time, all the way until closing. Parked close on a Monday (perfect day to go) and walked a short distance to the entrance. Food was pretty good too! And what's more, the zoo is close to other attractions like Balboa Park and museums. Just a cool area to visit.

Rose Markovich

Love love love this Zoo, beautiful enclosures, world class botanical garden, many areas to sit and relax. Bring comfy broken in walking shoes or get the bus kangaroo pass. Be prepared to spend the day so such to see you actually may need two days if you want to see it right.

Kailynn Foster

My fiance and I are from Florida. We had a blast and we're here for most of the day, about 6 hours? It was so much fun, I love all the exhibits and animal varieties that we don't normally get to see. I was a bit sad that the pandas were not here anymore but that's okay. Red panda was cute sitting in the tree relaxing the whole time. The tator tots were fabulous too! Overall super fun trip!