San Diego Zoo — Attraction in San Diego

We came here on a Monday (3/25) and spent the day at the zoo. San Diego Zoo ranks as one of the top 10 zoos in the world and perhaps top 2 or 3 in the United States behind Henry Doorly in Omaha and Bronx Zoo. We got here about 15 minutes before opening and was able to get a parking spot pretty close to the entry gate.

Once inside, our first stop was the bus tour which takes you around the park. The driver is also the narrator and provided riders with notable information about the park and animals throughout the zoo. This bus experience is a definite 5/5.

We also rode the Skyfari - a short gondola ride that takes you across the park. You’re able to get a Birds Eye view of the park from above which was fun. The ride itself lasts about 8 - 10 minutes. This experience is a solid 5/5.

We also bought tickets to the Bear and the Squirrel 4D show. Ticket prices were about $8 per person. The show is an animation that runs about 15 minutes or so. Unfortunately this experience was a complete dud and fell short of expectations. IMO, this should be included as part of the zoo ticket price. It’s geared more for little kids and not very exciting for older kids and adults. This experience was a 2/5.

The rest of the park was very very nice. Plenty of animals to see. The park itself is beautiful, well taken care of by the zoo keepers. Expect to do a lot of walking. The paper map itself is a bit confusing to follow. You’re better off downloading the app and using the map on the phone with real time location turned on so you can see exactly where you are at all times.

The food at the park is expensive but that’s expected. Food at venues like these will cost about 50% more compared to eateries outside the park. The food was not particularly bad; quite yummy and hits the spot when you’re hungry. Food will set you back about $18-$24 per person. Drinks are equally expensive. An icee will set you back about $13. Each refill is about $5. Sodas and water are about $10/each. Food rating is about a 4/5 only because of the high price and will be cost prohibitive for folks on a budget.

Overall experience at the San Diego Zoo is a 4.5/5. Except for the 4D experience and the high food prices, everything was amazing. Only do the 4D if you have little kids probably 10 and under. The experience is probably valued at $5 at most but should be free IMO as part of the cost of entry. Tickets are about $67+ which is on the higher side and unfortunately may be out of reach for most household.

Compared to other zoos I’ve been to (e.g. San Francisco, Sacramento, Safari Park), San Diego zoo ranks at the top. If you visit SD zoo, consider a visit on a weekday when it’s less crowded (I hear weekends can be crowded!). Hit the bus tour first followed by the Skyfari to get a Birds Eye view of the park. Then take your time and walk the park, soak in the sight and the sounds, and appreciate all the specular animals at the park. Pack a lunch if you’re looking to keep your expenses down otherwise expect to pay a premium.

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🏆 San Diego Zoo: A Must-Visit North American Gem!**

Sprawling and immersive, this zoo is home to 650+ species and 3,700+ animals thriving in meticulously recreated habitats — tropical rainforests 🌳, African savannas 🌾, Arctic tundras ❄️, and more! Authentic scenery + epic photo ops 📸 = a full day of unforgettable fun!

📍 Essential Pre-Visit Tips 📱 Official App: Download San Diego Zoo - Travel Guide for real-time maps 🗺️, show schedules, animal info, and seamless planning! 🅿️ Free Parking: Note your parking spot number! 🗺️ Grab a Map: Free paper maps at the entrance — great for navigation and photos! 🚌 Bus Tour Timing: Avoid crowds! Ride the Guided Bus Tour before leaving (35-min ride; upper right seat recommended for best views). 🚠 Skyfari Hours: Opens at 10:00 AM (confirm via app/on-site).

🚶♀️ ULTRA-EFFICIENT ROUTE (Ref: Fig 2) Core Strategy: Go left → Use Skyfari → Save Bus Tour for last!

⏱️ Morning: Left Loop (Counter-Clockwise) ➡️ Enter and turn LEFT! ➡️ Route: Wildlife Explorers Basecamp → Reptile Walk 🐍 → Lost Forest 🦍 (Orangutan Trail) → Urban Jungle 🦒🦏🦓 (Check feeding times ~2PM!) → Asian Passage → Northern Frontier 🐻‍❄️ → Elephant Odyssey 🐘. → Visit Africa Rocks now if time allows, or save for afternoon.

🚠 Midday: Skyfari + Flexible Options ➡️ From Skyfari East Station (near Basecamp), ride the Skyfari 🚡 to Skyfari West Station (near Northern Frontier). Flexible Add-ons: 🎦 4D Theater: The Bear & Squirrel ($8/person) near Skyfari West. 🐼 Pandas: From Skyfari West, cross Bashor Bridge → Take elevator down to Panda Ridge → Return via same elevator.

⏱️ Afternoon: Right Loop + Grand Finale ➡️ From Skyfari West/Northern Frontier/Panda Ridge: Africa Rocks** (if skipped earlier). Revisit any favorites (e.g., pandas). ➡️ Return to Entrance: Walk through Lost Forest, or Ride Skyfari 🚡 from West → East Station. ➡️ 🎉 GRAND FINALE: Guided Bus Tour!** Hop on near the entrance → Relaxing 35-min overview → Perfect recap! (Upper right seat!*).

🌳 Bonus:The zoo sits within stunning Balboa Park— explore its day & night vistas post-visit!

📌 Key Reminders APP = Essential!Track maps, shows, animals in real-time. Bus Tour LAST = Smarter!Skip crowds/heat. Skyfari = Fast Transit!Connects East↔West zones. Panda Shortcut:Use Bashor Bridge elevator near Northern Frontier. Animal Activity:Check app/staff for feedings/talks (e.g., Urban Jungle ~2PM). COMFY SHOES:You’ll walk 7-10 miles! 👟

🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼 Follow this route: MAXIMUM FUN, MINIMUM STRESS!...

The San Diego Zoo is a 100 acre wildlife park and home to more than 12,000 animals. There were many different species from birds to mammals including monkeys, reptiles and insects.

The double decker tour buses travel the same paved surfaces that people walk, which seemed dangerous to me as several people not paying much attention had to grab their small children out of the bus’s path! And the bus was constantly stopping for pedestrians walking around.

The other reason riding the tour bus was not a very good choice was because the staff INSISTED that we “pair up” and be seated 2 people per row (the seats are 2 seats per row).

This made 1 person be forced to sit on the left side of the bus regardless of whether they wanted to or not. Unfortunately, the tour route is very accommodating to the right side of the bus and NOT on the left!!

This wouldn’t be a big deal except for the fact that our bus passed by another bus that had 6 people total on it… I’m not sure why we were forced to sit with a stranger and a tour bus was operating while it was nearly empty but many people that were within earshot complained about it.

And most of the animal exhibits were on the bus’s right side, with only a few on the left. To make matters worse, there were many animals that were in their enclosures and not even outside!

The “highlight” and closest interaction the upper deck had on the bus was at the end where some parrots flew overhead… a comment was made about it being the “most interaction of the whole tour” and the crowd laughed and agreed lol.

I did see where they had a “classroom like” setting in a room talking to children and where they were incubating some eggs, which was a good thing to see. No doubt they do some positive things for rare and endangered species.

Overall, it was a good experience but the tour bus ride could definitely use some improvements, in my opinion. Why anyone would navigate a double decker bus through pedestrian traffic and risk injury is beyond me. They must have their reasons I suppose.

Maybe it’ll be a better experience next time- if there is...