🦁 A Great Experience – Beautiful Grounds & Excellent Staff! 🌿

During our visit to San Diego, we spent a day at the iconic San Diego Zoo and had a truly wonderful time. 📍 Convenient Location & Parking The zoo is located in the northwest corner of Balboa Park, with a large (free!) parking lot near the entrance. We arrived late on a Friday morning and found spots available, though we did have to walk about 4–5 rows to reach the actual gate. 🗺️ Large & Well-Organized Layout This zoo is big — really big — with so much to see and explore. It’s cleverly divided into different zones, and having the official zoo app was super helpful. Be sure to download it before you go to help plan your route and make the most of your day. 🧹 Clean & Spacious Exhibits I was impressed by how clean the public areas and animal habitats were. The enclosures also felt more spacious than those at other zoos I’ve visited — a sign that animal well-being is clearly a priority here. 🍔 Food & Shopping Options There are plenty of dining choices, though prices are typical for an attraction: Soft drinks: $4–5 Sandwiches: around $15 Meal plates: about $18 There are also several gift shops scattered throughout. 🎟️ Ticket Pricing & Discounts General admission is around $72 per adult, which felt a bit steep — especially compared to other major zoos like the Bronx Zoo ($38). A more reasonable range might be $50–55. We used an AAA discount, which brought the price down to about $60 per adult. Always check online for deals before you go! 👩‍🔧 Outstanding & Knowledgeable Staff A huge shout-out to the zoo employees — everyone we met was friendly, helpful, and passionate. Staff stationed near exhibits were especially knowledgeable and eager to share about the animals. 👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes & Bring a Stroller There’s a lot of walking and several hills — supportive footwear is a must! The zoo is also very stroller-friendly. 🏛️ Extend Your Day at Balboa Park Balboa Park is home to many other museums and attractions. If you have time, consider combining your zoo visit with another site for a full day of fun! #SanDiegoZoo #BalboaPark #FamilyFun #ZooReview #TravelTips