San Diego Zoo Reviews

So much to see! It was a beautiful day and the zoo was crowded. I prefer to arrive earlier than the noon time I did today but my friend and I enjoyed a reasonably short wait for the bus ride, a must for an overview of attractions. We then went back to see some of the animals that interested us. It was fun and we plan to return to see other animals that we did not see this afternoon.

A beautiful zoo with large, natural-looking habitats for the many different animals. Tickets aren't cheap but they are definitely worth the money; just make sure you go early and plan to spend several (as in 3-5) hours there. Two other pluses: parking in Balboa park is free, and you can leave and reenter the zoo as many times as you want on the day of your ticket.

Lots to see. Gift shops. Food is good. There is a bird enclosure where you can walk in to be with them. Live Entertainment. Bus tours. It's a great place to spend the day with kids.

Awesome facility, huge variety. Could spend hours walking but highly recommend the bus tour upgrade to save yourself on the huge hills. Toddlers without strollers will struggle to get around the whole thing.

Early admission with Zoo Keeper's club is the way to go! Avoiding all the crowds, the lines and the heat! Animals are very active when it's cooler!

Awesome, loved the Koalas and the Australian Outback. We're members and love exploring the zoo as often as we can. Great family fun for all

This by far the best Zoo I've ever been to in the country. Even over the Audubon in New Orleans and national zoo in Washington D.C.

Amazing! Simply Amazing! Had a blast with my family. Was so nice to experience it with my wife and daughter. So many childhood memories relivived!relived! Cant wait to visit again. My daughter absolutely loved the panda's and giraffe.

Look! The animals here are active! Loved it.

Come in the AM there s plenty of free parking, at the end of the day though the traffic to get out of the parking lot is not cute.

They take pictures for you around the park with their cameras, take note bust out your iPhone and take a picture at that spot for a nice photo.

We went straight to the air gondola, and made our way from the back of the park to the front on a Saturday. It was crowded but not overly so I feel like this is a two day situation it s hard to see everything in one day if you re taking your time and resting, etc.

Bring your own snacks and food, it s totally fine. We didn t get to do the tour on the bus or any other animals shows because there s so much to see!

Wear comfortable shoes, bring snacks, come early, have a fully charged phone, start @ the air gondola. Enjoy.

It had been a number of decades since I last visited the San Diego Zoo. What a fun place to bring the family. Each environment is tailor-fit for whichever species of animal they present. This zoo also specializes in special care for at risk animals. For example, they have the latest capabilities and methods to rehabilitate and care for older and injured elephants. Well worth your visit and support!

Most compassionate zoo ever!! From climbable statues to baby care stations, they don't charge for parking or water and have kind zookeepers and tour guides ready to offer advice and directions.

Love this zoo tottaly way more satisfying than la zooz

I can see why they call it one of the best zoos in the world. I really had a fantastic time!

Nice zoo. Pretty big. Lots to see. Great entertainment for kids. Great to spend the day.

Amazing exhibit. The variety of animals here is incredible. The only problem I had was the prices of items inside are pretty expensive and if you plan to walk you better be prepared for over 5 miles or more, easy.

Best zoo and loved all the various ways to get around. Very friendly staff.

Amazing experience and a great cause, I'd love to come back agaib

Massive zoo with lots to see. Animals look well cared for if in somewhat small enclosures. Prices for everything are tourist attraction high but that s standard.

For those who can get past the idea of animals in enclosures/captivity, this zoo was really an adventure! Some parts were really sad (the Polarbear exhibit that looked warm and melted; the crocodiles with a dead fish just drifting at the bottom of the water) but for the most part, the enclosures are open meaning not all bars and chained fences. None of the animals appeared in distress like at a zoo more local to me which was nice. Price point does hit hard for larger groups and inside there are additional adventures that come with additional price tags so have a game plan at entry or risk being enticed by the offerings. Beer was available which made the heat more tolerable for the 3 men in our group and reusable cups with a straw - yes, beer with a straw - were in good use!

Pro-Tips: there is an app with a map (we kept getting lost despite the numerous signs up so it was more likely a guide error than anything else). There are parts of the zoo that are a steep incline - like the Arctic zone to the elephants - so if pushing a stroller visit the elephants before the polar bears! Pack lots of water because water stations seemed far and few. Pack some snacks and food but don't expect any green picnic areas that other parks have. Take the trolley (strollers NOT allowed) because it seemed that animals were encouraged to be out when the trolleys stopped by, for example, feeding/snack stations would become more accessible when a bus was nearby and raise once it left.

It was nice to go. It was very hot and humid. We saw camels and lions. They have really great snow cones.

Absolutely Awesome!
Best Zoo we have been to.

With COVID going on I was afraid that my daughter would not enjoy her summer break off and our vacation time, but the SAN DIEGO ZOO has gone above and beyond for making my experience safe and fun. The animals were so lively and I was able to hear a lion and a tiger roar on the same day! That was an amazing experience. I thought it was pricey and not going to be worth it with some things shut down , but with a lot of things cancelled this zoo still takes about 2-3 days to finish. Wonderful time and can t wait to come back!

It was nice it has people from all over the world coming here I can see why

This zoo is great! Always very clean, employees posted all over in case you need help, the ladies working in the petting zoo are very friendly and great with the kids, lots of places to eat with many different options.

Always a great time at the zoo. Nice walk to enjoy the animals.

I don't go as often as I should. Ive been a member for 2 years now and will be for as long I am living in SD. You need at least two days to walk the entire place. My favorite spot is the hummingbird atrium.

Great Zoo.
Loved the experience.

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!

Our favorites were the red panda and hippos. Recommended to take the bus or sky cable car to the top back of the zoo and walk downhill towards the entrance ( you have to choose the left side or right side of the zoo when walking downhill).
We were only able to see one side of the zoo due to time constraints but definitely enjoyed the visit .
I do wish they would have one way glass for the tiger exhibit. One of the tiger seemed stressed because he was pacing back and forth in front of the window while glancing at us crowding around while looking at him.

I really like it here. They have bus tours which you should take first so that you would know how to go along the park. They also have cable cars, but the queue gets quite long.

Restrooms are clean and the food kiosks serve food and even beer.

They have lots of volunteers who would help you out when you need directions or suggestions.

The animals are healthy but if you go there midday, most are already sleeping or hiding due to the heat.

You'll need at least 4-5 hours for a quick tour and longer if you want to really enjoy the place.

Love this place every time I visit San Diego I go to this place theres always something new! It's a must if your visiting San Diego for the first time.

Always a fun time. We did the evening winter event. Didnt see too many animals because it was too dark. In the wild there are no lights! We went for the winter night show, Aurora, which was amazing!

Love this place. There care fpr animals and conservative is amazing

One off the best zoo that i have been too great day out

Great zoo. We we're lucky to see the panda before he went back to China.

The zoo is just ok. If you like animals, go to the safari park.

We had season passes and half off coupons that expired during the covid 19 ahut down and were given extensions and they honored the coupons. That's what makes the San Diego Zoo the best, they always take care of the community.

I've had a membership here for years. It's fun to take friends and family when they visit but it's even better to go on your own and take your time. Trying to see everything here in one day is exhausting.

OCTOBER is ALWAYS Kids month! Kids 11 and under get in the park for FREE! Senior discount available. Huge Park! Split the visit up or get there early! Lol!

San Diego zoo is known to be one of the best of its kind. great fun with the kid!

Amazing time spent with my wife lots of things to see really hard to finish in a day!

Great zoo, alot to see and easy to get around, one thing it has alot of uphill and I mean a lot. But besides that it was a great experience

We love the zoo. It was wonderful to see how alert and interested my 9 month was. We learned so much about these wonderful animals which we never really would be able to see in the wild.

Amazing place, great collection of animals and plants, helpful friendly volunteers & staff

We did have a very disappointing moment when we realized the giant pandas are no longer at the zoo.. our daughter even cried! But we were able to cheer her up with a cute little panda plush and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the zoo! The guided tour bus was one of my favorite things - I love hearing the stories behind the exhibits or about the animals! It is an amazingly beautiful zoo and was quite the workout with all the hills!

Enjoyed what I was able to see, most of the animals were sleep in their holes or caves, the Zoo closed way to early 5:00 just wasn't enough time but the day was nice over all family made it that much better. Next time I'll arrive early enough to catch more animals active.

Get ready for a walk, it is a labirint. Try to choose nice and not hot day, or all animals be sleeping.

Amazing Zoo, very friendly staff and 100s of beautiful animals

Amazing and HUGE! I wish i had more time to explore.

It's a good place to have a good time with your family, your couple or your friends.

This is the nicest zoo I have, and probably ever will be to. The staff is amazing and knowledgeable, the animals are incredible, and it's incredibly expansive. I will definitely be back many, many times.

S/O and I went here as a date. Can definitely say that this zoo is the top attraction in San Diego

Huge zoo! Needs a day to cover. Wonderful experience. Disappointed on hearing the Pandas have left back to their home in China but still enjoyed the place. Leopards we awesome!

It is the top of the line facility and organization. Great staff, shopping and of course the main attractions, the animals!

Fantastic Zoo. Just big enough for a full day. I wish the feeding times were posted so that we could visit certain animals furring feeding times.

Best place for children. They can be seen happy all the time. Adults too enjoy it a lot. If climate is good then you will have good 5-6 miles of walk.

San Diego zoo is well planned and built.
Staffs are very friendly and helpful.
Lot of species variety. Must see if you visit San Diego. One of the best Zoo in America.

What a beautiful zoo. Mature trees. Such a nice day.

If your touring California this should be placed on the top of your list for attractions to see. San Diego pulls out all the stops with Hands-on activity's and so much exhibits its hard to see in just 1 visit, luckily the zoo offers complimentary 2 decor tour buses to navigate you through the park and gondolas to provide an unbelievable birds eye view of it's never ending expansion to the zoo. The safari (African section) offers world class breeding program for almost extinct animals in the park. The staff are passionate about their jobs, most importantly the animals seem comfortable and humanely handled. The zoo offers educational daily presentations to the general public. Unlike most zoos that have barriers and large gated off areas to separate humans from viewing animals... this zoo prides itself on bringing the animals closer to the general public in a safe and sanitary environment. During my visit I got to pet a baby lion, and walk through the Panda Exhibit with very sleepy (adorable) Panda's napping in trees overhead. The whole experience was unforgettable and ignited my passion for conservation. I highly recommend this place to everyone of all ages.
Upside: The best Zoo and Safari you will ever visit
Downside: The cost will set you back (so worth it)

Saw panda and polar bear for the first time. It was an amazing experience for me

Beautiful landscaping and home to many exquisite animals. Wonderful place for a day out to relax.

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.

Nice place. Two important aspects the zoo management has to address:

1) I rented a battery scooter. But, they have to be thoughtful about access for battery scooters inside rest room. You may go in, but proximity to commode is very difficult unlike you go in a wheelchair and use the restroom for disabled. A normal wheelchair go near the closet, can turn or rotate inside the restroom but, you can't do that with the battery wheelchair if you are confined to wheelchair for mobility.

2) Some from the management should sit on a wheelchair and view everything to realise how the view is obstructed at a few places and rectify.

One stop to see so many animals. It also takes a whole day to visit.

Wonderful zoo, it is very large so we took advantage of the tour which was included with the admission. They also had smaller tram like things that you could go from one area to another. More of a hop on, hop off.

Best zoo I've been to. Love the way it is set up with walking trails. If I lived closer I'd buy a season pass to get my steps in once a week.

Brilliant Zoo with fantastic animal enclosures and great conservation work.

A very enjoyable and educational experience, would definitely recommend to anyone.

Love all the new updated Africa rocks trail!! We have passes so we always pick one animal to see for sure. The gorillas where front and center for us to see at The last visit. The habitats are clean and all employees have great customer service with all of our visits.

Really cool how they break the zoo into areas of the world and the plants and trees are fantastic. Love the free shuttle to get around. Tram is quick way to get from one side to another.

I recommend hopping on the bus as soon as you get to the zoo. If you're a first timer, this gives you a good idea of what areas you'd like to explore more on your own.

Great zoo, very clean, exhibits were well spaced. The layout of the zoo was easily navigable. Great experience!

Very big and complex. Alot of very different and unique animals.

The best zoo in the country. It takes more than a day to see the zoo. If you are able to, plan a two day visit.

I love going for an hour or two. It's so much easier to take sorry trips than trying to see everything in one trip. If you're a San Diego resident with small children, I highly recommend getting a membership. As kids get older (about middle school age) it seems like kids stop enjoying it as much.

The kids love spending time here and I get a great workout while relaxing at the same time. Great place to walk and enjoy the scenery. Specially if you love animals.

Always nice to walk around this beautiful and well thought out zoo. Nice relaxing day. Everyone was wearing there masks. Zoo staff was constantly cleaning high touch areas.

Best zoo I have been too. The aviaries were absolutely incredible!

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.

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!

Totally in love with this place. I visit here every year. They have everything so well arranged. You feel so good looking at those species which would have been extinct if this zoo was not in place.

I would suggest rather than calling themselves as Zoo they should rename themselves as wildlife conservatory.

Awesome & scenic! Even with no rain in 6 months, the Zoo's vegetation was a florabunda.

Very fun, many places to walk around and see! So the busses are great, it's a nice shaded area everywhere so it was nice not being so hot. My niece absolutely loved seeing all the animals, made the experience that much more fun!

A great zoo. Animals are peaceful and the place is clean.

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.

Loved the place. But that pork burger not again in life.

Really clean and accessable zoo. Great animal exhibitions. Essentially it is so good that it works against itself because it is so full you can barely walk with out without bumping into someone.