San Diego Zoo Reviews

Even though it was pricey, it was an absolutely amazing experience for me when I was younger. It made me so happy and made me so inspired. Thank you for this, it made me and my family happy. Sadly, this put my family with barely any extra cash left. It was great.

La zoo is one of those places you can take your entire family. Sometimes as a professional explorer, I want to say the animals are not that interactive. Most of the times they are sleeping or so far away. I say the monkeys and jirafes are more lively there but then again thats my professional observation.

Fantastic place to visit. As an adult or a young kid this place has many things to keep you fascinated and entertained.

It's a great way to get some exercise and discover the wonders mother nature has to offer and the value of conservation efforts around the world.

Put on your walking shoes cause this zoo is huge! We spent a good 5 hours here and probably could have stayed even longer if we had time. Definitely one of the highlights of my vacation.

Best zoo I've ever been too!! Immersive experience due to layout, greenery, and closeness to animals. Perfect day!

This is a really amazing zoo. It's for people of all ages, in any stage of life. If you like animals, you will appreciate the opportunity to learn about them and just observe them in close range. The ground is so lush and well-kept, we love walking around the aviaries with water falls and big trees. You feel like you are in a tropical rain forest. We've been coming here on dates before kids, with kids when they were babies, and now we still enjoy the visit to the zoo with our teenagers. We have learned so much about animal conservation and habitat preservation. Being around these amazing animals reminds us that we need to care for our planet as we are all in it together.

The best zoo I've ever been to. Amazing! Unfortunately the pandas were sent home, but don't let that put you off. Spent nearly eight hours here, walking around to see everything. Worth it!

Great place to go! I am bothered by animals being caged and such, but they have a home and are being taken care of. Some of the bears for example were taught to find food in campsites and dumpsters, so bringing them to the zoo was better than putting them down. A lot of walking!! Everything is expensive, so be prepared. You can bring your own food and drink. It was a very nice day and about 79 degrees this day 8/19/19.

World famous for a reason. Highly recommend the guided bus tour to start.

Amazing! Lots of fun, animals, and food. Excellent zoo with lots of shaded benches . Bring your own sunglasses and a hat. Huge zoo, and it took us all day to see everything.

The bus driver Ian was very nice and funny. The zoo is beautiful.

Best zoo in the world! If you live here, an annual pass is worth every penny! Just with they had the "you and a guest" pass still. I love taking my friends from out of town, and now I hardly ever do it, because it's an extra $50 every time!

The San Diego Zoo was a great experience for my family. There were all types of animals and there was this ride called the Skyfari, and it took you 400 feet above ground, taking you from one side of the Zoo to the other and you could see everything from above. It was a great experience. I would recommend you to go there.

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.

Beautiful Zoo! The double decker tour buses driving around the zoo were awesome.
Got to go back to get on the Skyfari Aerial tram on my next visit to San Diego!

Huge zoo. Hard to see it all.

It s mystique and awesomeness kinda depends. If you are from a place without zoos, this is outstanding. If you re from a place with a good zoo, you may not be blown away. Especially now that they no longer have pandas.

I m from the PNW and the three zoos we visit, PDX, woodland park, and pt.defiance are about equal to this and certainly all three eclipse SAN in totality. The people-mover is a unique feature. It s, of course, very crowded and quite expensive. Probably will not visit again but as I stated, the zoos in our region are largely equal so we get our zoo fix closer to home.

You can safely get so close to the animals in different habitats.

Best zoo in California, maybe the country. Great selection and variety of animals and exhibits from all over the world. Animals and exhibits set up for maximum viewings and enjoyment.

I've heard good things about San Diego Zoo for years, and my first visit was not a disappointment!

There's a huge variety of animals, the enclosures are well thought out, and fitting for the animals on display.

There's quite a lot of walking to do to see a decent portion of what's on offer. I spent several hours there, and there are still things I'll need to go back to see.

You can buy your tickets online before you arrive to skip the lines. The staff will happily scan your phone screen, so you can buy at the gate, if you like.

Everything in there is more expensive than it should be, but that's typical of all zoos I've visited. Remember to keep the receipt for your refillable drinks if you buy them. You may need to prove you bought the refillable cup that day.

A great place to go with the family. The staff are very polite. And are willing to answer any questions you may have. Don't forget the year past includes 2 parks. The San Diego Zoo, and the Safari Park.

I loved everything about this Zoo. I have not been here in 12 years and it's so different.

Lots of great animals to look at. Definitely an all day event. Bring enough water and snacks if you didn't eat a meal beforehand because the food is $$$. Try to look for the souvenirs at the stores at the entrance. They will have discounts as other shops within the park do not.

This is my first time coming to any Zoo so coming to San Diego Zoo was a eye opening experience for me.

Famous San Diego zoo was amazing. So many animals to see and very easy to get around if you don t want to walk use the bus or kangaroo explorer or the skyfari

I became a member recently. Very clean. Staff around asking people to adjust their masks. Pro active in the Covid era. Pleasef

My only recommendation would be to have better allergy friendly places to eat here.. had a really tough time finding something my wife could eat.. which basically only a salad, and popcorn.. Great zoo though animals are a lot closer than I would have thought for the most part.

Excellent day at the Zoo !! Big cats were active !! Amazing to see them.so close

I went by myself because I was in San Diego for work. It is probably the best zoo in the country, and they have craft beer to tide you over until you can get back to your hotel

If it's going to be a hot day, try to go early. The animals tend to slow down or go in their cages when the sun is too hot. We got to see some really great animals and found a nice shady area to have lunch. FYI: I took a backpack with snacks and water, it really does help.

With COVID going on, I was shocked at how well the zoo employees were maintaining the grounds. They were constantly wiping down high touch areas and there were hand sanitizing stations every few feet throughout the park. It was nice to be able to be outside enjoying the animals and the nature while feeling safe.

The lines were easy to navigate. It was very exciting seeing many of the primates; however, knowing that they are ot of their natural habitats are the only downfall. Overall, Outstanding experience

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!

It's just a great zoo tons to see but arrive early if you want activity and move fast.

Parking was easy, it was my first time seeing a panda in person so that was pretty cool. My family and I had such a great time that now I'm considering getting a pass. I've been looking into it and it looks like there are a handful of perks to make it worth it.

Make sure to get there when the zoo opens so you can be able to see everything. A few exhibits were under construction at the time of our visit. You will also need comfortable walking shoes since the zoo is HUGE. If you are able to stay until night they have an awesome parade with cool puppets!

Lots of really cool animals. I recommend going in the morning because all the animals are usually asleep later in the day.

I this Zoo! One of the best in the country. Interactive for kids, beautiful landscapes and enclosures.

Great zoo, if you're in the area you need to come here.

This zoo continues to be the best I've ever been too and I have traveled a lot. The enclosures are natural, the animals treated well and the diversity in the wildlife and gardens there are awesome. Highly recommend!

Always a great place to visit. Weather was great and animals were out

Love this zoo! One of the best I have been too with many unique exhibits

I loved the San Diego Zoo! I d say it s hard to get to see everything in one day since it s a huge space to cover. Majority of the animals were in a viewable place, except the tiger the tiger that day. The polar bear was the cutest and best seen from the bus tour. There s lots of gift shops throughout the zoo to get souvenirs. Definitely check out some of the paint stalls since they make nice pieces for children & families! Been to many zoos but this was by far my favourite! I can t wait to return there!!

Best zoo ever anywhere. Plus it's a top notch botanical garden of absolutely immense proportions. And yes, there's beer.

It's a zoo. Lots of interesting animals. Can be educational if you care to look.
A tad on the expensive side.

Expensive admission price for a family of four from out of town, almost $250, but a beautifully done park with excellent displays, amazing landscaping, and helpful and friendly staff. If it cost less, it wouldn't be nearly as nice. And the gorillas!

Was nice to visit but some of the enclosures are really small and very concrete rather than vegetation and such. Also October was kids get in free so there were lots of kids running around screaming. Overall it was fairly okay.

Zoos are phenomenal places, and they all do wonders for the world. San Diego takes the lead in it for the US. The size, service, and purpose cannot be matched. If you love animals, this is a must stop location. The safari zoo is about an hour away for those planning to do both.

October is free for kids month, and they were everywhere, but it still wasn't crowded. We only got a third of the way around. But best zoo I have ever been. I will go back again and again

Enjoyed a few early hours there with my daughter, Always ...lot to see. Very busy, school groups everywhere on the 130 acres , parking tough, restrooms clean ( maintained ) have a keepers pass- viewed what we planned! Enjoyed lunch off site..less expensive , Go!!

the zoo pass is totally worth it. I especially love that i can show up for 2 or 3 hours after work now that the zoo is open later for summer time. I love photography and enjoy the challenge that the zoo presents.

My first time ever going to the san Diego zoo and I enjoyed it all. I got to see animals I would of never seen at the Cincinnati zoo. The place is huge and you cannot walk the entire place. So many animals to see here. I got a chance to see the panda bear for the first time. One of the best zoos in the country. Parking isn't too bad. Food cafe is expensive so beware lol.

Hands down the San Diego Zoo is by far the BEST zoo I have ever been to.

It's pretty big but not too big. Its divided into sections. Like Africa Rocks, Australian Outback, South East Asia.

Prices for drinks, food and merchandise were pretty steep though. Around $7 for a pop.

I went with my nephew who is in a wheelchair. It's all wheelchair accessible, but some parts are EXTREMELY hilly. Make sure you have a motor attachment or are ready to sweat.

Still it's a great experience for the whole family. Kids will definitely love it.

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.

San Diego Zoo is one of the most memorable places I have ever been to. I m from out of state but I go to SD often. Whenever we go we always visit the zoo. It s a well established park with a huge variety of animals to visit and learn about. Nice staff and an all around very clean and well kept up establishment . It s a large but there are plenty of ways to get around, from the buses to the skytram(which offers 360 views of Balboa park). Great place for families with a highly kid friendly environment.

Loved our visit! Come in the early part of the day to beat the heat and the crowds. Highly recommend bringing your own food. Concessions are outrageously priced and the weight to get your food (unless you are just getting popcorn) is very long.

Friendly guides, clean holding areas, healthy looking animals. The sky tram was pretty cool, regardless of the wait time for it. The mama and baby hippo were my favorites, but I loved the polar bears too. Their reptile house is amazing!!! Also, being in the same space with all the beautiful birds is quite cool. I had one fly up right next to me with a strand in its mouth. I had recently been to the LA zoo, but while SD zoo feels more spaced out, it still feels pretty compact considering how much territory it is!

Holy mackerel! I didn't realize it was going to be like Disney world with animals and jungle. We still had fun even if 88% of the animals were hiding out and could not be seen that day. I loved the Skytram the best. John

I was hesitant about visiting a zoo... I thought it would be like all the others ... but I was wrong. I urge everybody to go here at least once - it's definitely worthwhile. Loved it.

I love zoos, and this is one of the best. Be prepared to walk a lot.

I had a great time. The facility is huge! Only downfall is a few sections were missing animals. They had 1 species of Bear available to view. I kept getting lost even with the map, its huge.

One of the best Zoos in the world. I am a member and visit frequently.

Very expensive
I don't recommend going on hot days. Most animals are not active or just lay down

Love the San Diego Zoo. We got annual passes and are looking forward to many more visits. So many animals you need mire than one day to see them all. Bummed we didn't see any Panda Bears.

Well, I was extremely disappointed to not see any pandas, or koalas. I think as a child this place could be a highlight but as an adult I feel it was lacking in some areas. But it felt good to get out of the house and be in some beautiful scenery. The lack of their publicized animal masks also makes for my lower rating seeing as my husband and I were both excited for getting different animals and styles of masks. And they had maybe about 4 styles 2 animals and only one of those two was really a face.

I love the zoo. I think this is the best zoo I ve ever been to.

Amazing zoo! World class facility and service. All the employees are very friendly and helpful. Price of admission and food/gifts are a bit on the high side but you do get your money's worth. Bring water and a very good set of walking shoes! You will need them.

Loved the zoo. A bit saddened that I didn't see they'd already sent the panda home. That's why one of our kids wanted to go. But it was totally worth it. I love how its spread out, most of the animals are active and interesting. But what I loved the most was getting around to the back and realizing you could take the overhead ride back right to the front door! Thanks for a great time.

Awesome place to go with family. Full day enjoyment. Zoo tour Bus is also there . Enjoy bus roof ride. Ample space for parking.

I have so much fun every time we go to the San Diego Zoo. We have yearly passes and highly recommend if you are considering going to the zoo to get them. Today's visit was very special because we were able to visit the pandas! The line has been to long to wait in for years, and when you finally got to see them it's rushed. Today I got a couple of good pictures.
My recommendation if you are coming to the zoo, wear comfortable shoes/clothes. Bring water and snacks with you, especially if you have young kids. Plan on spending 4 to 5 hours here at the minimum. There are lots of volunteers in red shirt to answer your questions. They love to help.

I love the San Diego Zoo. So many animals who are well taken care of. Easy to navigate park and there are bus tour options.

The best experience, recommend to anyone coming to San Diego! The San Diego Zoo is a place you can learn while having loads of fun. Feed the giraffes and take a thousand photos!

Best zoo I've ever been to. The animals seemed so happy.

Happy to have went here on a Monday as the crowds were smaller. The zoo itself is incredible, lots of animals to see although they all seemed to be a little sleepy and weren't to active during my visit there. Still, that's a small price getting to see some animals I may not ever see in my lifetime.

Would recommend the San Diego Zoo to anyone visiting.

Loved it Panda experience was zo Awesome. So many things to see and do not wheelchair friendly exactly but they have options to help.

Beautiful and relaxing. Kids learned so much and raved about it for weeks. Its also reasonably priced. Food was great as well.

We had lots of fun at the San Diego Zoo!! We walked around the entire zoo which took about 5 hours, it was a good exercise for the family and the scenery was great!

It's cool. Prepare to walk! Hydrate! Oh yea, they have frozen margaritas and daiquiris at different restaurants around the zoo. The restaurant to the left of the entrance when you first walk in has an option to buy an extra shot!

This such an amazing zoo. The animals seem happy and you can pretty much see all of them. You can spend hours just watching them. The plant life is vast, lush, and amazing. Gift shop prices are super expensive but to be expected given the fact that is such a tourist destination. Staff is friendly and helpful. Can get pretty crowded but still a great experience. They are truly committed to animal welfare and conservation

There were few of the animals that were no longer in the zoo. The Panda wasn't there anymore. As there was barely a polar bear...here enjoy the 25 pictures of what I saw and able to take from my phone.

Lots of animals to see. They do not have a reciprocal with the Cleveland Zoo. However I picked up a coupon for $5.00 off admission. Be prepared for hilly walking. Overall good time with my #TheJAC friend Lauren.

We love this zoo! There is something for everyone here! Especially since they opened the new attractions! You can come here and walk around all at all different levels of ability and get all different levels of exercise, stairs no stairs, walk up hill or down hill... You can take a bus tour or take a ride high above the park on the zoo's tram. It is so much fun here! We have been many times and there is always something new to see. There are always babies being born and zookeepers out and about training the animals teaching you whatever they can.

We had amazing time with my family at the zoo.
It s a big place to come and enjoy with your kids.
some of exhibits were closed for COVID -19.

Quite simply one of our greatest zoos. One full day and I still feel that I didn't get to see everything. Great for families or anyone who is looking to just have a great experience.

Love this zoo and how wonderful they treat their animals both inside and outside of the cages. I buy my daughter and her family zoo passes every year.

Great way to spend the afternoon. The park is a wonderful example of good design. The enclosures design ensures you get at least a glimpse. Staff was helpful and knowledgeable. We had a great time learning about all the animals

Great place to burn some calories and entertain the kids for the whole day just a great experience we enjoy going to frequently!