San Diego Zoo Reviews

The san Diego zoo was a very pleasant experience, its family friendly and kept clean.. it wasn't overly packed.. the staff is friendly and knowledgeable.. I'd recommend taking your little ones..

It will take you a good amount of time to visit all the zoo! They have a variety of species!

I loved it here. They have a lot of Animals and I love that they have a lot of space! It looks like it is very well managed.

Place is nice with lots to see. Walking in the scorching heat was harsh. Meals, drinks, and snacks are expensive here but not that great. Supposedly the sales go to maintaining the zoo so I guess each purchase covers the meal and a donation to the cause. The ride on the double decker bus was nice but sure was hot! Bring lots of sunblock and water. Hats are nice. Coveralls would be better. Sweating beads about 5 minutes into the ride. Driver was knowledgeable about the exhibits and tried his hardest to be funny. If you are trying to hit your step goals, this is perfect! Lots of walking. Giving this 4 out 5 stars because the map is not accurately drawn which causes some confusion as to where we are and where we should be. Had to restart a few times.

Not worth the hype. Especially when visiting on weekdays.

Wow! This is truly a world-class zoo and we've been to enough around the world to competently say this is definitely in the top 10 if not 5 Zoo's out there!

Plan to spend the day. The one day pass includes a 35 minute narrated bus tour and the sky tram

I love this place, me and my family enjoy going has many times has we can in the year, it's cheaper if you have the membership because it's include the safary park in Escondido with the same cards. Its always clean, the food is expensive but delicious. Theres a lot of animals any size to see and they are so close.

Beautiful zoo with plenty of exhibits, rest areas, gift shops, and restaurants/snack stands. Definitely be prepared for an outdoorsy adventure and wear good walking shoes. Highly impressed with the variety of flora and fauna and how well maintained the grounds are.

Great place to get lost. Found myself amaze on how big the place was. Got a lot of good picture. Need to go back again to finish the tour. guy.

A must visit once is San Diego!! I simply assure that you will have a great time..

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.

We were excited to go see the pandas since it was their last weekend their. But the mom went to sleep at 2pm! And the line for the son was so long. But overall had fun the kids enjoyed themselves so thats all that mattered at the end of the day.

This place is amazing! My kids my wife and I loved ever square mile of our adventures here. Where else can you get a sky high view of a zoo!! All we can say is we re going back soon! Worth the drive from Battle Ground Washington. We love the San Diego Zoo and you will too!

Fantastic, of course. It pays to plan out your day in advance, since there are enough animals here to fill out two days. Highlights included a Malayan tiger, a black jaguar, a herd of inquisitive giraffes, and an all-too-brief glimpse of the tree sloth

This is a great zoo despite being confined to a relatively small space.
Many primates, bears and other animal groups.
A bit lacking in the reptiles department.

A note to photographers: some cages are surrounded entirely by "transparent" plastic/glass that produces glare, which makes it very hard to take photographs or use auto focus. This is why I give the zoo 4 and not 5 stars.

I live in LA, but recently visited the San Diego area. We decided to visit the San Diego Zoo and wanted to see how it stacked up against the LA Zoo. We were blown away!

Im sorry to say, but the San Diego Zoo is much better than the LA Zoo. Its larger, has more exhibits and more interactive activities with the animals.

We fed the giraffes, that was such a cool experience! There is so much more that we didnt have time to do. Next time we come we will try the safari.

I would definitely come back! So much fun.

I'm a zoo regular with a Keepers Club pass and go at least twice a month. Despite being so close to the downtown area, the zoo is it's own little slice of paradise. All of the trees and jungle protect it from most of the sounds of the outside world, and while San Diego doesn't really have an issue with Air quality anyway, there is definitely no issue here. The animals are all very well taken care of, constantly you'll see them being groomed, fed, or with enrichment toys.

Only certain types of animals are kept solitary, and they are solitary in the wild. The zoo promotes breeding to help prevent extinction, which is why a lot of these animals are in captivity in the first place, or because they cannot survive in the wild. What I love most about the zoo is that despite the fact that everything here is pretty pricey, they are 100% non-profit. They pay their employees and pay for advertising, and the rest is towards things that benefit the animals. They are constantly changing and renovating something at the parks, and there is always something new to see.

They are definitely worth a visit every time you're in San Diego, and if you're a local, just going a couple of times a year is worth the price of a yearly pass. They also offer benefits to pass holders, including a monthly early day for Keepers club where we get in an hour earlier than the public. It's really a great time to go before it gets crowded and hot.

The summer nights and Jungle bells are great too, I wish the zoo was open late for longer periods of time because it's really nice to go after work sometimes!

First time coming here and during a pandemic of all times, but they pulled all the stops to make this experience a great one

Beautiful well maintained zoo. We took the guided tour which took several hours, but you could easily spend the entire day here! The panda exhibit was especially nice. Enjoyed the sky shuttle and views of Balboa park.

This zoo has some of the best animal enclosures that I have ever seen. You feel as if you can touch the animals you are so close. And the variety they have is amazing. If you are in the area this is a must go to. The zoo is large and lots of walking so bring good walking shoes and enjoy.

Amazing Zoo with lots of variety in a fairly compact setting. I would like the big cat enclosures to be bigger in size but I guess they have limited space. Kids love this place and it even has a nice cable car ride.

This place is fantastic. Enclosures are fantastic, landscaping is beautiful, zoo is incredibly clean and employees and volunteers are very cheerful and provide excellent customer service.

The San Diego zoo is one of my absolute favorite places to go. It is a world class zoo for a reason. The plants and vegetation is absolutely beautiful.

One of San Diego's favorites place to be. Avoid holiday weekends or major days off, for an even better experience

Forget "The Mouse". Go to the zoo! Best SoCal attraction you'll find.
Way more kid and family friendly than any other attraction. Their hospitality far surpasses any other.
Best bang for your buck around. AND! Its a nonprofit! We were so impressed we sent a donation and encourage others to do so as well.

Horribly overpriced, considering you can visit other world class zoos (Memphis) for less than half. Memphis Zoo, for example, is also laid out better with wider walkways. We got bogged down numerous times by slower visitors because the passages were too narrow

Great place to get some exercise. See the diversity of animals. New waterfall near the baboon exhibit is awesome.

Really great zoo! The bus tour was nice, the sky tram was a great respite, and of course they have so many amazing animals to see. Definitely not a place that you can only visit once. We spent over five hours walking around and still didn't see everything! A must see, especially if you can get a discount as it's a little on the expense side. Definitely worth the trip though.

Always a blast at the zoo. Staff was very helpful and friendly! We have yet to see every thing in one trip but someday we will.

Great place for the family but, with so many little kids i wish there were more places to change diapers or breastfeed. Overall, we enjoyed our visit.

Very nice zoo! Really nice place for kids with lots of interactive shows and funfilled activities!

Great time, saw the cheetah run!!! Got to be less than 3 ft away from my favorite animal it was amazing!!!

This place is absolutely AMAZING!!!! There are plenty of animals and actually pretty active. I visited this place during last weekend of August. Even though the temperature was pretty high outside, the zoo with all these different types of plants offered shadow and a fine cooling breeze. It's the perfect place for families, with lots of activities for children. I recommend to walk through the zoo and not use the bus in oeder to gain the full experience out of it. I would totally visit this place again. Aw! Do not forget to try some "churos". If you like sweet stuff, thats something you shouldn't miss.

The best Zoo I have ever visited. It has apolar bear also and underwater view area to see hippos swimming

Fun day for the whole family. Weather was great, traffic wasn't bad, and we all had a great time seeing all the animals throughout the zoo.

Fun for all ages and a great time for the whole family. A most see for anyone visiting San Diego.

The big tortoise was picking on the little tortoise and the monkeys were making babies, otherwise, seamless day and all was good in the zoo kingdom!

The San Diego Zoo was a top priority for my trip to San Diego. The visit didn't disappoint. Plan to spend several hours as the location is quite large. The soda stations in the park will fill up your water bottle for free.

Great zoo. Tons of life to see. Loads of walking so wear good shoes and sunscreen. There's a bus and escalators to reach the higher areas.

There's really nothing to review here. This is the Zoo that defines all Zoos in the United States (in my opinion). Simply a beautiful place to visit and see wildlife that you would not see anywhere else. If you are visiting San Diego, this is a must stop destination. Cable car ride offers a great view of the Zoo and of San Diego. I have been here twice now and would definitely visit again.

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!

Forgot to take pictures when we got inside. Love this zoo! We have always had the annual pass and enjoyed coming here mostly year round. We also take out of town family and friends who visit us in SoCal here. Its a no brainer. Havent met an employee that was not nice. The zootique is a nice cool reprieve when it gets too hot outside!

Great zoo! The kiddos loved it and as always asked a million questions about the animals. Parking was fine and the crowds were ok. Make sure to bring in snacks and water to save money. There are a lot of hills so good walking shoes are a must. The bus tour was just ok we got it for free so i can t complain. but I don t think I would pay the extra fee that the basic annual pass holders. It s free if you have a day pass or the higher season passes. the skyfari was fun if your not afraid of Heights then it s a must go. And if you look to city side you can see skyline and even a plane landing lol. If you are in SoCal this is a must visit.

We had best time in zoo and lucky enough to see all the animals. Came out very happy.

Really cool place to visit. Was a super hot day so the animals were just relaxing but still got to see everything. Took about 3 hours to see the whole park. Was pram friendly.

There are no words for the San Diego zoo. I have been going there since I was a little girl and still go at least once a month. A must see place

Jungle Bells is the best holiday celebration in town!

This needs 10 stars. The staff are wonderful. They really maximize the space. Animals look happy and healthy. The Best zoo!!

Multiple people told me I needed to visit the San Diego Zoo, and they were definitely not wrong. I had only one day in San Diego, and I feel I spent it well.

This is by far the nicest zoo we ve been to ! Clean and lots of animals ! The staff is super nice, answering our questions !

Very well curated and organized. Lots of shade to walk in and the volunteers at the entrance are very helpful in planning your route and giving directions. Every employee I encountered, including those responsible for cleaning and picking up trash, were so friendly and helpful. They took pride in what they do and enjoy where they work. This was a wonderful experience!

Great place for the family. Very hard to see it all in one day. I would definitely to stay at least two days. Lots of animals to see, and you can download an app just like Disney.

Lots to see! Not just animals but the landscaping is beautiful! Enjoyed walking through the zoo and experiencing the animals and vegetation of different continents. Bird aviary is a favorite. Appreciated having a bench to sit and rest throughout!
Wish they would bring back coffee souvenir travel cups.

Pretty good as far as zoos go. One of the best in the country but the terrain is a bit exhausting. There are very steep hills and stairs and the walkways are sometimes convoluted. The map is pretty easy to understand. The reason I didn t give it five stars is because the animals you come to see are furthest from the entrance and THERE ARE NO PANDAS! (According to a sign outside of the old enclosure)

Must see experience very fun and can spend a whole day there

I was shocked at the price of a day pass and I had nowhere near a full day to spend. But it's a fabulous zoo and I enjoyed what I had time to see. Loved the historical bits and all the lifelike models.

Great zoo...loved it!! Very very busy tons of people even 1st thing in the morning!! Most animals were up and active so we got to see most of them.

Great! Only draw back is not having enough hands on exhibits for the children.

It's always a pleasure to visit this place, we did an inside look too this time and saw a nocturnal lemur that only comes out after dark.. Very cool

The best zoo in my opinion I've been to a few other zoo's and this one takes the title best zoo ever. The animals look dont look like they wer shoved into an enclosure and simply put out for display. This zoo is actually very kind to the animals they actually try to replicate their natural habitat as best they can and they aren't forced to be out and about they can hide from all the flashing cameras if they'd like and still be just as comfortable. Recently I've been to their night time events where the zoo is opened later than usual and this is included in the regular ticket! They have some pretty good food and each exhibit is very informative. Not to mention the zoo keeper talks and the events. My girlfriend and I caught the end of the dr. Zoolittle show and although it seems like it was for kids we still enjoyed the shows humor none the less. And we got to try some worms (properly cooked by the zoo and seasoned) said to be apart of the African cuisine. Plus some good live music and lately the bus and sky rides have been free with general admission. (The bus rides are great for getting back to the sky ride that will take you close to the entrance) I would recommend starting from the top of the zoo and working your way down to see everything and not have to walk up hill as much.

It's the best zoo of California! It's better if you buy your tickets online, so you can skip the line. The earlier the better for you, for lines, for parking, for everything. I recommend starting with the bus tour, so you can see everything and decide where you want to spend more time at. The walks are long, so be sure to wear adequate clothing to use sunscreen and stay hydrated. You can buy a refill collectible glass (this is a nice souvenir...at least on my opinion) if you hay little kids, you can rent a stroller there.

One of the best zoos in the US. Beautiful animals, beautifully laid out, good food. Sad to see the Pandas go, but they still have so much to offer. The gorillas, hippos, and koalas (among many other animals) are all wonderful.

rude staff price isnt worth it . Saw it once never again half of the zoo is closed you pay the same price . Paid for train bus etc . Non all closed.

Awesome! Amazing! No words can describe my experience there. You should expect a crowd with lots of children. I went there on a Thursday and still had to lined up for approximately 45mins to get on guided bus tour, 1 hour to see the giant panda eating bamboo. I couldn't see the whole zoo in just one day, so make sure to prioritize what you want to see and experience when you visit the zoo. Here's one precious giant panda picture for fun.

Well kept zoo with tons to see. The staff is great and the lines aren't bad at all. Lots of snack areas and food with decent pricing.

Spectacular, !!! very well organized. There are some options to eat. The bus tour is a great opportunity how to see the whole area surrounding by beautiful green of the plants and trees. We loved to see many cute and interesting animals.
We visited on Thursday to avoid the crowded on weekend.
Great place to go.

Congratulations to the zoo staff.

Wasn't thrilled at the price. Lots to see. Casual walk-around place. Recommend the season passes if you want to watch the animal families raise their kids.

The volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable, the animals seemed happy and well cared for and I've never seen a cleaner park.

Expensive and crowded. I have visited this zoo several times years ago an it was much better. There are way less animals and the zoo seemed much smaller. Food, concessions, and souvenirs are pricey. Definitely would not do again.

Fun filled day. The bus tour was a great way to start the tour as animals were still active. We took lots of snack for our kids. Lots to see. Visiting in November the animals were more active due to cooler weathe. We would return.

San Diego Zoo is always in the top ten list of zoos in the country and recently voted #1 in the world. It is enormous compared to others and has one the best attractions of any-the Skyfari. It was amazing to get an entire view of the zoo and parts of San Diego from above. Be prepared for a lot of walking to see all the exhibits. We decided to forgo the bus tour but in hindsight it might have been a better option. We spent hours here and still could not see everything. Of the ones we did see, the Pandas were our favorite (and the most popular) with the lions, tigers, and polar bear being a close second. In 2017, there's even more exhibits being added. Word of advice, buy the tickets online or on your phone before you arrive so you can skip the ticket lines.

Great Environment! The Zoo is fabulous, worth every penny! Just make sure you grab a map when you enter or download the app. Have a great day!

The San Diego Zoo is always a fun time. It is widely recognized as one of the best zoos in the world, and as a nonprofit, all proceeds go toward animal preservation efforts around the globe. There is a lot of walking and hills, so wear comfortable shoes, or spring for a bus tour. In addition to all the adorable animals (don't miss Clark the red panda!), the Zoo always has tasty food, beer, and other snacks.

A lot to see in this amazing zoo! I spent a full day, moving quickly, in the zoo and only just managed to make it through all the enclosures and exhibits. The enclosures are well built and look to give a lot of room for the animals. The animals looked healthy and many were active. The zoo has several bus options to get you from one part of the zoo to another. Expect to walk A LOT including up and down some steep hills. Plan a full day and don't go too slowly in the morning or you will run out of time at the end of the day. Great experience!

The most beautiful zoo in the US. I had to buy a season pass because this zoo is so large it takes the average person three days to see the whole park.
The terrain can be challenging at times so I love that I don t have to rush because I have the whole year to come back. The animal are so amazing and the grounds are just gorgeous. There are restaurants and pit stops along the way if I get hungry or thirsty. Restrooms are all along the paths if needed. They have electric wheelchairs for rent if you are handicapped and need assistance. They have COVID screening as you enter the park. The lines in the morning go really fast. Buy a season pass it s so worth it!

It's world famous for a reason :) definitely worth a trip, and I highly recommend the bus tour!!!

Beautiful place. Worth spending the money id you love animals

First we are paying full price and half the attractions are closed. We had to wear masks and it was hot and crowded . Too many people too close together. Didn't feel safe so we left early.

Most awesome experience!!! Shared the experience with Great 1 yr old Nephew!

Expect a lot of walking. They have buses to take you around the park. But there is an additional charge for them. They have Pandas, Lions and Tigers, oh my. They're are plenty of food options throughout the Zoo. Plenty of gift shops to buy your loved ones stuff. Probably the best Zoo in America!

This is a great zoo! It s huge and well laid out! Animal spaces are set up for ample animal viewing. It took us 4.5 hours to cover the zoo walking at a pretty good clip. There are buses and trams to help get around without so much walking. The volunteers are really helpful in planning out the best routes, ask one!

Best zoo in all of San Diego I've been to! I had a pleasant experience with the animals at this park, even with the ones I have never met. I even met a giraffe who, surprisingly, shared my birth year. I even had a lot of fun riding the sky rail, which gave me a better view of the zoo. I look forward to coming back for more encounters with Earth's greatest creatures.

Not impressed! Not sure how it is rated as I as it is. I'd take the Washington DC or Columbus Zoo over this one.