San Diego Zoo Reviews

Good place to see rare animals for the young and old. Very clean environment. Very helpful volunteer staff members. It's a must see place for visitors especially.

It's the closest I've ever been to these wild animals. I got to see a hippo, polar bear, and a tiger, mere inches away. All that separated us was the glass from their enclosures. Amazing. The bus tour also provides great views of the animals, sometimes closer than if we had walked up to the front of the enclosures. The tour guide was so friendly and knowledgeable I recommend not missing out when you visit.

I can't imagine going to San Diego and not visiting the zoo.

You can tell that the animals are well taken care of. The polar bears are my favorite here. The architect made it so you can get real close, safely to the animals. I was exactly an inch away from a silverback through strong glass. The best zoo I've seen so far in my life

Best zoo I have ever visited. Grounds and landscaping are remarkable. New construction limited some of the park but not the overall experience.

This really is a world class zoo. My kids loved it, especially the pandas and Kuala's. They have good food through out the park and plenty of snack shops.

Awesome! Loved all the foot bridges and walking paths.

Masks are a killer with the walking and heat! Animals were sleeping mid day or hiding from the heat. Zoo is still cool, though.

Enjoyable walk and a beautiful setting to appreciate nature and all living animals and plants a bit more...

This zoo is incredible. They have multiple ways to get around (buses, gondolas, etc.), which is fortunate because it's also huge. Walking around this zoo with children will takes several hours. We were really impressed with the habitats, the variety of animals and the educational activities going on. This is one of the more expensive zoos my family has visited (and we've visited many all across the world), but it's worth the money. You could easily spend 5 hours here and still have things to see and do. Highly recommend for anyone visiting San Diego Diego kids!

Beautiful zoo with plenty of parking space and plenty of animals to see.

A fun place to visit, they treat their animals with much love and care and they all look happy and healthy. There are lots of animals to see and they are continuously improving and upgrading the animal habitats. Lots of walking but also bus and shuttle tours.

If your a local, become a member and enjoy an exhibit at a time. In the summer, it's nice to go in on the evenings for an hour and stretch your legs. In children's zoo, they have a playground. They have small scattered play areas throughout where you can rest and kids play.

I loved seeing all the different animals they had! And it actually takes a good amount of time to get threw everything

Best zoo we ve ever been to. A great day out for the kids, and almost half the price of overpriced Sea World.

The San Diego Zoo is a magical experience that anyone visiting San Diego should experience. The animals and exhibits are truly incredible and it is clear that there is a focus on conservation and animal awareness. Every staff I have ever interacted with were happy and helpful. Get there super early and avoid the large crowds as it gets pretty packed as the day goes on.

Great place! Lots of animals and they dont try to charge you for every little thing! Going back for sure!

Go as early as possible, and bring a water bottle. There is a reason this zoo is world class. Note: I did go during the COVID-19 restrictions. Mask discipline was sketchy, and people don't read directional signs. Proper distancing was tricky at times.

Had a great day out at the zoo. Very large park with lots of different enclosures. So many different animals from around the world. The exhibits were very well maintained and looked like the animals were well treated.

Awesome. I am enjoying it again. The weather is nice considering the light rain and not crowded at all.

I heard this is one of the best zoos in the country. I don't think so. Lots of walking up and down very steep hills. A zillion different kinds of boars. not the kind of animals you really would want to see in the zoo.

Pretty cool place to go see a lot of animals. Military pass was awesome, no issues at all at the entrance. If you are scared about the corona virus don't come because there are lots and lots of ppl walking around you.

Before you start your trip kindly check the map and plan accordingly, spend 15min to plan and it is definitely worth it

Awesome place to bring the family. San Diego safari park is a step above the zoo. Make sure you go to both. The zoo was great but the safari park was even better. My family still had a great time here at the zoo.

Always a fun, great, educational adventure. Be prepared for some exercise as it's the world's largest zoo! Try to use a bus tour early so you can get a full view of the park and decide how to adventure from there.

Very large zoo and is probably better during the summer. I went in November and a large number of animal exhibits were closed. The ticket price is very expensive and was not discounted despite all the closures. Be sure to arrive early in the day unless you want to run around the zoo because they close really early (5pm). Overall, it is a nice zoo and a fun time.

Visited all the way from Maine. Most SUPERB zoo this country bumpkin has ever seen!

The bus tour is totally worth it and the sky tour is a must do!! All of the animals looked happy and healthy which was refreshing. Every park attendant/zoo worker was very knowledgeable and polite.

I & my family flew from Georgia. I took my wife and my three daughters to the zoo. We all had blast time. It s a great place to take family to.

We had a wonderful lunch at Alberts. Not too crowded!

Amazing. The best zoo I have ever been to. The animals looked well cared for and happy, there's benches and bathrooms everywhere, and it was all super clean. A must see if you're ever in San Diego.

Excellent but I needed another day which I didn't have.

A favorite of mine. Fresh air. Beautiful surroundings. Animals loving the cooler weather. Happy employees. All dressed up for Christmas. I could absolutely do without all the propaganda tho.

Very large zoo. Recommend getting there early in the morning because you can easily spend the entire day. There is a lot of walking to do, so wear comfortable shoes. If you get there early enough, the parking becomes easier too.

Best zoo in the world (not that I've visited a bunch, but hey, it's THE San Diego Zoo)! THAT one. The one that preserves and restores animal [and plant] species all over the globe. Pandas? Check. California Condors? Check. Northern White Rhino? Almost there... Visiting? Become a member and find out what's going on with the work that the zoo does (and it costs barely any more than a day ticket) and then go to the Safari Park too! Do the bus tour to get a grand overview. Then, take a picnic lunch and sit in an aviary, or sit with the orangutans and siamangs, or with the elephants, or the hippos, or the polar bears, or the children's area, or the butterfly enclosure, or whatever animal or landscape inspires you (which beats rushing through and getting brief glimpses of things). Enjoy and come back regularly!

I was really excited to see the "world famous" San Diego Zoo, but left the zoo quite disappointed.

First of all, the tickets are way overpriced at $50 (with my AAA discount). I wouldn't complain about the price if the zoo really lived up to the hype, but it didn't.

The environment in there is actually really nice. It's built nicely, and the trees are beautiful. So you would expect good air quality at the zoo, but that's not the case. The guided tour buses have DIESEL ENGINES that are loud and visibly pollute the air. It's not safe for anyone to breathe when those buses drive by, especially for the children. The observatory shuttle is Los Angeles has switched to electric, and a zoo that's supposed keep its air clean and noise level low hasn't? The buses also share the road with the guests on foot. The bus drivers however are pretty nice, and they are decent as guides.

Navigating the zoo is not that easy. The zoo map was drawn by a 9 year old. The more you try to find your current location on the map and try to get to the next destination, the more confusing it gets. And on top of that, the driving by tour buses.

According to Wikipedia, the San Diego Zoo has 3,500 different animals of 670 species. That is not what it actually looks like. There just aren't enough animals to see. The animal closures aren't big enough, despite the area of the zoo. Only two lions, four elephants, one cheetah, and countless other examples like that are really disappointing. The animals often get shocked by the loud noise of the buses. There are some exotic birds, but in a very small number. I expected the "Reptile Center" to have at least 20-30 different types of snakes and other reptiles, but there are only 6-7 types we've seen. On a warm day, most animals might hide inside, but of course that's nothing to complain about. There is a small 4D movie theater inside for some reason, that shows an OK 4D movie using really outdated technology.

Pretty cool but not what I've expected. Too many cafes, too little nature.
Just left this place not very impressed

Don't expect to see everything in one day. Also, don't expect to see every animal; they tend to hide, especially on hot days. Start with the bus tour to get an overview of the place. The 4D theaters are a great escape from the heat. Food is similar all around.

This Zoo was awesome, i got to see alot of cool animals out, our tour bus driver was great, we got to see alot of animals that ushally dont like to come out of hiding like this grizzly!

2 months ago
Wonderful place, nice to see animals in an almost natural environment and not just kept.
Nice day out and central location in San Diego.
Knowledgeable helpers dotted about who seem to know a lot about the animals and give interesting information.
Very good value for money.
The pizzas near elephants are really tasty too.
Sea World is good but value for money, this zoo is much better!

Great experience. Get the scooter because it's a big place. Go to where the big cats are first first thing in the morning because they're active at that time, a lady we met at Old Town said. She's right! Take the SkyTrain early in the morning, too, because there wont be a long line.

This is a zoo experience for all ages. The exhibits are well designed and due to that the animals are able to enjoy their space but still interact with the guests when they feel like it. It was nice seeing kids play with the animals through the glass at many spots. There's much money, heart and thought put into this zoo.

Always happy to come to the zoo. Just before closing tonight, the lemurs got really talkative. Julie said she's never heard that before, and she visits often, so I caught a treat. :D

The best place of the world we really get fun everyone is really nice there

When visiting the city named after a female whale's anatomy, you must visit the San Diego Zoo. World famous and for good reason. I suggest making sure that your admission includes the people movers (bus tour, skytram, dolphin buses) as it is a large zoo with NO FLAT ROADS, lol... You will be tired after a day at this zoo but there is so much to see that it is worth the pain. This zoo has the largest population of koala bears outside of Australia. They also have Pandas..panda panda panda... You wont get a chance to see pandas outside China very often. Highly recommended that you visit the San Diego Zoo next time you are here.

Been members off and on for many years. Never experienced the night extravaganza during the holidays, very nice. Aerial Tram was not too crowded, thankfully lines were quick until the Aurora Borealis show was beginning.. not worth the crowds!
I'd do it again just for the Bailey's Hot cocoa.
Balboa park is very eventful, so there are many things to do in the San Diego area and the Zoo is definitely one of them

The city is beautiful they have many places to go and do things for free or some you pay like the zoo but is really beautiful

An awesome experience to visit the San Diego zoo. A lot of animals and creatures to see.

So much fun! Its always worth coming here. All the animals are so amazing.

Always a great time. Sunscreen and a hat are a must. You can bring your own food and drink. That's a good thing because NOTHING is cheap. If you are locals spend a little bit more and get the yearly pass, it works at the safari park also.
One day is not enough to see all that the San Diego Zoo has to offer. Make a weekend or a couple of days out of it, at the least.
The bus guided tours are a great way to let your feet rest and see the park from a different perspective.
I personally recommend the California Condor exhibit. Somebody's always hanging around that works there and is willing to tell you all about it, they have a very fascinating story.

Large zoo. Easy access from highway. Good free parking. The zoo is nice but it seems that about half the animal enclosures are older and much smaller than what we expect to see today. The newer enclosures are good and spacious with great elevated walkways. The kangaroo hopon hopoff bus was pleasanr but visibility/viewing was mediocre at best. Overallz a worthwhile visit but niowhere near the best as it's sometimes touted (IMO)

Absolutely beautiful zoo with an abundance of animals and flora. Many of the exhibits allow you to get extremely close to animals that you otherwise wouldn't be able to, such as hippos, gorillas, and lions. The grounds themselves are very well maintained and the plant scenery is as well designed as the exhibits themselves. If you live in San Diego, the annual pass is well worth it.

I went a little bit ago before contributions were available anyhow, it was so much fun!

Loved it, but it's better to go in the morning where the animals aren't hiding from the sun

This place was awesome! So much to see. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and sun screen. You'll be here for a while.

San Diego zoo is a shining example of what a zoo should be. Their exhibits are all very focused on giving each animal the proper diet, habitat and privacy they require. The size of the park is pretty large so definitely wear flats and bring water! The zoo has something for everyone in the family, including service animal relief stations, so don't worry about your furry family here! Over all this is the best zoo in North America!

We went to the zoo on a cooler day in the morning. Most of the bears were sleeping. We were told to come back around 4 to see the panda awake and eating. The gorillas and monkeys were all active and animated. Lots of great enclosures. Well worth the money and the visit. A must see.

HUGE, amazing full day of fun. Be prepared for lots of walking or take advantage of the skyshuttle or bus. So much to see but bring water and snacks as most are pricey here. Plenty of food choices otherwise.

The bus ride around the zoo is a great way to start and figure out what you want go see first. It's so big that you need multiple days to see everything!

So much to see! What a blast. Easy to get to and plenty of parking. Wear comfortable shoes.

This is easily the best zoo I've ever visited. It's very well-maintained, with lots of attention to detail in both the habitat design for the animals and the aesthetics and walking paths design for visitors. We arrived in the morning shortly after the zoo opened on an overcast Thursday that turned out to be pretty sunny by the end, so we were lucky to get fewer crowds but also unexpectedly nice weather. By the time we left mid-afternoon, it was starting to get much more crowded and we were glad to be heading out.

We hadn't had a chance to pick up groceries before visiting and weren't sure if we'd be allowed to bring food into the park (FYI I assume it's allowed since they didn't check our bags and I saw lots of people with packed lunches from home), so we picked up food from the cafe in the panda area. The orange chicken and Kung Pao chicken were pretty good for fast food and relatively filling. The kids meal options weren't so great (a burger or chicken fingers, and my kid typically leaves the meat behind in his meals, which was no exception this time). If we visit again, we'll probably make a stronger effort to get groceries before visiting.

A little difficult maneuvering with a wheelchair. Guides along the way were very informative about the animals.

Not a very successful trip for me. Most of the animals were sleeping in the rooms/private area where visitors cannot see them. Also they moved the Panda back to China so couldn't see them as well. The polar bear was also sleeping inside a AC room and a staff told us they never come out these days because it's very hot outside. So I guess one needs to do some research and choose a different time to visit it if you are interested particularly in some animals. It was fun to watch monkeys and gorillas but that's not something I have not seen already. I went especially to see panda and polar bear, but was very disappointed after the trip. Although they have a lot of food court and shops inside the Zoo so it could be a good outing with family and kids.

Me and my family loved every second in here. Especially my kids. I love how they've improved the zoo.

The San Diego Zoo is the best Zoo!! Lived in San Diego my entire life...they are always updating and improving the animal habitats!! Great fun for kids of all ages!!

WOW! Definitely a zoo that would take days to weeks for us to truly explore. We took my 2.5 yr old and had an awesome day. It was busy but not packed. Parking is free. The food in the park is decent and normal amusement park prices.

San Diego Zoo is one of the best, if not the best. Large natural habitats with unique combinations of animals provide a great look at endangered species. This zoo is large with a lot of hills and walking is a workout. There is a bus tour if you prefer. It never disappoints.

Well I was very impressed with the plants at this zoo. Wonderful varieties of plants and flowers. Not so much with the animals. Got news for you, Phoenix Zoo has much better animals and accessibility. This Zoo really was akin to going to a casino. You get robbed blind here. $150 to take a family of 3. No access to water fountains anywhere in 100 acres! An absolute trap to keep you in and Get as much of your money as possible. Spent $16 on 3 pretzels that were hard as a
Rock. Why no water fountains anywhere? I just don t understand it. They take good care of animals here but abuse the people who come to see them

I can see why this is a world class zoo, it has everything and is clean and laid out well

Such a wonderful experience, especially when it's not crowded, also great for some exercise

Nice place to walk. People wearing masks and being considerate as well.

The grounds a expertly planted and maintained. Especially enjoyed the aviaries...large and open so the birds can fly!

Had a good time for kids. Loved especially the crocodile under water and gorillas were playing when we visited.

The zoo was really nice, kept very clean and people friendly for quarantine. My only complaint would be the number of ants that are in the park.

I leaned my back on a tree for about a minute while hundreds of ants swarmed my back. I didn't notice until I commented on the number of ants on my arm and one of my mates actually looked at my back and noticed the black swarm slowly consuming my body. I ended up taking my shirt off. I felt very self conscious, I barely take my shirt off when I shower. Because I felt slightly embarrassed I had to take off one star.

San Diego Zoo is one of the outstanding Zoos in the country.It is one of the best places for family outings as well as to take kids along. The place in itself is a knowledge hub and the various exhibits depict the features of natural environment.
The zoo has so many species.
Moreover , it it very well organised and maintained.

This place is magnificent. Such a wondrous place. It is so big, you could spend all day here. It has so much to offer, and has such variety in animals. I love it so much.

A large expanse of carefully tended plants and animals. Amazing to see all these exotic creatures! Fun to explore.

Had a blast at the zoo today! We took about 4 hours to walk around the entire zoo. The monkeys were really cool and interesting to see. I enjoyed how realistic the animal setting were, there weren t stuffed into a cage like some zoos. Elephants were also a highlight and beautiful to watch. Look out for the cheetah that has a dog for a companion! You have to visit this zoo if your are in San Diego!

we were there for night zoo, and the kids loved it, especially the polar bear exhibit.

was much too crowded for my comfort. wore a mask but there were too many people in tight spaces.

We absolutely love going to the San Diego Zoo! We get a membership every year! Everytime we go, there's always something new to see and experience! We love seeing the animals year round and get a good workout! I appreciate that the parking is free and you're allowed to bring outside food.

The Zoo was amazing the animal exhibits are awesome my kids loved we will definitely be returning soon.

Massive, well-maintained zoo. Highly worthwhile spending a day (or two) here. We were underwhelmed by the PANDAS, given the long lineups. But we loved the BONOBOS and ORANGUTANS both of which were incredibly lively exhibits without any lineups.

Take the bus tour first thing upon arrival to get a sense of the scale and layout. Also worth taking to gondola if your pass includes it in your stay. The food is OK but it s best to bring some healthy snacks and water you ll need the energy and hydration given all of the walking you will do.

This zoo was the coolest! Get there early. Do the bus tour. I wish I had more time to visit.

Always a great adventure, so many animals and never enough time

A must see for any visitor. Spent the entire day. Super friendly and informative staff.