San Diego Zoo & Safari Park

Visiting the San Diego Zoo in San Diego’s Balboa Park is more than a chance to see animals from all over the world: it’s a chance to experience one of the world’s finest facilities for learning about rare and endangered species, all in carefully naturalized enclosures spread across 100 acres. More than 3,700 animals from 650 species are showcased here, including crowd-pleasers like lounging lions and fuzzy koala bears and intriguing oddities like naked mole rats and two-toed sloths. In August 2024, two giant pandas made their debut at the zoo. There are a few ways to see Yun Chuan and Xin Bao in the Panda Ridge exhibit, including a special 60-minute early morning walking tour (at an additional cost).

What to Expect at the San Diego Zoo 

Plan to spend at least a day at this extraordinary attraction, and wear comfortable shoes—you’ll likely do a lot of walking. General admission into the zoo includes plenty to keep you busy all day, but it’s easy to make your visit even more memorable with several upgraded experiences. Kids Programs include activities for toddlers as well as teens and preteens, where the “no grown-ups allowed” policy frees up parents to do their own thing.

In the Northern Frontier section of the zoo you’ll find the 4D Theater, where special effects add to the fun. Also, be sure to take a ride in the Skyfari Aerial Tram, which will whisk you from one end of the zoo to the other. Little ones will love the Balboa Park Miniature Train,  which travels a half mile in four minutes.

San Diego Zoo Animal Cams

If you have to cut your visit to the zoo short, no worries: just log onto a collection of entertaining animal cams, which let you see what’s going on with a variety of species—the koalas, the Sumatran tigers, as well as polar bears, California condors, and more—even if you’re not in the park.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Located 32 miles northeast in Escondido is another must-see for animal lovers: the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Sprawling over 1,800 semi-arid acres, this sister-park of the zoo is comprised of multiple free-range enclosures representing environments of Asia, Africa, Australia, and North America. Any animals that a safari setting might bring to mind are indeed here—lions, cheetahs, elephants, antelope—in all, roughly 2,600 animals. There are botanical gardens and elaborate indoor habitats for birds and insects as well.

Things to Do at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Visitors can choose from a wide array of experiences including a sleepover “Roar & Snore” safari, open-air tours that get up-close to wildlife, or even a “Flightline Safari” where you soar as high as 130 feet above rhinos, giraffes, and other denizens of the savannah. Or, hop on an open-air double-decker bus for a 35-minute guided tour of the grounds. 

Read on to find out more about all the amazing things there are to experience at both the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Useful info: The San Diego Zoo’s site has a map and an app to help you get the most out of your visit. View their hours of operation here.

Things to Do Near San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Located in Balboa Park in the middle of San Diego, the San Diego Zoo is close to countless attractions; SeaWorld San Diego, downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter, amazing taco shops, the Comic-Con Museum, and incredible beaches are just a few that immediately come to mind. And if your jump-off point is from the Safari Park in Escondido, you’re less than 30 miles from Carlsbad (home of LEGOLAND California), Encinitas, Oceanside, and Del Mar.