San Diego Zoo Tours and Activities

San Diego Zoo which includes a pond, zoo animals and landscape views


Admire the animal kingdom in all its fascinating glory at one of America’s largest zoos.

Get your explorer’s hat on when you visit the San Diego Zoo! Situated in Balboa Park, this 40-hectare site houses almost 4,000 animals from across 650 species and sub-species. Roam through the park past the open air exhibits showcasing natural habitats from all over the world, and you’ll understand why this zoo attracts 5 million visitors a year.

Prowl along the Big Cat Trail in the Africa Rocks exhibit to discover the five species of big cat that call this place home. Look out for jaguars and pumas as well as leopards and lynx. Kopje: Island in the Plain recreates the rocky outcrops in Africa’s grasslands for dwarf mongooses, bateleur eagles and many other creatures.

At Elephant Odyssey, admire the herd of five majestic residents led by Ranchipur, the group’s bull elephant who weighs in at nearly five and a half tonnes! This exhibit ties the past and the present together with the addition of the Fossil Portal and the Mammoth Passage Plaza. Here, you will discover how modern elephants’ ancestors evolved, and which of the ancient characteristics have survived to this day.

Children, both big and small, will love the Discovery Outpost zone. Meet the oldest residents of the zoo, the Galápagos tortoises that arrived back in 1928. The Reptile Walk will amaze you will the diversity of native Californian wildlife, including frogs and lizards, as well as snakes and alligators. Head to the Petting Paddock with woolly sheep and inquisitive goats, or admire the newest arrivals in the Animal Nursery as they are bottle-fed by the keepers. If you are visiting during the holidays or at weekends, look out for Dr. Zoolittle’s crazy science shows.

To get around the whole zoo in a day, purchase a day pass on the express bus which will shuttle you between five points in the park. There are also 35-minute narrated bus tours that will give you a general introduction to the attraction, or alternatively get a breath-taking view of the zoo with Skyfari, an aerial gondola ride over the grounds.

San Diego Zoo is open all year round, but the exact opening times depend on the season. There are 10 different food outlets, cafés to full-service restaurants, to keep you fuelled for a full day’s fun.

Popular places to visit


Top San Diego Zoo Hotel & Accommodation Deals

Wyndham San Diego Bayside
Wyndham San Diego Bayside
4 out of 5
1355 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA
Wyndham San Diego Bayside
Best Western Seven Seas
Best Western Seven Seas
3 out of 5
411 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA
Best Western Seven Seas
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
4 out of 5
1 Market Pl, San Diego, CA
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Holiday Inn Express San Diego Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express San Diego Downtown, an IHG Hotel
2.5 out of 5
1430 7th Ave, San Diego, CA
Holiday Inn Express San Diego Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Downtown/Bayside
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Downtown/Bayside
3.5 out of 5
2137 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Downtown/Bayside
Inn At The Park
Inn At The Park
3 out of 5
San Diego
Inn At The Park
Lafayette Hotel & Club
Lafayette Hotel & Club
4 out of 5
2223 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA
Lafayette Hotel & Club
Porto Vista Hotel Downtown
Porto Vista Hotel Downtown
3.5 out of 5
1835 Columbia St, San Diego, CA
Porto Vista Hotel Downtown
Handlery Hotel
Handlery Hotel
3.5 out of 5
950 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA
Handlery Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.