San Diego Zoo

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The San Diego Zoo is a treasure in San Diego and a gift to all the visitors who come to see it. The landscape unto itself is beautiful. The animals, well, we like them to speak for themselves. The San Diego Zoo is constantly getting updated. Section by section, the Zoo administration works expand, improve the living conditions for the beautiful animals under its custody and enhance the visitor experience. From the Hippo Beach to the Pandas, from the Elephant Odyssey to Polar Bear Plunge, there's always something new to check out.

WHAT'S NEW AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO?

Last year's new exhibit was the Polar Bear Plunge. The new Polar Bear experience is just that, it's more of an experience. Humans will appreciate the focus on the more open and expansive space complete with pathways, interactive exhibits (check out the helicopter), and a chance to get up close and personal (safely) with these giant white bears. If you are lucky to be around for feeding time, be sure to check out the standing polar bear experience. Just ask a keeper when that is going to happen.

This year's new exhibit is centered around the very popular Pandas at the Zoo - Everyone loves to see the Giant Panda exhibit and it should be a 'don't miss' at the Zoo. The exhibit gives a great vantage point to be up close and observe these beautiful animals. So, what's new about the panda exhibit, you ask? They now live in the Panda Canyon, a bamboo forest environment that provides both natural enclosures and an edible fence for those fuzzy creatures and their friends, such as the takins, red panda, and for the cold-blooded people, the Mangshan pit viper.

Earlier this year, the Zoo announced that they were also going to give a much-needed facelift to the beloved Galapagos tortoise enclosure. The so-called Discovery Outpost features a new barn, new landscaping, and three new tortoise pools.

WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO?

Let us first start out by saying that if you have never been to the San Diego Zoo, it is well worth your time and your money to explore it.

It is open every day of the year from 9am - 4pm (off grounds at 5pm) with longer hours in the spring and summer. Please check the San Diego Zoo's website for the most current information.

The San Diego Zoo is more than just a collection of animals; it is about beautiful and lush landscaping (with 700,000 plants), encounters with animals (870 species and subspecies), birds (1,850 individuals) and zoo keepers. Most of all, the Zoo aims to expand peoples' knowledge and appreciation for authentic animal species conservation. The San Diego Zoo is a nonprofit organization that relies on ticket sales and donations to sustain itself and to continue its world-wide research programs. The San Diego Zoo has a pretty good track record - it has been open to the public since 1916.

SkyFari

You Will Get Your Exercise! The second thing that we would like to say is that the San Diego Zoo is very large - it covers 100 acres of Balboa Park. When you visit the Zoo, plan to do a lot of walking so dress accordingly. The terrain consists of both uphill and downhill slopes. If you have children that require a stroller or if you use a wheelchair, pay attention to the signs along the 'trails' that tell you to take alternate routes so you don't have to get stuck looking at a flight of stairs. There is one way besides walking to get from one end of the park to the other - the Skyfari Aerial Tram. The 'buckets' fit up to 4 people and are worth the $3 each way. It is one of the best ways to see the enormity of the Zoo. Here is a link to the interactive map from the Zoo's website: San Diego Zoo Map

Enhanced Animal Enclosures The San Diego Zoo has worked diligently to enhance the living conditions of the animals. Exhibits like Panda Canyon, Ituri Forest, Polar Bear Plunge, Monkey Trails, Tiger River, Gorilla Tropics, and Absolutely Apes are the best examples of the Zoo's commitment to improving the animals' quality of life. These types of exhibits do not put the animals in cage, per se; it is more of a natural setting that allows various species of animals to roam around in the same enclosure. The newer exhibits also provide the visitor with more information about the animals and conservation efforts.

ADMISSION & DIRECTIONS

Current Ticket Prices & Packages

Go San Diego Card - GoCard San Diego offers bulk discounts on most of San Diego's best-known attractions. One cards gets you better discounts on the attractions YOU want to visit.

Consider Purchasing A Membership - There are many levels of membership to choose from. In a nutshell, an annual membership to the San Diego Zoological Society is a great way to contribute to the Zoo's conservation program world-wide and it also provides year-'round access to both the Zoo and the Park with plenty of benefits.

Military Discount: Complimentary 1-Day Pass at the Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park for U.S. and foreign military if the individual can show a valid, active military identification card.

Directions and Free Parking

The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park, north of downtown San Diego. Free parking is available on the San Diego's Zoo property as well as throughout Balboa Park and on city streets.

Public transportation via the #7 bus is conveniently located on Park Boulevard. For the latest bus schedule/information, please call 511.

Hidden Treasures of the San Diego Zoo

Some parts of the Zoo are just not as popular as the other main exhibits. Some are so off the beaten path, few people even know they exist.

• Fastest Way to the Pandas - After you walk through the entrance, ask the attendant to point you to the Fern Canyon stairs. Fern Canyon is the most direct and the shadiest route to get to the pandas. Once you reach the bottom of Fern Canyon, make a left and start walking until you see the signs for the pandas.
• Beyond the Reptile House - Some people think that there is nothing beyond the always popular Reptile House - not so! There is a whole section of different varieties of reptiles to the west of the Reptile House, including giant tortoises, gators, iguanas, frogs, skinks, and geckos.
• Hummingbird Hut - Tucked away to the left of the Wegeforth Bowl and the Reptile House, is a large collection of bromeliads, but there is also something else in a little old stucco building - it is a special house for hummingbirds. Enter the building on either side and be sure to check for hummingbirds as you push back the plastic chain barriers to get inside. Once inside, be still and just watch the action around you. Hummingbirds literally buzz by your head to get one from one end to the other.
• El Condor Pasa - Large flying birds are always amazing to see in real life. The Zoo has located very large aviaries around its grounds but one group of aviaries just doesn't seem to get as many visitors as the others because of its location. This group of large flying birds (like the Andean condor) is located on in their own aviaries on a bridge that is located between Ituri Forest and the Polar Plunge. You can literally take the high road (the bridge) or the low road (the walkway) - do yourself a favor, take the high road.

Flamingos

• Children's Zoo - If you have children with you, take them to the Children's Zoo. Even if you do not have children with you, go to the Children's Zoo. The Children's Zoo recently underwent a remodel and features an improved petting area which includes bunnies, miniature horses, goats, sheep, and pigs. In addition to the petting area, the Children's Zoo also features a Mouse House made of bread, 2-4 nursing rooms for baby animals, bird egg incubators, a porcupine, marmosets, an otter grotto and a naked mole rat exhibit.
• Orchid Greenhouses - On the third Friday of each month, the Zoo opens up its orchid greenhouses to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The orchid greenhouses are located on the most northern side of the Zoo between the East African Kopje exhibit and Horn & Hoof Mesa. There is no extra charge.
• Great Shopping - Gift shops are located throughout the Zoo but the largest ones are located near the exit from the Zoo. The stores carry a wide variety of products from around the world. Naturally, stuffed animals, Zoo t-shirts and hats are available but there is also a wide assortment of ceramics, art pieces, and things for the home that are unique and attractive. All proceeds from the sales go toward helping the Zoo. These stores ware very popular with the locals as well so much so that some locals know that they can buy a ticket to enter the Zoo, go to the gift shop, make their purchase, and get the ticket price refunded at the Gift Store.