San Diego Zoo Admission Ticket with Guided Bus Tour

4.7 (1,555 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience

DurationFull-day visit, ticket valid for 1 day
Open onDaily, 09:00 - 17:00
Meeting pointSan Diego Zoo main entrance in Balboa Park. Transport and parking are not included.

San Diego Zoo Admission Ticket with Guided Bus Tour

5.0 on Google

Fair, honest prices
Real people, not bots
Confirm, then pay
Secure payment

Overview

This ticket gives you one full day at the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, with the guided bus tour and the Skyfari aerial tram both included in the default option. The zoo is set in landscaped gardens and shows thousands of animals from around the world. You enter without waiting in the ticket-booth queue and explore at your own pace. It is a relaxed, family-friendly day out and one of the best-loved things to do in San Diego.

Highlights

Full day at the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park
Guided bus tour included in the default option for a quick overview of the grounds
Skyfari aerial tram ride with views over the zoo and the park
Thousands of animals across habitats from Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas
Landscaped botanical gardens with rare plants along every path
Skip-the-ticket-queue entry at the main entrance
Ideal for families with children of all ages

Full Description

The San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park

The San Diego Zoo opened in 1916, using animals left behind after the 1915 exposition in Balboa Park, and it has grown into one of the best-known zoos in the world. Winding paths, tall trees and canyons make it feel more like a garden than a zoo, and the collection includes thousands of animals from hundreds of species, many of them rare or endangered.

A San Diego Zoo ticket is valid for one day, and the default option here adds the guided bus tour and the Skyfari. Note that this is the zoo in Balboa Park, not the Safari Park in Escondido, which is a separate attraction with its own tickets.

The guided bus tour

The guided bus tour is the quickest way to get your bearings at the zoo. A driver-guide talks you through the main areas, points out animals you might otherwise miss and gives some background on the conservation work, all while you sit and rest your legs. The ride lasts around half an hour and covers a good part of the grounds.

Many visitors take the bus first, note what they liked, then walk back to those spots afterwards. The zoo is set on hills, so this tour is especially helpful for grandparents, small children and anyone who wants to save energy for the afternoon.

The Skyfari aerial tram

The Skyfari is an open aerial tram that carries you above the treetops and across the zoo, giving a bird's-eye view of enclosures, gardens and the surrounding park. The ride is short but scenic, and on a clear day you can see out towards downtown San Diego and the bay.

It also works as a shortcut between the upper and lower parts of the zoo, so use it when you are tired of walking uphill. The best time to ride is late morning or mid-afternoon, when the light is good for photos and queues are usually shorter.

Planning your day: hours, timing and how to get there

The zoo opens in the morning and closes in the late afternoon, but opening hours change by season, so check your date before you go. The best time to visit the San Diego Zoo is early, when many animals are most active and the weather is cooler. Plan four to six hours, or more if you want to see everything.

To get there, follow signs to Balboa Park and park near the zoo, or take a rideshare or bus to the main entrance. Parking is not included in the ticket. You can also walk from the Balboa Park museums along El Prado, which makes it easy to combine the zoo with a park visit.

Itinerary

Arrive at the main entranceMeet at the San Diego Zoo main entrance in Balboa Park and enter with skip-the-ticket-queue access.
Guided bus tourBoard the bus for a narrated overview of the grounds, about half an hour.
Explore the habitatsWalk the paths at your own pace, choosing the animal areas that interest you most; allow two to four hours.
Skyfari aerial tramRide the tram for views over the zoo and use it as a shortcut between areas.
Gardens and rest stopsEnjoy the botanical collection, shaded spots and viewpoints before you leave.

What's included

Admission to San Diego Zoo
Guided bus tour
Skyfari aerial tram ride
Skip-the-ticket-queue entry

Not included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Parking

Is this right for you?

Great for

Families with children — a child price for ages 3–11
Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers

Not suitable for

Visitors who cannot walk on hilly paths for several hours without breaks
Anyone who wants hotel pickup or a private guided visit, as this is a self-paced ticket
People with severe fear of heights may prefer to skip the Skyfari

Meeting point

Meet at the main entrance of the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park and show your voucher to enter with skip-the-ticket-queue access. The default option lists a 09:00 to 17:00 window, but opening hours change by season, so check the date you choose. Hotel pickup and parking are not included.

Important information

The ticket is for one day at the zoo; arrive early to make the most of it
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the zoo is hilly
Bring a hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle
Hotel pickup and drop-off, food and drinks and parking are not included
Strollers are useful for small children; the paths are paved
Animal viewing depends on the weather and the animals; some may be resting
Opening hours and some exhibits change by season
Do not feed the animals or climb barriers

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.

How much does the San Diego Zoo ticket cost?

The price depends on the option and the age of the visitor. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for adults and children for each option.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The zoo is in Balboa Park and is easy to reach by rideshare, taxi, bus or car; parking is not included.

How long does a San Diego Zoo visit take?

Most visitors spend four to six hours, and some stay all day. The guided bus tour takes about half an hour and the Skyfari ride is short.

Is the San Diego Zoo suitable for children?

Yes, it is one of the best family days out in the city. Child prices apply to ages 3 to 11, and younger infants are usually admitted without a paid ticket; the booking panel shows the details.

What is included in the ticket?

The default option includes zoo admission, the guided bus tour, the Skyfari aerial tram ride and skip-the-ticket-queue entry.

Can I book for today or tomorrow?

Yes, subject to availability. Book as early as you can if you plan to visit at a weekend or during school holidays.

What should I wear and bring?

Comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, a light jacket for cooler mornings and a water bottle. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket.

Is this the San Diego Zoo or the Safari Park?

This ticket is for the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park. The Safari Park in Escondido is a different attraction and is not covered by this ticket.

What is the best time to visit the San Diego Zoo?

Early morning, when the weather is cooler and many animals are active. Weekdays outside school holidays are usually calmer than weekends.

Is the zoo wheelchair accessible?

Most main paths are paved, and the zoo offers help for visitors with limited mobility. The site is hilly, so contact us before booking if you need specific access.