Parking
City of San Diego Parking Changes
The City of San Diego will begin implementing paid parking in Balboa Park, beginning January 5, 2026. Below you’ll find detailed information to help you plan for parking during your next visit to the San Diego Zoo.
Parking for Members
Complimentary parking at the San Diego Zoo is offered to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance members, and it is valid for one vehicle per active adult member.
To activate your complimentary parking, please register your vehicle online.
How to Register:
- Visit our Member Parking Portal by clicking the button above or by visiting sandiegozoo.org/memberparking
- Enter your membership number (found on your physical or digital membership card)
- Enter your license plate number
You can complete this registration anytime before your next visit or even when you arrive to the parking lot. You only need to register your vehicle once; we’ll remember it for your future visits.
If you plan to park at the Zoo in a different vehicle than you arrived in last time:
- Visit the Member Parking Portal again
- Enter your membership number
- Enter the license plate of the new vehicle
We’ll remember this vehicle information for future visits. You can update this information at any time.
Parking for Non-Members
We’ve made sure the parking payment process is quick and easy when you arrive so you can make the most of your time at the Zoo.
General parking is a flat rate of $16 per vehicle, per day. Parking for residents of the City of San Diego is available for $8 per vehicle, per day. There are several convenient ways to pay, so choose the option that’s right for you.
Pay at a Kiosk:
Visit any parking kiosk, located throughout the parking lot or at the Zoo’s main entrance. Signs are located throughout the parking lot indicating a kiosk is nearby.
On the screen, follow the prompts to pay:
- Input your vehicle’s license plate number (be sure to note the number before you leave your vehicle)
- Swipe your credit card
- Take your receipt
Pay on Your Phone:
You can make your parking payment right on your phone or other smart device. Scan the QR code on signs posted throughout the parking lot, or text “1671” to (619) 901-0402 when you arrive to have the link sent to your device.
On the payment website, follow the prompts to pay:
- Input your vehicle’s license plate number (be sure to note the number before you leave your vehicle)
- Enter your payment information. You can pay by credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or other convenient payment methods listed on the payment site.
That’s it! No need to put a receipt on your dashboard. You can now head to the Zoo’s main entrance and enjoy your visit.
Please note: We do not recommend paying online before you arrive at the parking lot.
If you experience any difficulties paying at a kiosk or on your phone, or if you’d like to make your payment with cash, visit any ticket booth at the Zoo’s main entrance and a team member will be happy to assist you. Please remember to note your license plate number before you leave your vehicle so you can provide it to our team member.
Other Important Information
Parking at the San Diego Zoo is subject to availability and is first-come, first-served.
Additional paid parking is available throughout Balboa Park. Complimentary parking for members at the Zoo is only available in the San Diego Zoo parking lot and not in other lots in Balboa Park. On weekends, the Zoo offers complimentary shuttle service to and from the Inspiration Point parking lot (located at Park Boulevard and Presidents Way, just one mile south of the Zoo). Separate parking rates apply to the lot at Inspiration Point.
Any vehicles parked at the San Diego Zoo without payment or membership registration are subject to a notice from ACE Parking and may be towed at the owners expense.
Parking for Members FAQs:
Yes! Parking at the San Diego Zoo is offered to all active adult-level San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance memberships. Please register your vehicle on the Member Parking Portal at sandiegozoo.org/memberparking today!
There are three ways to register your vehicle:
- Pre-register using the Member Parking Portal and enter your membership and vehicle information.
- Or, upon arrival, text “1671” to (619) 901-0402 or scan the QR code off the posted signs in the parking lot and select “I am a Member” to register your vehicle for the day.
- Or, upon arrival, proceed to the San Diego Zoo main entrance and use the self-service kiosks to register your vehicle for the day. Remember to bring your license plate number with you!
Members must enter their membership number, which is located under the barcode on your digital card within the app and on the back of your physical membership card. You will then enter your first and last name as it appears on your membership card, your email, phone number, vehicle make, model, and color, and the license plate number and state. If you do not have your membership number, please visit any ticket booth window upon arrival for assistance.
Once registered, your car will continue to receive complimentary parking for the duration of your membership. When your membership expires, you will no longer receive complimentary parking until you renew.
Yes. When you receive a replacement membership card, the barcode number changes. Therefore, your previous barcode number will no longer be valid in the ACE Parking system. Each time you receive a replacement membership card, you will need to re-register your vehicle on the Member Parking Portal. The team member who issues you your new card may also assist you with re-registering your vehicle.
You are permitted one registered vehicle per adult-level membership at a time. If you use more than one vehicle, you are welcome to register the car you will use on your next visit in the Member Parking Portal. There is no limit to the number of times you may update your selected registered vehicle.
Please note, only one vehicle at a time may be registered per adult-level membership.
As long as your membership barcode number has not changed, you will not need to re-register your vehicle upon renewal. However, if your barcode number has changed, please take a moment to re-register your vehicle.
To make changes to your registered vehicle, use the Member Parking Portal and update your information.
Please note, only one vehicle at a time may be registered per adult-level membership.
No. Please immediately proceed to any Zoo ticket booth and a team member will assist you with renewing your membership and registering your vehicle. Please be sure to bring your vehicle make, model, color, plate number and state with you to the window.
Please proceed to any Zoo ticket booth upon arrival for assistance.
No, once you register your vehicle, your information is stored digitally through the expiration of your membership.
No, member vehicle registration is only valid for vehicles parked in San Diego Zoo parking lots. If you park your vehicle in another lot within Balboa Park or along Park Boulevard, you are required to purchase parking separately for that area.
Vehicles that are not registered to park in the San Diego Zoo’s parking lot are subject to ticketing and towing, as posted on signage by ACE parking in the lot.
Please contact ACE Parking at https://www.aceparking.com/san-diego and fill out the appeal form. You will receive confirmation of your appeal filing and decision by email.
No, valet services are not offered as a complimentary option of membership.
No, complimentary parking only applies to your vehicle.
These parking rates are in alignment with City of San Diego rates for vehicles to pay for parking at City beaches and parks, including Balboa Park.
Parking for Non-Members FAQs:
Upon arrival, guests may text “1671” to (619) 901-0402 use their smartphones to scan the ACE Parking QR code off the posted signs in the parking lot. In addition, ACE Parking self-service kiosks are located throughout the lot and at the San Diego Zoo main entrance plaza. For convenience, cash payments can also be made at any Zoo ticket booth.
Parking is $16 per vehicle per day.
*Please note there is a $0.55 processing fee if using the text option or QR code.
Guests will be asked to enter their phone number, license plate number, and state.
Please visit any Zoo ticket booth window for assistance.
ACE Parking accepts all credit card types as well as Google Pay when paying by text, QR code, or at any of the self-service kiosks. If you would like to pay for parking using cash, please proceed to any Zoo ticket booth upon arrival for assistance.
Please proceed to any Zoo ticket booth upon arrival for assistance.
No, once you register your vehicle with ACE Parking, your information is securely stored with ACE digitally for the remainder of the day.
Guests of the San Diego Zoo may park for the entirety of your single-day visit. Overnight parking is not permitted.
Yes, all vehicles are required to pay for parking, regardless of the duration of their visit.
No, vehicle registration is valid for the entire day of your visit.
*Please note that the parking fee is only valid for vehicles parked in the lot in front of the San Diego Zoo. If you re-park your vehicle in another lot within Balboa Park or along Park Boulevard, you are required to purchase parking separately for that area as posted in those lots.
Yes! On select dates, beat the traffic on Park Boulevard with our complimentary shuttle, which uses the bus lane. Enjoy parking at the Inspiration Point parking lot and a convenient shuttle will bring you directly to the Zoo’s main entrance so you can start and end your day with ease. Our free shuttle will run from 11 a.m. until one hour after the Zoo closes on weekends and select holiday periods.
The Inspiration Point parking lot is located at Park Boulevard and Presidents Way, just one mile south of the Zoo.
Yes, the parking fee and registration are only valid for one day. Each time you visit, you will be required to register your vehicle and pay the parking fee for that day.
Vehicles that are not registered to park in the parking lot in front of the San Diego Zoo are subject to ticketing and towing, as posted on the ACE Parking signage in the parking lot.
Please contact ACE Parking at http://www.aceparking.com/san-diego and fill out the appeal form. You will receive confirmation of your appeal filing and decision by email.
Yes, all vehicles parked at the Zoo are required to pay for parking.
Yes, all vehicles, regardless of type, are required to pay the parking fee.
Depending on the size of your RV, additional payment may be needed. Each parking space requires individual payment.
No, as long as they are parked in loading zones and in the process of picking up or dropping off.
No, only vehicles parked in the lot in front of the San Diego Zoo may pay the day-use rate. If parking elsewhere, please refer to the posted signage in that area for the terms of use and fees.
No, valet is a separate service and must be purchased separately.
These parking rates are in alignment with the City of San Diego's rates for vehicles parking at City parks, including Balboa Park.
