Giant Pandas FAQs
There are several ways to see giant pandas:
- Secure a Giant Panda Timed Ticket at the Zoo the same day as your visit. Simply scan the Giant Panda Timed Ticket QR code upon arrival to receive a timed ticket. Timed tickets are complimentary, limited, and first come, first served.
- Join the standby line at any time throughout the day from 9:30 a.m. until giant pandas are off habitat for the day or the Zoo closes, whichever occurs earlier. NOTE: standby does not guarantee giant panda habitat access and is first come, first served.
- For an additional fee, we offer a special Early Morning with Pandas 60-minute walking tour, where an expert guide will lead you to exclusive viewings of giant pandas at Panda Ridge. You can make an advanced reservation for the Early Morning with Pandas walking tour online or by calling (619) 718-3000.
- Giant Panda Timed Tickets are only available at the San Diego Zoo on the same day as your visit. These tickets are complimentary, limited, and first come, first served.
- A special 60-minute Early Morning with Pandas walking tour is available for purchase in advance. You can reserve the Early Morning with Pandas walking tour online or by calling (619) 718-3000.
There are several ways to secure a complimentary, day of visit Giant Panda Timed Ticket:
- Scan the Giant Panda Timed Ticket QR code displayed at various locations on the main plaza of the San Diego Zoo, as well as inside the turnstiles throughout the Zoo, to select your time electronically, subject to availability.
- Request a Giant Panda Timed Ticket at any open ticket booth when you purchase your admission ticket.
- Visit the Tours & Membership booth, located inside the San Diego Zoo next to map locator #4, for assistance with a Giant Panda Timed Ticket.
NOTE: spaces are limited and first come, first served.
Complimentary, day of visit Giant Panda Timed Tickets are available every 15 minutes between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily. If there are no more spaces available, guests may also opt to join the standby line at any time from 9:30 a.m. until pandas are off habitat or the Zoo closes, whichever occurs earlier. NOTE: standby does not guarantee giant panda habitat access and is first come, first served.
Day of visit Giant Panda Timed Tickets are complimentary. A valid form of admission to the San Diego Zoo is required.
We also offer an 60-minute Early Morning with Pandas walking tour for an additional fee. You can make an advanced, paid reservation for the Early Morning with Pandas walking tour online or by calling (619) 718-3000.
No, complimentary Giant Panda Timed Tickets are only available at the Zoo the day of your visit.
We also offer an Early Morning with Pandas 60-minute walking tour for an additional fee. You can make an advanced, paid reservation for the Early Morning with Pandas walking tour online or by calling (619) 718-3000.
Members and guests can receive a Giant Panda Timed Ticket by scanning the QR code in the admissions plaza of the San Diego Zoo or inside the turnstiles throughout the Zoo upon arrival. Members may also stop by the Tours & Membership booth, located inside the Zoo next to map locator #4.
Members and guests may secure up to 6 tickets at a time per group per day. Those who wish to access the panda habitat more than once a day are welcome to rejoin the standby line at any time throughout the day from 9:30 a.m. until giant pandas are off habitat or the Zoo closes, whichever occurs earlier. NOTE: standby does not guarantee giant panda habitat access and is first come, first served.
To support as many guests as possible throughout the day, guests will be encouraged to continue moving along the pathway, with each visit to Panda Ridge lasting approximately 15 minutes.
No, members and guests must arrive at their scheduled time for Giant Panda Timed Tickets to be honored.
Late arrivals will be accommodated up to 15 minutes after their selected time. Members and guests who miss their selected time are welcome to join the standby line at any time from 9:30 a.m. until giant pandas are off habitat or the Zoo closes, whichever occurs earlier. NOTE: standby does not guarantee giant panda habitat access and is first come, first served.
Please visit any ticket booth window upon arrival or the Tours & Membership booth, located inside of the San Diego Zoo next to map locator #4, and a member of our guest services team will be happy to assist you.
The San Diego Zoo opens daily at 9 a.m., and we recommend arriving early to ensure you receive a Giant Panda Timed Ticket. Giant Panda Timed Tickets are offered on a first come, first served basis and there is a daily limit to the number of available times each day. Members and guests who do not have a Giant Panda Timed Ticket may join the standby line at any time from 9:30 a.m. until giant pandas are off habitat or the Zoo closes, whichever occurs earlier. NOTE: standby does not guarantee giant panda habitat access and is first come, first served.
No. Wildlife habitats at the San Diego Zoo are multidimensional, offering opportunities for wildlife to explore and thrive. Panda Ridge includes grasses, tree logs, boulders, and other features that may limit your ability to view the pandas as they navigate their landscape. In addition, wildlife may be temporarily cared for in private behind-the-scenes habitats at any time by our team of specialized wildlife care and health experts.
While cameras are welcome, tripods and monopods are not permitted.
Yes, Panda Ridge is accessible to all guests and the pathway is accessible to standard wheelchairs and standard-size electric conveyance vehicles (ECVs). The path through the habitat is designated for one-way traffic.
A complimentary ADA shuttle service is available on an on-call basis for guests with mobility-related disabilities to access our lower canyon area near the panda habitat. The shuttle is equipped with a power lift and can accommodate all standard wheelchairs and standard-size ECVs. Contact any San Diego Zoo team member or volunteer to request service and directions to the nearest pickup location.
If you have other specific questions, we will be happy to assist you. Please email us at accessibility@sdzwa.org. On the day of your visit, please feel free to discuss any special needs you have at our Guest Services/ADA Services Podium in the admissions plaza. Click here for full information about additional services for guests with disabilities and policies at the Zoo.
Yes, the pathway is accessible to all guests using standard-size strollers and wagons. The pathway through the habitat is designated for one-way traffic.
