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Plan Your Visit

 

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Let us answer your questions and help create your day at the San Diego Zoo!  Search our extensive FAQ, or chat with our 24-hour virtual assistant.  

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Zoo Hours

9:00 am – 9:00 pm
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Directions

2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

Directions from the NORTH (southbound):

From Interstate 5 (Los Angeles and Orange County), take the Pershing Drive exit and follow the signs. From Interstate 15 (Escondido and Riverside), take State Route 163 south to the Park Blvd./I-5 South exit. Exit at Park Blvd. Turn left on Park Blvd. and head north; Zoo parking entrance is off Park Blvd. at Zoo Place.

Directions from the SOUTH (northbound):

From Interstate 5 (Mexico), take the State Route 163 north exit, then the Zoo/Museums (Richmond Street) exit and follow the signs to the Zoo parking lot.

Directions from the EAST (westbound):
From Interstate 8 (Imperial County and Arizona), take State Route 163 south to the Park Blvd./I-5 South exit. Exit at Park Blvd. Turn left on Park Blvd. and head north; Zoo parking entrance is off Park Blvd at Zoo Place.

From State Route 94, proceed into downtown San Diego to 11th Avenue. Turn right on 11th Avenue and proceed north to A Street. Turn right on A Street, and then make a quick left onto Park Blvd. and head north; Zoo parking entrance is off Park Blvd. at Zoo Place.

Parking

Parking is free in the lot in front of the Zoo. Additional free parking is available throughout Balboa Park

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Public transportation

It’s easy to get here on public transit. Rapid 215 and Route 7 stop at the Zoo and are an easy connection in downtown from Amtrak and COASTER trains at the Santa Fe Depot, downtown hotels, the Cruise Ship Terminal, Blue, Orange, and Green Line Trolleys and other MTS bus routes. For fare and schedule information, call 511, or visit sdmts.com.

Families Save on MTS Family Weekends! On Saturday and Sunday two children (12 and under) ride MTS Bus and Trolley routes FREE with a paid adult (18 and over)!


For your convenience, the Zoo is offering additional free parking at the Inspiration Point parking lot (located at Park Blvd. and Presidents Way, just 5 minutes south of the Zoo).

Ride our FREE SHUTTLE directly to the Zoo entrance from the Inspiration Point parking lot at Presidents Way. Our weekend shuttle will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays beginning May 27, through September 3. No shuttle available on June 17 or June 18.

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San Diego Zoo App

san diego zoo app icon

Apple iOS download here ▸
Android download here ▸

Visiting the Zoo has never been easier, with the San Diego Zoo app! Discover dining, activities, and more with the GPS-enabled map. Get ready for your visit by importing tickets and memberships to the digital wallet, adding your must-see wildlife to the day planner, viewing today's schedule, and much more.

San diego zoo map.

Zoo Map

View the San Diego Zoo's classic illustrated map on your mobile or desktop browser. Find your favorite wildlife, plan your visit, and check out all the San Diego Zoo has to offer.

Download the PDF here ▸

Rex the lion sculpture at the San Diego Zoo entrance.

Guest Services

Our Guest Services booth is located inside the Zoo, to the left of the Bus Tour entrance. Open daily to closing.

Guest Services information ▸

 

Guests walking through Africa Rocks.

Guests with Disabilities

The San Diego Zoo welcomes all guests. We have several services to help guests with disabilities enjoy their visit. The Zoo provides special parking, rest rooms, and access to shows, tour buses, and exhibits for guests with disabilities. Please note there are steep grades in parts of the Zoo. A complimentary ADA shuttle service operates inside the Zoo for guests with mobility-related disabilities. Guests who use mobility assistive devices may also refer to the Zoo map for ADA pathways and elevators. 

Guest accessibility services and policies▸

Download Accessibility Map for Guests with Disabilities (PDF)▸

Directions & Parking

Safari Park

15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, California 92027-7017

The Safari Park is the San Diego Zoo’s sister park to the northeast in Escondido. Distance between the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is 35 miles. Please allow 45 minutes to 1 hour travel time.

Purchase a two-visit pass ▸

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