Student & Youth Groups

Field Trips

Student & Youth Group Field Trip Reservations Are Now Available!

The San Diego Zoo started with a roar in 1916, when Dr. Harry Wegeforth was inspired to create a Zoo for the children of San Diego. This initial inspiration is at the heart of our more than century-long commitment to education, and especially to children.

We thank you for your interest in bringing your students to the Zoo. Fortunately, we are able to offer students free or discounted admission to the Zoo, as long as they meet our requirements. For youth groups, see below for discounted admission.

Quantities and Ratios

The minimum size of a school/youth group is 15 people. Each school/group can bring a maximum of 200 people per day. Each individual over the 200-person limit is charged full price.
Groups from accredited home schools are welcome! You must meet the minimum group size of 15 and all requirements listed on the fee/rate calendar to qualify for the discounted education rate.
Your group must have a minimum of 1 adult for every 10 students. Adult chaperones are required to stay with their students at all times.

School Groups Only

The maximum ratio of free adults is 1 adult per 4 students. If you have any special needs students, we allow one adult for every special needs student in the group.

Adults within the maximum ratio are the same price as the students. Adults above the maximum ratio, up to and not exceeding the total number of students, are $15 each. If the number of adults exceeds the number of students, each adult over and above the number of students will be charged the full admission price. Teachers are counted in the total number of adults.

Questions? EducationZoo@sdzwa.org

Pricing

San Diego County Students

Grades K-12
Free on traditional school days
Price is for traditional school days
Bus tour, meal vouchers, and other add-ons available!
In-county fee/rate calendar

San Diego County students are admitted free of charge during most traditional school days. Dates of traditional school days, holidays, and summer vacations are based on several school districts within San Diego County. The in-county fee/rate calendar is for in-county schools and accredited home school groups only.

School groups from San Diego County: Please click here to request your field trip.

Questions? EducationZoo@sdzwa.org

Southern California Students

Grades K-12
$15 per student
Price is for traditional school days
Bus tour, meal vouchers, and other add-ons available!
Out-of-county fee/rate calendar

Schools located in Southern California (outside San Diego County) pay a discounted rate for each student on traditional school days. The out-of-county fee/rate calendar is for schools and accredited home school groups located in these areas.

School groups from Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Imperial, and Riverside counties: Please click here to request your field trip.

Questions? EducationZoo@sdzwa.org

San Diego County Youth Groups

$27.50 for each guest ages 17 and younger
$32.50 for each guest ages 18 and older
Youth Groups fee/rate calendar

San Diego County youth groups (such as scout troops, Boys & Girls Club, etc.) pay a discounted rate for each guest ages 17 and younger; and a discounted rate for each guest ages 18 and older, including chaperones.

All San Diego County youth groups need to arrange their self-guided visit by emailing YouthGroups@sdzwa.org.

Northern California, US National, and International Youth Groups

$27.50 for each guest ages 17 and younger
$32.50 for each guest ages 18 and older
Youth Groups fee/rate calendar

Schools (in Northern California, and in US National and International locations) and youth groups (such as scout troops, Boys & Girls Club, etc.) pay a discounted rate for each guest ages 17 and younger; and a discounted rate for each guest ages 18 and older, including chaperones.

All Northern California, US National, and International school and youth groups need to arrange their self-guided visit by emailing YouthGroups@sdzwa.org.