Inside Look Tours
Special Experiences

Inside Look Tours

At a Glance

The Inside Look tour is an entertaining and educational adventure—perfect for a family outing—offering guided views and interesting information about how we take care of our wildlife. It is filled with experiences and stories you can’t get anywhere else.  You’ll meet your guide, and then enjoy being escorted around the Zoo in a deluxe cart. 

All tour participants require a tour ticket, regardless of age. Admission is separate and required.

 

*Our animal experiences are subject to change, based on the animals’ health and safety needs.

  • For all ages
  • $90 and up
  • Offered daily
  • 90 minutes or 2 hours
  • Giraffes, polar bears, and more!
    (All animals subject to availability)
  • Visit different off-view areas with each tour.
  • View Safety Restrictions

    Wear comfortable shoes. Some tours require walking to visit several exclusive areas. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

  • Eurasian Eagle Owl
    Inside Look Deluxe

    Inside Lurk: Nature’s Tricks and Treats

    • For all ages
    • $113 and up
    • Select dates in October
    • 2 hours
    • View Age/Safety Restrictions

      For all ages. Wear comfortable shoes. Some standing and walking required. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    Don’t miss out! This limited-time opportunity takes you on a spook-tacular seasonal adventure around the San Diego Zoo. Our wildlife care experts will guide you through this 2-hour “fang-tastic” experience where you’ll discover some of nature’s most mysterious tricks and get up close as intriguing wildlife munches on their favorite creepy-crawly treats. Prepare to spend some time with animals that slither, swoop, and squirm!

    giraffe
    Inside Look

    Giraffes & Friends

    • For all ages
    • $90 and up
    • Giraffes
    • View Safety Restrictions

      Wear comfortable shoes. Some tours require walking to visit several exclusive areas. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    See our giraffes up close! Learn how we care for these gentle giants here at the Zoo, and how we are supporting their survival in the wild. This 90-minute adventure also includes a tour around the Zoo with stops to visit some of our other wildlife up close!

    okapi mom and baby
    Inside Look

    Surprise

    • For all ages
    • $90 and up
    • View Safety Restrictions

      Wear comfortable shoes. Some tours require walking to visit several exclusive areas. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    This special tour is guaranteed to thrill and amaze! During your Surprise tour, your guide will escort your group to a variety of locations throughout the Zoo, to see our wildlife up close and share stories of wildlife care and conservation. No two tours are ever the same! This tour includes special experiences at two different animal habitats, and can include areas not accessible to the public.

    Early morning tours are now available! Enter the Zoo before it opens for the day and start your tour early by booking the 8:30 a.m. Inside Look Surprise Tour!

    polar bear
    Inside Look

    Polar Bears & Friends

    • For all ages
    • $90 and up
    • Polar bears
    • View Safety Restrictions

      Wear comfortable shoes. Some tours require walking to visit several exclusive areas. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    Start your day with an educational adventure for the whole household! Get exclusive access to our polar bear habitat, just as the bears set out to explore their territory in the morning. Learn how we care for these charismatic bears here at the Zoo, and how we are supporting their survival in the Arctic. This 90-minute adventure also includes a tour around the Zoo with stops to visit some of our other wildlife up close!

    baboon
    Inside Look

    Baboons & Friends

    • For all ages
    • $90 and up
    • Hamadryas baboons
    • View Safety Restrictions

      Wear comfortable shoes. Some tours require walking to visit several exclusive areas. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    Get an inside look at our hamadryas baboons! Meet with a wildlife care specialist to learn about the fascinating social life of these charismatic primates, how we care for them here at the Zoo, and how we are supporting their survival in their native habitats. This 90-minute adventure includes a unique view of the baboons from a special viewing area, and a tour around the Zoo with stops to visit some of our other wildlife up close!

    Wolf
    Inside Look

    Wild Canines & Friends

    • For all ages
    • $90 and up
    • Wolf, singing dog, maned wolf, or fennec fox
    • View Safety Restrictions

      Wear comfortable shoes. Some tours require walking to visit several exclusive areas. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    Are you a fan of foxes? Do you wonder about wolves? During this cart tour, you will meet our wild canines up close and learn how San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance works to conserve canid species all over the world. Your guide will escort you around the Zoo to enjoy special experiences with a variety of animals and learn how our conservation partners enlist domestic dogs to help us protect wildlife worldwide.  

    This tour includes opportunities to meet some furry friends up close. We cannot guarantee which animals you will see on a particular day, but you might see a wolf, singing dog, maned wolf, or fennec fox. 

    sun bear
    Inside Look

    Paws & Claws

    • For all ages
    • $90 and up
    • Selected dates
    • Lions, tigers, and bears
    • View Safety Restrictions

      Wear comfortable shoes. Some standing and walking required. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    During this 90-minute tour, your guide will escort you around the Zoo in a deluxe cart, stopping to enjoy special experiences featuring our lions, tigers, and bears! Enjoy a talk with a wildlife care specialist and learn about how we care for some of the world's largest cats and most charismatic bears, at the Zoo and around the world. We cannot guarantee which wildlife guests will see on any particular day, but depending on availability, you may see Malayan tigers, African lions, sun bears, sloth bears, Andean bears, or grizzlies.

    African penguin
    Inside Look

    Penguins & Friends

    • For all ages
    • $90 and up
    • Offered daily
    • 90 minutes
    • African penguins
    • View Age/Safety Restrictions

      For all ages. Wear comfortable shoes. Some standing and walking required. Maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.

    Enjoy a special up-close view of our African penguin colony! This tour includes private viewing of the penguin beach and nesting area. You’ll get an inside look at how we care for these unique birds, and learn about how we are working to conserve them in their native habitats. Enjoy other unique wildlife experiences as you tour the Zoo with one of our knowledgeable guides!

    For all ages.

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