San Diego Zoo

Have an adventure at the San Diego Zoo!

A must-visit in San Diego is our world-famous San Diego Zoo! With animals galore, and a safari park, there is a lot to see here. And if you’re at our Shelter Island resort in summer, you can have the ultimate San Diego Zoo experience – Nighttime Zoo!

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Plan Your Adventure

San Diego Zoo, measuring 100 acres in size, is located adjacent to downtown San Diego in Balboa Park. It’s lush, naturalistic habitats and more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals make it a favorite San Diego attraction. With over 660 different species and beautiful botanical collection, the Zoo can be viewed in different ways.

One of the most popular ways to view the Zoo is through a personal animal experience: you set your itinerary while walking along the pathways into aviaries and through bioclimatic zones. If you want to get your bearings before your walk, the Zoo offers a 35-minute Guided Bus Tour and a quicker Express Bus journey. For a spectacular view, take a ride on the Aerial Sky Tram and enjoy aerial perspective of the Zoo and surrounding Balboa Park. A minimum of 3 to 4 hours is recommended for your visit.

Monkeys and Lemurs and Pandas, Oh My!

The San Diego Zoo animals are separated into 9 Zoo Zones, based on their natural habitats. The zones are:

Australian Outback

Africa Rocks

Asian Passage

Urban Jungle

Northern Frontier

Elephant Odyssey

Discovery Outpost

Panda Canyon

Be sure to visit each section for a glimpse of the animals that make those zones unique. The highlights for many are the koalas in the Outback and the adorable pandas in the Canyon!

More To Know

Fun facts about the San Diego Zoo from Kona Kai Resort:

Discounted Zoo tickets are available for resort guests.

Discounted tickets for the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Safari Park can be purchased at the front desk.

Parking at the Zoo is free.

The San Diego Zoo is open 365 days a year.

Using the San Diego Zoo website, you can crate a full day at the Zoo by adding animals, shows, dining, exhibits and more to your itinerary. Once you decide on everything, you can pre-pay for everything and just print and go! You can plan your day at the Zoo by visiting their plan your day page.

Find more information on the San Diego Zoo, visit their website.