Best San Diego Zoo Tips & Itinerary (with Kids)

Follow these handy San Diego Zoo tips to make the most of your family’s visit, whether you’re a local or it’s your first time at this renowned wildlife conservation park. As a multi-year member and mom of two animal-loving kids, I have spent countless hours exploring this attraction. Follow this guide and one-day itinerary to discover which animals children love to see, the best places to eat, and the extras that make the San Diego Zoo with kids special.

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Favorite Zoo Animals for Kids

Flamingo and Duck Pond (in Lost Forest)

Imitate the flamingos standing on one leg and “quack” at the ducks at this bird-filled pond. This is an easy exhibit to work into your schedule since it’s located near the zoo’s entrance. Even though you will see many more exotic animals at this zoo, the Flamingo and Duck Pond is always a kid favorite, especially for toddlers and preschoolers.

Pandas (in Asia Passage)

A long-time favorite of all ages, giant pandas on loan from China returned to San Diego in the summer of 2024! These oreo-colored bears located in Panda Ridge in Asia Passage are the zoo’s most popular residents. Note that pandas are sensitive animals, so this is a quiet zone.

If seeing giant pandas tops your priority list, sign up in advance for an Early Morning Pandas Walking Tour for an additional (hefty) fee. The minimum age to participate is 5. Otherwise, get a time-stamped Panda Ridge entrance time or join the standby line. Read more about this in my San Diego Zoo itinerary.

You can see red pandas next door in Asia Passage, too. Although giant pandas and red pandas were once thought to be closely related, scientists have now categorized red pandas in their own unique family—the Ailuridae.

Otters (in Lost Forest)

Some of the most active and playful zoo residents are otters. Everyone loves to watch these curious creatures climb, dive, slide, and swim. View Cape clawless otters along the Tiger Trail and spotted-neck otters in Marsh Habitat in Lost Forest.

Penguins (in Africa Rocks)

Children giggle with delight when watching San Diego Zoo’s flock of flightless African penguins waddle and play. Plan to spend a lot of time with kids at this exhibit in Africa Rocks, near Hua Mei Café in Asian Passage.

Koalas (in the Outback)

Kids love visiting cuddly koalas at the San Diego Zoo. Don’t expect a lot of action, though. Koalas are sleepy creatures, so most likely, you will find them taking a nap. Take a peek at nearby adorable creatures like wallabies and tree kangaroos in the Outback, too.

Most Beautiful Exhibit

Gorillas (in Lost Forest)

This lush gorilla exhibit along Monkey Trail in Lost Forest is overflowing with waterfalls and greenery. Get a sense of just how big these apes are by placing your hands in gorilla-cast imprints. Kids love climbing on the life-sized sculptures of the gorillas. Be careful, though — the bronze statues get hot in summer.

Elaborate Animal Exhibits

Elephant Odyssey

The Elephant Odyssey is definitely worth seeing when visiting the San Diego Zoo with kids. Learn about the world’s largest land animals and their prehistoric relatives, the mastodons. Then wander past living Indian and African elephants. You will also see such animals as camels, jaguars, and lions in this area of the zoo.

Polar Bear Plunge (in Northern Frontier)

Somedays, you might see a polar bear going for a swim and splashing about at Polar Bear Plunge in Northern Frontier during your family’s visit to the San Diego Zoo. You can view this massive mammal from an underwater viewing area or from above. The educational displays here show children how much polar bears need to eat each day (a lot!). There’s also a crawl-through polar bear cave made of faux plastic ice.

Uplifting Views

Alaska Airlines Skyfari (in Wildlife Explorers Basecamp & Northern Frontier)

Board SkyFari Aerial Tram East in Wildlife Explorers Basecamp or SkyFari Aerial Tram West near Polar Bear Plunge in Northern Frontier. The ride will send your family soaring above the treetops for a birds-eye view of the animals below. It’s also a handy way to get from one side of the zoo to the other.

There is an additional fee to ride this attraction but San Diego Zoo members ride for free. Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

Special Animal Activities

Feeding Giraffes (in Urban Jungle)

Come on Friday through Sunday mornings to participate in my favorite zoo activity: giraffe feeding! Your kids won’t soon forget handing treats to these sweet, towering animals. This opportunity costs a few extra bucks and runs 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, or until the giraffe treats run out. This interactive experience is available at the sister property, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, too.

Upgraded Experiences

San Diego Zoo offers a variety of Upgraded Experiences with fees, from a deluxe tour in a special cart to a multi-hour (expensive) hands-on VIP experience with a private guide and special animal interactions. I have never done any of these personally, but if your family has a deep love of animals, check out the options!

Best Place for Kids to Play

Wildlife Explorers Basecamp

Formerly Discovery Outpost, Wildlife Explorers Basecamp is the San Diego Zoo’s version of a children’s zoo. The Tree of Dreams structure here provides a fun spot to climb, cross rope bridges, slide, and play. Next door is a Water Play Area with a waterfall, splash pad, and water jets for cooling off on a hot day.

Tastiest Food at San Diego Zoo for Families

Kids’ meals are available at restaurants throughout the zoo. Depending on the restaurant, expect standards like chicken strips, hot dogs, or quesadillas.

Jungle Java (in Lost Forest)

For surprisingly good coffee drinks and teas, check out Jungle Java in Lost Forest, near the zoo’s entrance. Kids will like hot chocolate, juices, and treats like popcorn or cookies, muffins, or seasonal loafs.

Hua Mei Café (in Asia Passage)

My favorite dining spot is Hua Mei Café, near the pandas in Asia Passage. Enjoy Asian cuisine like orange or teriyaki chicken, Szechuan beef, or lo mein noodles.

Busy Bee Café (in Wildlife Explorers Basecamp)

The newest restaurant at the San Diego Zoo, Busy Bee Café makes a good choice for families. Come here for kid-friendly fare like honey corn dogs, gourmet burgers, pizza, wings, pizza, and Nathan’s Famous hot dogs.

Albert’s Restaurant (in Lost Forest)

If you’d like to indulge in a sit-down meal with table service at San Diego Zoo, you can! Make reservations in advance or pop into Albert’s at Treetops Plaza, where Monkey Trail and Treetops Way meet in Lost Forest. The food is good, the setting is lovely, and there are some decent wines on the menu. However, I personally would rather spend my time exploring the zoo than eating a lengthy meal.

Outside Food Rules

Although your own food and drinks from outside are not allowed besides baby food, San Diego Zoo is pretty lenient when it comes to packing children’s snacks. Since the zoo is located within the beautiful Balboa Park, you could easily bring a cooler filled with food to keep in your (rental) car, but you can’t bring the cooler into the zoo. Enjoy your meal at a picnic table outside and then reenter the zoo once your family’s bellies are full.

How to See Most of San Diego Zoo in One Day

Bus Tour (Near Zoo Entrance)

If you want to see most of the zoo (about 75 percent) during a short timeframe, cough up a few extra bucks for the San Diego Zoo guided bus tour. (It’s free for members.) You will view a multitude of animals with the added benefit of the driver’s educational commentary. Plus, most kids love sitting on the top level of the double-decker bus. If you have a child aged 3 or younger, though, I suggest skipping it. The tour takes 35+ minutes, and you’ll spend most of your time placating your little one rather than enjoying the ride.

Kangaroo Bus (Throughout the Zoo)

For a free, non-narrated experience, hop on the Kangaroo Bus at stops throughout the zoo instead. It arrives about every 15 minutes or so at stops designated by yellow signs shaped like kangaroos, which are spread throughout the zoo. Even if you take the bus, be sure all family members wear comfortable walking shoes because you’ll be doing a lot of walking regardless.

San Diego Zoo with Kids Itinerary

If you want to follow this itinerary, I suggest printing it before you go or pulling it up on your smartphone to follow once you’re in the park. Download a map from the zoo’s website or follow along on the San Diego Zoo app.

This itinerary does not cover every single animal at the San Diego Zoo. After all, it’s a big zoo covering 100 acres that’s home to 12,000 animals and 680 different species! But it does include the best things to do at the San Diego Zoo with kids, with options for shortening or lengthening your visit to suit your family’s needs.

Morning

First thing when you arrive, scan the QR code on Panda Ridge signs located throughout the zoo, and select an available time. Then you can visit the giant pandas at your designated time. If you are visiting on a slower day and you don’t want to wait for your designated panda-viewing time, get in the standby line to visit Panda Ridge. Otherwise, you may be waiting a very long time.

Then, stop by Jungle Java near the entrance to help you tackle the zoo. While you enjoy your breakfast treats, take a look at the day’s schedule and note times of any animal interactions or shows of interest. Now that parents are sufficiently caffeinated, make quick rounds through the Outback to view koalas and other adorable animals from Down Under.

Now, you have a choice: elephants AND lions OR bears (oh my!). Your family can explore Elephant Odyssey to view the pachyderms and learn about their ancestors before reaching big cats like pumas and leopards. Alternatively, head to Upper Center Street (a.k.a. Bear Canyon) in Urban Jungle, where you can spy on bears of all sorts.

Lunchtime

If you’re hungry, stop for an Asian lunch at Hua Mei Cafe, named for the zoo’s former matriarch resident panda. Otherwise, pause to eat at one of nine casual restaurants or the full-service Albert’s Restaurant when convenient. There are even more snack stops available with quick bites like ice cream, churros or even locally brewed beer for mom and dad.

Afternoon

Next up, tackle the Northern Frontier, where the polar bears play. Then, board the Skyfari West for an uplifting way to view the zoo and reach the kid-pleasing Wildlife Explorers Basecamp.

If you’d rather walk, take Bashor Bridge before winding through Monkey Trails. If taking this route, then make sure to stop by the gorgeous gorilla exhibit.

In Wildlife Explorers Camp, explore exhibits home to such animals as prairie dogs and crocodiles. Then, rest your feet while children explore the Tree of Dreams play structure and Water Play Area.

Lastly, hit up the Flamingo and Duck Pond before you head out, if you did not already see this exhibit at the end of your Monkey Trails tour.

If you’re feeling very, very ambitious, you could try to squeeze in penguins and other Africa Rocks exhibits, the Lost Forest with its Tiger Trail and Hippo Trail, or the amphibians in the Reptile Walk located near Wildlife Explorers Basecamp.

Late Afternoon

Located just outside the zoo entrance, the Balboa Park Railroad Miniature Train and Balboa Park Carousel are wonderful ways to top off a full day at the San Diego Zoo with kids. (Honestly, this was often my children’s favorite part!)

The Balboa Miniature Train typically runs every day from 11 am to 6:30 pm, but this can vary depending on the time of year. The ride lasts four minutes and chugs through the grassy park and a tunnel. If sharing a train with a gaggle of school-aged children, beware that field-tripping kids scream in unison through the tunnel. It’s best to wait for the next train.

Balboa Park Carousel, built in 1910, is one of the few carousels in the world that still offers the brass ring game. Big kids and adults who want to play should choose an outside horse. Then reach out to grasp the small rings on each spin. Iron rings don’t count; only the rider who nabs the brass ring wins a free ride. The merry-go-round runs every day, 11 am until 5:30 pm in summer and San Diego school breaks, but only on weekends during the off-season.

Save Money on Your San Diego Family Vacation

Want to save money on the San Diego Zoo and more? Of course, you do!

Get Away Today

Find San Diego Zoo sales and deals, including ticket discounts and hotel package discounts, from our partner, Get Away Today. Use discount code TravelMamas to get $10 off any two-night or longer Southern California package (hotel and two-ticket minimum).

Kids Free San Diego Month

Families visiting in fall are in luck! The entire month of October is Kids Free San Diego Month, with over 100 deals just for young kids, including free admission to the San Diego Zoo for kids aged 11 and younger.

Go San Diego Card

It’s well worth investing in a Go San Diego Card. You’ll save up to 55% on fun things to do in San Diego, including the San Diego Zoo!

Groupon

It makes good sense to check Groupon for the best deal on activities and restaurants in your destination, and San Diego is no exception. View Groupon San Diego deals now.

More to Things to Do in California with Kids

Read my picks for the best things to do in San Diego with kids. (Can you guess where the San Diego Zoo ranks?)

Animal lovers will want to read my insider tips for SeaWorld San Diego with kids and San Diego Birch Aquarium in La Jolla.

Craving good food in San Diego? Read my picks for the best kid-friendly San Diego restaurants.

A fabulous San Diego vacation requires fabulous accommodations. Take a look at my picks for the best hotels for families in San Diego. (I’ve personally stayed at every hotel!)

If you liked this story, then I bet you’ll love my picks for the best places to visit in California with kids!

Keep These San Diego Zoo Tips

For future reference, be sure to save these top tips for visiting the San Diego Zoo. Simply pin the image above or below to Pinterest. Go ahead and follow Travel Mamas on Pinterest while you’re at it!

What animals would you like to see at the San Diego with kids (or without)? Let us know in the comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: I did not receive any compensation related to this story. All opinions are mine, as always. Support the non-profit San Diego Zoo by donating now.

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