World-famous for good reason, the San Diego Zoo is home to more than 12,000 animals across nearly 100 acres of lush, garden-like habitats — from giant pandas and koalas to a canopy of exotic birds you’ll walk right underneath. It’s an all-day outing, so plan to arrive early, wear comfortable shoes, and take advantage of the guided bus tour to get your bearings before exploring on foot. Families love the Children’s Zoo and the aerial tram that glides over the canyon exhibits, while animal lovers could easily spend hours in the ape and elephant habitats alone. Weekday mornings are noticeably quieter than weekends, and the zoo’s location inside Balboa Park means you can easily pair the visit with a stroll through the park’s gardens and museums. It’s consistently rated one of the best zoos in the world, and one of our guests’ most-requested activities — book tickets in advance during peak season.
