San Diego Zoo

Located in Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is one of the largest and most progressive zoos in the world, with over 4000 animals comprising more than 800 species on 100 acres of land.  The site of the zoo has been on lease from the City of San Diego, to which the ownership of all animals, equipment, and assets rest.  The land occupied by the San Diego Zoo was granted on August 1921 and the exhibits were moved in during the year that followed. 

The zoo’s exhibits are often designed around a particular natural habitat with invisible wires, darkened blinds (to view the birds), pools, and open air moats (for large mammals).  It is one of the world’s few major zoos to have almost all of its wildlife in the open; the only enclosed major exhibition can be found in the reptile house.  The exhibits simulate the atmospheres of an African rain forest, Arctic Taiga and Tundra.  Besides the birds, mammals, and reptiles, the zoo also maintains an arboretum, with a rare plant connection, and it is extremely active in conservation and species-preservation efforts.  In fact, the zoo has the largest population of the endangered Giant Panda outside China.

Some animals in the zoo are regularly exchanged with the San Diego Wild Animal Park to provide them with a regular change of scenery.

San Diego Zoo offers its visitors a 35 minute guided bus tour that covers around 75% of the grounds.  An overhead gondola is also available for those who wish to have an aerial view of the zoo.

San Diego Zoo Information

2920 Zoo Drive in Balboa Park, just north of downtown San Diego. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112-0551. For general information call (619) 234-3153.

• Hours: Hours fluctuate seasonally. Open 365 days a year.
  
  Spring Hours (thru June 23): 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (grounds close at 6 p.m.)
  Summer Hours (June 24 thru September 4): 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (grounds close at 9 p.m.)
  

Directions from the NORTH (southbound): From Interstate 5 (Los Angeles and Orange County), take the Pershing Drive exit and follow the signs. From Interstate 15 (Escondido and Riverside), take State Route 163 south to the Park Blvd./I-5 South exit. Exit at Park Blvd. Turn left on Park Blvd. and head north; Zoo entrance is off Park Blvd. at Zoo Place.

Directions from the SOUTH (northbound): From Interstate 5 (Mexico), take the State Route 163 north exit, then the Zoo/Museums (Richmond Street) exit and follow the signs.

Directions from the EAST (westbound): From Interstate 8 (Imperial County and Arizona), take State Route 163 south to the Park Blvd./I-5 South exit. Exit at Park Blvd. Turn left on Park Blvd. and head north; Zoo entrance is off Park Blvd at Zoo Place. From State Route 94, proceed into downtown San Diego to 12th Avenue. Turn right on 12th Avenue (which turns into Park Blvd.) and proceed north. Zoo entrance is off Park Blvd at Zoo Place.

By Bus
The Zoo is on the #7 bus line, which runs between downtown San Diego and East San Diego and La Mesa.

From downtown: Take any outbound #7 bus. The bus will travel north on Park Blvd. to a stop at Zoo Place.

From East San Diego and La Mesa: Take any inbound (Downtown) #7 bus. The bus will travel west on University Avenue and turn south onto Park Blvd. to a stop at Zoo Place.

By Trolley
From areas in the central, east, and south counties, the fastest way to get to the Zoo is to take any of the trolley lines (orange, blue, or green) into downtown San Diego. Get off at the City College stop (12th Ave. and C St.) Transfer to the outbound #7 bus just around the corner at 11th and C. It will take you to the Zoo stop at Zoo Place. Your trolley ticket will cover your bus fare.

By Train
From coastal North County: take the Coaster to the downtown Santa Fe train station, transfer to the Trolley, and proceed to the City College stop (12th Ave. and C St.). Get off at the City College stop and transfer to the outbound #7 bus just around the corner at 11th and C. It will take you to the Zoo stop at Zoo Place. Your trolley ticket will cover your bus fare.