Activities

Zoo activities included with paid admission

Guided Bus Tour: Enjoy a 35-minute tour on a double-decked bus covering about 75 percent of the San Diego Zoo. Your bus tour ticket also includes use of the Express Bus, double- or single-decked buses with green signs on the sides that allow guests to hop on and off at five different stops throughout the Zoo. The Express buses pass by the stops every 20 minutes or less and provide transportation around the Zoo. Bus Tour tickets are included in the 1-Day Pass Admission price. Members pay $8.50 per adult, $5 per child, age 3–11. Summer hours: Last tour departs at 7 p.m.

A Spanish version of the 35-minute tour is offered Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. Guests should make reservations at the Bus Ticket Booth on the front plaza prior to 1 p.m.

Guided Bus Tours in Spanish and French are available for groups of 20 or more with advanced notice. There are ASL “signed” bus tours available for the hearing impaired. For all guest interpreting requests, reservations should be made one week in advance of the day of the visit by calling 619-231-1515, ext. 4526.

Skyfari® aerial tram: Take an airborne shortcut over the treetops to the other end of the Zoo and enjoy spectacular views of the Zoo, its animal and plant collection, and surrounding Balboa Park (children under 8 must be accompanied by adults). Summer hours: 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Skyfari tickets are included in the 1-Day Pass Admission price. Adult/child is $4 each way; members ride free.

Zoo activities not included with admission

Balboa Park Miniature Railroad: All aboard! The Balboa Park Miniature Railroad is now operated by the San Diego Zoo. The train pulls out of the station for 3-minute rides around a portion of Balboa Park. Summer hours: 11 a.m.–6:30 p.m. daily. The train station is just east of the Zoo’s exit. Train tickets are $2 for ages 1 and up; under age 1 is free. For safety reasons, ages 5 and under must ride with a paying adult.

Giraffe Feeding: Offer tasty biscuits to our giraffes! $5 for three biscuits, cash only. Summer hours: Thursday–Sunday, noon–1 p.m. and 5–6 p.m.

Special Tours: Take your group of 15 or more people on a special tour! These guided tours are offered with various topics to suit your group’s interests. Call Reservation Sales at 619-718-3000 or 800-407-9534 to get pricing for your group size.