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San Diego Zoos & Aquariums

Meet the Wildlife of San Diego

San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Discover the Adventure of a Lifetime

From $78.00

Birch Aquarium: Entry Ticket

From $35.00

San Diego Zoo

From $78.00

5.0 (3)

San Diego is a great city for seeing wildlife up close. Visit the giant pandas and koalas at the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, ride the Africa Tram past free-roaming herds at the 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo Safari Park, or meet little blue penguins and Pacific sea life at Birch Aquarium on the bluffs above La Jolla Shores.

Which Zoo or Aquarium is Best For You?

San Diego Zoo

See more than 12,000 animals from over 680 species and subspecies across 100 acres of Balboa Park, from the giant pandas at Panda Ridge to the koalas, with the Guided Bus Tour and Skyfari Aerial Tram included in admission.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Watch giraffes, rhinos and antelope roam together across open savanna habitats at this 1,800-acre wildlife park near Escondido, with the guided Africa Tram ride included in admission.

Birch Aquarium

Explore Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s public aquarium in La Jolla, from the 38 habitats of the Living Seas Gallery to the little blue penguins and the hands-on Tide Pool Plaza overlooking the Pacific.

Good to Know Before You Go

The San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park are separate parks about 35 miles apart, each with its own ticket, so plan them for different days. Allow 45 minutes to an hour to drive between them.

Parking at the San Diego Zoo has been paid since January 5, 2026, and the Safari Park also charges a parking fee per vehicle. Birch Aquarium offers complimentary three-hour parking, though space is limited.

At the Zoo and the Safari Park, you can bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks, but glass containers, disposable straws and coolers larger than 12 by 12 inches aren’t allowed.

To see the giant pandas at the San Diego Zoo, scan the QR code on signs around the Zoo for a free same-day timed ticket to Panda Ridge, or join the standby line.

Birch Aquarium’s last entry is one hour before closing, and the average visit lasts about an hour and a half.

FAQs

Which zoos and aquariums can I book on this page?

The San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and Birch Aquarium at Scripps.

What is the difference between the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park?

The San Diego Zoo covers 100 acres in Balboa Park, close to downtown, with more than 12,000 animals in naturalistic habitats. The Safari Park spreads across 1,800 acres near Escondido, where herds roam together in large open-field habitats.

Can I visit the Zoo and the Safari Park on the same day?

It isn’t recommended. The two parks are about 35 miles apart, and each typically takes four to six hours to explore.

How do I see the giant pandas?

Scan the QR code on signs around the San Diego Zoo for a free same-day timed ticket to Panda Ridge, or join the standby line, which doesn’t guarantee entry.

What is included with admission?

San Diego Zoo admission includes the Guided Bus Tour and the Skyfari Aerial Tram, and Safari Park admission includes the guided Africa Tram ride.

Where is Birch Aquarium and how long does a visit take?

Birch Aquarium is at 2300 Expedition Way in La Jolla, on the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus at UC San Diego. The average visit lasts about an hour and a half.

This website sells official tickets for this venue. Please note, however, that it is not the official website of the venue.

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