San Diego Zoo: Discount Tickets & Tips

San Diego Zoo discounts & coupons, plus hotels near the Zoo.

Zoo’s don’t always top my to-do list, but the San Diego Zoo is one of my faves and has something for everyone from innocent tot to jaded octogenarian. Fun for families? Sure. But you don’t need a kid to party with the zoo animals in San Diego.

If you’re thinking of going, here are my top tips for planning your trip.

DEAL 1: New San Diego Zoo Promo Code

• San Diego Zoo Discount — Save $5 on San Diego Zoo tickets now with promo code SAVE5 on this page.
• Also Savvy — Save up to 30% when booking a room + tickets via this source: hotel deals in San Diego or hotel deals near the beach.

With this special offer you’ll get print-and-go real tickets and you don’t have to pick your date.

For comparison, you should know a $2 fee will be added at checkout.

DEAL 2. San Diego Zoo Coupon Code

{Current Code + Skip the Ticket Line} {get tickets here} These discount tickets are $4 off with coupon code SDZO5 (no added fees). This is a different ticket source that offers our readers a the coupon code for an extra dollar off their already discounted price. This source also doesn’t add fees at checkout (they are already figured into the price).

Add it up and the price is exactly the same as deal 1, just a different ticket source. As with the first source, you can skip the ticket line and go directly to the gate.

DEAL 3. Go San Diego Discount Passes

{Editor’s Pick} Go San Diego Pass has a new updated way you can choose attractions and activities, with a custom “build your own” option. Frankly, most of us don’t want to visit 50 attractions in one visit, so this option makes the Go San Diego pass way better than it used to be and easier to use, too.

You can select as few as two San Diego area activities and still save around 20% or more on each. Use the card at the gate, you don’t have to pay so no ticket line. You’ll save as much as 55% if you choose more activities.

You have a month from first activation (the first attraction you visit). Show it on your smart phone or print and go.

San Diego’s Fab 4 Combo Deal. This combo attraction discount card gets you a $59 discount when you visit four popular attractions. It includes a 1-Day San Diego Zoo ticket, 1-Day San Diego Zoo Safari Park ticket, 1-Day Legoland California and up to 7 consecutive days at SeaWorld San Diego.

DEAL 4. San Diego Zoo with Transport from Orange County 

{Deal Details} If you’re staying at an Anaheim or Buena Park hotel, check this one out. You’ll be picked up from your hotel in the morning for a drive south to the Zoo for a full day of fun at your own pace.

More Ways to Save on San Diego Zoo Tickets

5. Senior Discount

Seniors age 65 and older can get a 10% discount off the 1-Day Pass at the gate (but compare prices with deal sources 1 and 2).

6. AAA Member Discount

AAA members who show their valid membership cards at ticket windows for a 10% off One-Day Pass valid for up to 6 people. (Not available online, and can’t be combined with other deals.)

7. Travel Industry Deals

Airline- and cruise line-eligible employees presenting a company-picture identification badge or CLIA card and one accompanying guest will receive a 10% discount off the 1-Day Pass at the Zoo and Safari Park ticket windows.

Travel agents, wholesalers, and tour operators presenting a valid IATA or IATAN card with picture ID receive a 10% discount off the 1-Day Pass at the Zoo and the Safari Park ticket windows. One accompanying guest will also receive the 10% discount.

8. Military Discount

While active military get in free with ID at the gate (see above under “San Diego Zoo Free”), military families and retirees may qualify for a discount. You’ll need to contact your military MWR ticket office for specific information.

San Diego Zoo Free

Throughout the year, the San Diego Zoo makes a few things available for free.

Kids Free in October

{find out more} Each year, from October 1–31, children ages 3–11 get in free to the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and many other San Diego attractions when accompanied by an adult. Note: Not all services within the park are free on the free day (bus tour, etc. are extra).

Free for Military

A free one-day pass to the San Diego Zoo is available to active US military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and members of the Reserve components (Ready Reserve, National Guard, and Reservists in training); and also cadets of service academies and the US Merchant Marine Academy.

Just show your ID at the gate. (Contact your MWR office for possible discounts for military families or retired military.)

Free Parking

Parking to the San Diego Zoo is always free in the lot in front of the Zoo. You’ll also find free parking all over Balboa Park.

SAVVY TIP: San Diego Zoo has four electric vehicle charging stations in the free parking lot, plus one in a nearby handicapped spot. .

Hotels near San Diego Zoo

Save up to 30% when booking a room + tickets via this link: hotel deals in San Diego or hotel deals near the beach.

A few hotels to consider that are around a mile from San Diego Zoo (and Balboa Park):

1. Inn at the Park (< 1 mi)
2. Studio 819 Residential Hotel (< 1 mi)
3. Quality Inn San Diego Downtown North (1.08 mi)
4. West Park Inn (1.08 mi)
5. Days Inn San Diego/Downtown/Convention Center (1.23 mi)
6. Holiday Inn Express San Diego Downtown (1.24 mi)
7. Best Western Plus Cabrillo Garden Inn (1.27 mi)

Know Before You Go

Best Time to Go to the San Diego Zoo

The zoo is open all year and the weather is always great. Holidays can get crowded, though. For families, the best time of year to save money is in October, when kids get in free (but go early to beat the crowds.)

San Diego Zoo Map

You can download and print out a pdf map of the zoo to take with  you.

San Diego Zoo Address & Location

San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101 (just north of downtown San Diego).

San Diego Zoo Open Hours

Open 365 days a year, but hours vary by season, so check their calendar before you go.

Parking

General parking at the Zoo is free, with long spaces are available for RV/buses.

Public Transportation

Rapid 215 and Route 7 stop at the Zoo and are an easy connection in downtown from Amtrak and COASTER trains at the Santa Fe Depot, downtown hotels, the Cruise Ship Terminal, Blue, Orange, and Green Line Trolleys and other MTS bus routes.

Strollers & Wheelchairs

The zoo has a limited number of strollers, motorized wheelchairs available for rent.

First Aid Area

The zoo has a First Aid office next to the Reptile house.  and a Lost and Found station, ATMs,

Best Infant Nursing Area

You’l find a couple of options at the First Aid center, including a privacy curtain, a microwave for warming up baby’s meal, and benches in somewhat private areas outside.

Lockers

For a nickel you can rent a locker at the Discovery Outpost across from Poppy’s Patio.

Official Info

zoo.sandiegozoo.org