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.

San Diego Zoo Meerkat
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 giraffes
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. .

San Diego Zoo entrance Elephant (Photo by: I, Cburnett, CC BY-SA 3.0)
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):
- Inn at the Park (< 1 mi)
- Studio 819 Residential Hotel (< 1 mi)
- Quality Inn San Diego Downtown North (1.08 mi)
- West Park Inn (1.08 mi)
- Days Inn San Diego/Downtown/Convention Center (1.23 mi)
- Holiday Inn Express San Diego Downtown (1.24 mi)
- 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
Elizabeth Cordada says
The special that is offered i have to visit the 4 places in 7 days? Or i can take my time and go when i can?
Kat Summers says
Yes I think you have the week to visit all four places, but here is customer service number to find out for sure: 1-800-313-8056
That’s a lot to squeeze into one week, but they currently have a extra special offer going on, if that helps:
“Redeem any paid admission ticket at the ‘Gift to You’ kiosk between now and Sept 2, 2019 and receive a FREE ticket to return to LEGOLAND® California between Sept 3 – Nov 22, 2019.”
Mike says
The discount is listed as $7, but the Ares site charges a $2 “Convenience Fee”.
Kat Summers says
Yes they do, as noted above where the price is listed.
noone says
Animals in Action option is back :)
Kat Summers says
So it is! just added it above. Thanks for the heads up.
Shayna Bahr says
Thank you for your advice about visiting the zoo and discount ticket link!
Kat Summers says
You’re very welcome. Hope you have a great time.
Bridget Benoit says
My husband is not “retired” from the army but he is a veteran of War. Are there any discounts for him?
Kat Summers says
That isn’t on the list provided, but I really couldn’t tell you — the San Diego Zoo website says you’d need to contact the military ticket office to find out.
John Paul says
Hi, I love the advice, however, I’m really interested in the “Special Offer: Animals in Action” but when clicking the link it just takes me to the regular ticket page. I’m not sure if it’s a mistaken link or if the offer has passed but if you could help me out I’d be incredibly thankful.
Kat Summers says
You’re right, the “Animals in Action” special offer is gone off that ticket site. Sorry (and thanks for the heads up). I checked the other usual sources for deals like this, and no one seems to have it currently. If/when I find one, I’ll post it above.
John Paul says
No problem, thanks for the response! I’ll check periodically in case it comes back up.