SAN DIEGO ZOO

SAN DIEGO ZOO
2025 FACT SHEET

WHAT: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is an international, nonprofit conservation organization with two front doors: the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance integrates wildlife health and care, science, and education to develop sustainable conservation solutions. With a focus on healthy ecosystems and the interconnectedness of the health of people, wildlife and the habitat they rely on, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance aims to drive conservation outcomes benefiting both people and the planet. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance collaborates and partners with hundreds of individuals and organizations worldwide to address conservation challenges by utilizing innovative strategies. The Alliance synergizes skills honed at the Zoo and Safari Park with experience in the field to inspire and catalyze conservation action on behalf of wildlife, working toward a world where all life thrives. 

The San Diego Zoo is a 100-acre wildlife park that is home to more than 12,000 rare and endangered animals representing over 680 species and subspecies. Located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park, the Zoo is also an accredited botanical garden, caring for more than 700,000 individual plants, including a prominent assemblage of close to 13,000 specimens representing 3,100 species. Guests are invited to take part in exciting educational experiences and create lasting memories while supporting San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation efforts worldwide.  

LOCATION: 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101 

NEWEST HABITAT: In August 2024, the San Diego Zoo welcomed giant panda pair Xin Bao and Yun Chuan to their new home. The expansive, reimagined Panda Ridge habitat is four times larger than the previous panda habitat. The newly refreshed and expanded habitat takes inspiration from the breathtaking, lush landscapes in and around the giant pandas’ native habitats in Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces in China. 

SPECIAL EXPERIENCES*: 

• Animals in Action gives guests an opportunity to meet many of the San Diego Zoo's wildlife ambassadors. Wildlife care specialists share their amazing inside stories as guests watch animals climb, jump and balance, just as they do in their native habitats. Some wildlife is unique to this experience and can only be viewed by attending Animals in Action.
• Inside Look tours are entertaining and educational adventures offering guided views and fascinating information about how the San Diego Zoo cares for wildlife. They are filled with experiences and stories that guests can’t get anywhere else.  
• The Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour offers an exclusive guided early-morning stroll through the Zoo to Panda Ridge, where guests will learn about panda care and conservation at the Zoo. It ends with an opportunity to view the giant pandas before Panda Ridge opens to the public.  
• During the Discovery Cart Tour, guests are introduced to the incredible animals and plants living at the San Diego Zoo. As guests sit back in the comfort of an expedition cart, a knowledgeable guide will share stories about the wildlife in the Zoo’s care and how San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation work is making an impact worldwide. Guests may inquire about Spanish-language tours. 
• The Exclusive VIP Experience is guests’ key to habitat areas, wildlife interactions and the very best in personalized service. The Zoo’s team of professionals will customize each guest’s visit to suit their individual needs and interests. Guests can spend up to seven hours exploring the Zoo with a personal tour guide and enjoy a sit-down lunch. The Exclusive VIP Experience tour requires advance reservations (minimum 72 hours).  

*Special experiences are subject to change and availability. Admission is separate and required. See sandiegozoo.org/special-experiences for more information. 

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES*:

• Nighttime Zoo
  May 23–Aug. 10, 2025
  Nighttime Zoo offers visitors a different perspective of the Zoo. The summertime experience includes later operating hours and special live performances from a variety of entertainers, but our wildlife continues to steal the show.   
   
• Rendezvous in the Zoo (R*I*T*Z)
  June 21, 2025 
  This black-tie fundraiser benefits San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation efforts at the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park and around the globe. The event features dining and dancing under the stars, as well as an auction, wildlife encounters and live entertainment.  Please note that this is a ticketed event.   
   
• Wild Weekend: African Forest
  Sept. 20-21, 2025 
  Central Africa’s forests are biodiversity hotspots vital to the overall health of our planet—and home to unique and intriguing wildlife, including critically endangered gorillas. Guests will swing into immersive activities and discover how they make a difference through our African Forest Conservation Hub.   
   
• Kids Free 
  Oct. 1-31, 2025 
  Throughout the entire month of October, youths ages 11 and younger receive free admission. Kids Free month gives youths an opportunity to visit the Zoo and learn about Earth’s wildlife and the conservation efforts underway to save them.  
   
• HalGLOWeen
  Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October 2025 
  This seasonal celebration is included with Zoo admission as part of Kids Free month. The colorful and glowing extravaganza gives guests the chance to enjoy fun seasonal activities and Halloween-themed entertainment.  
   
• Wild Weekend: Oceans 
  November 1-2, 2025
  The health of our oceans is vital to the health of our planet and all who share it, and we’re working to protect these immense ecosystems through our Oceans Conservation Hub. Guests will dive into all they make possible for oceans and marine life while enjoying interactive experiences and fun surprises for the whole family.  
   
• Jungle Bells
  Dec. 19, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026 (except Dec. 24) 
  The Zoo will be aglow with holiday cheer and decorations, with music filling the air, joyful roaming entertainers and special food items and sweets.  

*Subject to change. Certain dates not included, and times may vary. Visit sandiegozoo.org for full details.  

NOTABLE DINING:

• Busy Bee Café features an array of chef-inspired menu items, including the Busy Bee signature honey bun, hand-dipped honey corn dogs, double burgers, pizza and wings, plus Family Meal portions of pizza and hot dogs. 
   
• Albert’s Restaurant, located in the Lost Forest at the heart of the Zoo, provides full-service dining featuring chef-curated plates, a patio with a private waterfall and a full bar.  
   
• Front Street Sweet Shack, the Zoo’s dessert destination, offers funnel cakes, gourmet milkshakes and ice cream sundaes, among a variety of other sweet treats. It is located on Front Street across from the Reptile House. 

HOURS*: Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours seasonally. 

*Hours subject to change.

ADMISSION*:

• 1-Day Pass (includes one visit to the San Diego Zoo, Guided Bus Tour, Skyfari® Aerial Tram, and all regularly scheduled experiences.)
• 1-Day Pass Plus (includes all the features of the 1-Day Pass, plus one 4D Theater Experience. Subject to availability.) 
• 2-Visit Pass (includes one visit to the San Diego Zoo and one visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park or two visits to the San Diego Zoo or two visits to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Two total visits by the same person on any and all days.) 

*Prices and ticket packages are subject to change and availability. For pricing and information, visit sandiegozoo.org/tickets.  

MEMBERSHIP: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s large membership base is vital in helping our nonprofit organization make a difference for wildlife around the globe and help build a world where all life thrives. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance offers a variety of individual and household memberships with options and benefits based on the level of choice, ensuring everyone can become Wildlife Allies.  

EVENTS: The San Diego Zoo offers beautiful outdoor and indoor spaces with sweeping vistas and lush, wooded areas that provide exceptional settings for any event, from birthday parties and high school proms to weddings and anniversaries. By scheduling an event—large or small—at one of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s two conservation parks, guests are not only selecting a unique and memorable venue; they are also contributing directly to support conservation efforts protecting wildlife around the world. Learn more at events.sandiegozoo.org.  

PARKING: Parking is free.

PHONE: 619-231-1515

CONTACT:
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Public Relations
619-685-3291
publicrelations@sdzwa.org 
sdzwa.org

About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit conservation leader, inspires passion for nature and collaboration for a healthier world. The Alliance supports innovative conservation science through global partnerships and groundbreaking efforts at the world-famous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, both leading zoological institutions and accredited botanical gardens. Through wildlife care expertise, cutting-edge science and continued collaboration, more than 44 endangered species have been reintroduced to native habitats. The Alliance reaches over 1 billion people annually through its two conservation parks and media channels in 170 countries, including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television, available in children’s hospitals across 14 countries. Wildlife Allies—members, donors and guests—make success possible.  

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