San Diego Zoo

The Sandiego Zoo is a renowned and fantastic zoo located in Balboa Park, San Diego, California. Unlike other zoo in the world it is a non profit society, run and well managed by the San Diego Zoological Society. San Diego zoo acts as a life support and a natural ecosystem for more than 4,000 animals of more than 800 species. This zoo is well known for the giant panda habitat. Sandiego zoo is well known for its diversity in terms of plants and animal, infrastructure and good management.

The zoo attracts millions of visitors every year from different corners of the world. The zoo covers a total area of 100 acres of the Sandiego Park land.

This zoo happens to be the accredited member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Association of Museums (AAM). It is a member of the Zoological Association of America (ZAA).

Getting There

It is convenient to get to The San Diego Zoo .There are several routes available. It is centrally located at 2920 Zoo Drive in Balboa Park, which falls north of downtown San Diego. If you are located towards the north,one can drive from the interstate 5 which falls on los Angeles and Orange county and if you wish to drive from inter state 15 which falls on (Escondido and Riverside) one should drive state route 163 ark Blvd./I-5 South exit.

The zoo can be reached via Interstate 5 and Route 163 if travelling from South (northbound).

From East (westbound) you are recommended to take I-8.

PDF maps with directions are available on the official website.

San Diego Zoo History

Sandiego Zoo has a rich and colorful history. It dates back to October 2, 1916 when the zoo was founded by M. Wegeforth Harry . He was an active member and did serve as the zoo president till 1941. The Sandiego Zoo started taking shape gradually when the foundation was cemented and financed by Ellen Browning Scripp, and the full fledged publication commenced in the year 1925.

This zoo was well known for its outstanding and the cageless exhibitions since the early years and by the year 1922 the wires enclosing the lion area was opened for the first time. Sandiego zoo was also known for its endangered species, its experimentation and reproduction since 1975. All the features added together and the due to the initiatives of the early pioneers the San Diego Zoo was successful at the end.

San Diego Zoo Exhibits

The zoo is famous for its popular exhibits which include the following.

Monkey Trails and Forest Tales

This exhibit will feature unique rainforest animals including monkeys from the Asian and the African continent. Monkeys of different breed like mandrills, guenons and mangabeys and animals like the Visayan warty pigs, slender-snouted crocodiles are displayed in this exhibit. It also includes beautiful land and water exhibits complimenting it with numerous species of turtles and fish. The exhibit will also feature reptiles and amphibians, colorful birds and different varieties of  Madagascar hissing cockroaches, arthropods.

Panda Research Station

San Diego Zoo  is reputed for giant pandas display and its production.  The first two panda cubs  in the US history, Hua Mei (female) and Mei Sheng (male), were born in Sandiago Zoo US in the year 1999 and 2003. Apart from that due to good breeding programs three more giant panda cubs, Su Lin and Zhen Zhen (both females), and Yun Zi (male),were born increasing the giant panda population.

Polar Bear Plunge

Polar Bear Plunge is a popular exhibit replicating the exact and natural look of the Artic providing a proper habitat to more than 30 species of polar bear and it also includes the underwater viewing area. What makes it more entertaining is this exhibit houses three bears named Kalluk, Chinook, and Tatqiq. Polar Bear Plunge was revamped in March 2010.This exhibit houses other Artic members like the Arctic fox, raccoon and various species of  duck and Artic vegetation like pine trees and Manzanita.

Elephant Odyssey

This exhibit is also nick named Hoof and Horn Mesa which came into operation on May 26, 2009. It included a sizeable elephant habitat of 2.5 acre .It houses different animals like the rhinos and Asian elephants. The exhibition is also well known for Fossil portal and gives a glimpse of ancient life of the most revered Columbian mammoth and the saber tooth cat and the giant sloth of ancient times.

Hotels near San Diego Zoo

Some of the hotels in the region are as follows.

• Porto Vista Hotel

• Ramada Plaza Hotel Circle

• Westin San Diego

• The Dana on Mission Bay

• Villas at Welk Resort San Diego

• Vagabond Inn Hotel Circle

• Lodge at Torrey Pines

More information is available in the official website.

San Diego Zoo Hours

The zoo hours of operation are as follows:

Current Hours/Nighttime Zoo (through September 5):

9 a.m.–9 p.m.

Summer/Fall Hours (September 6–October 2):

9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Fall Hours (October 3–December 8):

9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Fall/Winter Hours (December 9–23):

9 a.m.–8 p.m.

Christmas Eve Hours (December 24):

9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Winter Hours (December 25–31):

9 a.m.–8 p.m.

San Diego Zoo Admissions

Ticket prices at the San Diego Zoo are as follows.

One Day Ticket rates are as follows.

Adults (12 yrs and above): $ 40.00

Children (3 – 11 yrs old): $ 30.00

Please log onto the official website for more information on multiple day ticket price and discount tickets.

Contact Details

Feel free to contact the zoo authorities for any queries by logging into the official website.

Telephone: 619-231-1515