The San Diego Zoo is one we've wanted to visit for a long time, but never had a chance because it's…read morein San Diego and we're not, and it's not a place we visit routinely. As soon as we booked a Pacific Coast cruise with a port stop in San Diego literally the first words out of my mouth were "And we're going to the San Diego Zoo, right?!?!?!"
Fast forward to a port stop in San Diego and a quick 15 minute Lyft and we were standing at the gates.
The San Diego Zoo is enormous. One of the docents advised us to take the bus tour, (it's included in your admission fee). It lasts roughly 35-40 minutes and gives you a good overview of the Zoo. Then he told us as an aside "for the best tour sit on the upper level, right side for the best view", and he was right. Since we'd never been here before it only made sense, and the tour was fantastic. It showed us many of highlights of the Zoo, quite a few from vantage points that you don't get while walking. Our tour guide was funny and personable and knew his commentary well.
After the bus tour we were pedestrians again. As a group (there were four of us) we each decided what the main thing we wanted to see was. My 'must see' animal was the Red Panda, which I did get to see, albeit a slightly obstructed view. And he was napping.
While the San Diego Zoo is known for its Panda exhibit and it's something we wanted, there was roughly a 90 minute to 2 hour wait to see them because of their popularity and, let's face it, it's one of the Zoo's main attractions.
We visited a number of the habitats as we walked around (side note: be prepared to do some walking. A LOT of walking). As well as the outdoor habitats there are a number of indoor exhibits everywhere you go. The elephant and the giraffe habitats are ENORMOUS and sprawling, providing plenty of space for exercise and exploration. They're also frequently groomed and modified to keep the animals engaged.
If you find yourself in need of souvenirs (or, like, me, a hat because I forgot to bring one) there are shops everywhere. Sun Screen? Bottled water? Battery operated fan? A hat because you may have forgotten one? There's a place nearby.
When it comes time for lunch, be prepared to get a little sticker shock. For us (Chicken strips, nachos, and two drinks) it came to $55. While I expect it (we're at a Zoo in San Diego, after all) it's just surprising how it adds up.
There are also a number of local artisans who do custom paintings while you visit the Zoo. My wife got her name painted by one very talented young lady with each letter having a different flower or butterfly highlighted. She was amazingly talented.
There's a very scenic elevated walkway that connects one part of the park with another. It's a delightful walk that affords some amazing views of the Zoo. Likewise, there's a sky tram to take you from where you are to where you need to be.
San Diego Zoo doesn't do reciprocal pricing if you're a member of another Zoo. Since this zoo is funded very largely by admission it can be hard to get a price break. The current daily admission is about $78 per person. If you buy in advance you can save about $5 per person. Given that, I'd recommend buying online in advance.
I've been to a lot of Zoos. Each zoo has its own unique personality. San Diego Zoo is, in my opinion, one of the most remarkable. The grounds are well groomed, the park is clean and constantly being cleaned, the habitats are well-maintained, and the signage is helpful and in good repair.
I hope to visit again when I have time to explore more. Feet be damned, I could walk this zoo all day.