The San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California is one of the largest zoos in the world and is known for its pioneering work in preservation of endangered species and fight against global warming. With over 4000 animals of more than 800 species, it is one of the few zoos that houses the giant panda. The zoo offers a guided tour bus and there is an overhead gondola lift Skyfari, that is great for aerial views of the zoo. Elephant Odyssey , Polar Bear Plunge, Panda Research Station, Monkey Trails and Forest Tales, Ituri Forest are some of the highlights in the San Diego Zoo. Open every day of the year, San Diego Zoo ticket prices are $35 for adults and $26 for children 3-11 years old.

Open every day of the year. San Diego Zoo is open even during the holidays.

Spring Hours (April 20–June 26): 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Summer Hours (June 27–September 7): 9 a.m.–9 p.m.

San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park hours

The San Diego Zoo also operates the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, which displays animals in a more expansive fashion than at the zoo. Animals are regularly transferred between both parks, as well as other zoos around the world.

Spring Hours (now - June 19): 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Memorial Weekend Hours (May 23–25): 9 a.m.–7 p.m

Summer Hours (June 20–September 7): 9 a.m.–8 p.m.

San Diego Zoo Elephant Odyssey
Elephant Odyssey is opening on May 23, 2009 at the San Diego Zoo. The main feature of the exhibit is the 2.5-acre habitat more than 3 times the size of the Zoo's former elephant exhibit. The herd includes one male and six females and blends the Zoo's herd of one African and two Asian elephants with the Wild Animal Park's four Asian Elephants. The ancient life represented include the Columbian Mammoth, the saber-tooth cat, the American lion, the Daggett's eagle, and the Giant Ground Sloth. Elephant Odyssey's other animal exhibits include African lions, jaguars, camels, horses, rattlesnakes, etc.

San Diego Zoo Panda Cam

The San Diego Zoo is one of four zoos in the U.S. who has giant pandas on display at the Panda Research Station and is the most successful in terms of panda reproduction. The San Diego Zoo has had a love affair with giant pandas ever since two of the black-and-white bears came to visit in 1987. The People's Republic of China sent two giant pandas, Basi and Yuan Yuan, to the San Diego Zoo for a 200-day loan in 1987. More than two million people were able to view the pandas during their stay. The first two giant panda cubs in U.S. history to have been born in the U.S. and survive into adulthood, Hua Mei (female) and Mei Sheng (male) were born at the San Diego Zoo, in 1999 and 2003. Since then, two more giant panda cubs, Su Lin and Zhen Zhen, both females, have been born to the resident giant panda parents Bai Yun and Gao Gao.

 San Diego Zoo Tiger Attack

Zoo accidents don't happen often, but when they do, it makes big news. It is an eye opener about how dangerous carnivores animals like tigers and lions can be. Boris, 16 year old syberian tiger at 450 pounds, is a big draw of the local zoo. There was a tiger attack at the San Francisco zoo, but does not stop visitors from visiting the San Diego Zoo's tiger. Zoo attacks are extremely rare and it is safe to visit these big cats in person.