Is the San Diego zoo worth the cost

[Tink3815]

For those of you who have visited the zoo, do you think the zoo is worth the 35.00 admission cost. It seems very high.

 

[SharonLovesMickey]

Not only does the zoo offer a wonderful narrated bus tour and GREAT up close views of animals (including an awesome hippo exhibit) they have a cool aviary and an excellent children's area. San Diego Zoo is totally worth every penny.

 

[DSNY4ever]

We had a great time, and luckily parking is free and it is fun to wander around Balboa park either before or after too. It is a beautiful zoo and we just sucked it up, everything in San Diego is expensive

Don't miss the polar bear or orangutan exhibits, those were our favorites.

PS. I wanted to add, we didn't do the bus tour so it was a little cheaper- we just walked the whole zoo and took our time at each exhibit. We didn't regret not adding on the bus tour, we were fine without it- but we have no kids. Hope that helps you decide.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Maybe it's just me, but I would skip the zoo in favor of Wild Animal Park and/or Sea World. To me, the zoo is just okay. We had SD Zoo membership for a few years and it didn't cost extra to go but we would usually go to WAP instead. I just like it more. The zoo can get very crowded during high season. And hot-don't be fooled by the weather in SD. They take the temp at the airport which is on the ocean. The zoo is always hotter in the summer than the weather forecast. Of course, so is WAP but at least you know it'll be hot.

If you do the zoo, definitely ride the bus. We like the one you can jump one and off of. Cuts down on walking all those hills.

Have fun whichever you choose.

By the way, if you are thinking of doing both the zoo and WAP then you might want to check out becoming a member of the Zoo. It's pretty reasonable, for example, $89 for dual adult membership, or $109 for out of area. Kids are $24 or $28, depending on age. The membership inc. free parking, free rides on the skyway at the zoo. Discount on the bus tour. Also includes free guest passes as well (adult membership only). Also, membership is 100% tax deductible.

I just checked WAP website and a 2 park adult tix is $60. So if you have 2 adults it would cost $120 for both. Plus parking at WAP (inc. with membership). Membership would only cost $109 and inc. free parking and free skyrides (reg. $4). The kid's memberships are also a great deal.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Considering all of the exotic & endangered animals you get to see, it's definately worth it! The pandas are my absolute fave and I love visiting them. Their lines are long, so if you're gonna go, make sure to go early.
The location of the zoo is also convient if you plan on going to Sea World, Old Town, Downtown, etc.
Plus, since the zoo is a non-profit orginization, all the money that you spend at the zoo goes back to the zoo.

 

[Tink3815]

Thanks to everyone for their advice. it will just be me and my DH but the bus seems like a good idea. Does anyone know if the 35.00 ticket includes the bus? Are the animals in areas where you can see them up close. The Toronto Zoo enclosures are so large that some of the animals can barley be seen.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Thanks to everyone for their advice. it will just be me and my DH but the bus seems like a good idea. Does anyone know if the 35.00 ticket includes the bus? Are the animals in areas where you can see them up close. The Toronto Zoo enclosures are so large that some of the animals can barley be seen.

Yes, the $35 tix does include the guided tour bus, the express bus, & the Skyfari rides.
The animals can be seen up close, but some of the exhibits are big and/or have hiding places where it's difficult to see them. But overall, you can see the majority of the animals & when you're on the tour, your guide will point out where some animals might be hiding in their exhibit.