Should I go to both San Diego Zoo and Safari Park?

Two Different Locations: Balboa Park and Escondido The reason you should not visit both San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park on the same day is that they are about 45 minutes apart from each other, without traffic (and there can be traffic along this busy freeway corridor).



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The San Diego Zoo has animals from all over the world, including Australia, Asia, Africa, Central America, South America, and more. Whereas the Safari Park focuses on animals from mostly arid environments, like the African and Asian Savannas. Visitors can easily spend a full day seeing all the animals at each park.

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Although one can easily enjoy a full day or more at both parks, to visitors with limited time we recommend a minimum of three to four hours to see some of the Zoo and a minimum of four to six hours to experience a portion of the Safari Park.

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Distance between the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is 35 miles. Please allow 45 minutes to 1 hour travel time.

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Walk through the Safari Park to see a variety of wildlife in this exciting walking tour! Your knowledgeable guide will share insights into the behavior of our wildlife and the excellent care they receive. Along the way, you will learn about some of our conservation projects with our allies around the world.

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When time is a limiting factor, and you can only spend one day at the San Diego Zoo, it's important to try and plan your trip during the low season. For example, you'll find the park is much less crowded from October-May when the kids are still in school than it is during the summer months.

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I recommend that you spend a whole day exploring the zoo, but it is possible to enjoy a half-day here. The tips for visiting the San Diego Zoo that I share below will make your visit a great one no matter how much time you'll spend at the zoo.

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Arrive early. You'll avoid the larger afternoon crowds, plus the animals tend to be most active in the cool morning hours. If possible, plan an overnight camp out at the Safari Park called a Roar and Snore for a totally unique experience.

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Other disadvantages of safari parks include habituation, which can cause wildlife to lose their natural instincts, and animals can even risk contracting human disease if people are able to pet, touch, and take selfies with them.

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This is probably the best zoo that we have ever visited. Included with the zoo admission is a narrated bus tour that takes you all over the zoo. We were lucky as a lot of the animals were active during our bus tour. We took Uber from downtown and the zoo has a convenient drop-off location.

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The zoo also hosts animal presentations and animal encounter programs daily, and houses a 4D movie theater that screens educational wildlife films. Travelers almost unanimously agree that the San Diego Zoo is the best zoo they have ever visited.

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The distance is about 35 miles. I don't recommend that you try to visit both parks on the same day. If you are short on time during your San Diego vacation, I would choose one or the other.

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1-Day Pass – Any Day Includes: One visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park®, Africa Tram, and all regularly scheduled experiences. Experiences above subject to availability. 1-Day Pass Any Day tickets valid any day within one year from date of purchase.

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Is there one day between Saturday, Sunday, and Monday that is typically known as a better day to visit the San Diego Zoo as far as fewer visitors there on certain days or is one day of the week typically just as busy as the next? Monday will typically be less busy than the weekends.

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The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park so it tends to be easier for visitors to get to — especially if you are not renting a car. There are a lot of animals in the Zoo and I think you can experience most of the Zoo in 4–6 hours. I do recommend taking the guided bus tour.

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The San Diego Zoo has a lot of walking and hills. Be prepared for climbing or plan to use some of the park transportation options.

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If you must see everything, plan on all day (6-7 hours). If you center on covering maybe 65%, you can probably do it in 5 hours. If you are hot on certain attractions, maybe only 3 hours.

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My husband and I went (no kids) and we spent about 4-5 hours there. Similar to the same amount of time we have spent at the zoo. Helpful? I would plan on at least 4 hours.

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Take a ride on the African Tram and watch endangered southern white rhinos roam in their natural habitat. Experience the speed of a majestic gazelle in full stride. These are just two of the magical experiences you can enjoy at San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

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The San Diego Zoo is a leader in conservation research and species preservation, and their beautiful open-air, cageless exhibits are the perfect way to appreciate wild creatures up close. I recommend that you spend a whole day exploring the zoo, but it is possible to enjoy a half-day here.

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