What’s the Best San Diego Zoo Tour? Prices Chart & Reviews


I’ve been on a few amazing San Diego Zoo tours and couldn’t resist diving deeper to find our next one! This friendly guide compares prices, lengths, and who they’re best for, spiced up with feedback from 40+ fellow zoo-goers. With this handy info, you’re all set to pick your ideal zoo adventure. Let’s go!

Here’s a quick summary:

The San Diego Zoo Guided Bus Tour (free for all ages) is the most popular. For those who want something extra, Inside Look guided cart tours ($92+, all ages) are the best choice, with 7 different types offered. The ultimate is the fully customizable 5-hour Exclusive VIP Experience ($710+, all ages).

If you make purchases through the links in this post, I may be compensated. Read my Advertising Disclosure for more info. Thanks! ~ Nancy

*Save with a secret promo code on each San Diego Zoo or Safari Park 1-Day Pass. Go any day. Go directly to the gate. Click HERE to get your code, instructions & discounted tickets by email. By clicking the link above you agree to receive an automated email message. Valid only at aRes Travel, San Diego’s local authorized ticket seller. Read my full privacy policy.

SAN DIEGO ZOO TOURS COMPAREDPriceDuration
SAN DIEGO ZOO GUIDED BUS TOUR – all ages welcome
Free bus TourFREE30 minutes
INSIDE LOOK
Underwater Wonders $92+ (special peak discounts)90 minutes
World Famous Wildlife $92+ (peak days discounts)90 minutes
Wild Africa$92+ (peak days discounts)90 minutes
The Scoop on Poop $92+ (peak days discounts)90 minutes
INSIDE LOOK DELUXE
Paws & Claws $117+2 hours
Crazy About Cats $117+2 hours
Elite Adventure$425+3.5 hours
ANIMALS IN ACTION EXPERIENCE – ages 5+
Animals in Action$89+ (ticket deals)1 hour
DISCOVERY CART TOURs – ages 5+
Discovery$60+1 hour
EARLY MORNING EXPLORERS – all ages welcome
Explorers$39+1 hour
EXCLUSIVE VIP EXPERIENCE – all ages welcome
VIP Experience$710+5 hours

Prices are given as a range because the San Diego Zoo charges extra for tours on peak days. Prices and availability can change without notice.

  • Least Expensive: non-holiday Mondays and Tuesdays thru Thursdays
  • Mid-priced: most Fridays
  • Peak prices: Some Fridays. Usually Saturdays, Sundays, and 3-day holidays (best time for aRes discount zoo tour deals)

You’ll need to purchase zoo admission in addition to your tour ticket. Take advantage of the best admission discount from aRes Travel, the San Diego-based authorized ticket seller.

Since San Diego Zoo is so large it’s easy to get overwhelmed by your choices, here’s what you don’t want to miss. That’s a page that I wrote that covers the must-see exhibits and attractions. And if you’re wondering where to eat, I’ve also written an article on where’s the zoo’s best food.


San Diego Zoo guided bus tour double deck bus.

San Diego Zoo Guided Bus Tour: See What Others Miss

The San Diego Zoo Guided Bus Tour is free with admission.

In this 30-minute tour, you’ll see about 70% of the park. The tour bus guides love to talk about recent zoo baby births and additions to the collection. Taking this tour helps you plan which exhibits you may want to return to later. 

  • How Long? 30 minutes
  • Price: FREE. No extra fee in addition to your paid zoo admission.
  • Age restrictions: All ages are welcome. But toddlers must be held in a responsible adult’s lap. Baby strollers are not allowed on the bus. Park them in the pram lot at the bus tour entrance. 

Tour Highlights: We’ve been on this tour many times. That’s because there’s always something new to see. And the drivers will let you in on the latest animal gossip like who’s new to the zoo, and who’s pregnant. It also has the best views of the tigers and hippos.

What’s the Best Side of the San Diego Zoo Tour Bus? Click the following link to my page on what you need to do at the zoo for advice on where to sit and when.


Inside Look Tours

  • How Long? 90 minutes, 2 hours or 3.5 hours
  • Price Range: $92 – 475 per person. Admission is separate for each person and required.
  • Age restrictions: Most have no age restrictions. However, two of them are for ages 5+.
    For each there’s a maximum of two children per adult; children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult.
  • Deals: Check HERE for discounted Inside Look tours for SanDiegoing readers from aRes Travel — San Diego’s local authorized ticket source.
  • Click HERE to get a discount code for 1-day Zoo passes, instructions & discounted tickets by email.

There are two main types of Inside Look Tours. There are 4 different types of standard Inside Look Special Experiences at the San Diego Zoo focusing on different habitats or animal characteristics. And 3 are Deluxe tours that are longer in duration and offer some customization.

In each, you’ll ride in a motorized open cart for a behind-the-scenes peek at the zoo. There is usually some walking involved, so wear comfortable footwear.

Each Inside Look tour is entertaining, but also an educational experience. You’ll learn about how different species are cared for at the zoo. Your guide is full of stories about different species’ adaptations and the weird quirks of some of the zoo’s residents. 

Swimming African penguin seen on the "Underwater Wonders" Inside Look Tour at the San Diego Zoo.
Danny the South American penguin. Photo by Bob Ulrich.

Underwater Wonders Tour Review – First In, Best Views

  • How Long? 90 minutes. Morning.
  • Price: $92 – 115 per person. Cost depends upon peak admission days. Admission is separate for each person and required.
  • Age restrictions: For all ages. Maximum 2 children per paid adult.
  • Deals: Check for discounted Inside Look tours for SanDiegoing readers from aRes Travel — San Diego’s local authorized ticket source. Pick the number of tickets you want and a calendar will drop down. Click on the day that you’re going and that day’s tours will be revealed.
  • Click HERE to get a discount code for 1-day Zoo passes, instructions & discounted tickets by email.

Tour Schedule: This tour is usually given at 8:30 AM, that’s before the zoo’s usual opening time at 9:00 AM. It feels as if you’re the only people there.

Featured Wildlife: During this segment, you may encounter a variety of wildlife, potentially including polar bears, penguins, or hippos. Your exact itinerary depends on how the animals are feeling that day. Don’t expect to see polar bears chasing each other across the rocks in the September heat. They’re likely to be asleep. However, if you’re lucky they’ll be taking a cooling swim in the water.

You’ll also learn about the above-and-beyond care provided to these splashing species and the Zoo’s efforts in supporting their survival globally. Did you know that the African penguins prefer to be hand-fed their sardines? Yep. Talk about first-rate service!

Zoo-wide Exploration: The adventure continues with a comprehensive tour around the Zoo. This may include the following areas:

  • Northern Frontier’s Polar Bear Plunge
  • Africa Rocks penguins and underwater viewing area
  • Lost Forest Hippo habitats – Huge river hippos and the dainty dwarf hippos

Each area also has other animals that you’ll love to see wandering around in their well-designed habitats.

Hamadryas baboon at San Diego Zoo. Screenshot from their YouTube video https://youtu.be/oh-bM1GJI60
Hamadryas baboon at San Diego Zoo. Screenshot from their YouTube video

World Famous Wildlife Tour Review – Behind the Scenes at San Diego Zoo

  • How Long? 90 minutes
  • Price: $92 – 115 per person. Cost depends upon peak admission days. Admission is separate for each person and required.
  • Age restrictions: For all ages. Maximum 2 children per paid adult.
  • Deals: Check for discounted Inside Look tours for SanDiegoing readers from aRes Travel — San Diego’s local authorized ticket source. Pick the number of tickets you want and a calendar will drop down. Click on the day that you’re going and that day’s tours will be revealed.
  • Click HERE to get a discount code for 1-day Zoo passes, instructions & discounted tickets by email.

Tour Schedule: The tour is typically conducted mid-morning or early afternoon.

Exclusive Access and Expert Guidance: The tour includes special experiences at two different habitats, highlighting the Zoo’s World Famous Wildlife. This includes special access to areas that are typically not open to the public, allowing for an intimate and up-close encounter with the wildlife.

One of these is often a behind-the-scenes look at the Hamadryas Baboons in the Africa Rocks section. If these animals are on your itinerary you’ll get access to a special viewing platform, which is normally reserved only for wildlife caretakers, offering a close-up look at these fascinating social animals.

Unique and Varied Experiences: Each tour is a one-of-a-kind experience, with no two tours being the same. This ensures a fresh and exciting adventure for repeat visitors.

Elelphant holding up its trunk. San Diego Zoo "Wild Africa" Tour.

Wild Africa Tour Review – Get Close-up With Spectacular Giants

  • How Long? 90 minutes
  • Price: $92 – 115 per person. Cost depends upon peak admission days. Admission is separate for each person and required.
  • Age restrictions: For all ages. Maximum 2 children per paid adult.
  • Deals: Check for discounted Inside Look tours for SanDiegoing readers from aRes Travel — San Diego’s local authorized ticket source. Pick the number of tickets you want and a calendar will drop down. Click on the day that you’re going and that day’s tours will be revealed.
  • Click HERE to get a discount code for 1-day Zoo passes, instructions & discounted tickets by email.

Tour Schedule: The Wild Africa Tour typically runs twice daily, with one session around noon and another in mid-afternoon.

Wildlife Viewing: Just so you know, there’s no promise on what animals you’ll see on the tour, but you will spot some cool African wildlife. It depends on the day, but you might get to see giraffes, lions, elephants, and other amazing critters. Don’t be shy about asking questions. The zoo guides are friendly and know their stuff. And if you don’t have any questions, you won’t have to put up with awkward silences. They never run out of weird animal facts or stories about particular animals.

Featured Animals: The tour includes visits to two distinct wildlife habitats within the Zoo. These may vary but often feature:

  • The Elephant Care Center at Elephant Odyssey.
  • The habitat of the Amur leopards within Africa Rocks.
  • The Urban Jungle, home to the giraffes. You might get to feed one!

Conservation Efforts: A big part of this tour is hearing about how the zoo is helping African animals flourish right where they belong, in the wild. It’s wonderful to hear about how things are improving for wildlife instead of the steady drumbeat of doom we too often see in our internet feeds.

Koala at the San Diego Zoo with the caption, "Who knew my number two's would be #1 in science?"

The Scoop on Poop Tour Review – For the Kid in All of Us

  • How Long? 90 minutes
  • Price: $92 – 115 per person. Cost depends upon peak admission days. Admission is separate for each person and required.
  • Age restrictions: For all ages. Maximum 2 children per paid adult.
  • Deals: Check for discounted Inside Look tours for SanDiegoing readers from aRes Travel — San Diego’s local authorized ticket source. Pick the number of tickets you want and a calendar will drop down. Click on the day that you’re going and that day’s tours will be revealed.
  • Click HERE to get a discount code for 1-day Zoo passes, instructions & discounted tickets by email.

Tour Schedule: The “Scoop on Poop” Tour typically runs once daily. They’re usually hosted in the early afternoons.

Why Choose the Poop Tour? Kids (of all ages) will love this tour because it allows them to say, “POOP!” often. And scatological jokes are almost a requirement. But you’ll enjoy this excursion even if you don’t have a slightly dirty sense of humor. Scat is a treasure trove of information for zookeepers and scientists.

Animal waste is like a daily health report for zookeepers. They can tell if the animals are eating right, digesting properly, and overall, how they’re doing health-wise. It’s a crucial part of ensuring these amazing creatures are healthy and thriving.

Don’t worry about getting your hands dirty; this tour is completely hands-off. You’ll gain loads of knowledge without having to touch anything. It’s perfect for all ages and interests.

Which Animals Will You See: The habitats you will visit vary from tour to tour, depending upon animal activity and poop production. However, information from animal waste is particularly important in exhibits where breeding is being encouraged and also where several animals may occupy the same enclosures. Two of these are:

  • Koalas in the Outback Habitat – Wildlife caretakers are working diligently to encourage koala babies in the largest koala colony outside of Australia.
  • Lions in Elephant Odyssey – the zookeepers sometimes mix glitter into the lions’ food. This isn’t just for fun – it helps them monitor each lion’s health based on the glitter color in their poop. It’s a creative and effective way to keep track of their well-being.

Conservation Efforts: The zoo is using scat to study and protect wildlife globally. It’s incredible how something as simple as poop can play such a vital role in conservation efforts.

Malayan tiger eating a femur at San Diego Zoo. Photo by Bob Ulrich
Malayan tiger gnawing on a femur. Photo by Bob Ulrich.

Paws & Claws Tour Review – Meet the Kings & Queens of the Jungle

  • How Long? 90 minutes
  • Price: $117 – 140 per person. Cost depends upon peak admission days. Admission is separate for each person and required.
  • Age restrictions: For all ages. Maximum 2 children per paid adult.
  • Deals: No discounts available. Purchase at the zoo’s website tour page.
  • Click HERE to get a discount code for 1-day Zoo passes, instructions & discounted tickets by email.

Tour Schedule: The “Paws and Claws” Tour typically runs once daily in the late morning. They’re usually offered on weekends with Fridays added during peak days during the summer.

Why Choose the Paws & Claws Tour? In this 2-hour tour, you’ll get up close with the kings and queens of the animal kingdom — big cats and bears. Riding in the comfort of your deluxe cart will save your aching feet. You’ll be going up and down through some of the most hilly terrain in the zoo; Elephant Odyssey, upper Center Street (Bear Street), and on theTiger Trail.

The guides are very knowledgeable. I learned that the Sloth bears aren’t slow at all, but can run faster than humans. Your driver also knows stories about the individual animals. Ask them how Scout and Montana, the grizzly brothers, ended up living in San Diego.

Which Animals Will You See: The stars of this tour are the animals with the biggest claws and paws at the zoo; the top predators like lions, tigers. and bears. They can’t guarantee which animals you’ll see on any given day but the lineup is spectacular.

  • Malayan Tigers – their Malayan nickname is “Pak Belang”, which means “Uncle Stripes”
  • Sun Bears – smallest bear with an extra-big tongue
  • Sloth Bears – have a V-shaped white patch on their chests
  • Andean Bears – eat mostly plants
  • Grizzlies – can eat up to 60,000 calories per day, that’s 88 Burger King Whoppers
Roaring lion on the Crazy About Cats Inside Look Tour at San Diego Zoo. Photo by Bob Ulrich.
Great view of a roaring lion from Crazy About Cats tour cart at San Diego Zoo. Photo by Bob Ulrich.

San Diego Zoo Crazy About Cats Review – Feline Lovers No-Brainer

  • How Long? 2 hours
  • Price: $117 – 140 per person. Cost depends upon peak admission days. Admission is separate for each person and required.
  • Age restrictions: Ages 5 and up. Maximum 2 children per paid adult.
  • Deals: No discounts available. Purchase at the zoo’s website tour page.
  • Click HERE to get a discount code for 1-day Zoo passes, instructions & discounted tickets by email.

Tour Schedule: The “Crazy About Cats” Tour runs once daily at 8:30 AM before the zoo opens.

Check-In Location: Meet at the HUGE lion statue (Rex’s Roar) in front of the main entrance to the zoo. Don’t worry. It’s easy to spot others who are taking the tour. That’s because they’re frantically looking around for their zoo guide, just like you are.

Why Choose the Crazy About Cats Tour? If you love cats pick this tour. This early morning excursion takes you by cart and feet to visit some of the San Diego Zoo’s finest felines. The early start time allows you to see the cats before they start their naps. You’ll also meet one special cat ambassador up close. 

You’ll be taken into areas not usually available to the public. There are no guarantees about which cats you’ll see. Hey, they’re cats, they do what they like. But jaguar, lion, tiger, mountain lion, fishing cat, leopard, ocelot, serval, or cheetah are all possibilities. 

Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking a bit. And there are some stairs to navigate.

Crazy About Cats Tour Highlights: 

This experience includes one close-up encounter with a fantastic feline. You’re most likely to meet a serval, ocelot, clouded leopard, serval, or cheetah. You never want to stare nose-to-nose with a lion, tiger, mountain lion, jaguar, or Amur leopard. They’re too large and unpredictable to mingle with the public. Even their wildlife care specialists have to have a barrier between them.

We got lucky and they brought out a cheetah as the climax of our tour.

The spotted sprinter was brought to us in the Wedgeworth Bowl with her dog companion. We were sitting about 3 feet behind the fence in the photo above. So we were about 6 feet from the cheetah and got some great shots.

The long-legged feline beauty spent almost half an hour snacking, exploring the stage and water feature while purring constantly. It was gratifying to see that she was so happy.

A lion photoshopped on top of a San Diego Zoo tour cart. With the caption, "The Elite Adventure Inside Look tour is...almost this good.
The cart photo is courtesy of the San Diego Zoo. I photoshopped in the lion ~ Nancy Ulrich

Elite Adventure Tour Review – Unforgettably Exclusive Animal Adventure

Ok. There will be no lions on top of your cart during this tour. But you will enjoy exclusive up-close animal viewing opportunities while exploring the zoo in a premium cart. Let me walk you through why this tour is so popular despite its high price tag.

  • How Long?  3.5 hours
  • Price: $425 – 475 per person. Cost depends upon peak admission days. Admission is separate for each person and required.
  • Age restrictions: For ages 5+. Maximum 2 children per paid adult.
  • A tasty snack stop
  • Deals: No discounts available. Purchase at the zoo’s website tour page.
  • Click HERE to get a discount code for 1-day Zoo passes, instructions & discounted tickets by email.

Tour Schedule: The “Elite Adventure” Tour runs daily at 10:00 AM.

Because there are few premium carts, certain days can sell out months in advance. If you’re planning a spring or summer vacation, get these tickets as soon as you finalize your travel plans. The same applies if you want to visit within a week of US national holidays and 3-day weekends. 

Why Choose the Elite Adventure Tour?

The “Elite Adventures” tour isn’t just any zoo visit; it’s a 3.5-hour journey that immerses you in the world of the animals at this world-famous attraction. You’ll experience behind-the-scenes access and special wildlife encounters are reserved exclusively for Elite guests. What sets this tour apart is the unique blend of adventure and education. You’ll be guided by experts who are passionate about their work.

And let’s not forget the cherry on top: a stop with some delicious munchies to keep your energy up!

Price: Many people pick this tour because although it is expensive, it is cheap in comparison to the Exclusive VIP Experience. Also, it does not take up an entire day.

Which Animals Will You See?

Each tour varies, but you’ll see a wide variety of wildlife, from majestic big cats and playful primates to exotic birds and rare reptiles. Your behind-the-scenes access means you might get to see this zoo’s residents in a more intimate setting, learning about their care, behavior, and conservation status. Each tour is a unique experience, reflecting the dynamic nature of the zoo and its inhabitants.

Restrictions and Cancellations

Before you book, there are a few important details to keep in mind. The tour is designed for guests aged 5 and up, ensuring that everyone in your party can fully enjoy the experience. If anyone needs wheelchair assistance, just give the zoo a heads-up at 619-718-3000 after booking to ensure everything’s smooth on the day.

With a cap on the number of children per adult and all participants needing a ticket, it’s best to plan accordingly. Also, keep in mind that the tour runs only on select dates and starts at $425 per person, not including zoo admission.

Life happens and sometimes plans change. If you need to adjust your booking, you can do so up to 5 days before your tour with a $15 administrative fee. Cancellations are a bit stricter, with a $25 fee if done 5 days in advance. Unfortunately, less than 5 days out, changes and refunds aren’t an option.

Lastly, the Elite Adventure goes on rain or shine, but the zoo reserves the right to modify or cancel the tour for reasons like weather or animal welfare. If your tour is canceled, they’ll do their best to reschedule you.


Clouded leopard jumping in the Animals in Action tour at San Diego Zoo.
Clouded leopard jumping in the Animals in Action tour at San Diego Zoo.

Animals in Action Experience

  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Price: $89 – 105 per person. Admission is separate for each person and required.
  • Age restrictions: Children ages 5 – 15. Maximum 2 children per paid adult.
  • Deals: Check for discounted Animals in Action tours for SanDiegoing readers from aRes Travel — San Diego’s local authorized ticket source. Pick the number of tickets you want and a calendar will drop down. Click on the day that you’re going and that day’s tours will be revealed.
  • Click HERE to get a discount code for 1-day Zoo passes, instructions & discounted tickets by email.

The Animals in Action tour at the San Diego Zoo takes place in the Urban Jungle in the afternoons. You’ll get behind-the-scenes looks at some of the zoo’s animal ambassadors. You may also get a chance to feed or interact with them. There’s little or no walking on this tour. It takes place in a stage setting with audience seating.

Animals in Action Tour Highlights: People commenting on this tour talked to me about how close they got to the clouded leopard and the great photos they got. What you’ll see on this tour is dependent upon which animals are available. Guides tell me that sometimes you can feed rhinos here (when they’re in residence in the Urban Jungle. Click the following link for my article that has another rhino-snacking opportunity. But cheetahs and clouded leopards are frequent guests. And sloths have been known to put in a slow-motion appearance too.

Discovery Cart Tour

  • How Long? 60 minutes
  • Price: $60 – 80 per person. Admission is separate for each person and required.
  • Age restrictions: All ages are welcome. A maximum of 2 children per paid adult. Children younger than age 15 must be accompanied by a paid adult. Ages 0-2 are free and do not require a ticket, but must sit on an adult’s lap. No more than 2 infants ages 0-2 are permitted per ticket, per cart
  • Tickets: No discounts. Buy at the zoo’s website
  • Click HERE to get a discount code for 1-day Zoo passes, instructions & discounted tickets by email.

The 60-minute Discovery Cart Tour is the least expensive guided cart experience at the San Diego Zoo. It covers not only the animals but also the park’s extensive plant collection. It’s the best option for families with younger, fidgety kids. That’s because it’s cheaper, and allows you to see much more of the zoo in a shorter period. 

Questions are encouraged. And if you see a favorite animal (or eye-catching plant), you can hop off to take photos. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees about which species you’ll be able to see. 

Discovery Cart Tour Highlights: These experiences vary depending on what animals are active and where you choose to stop and take photos. But people getting off this tour have shown me terrific photos of the jaguars and lions taken from the back of the exhibits where the general public is not allowed to go.

Spanish language-only tours are available too. Call 619-718-3000

Early Morning Explorers Experience on rope bridge in Wildlife Explorers Basecamp at San Diego Zoo
Rope bridge in Wildlife Explorers Basecamp at San Diego Zoo

Early Morning Explorers

The Early Morning Explorers experience at the San Diego Zoo allows you and your kids to discover Wildlife Explorers Basecamp before the zoo opens. Enjoy family-friendly guided activities and have exclusive access to the new exhibits and playgrounds. This is a wonderful opportunity for special needs kids.

  • How Long? 60 minutes
  • Price: $39 – 49 per person. Admission is separate for each person and required. There is no charge for children less than 2 years old.
  • Age restrictions: Recommended for children ages 3 – 12. Maximum of 2 children per adult;  kids under 15 must be accompanied by a paid adult
  • Tickets: No discounts. Purchase at the zoo’s website
  • Click HERE to get a discount code for 1-day Zoo passes, instructions & discounted tickets by email.

Schedule: The “Early Morning Explorers” experience takes place on 5 or 6 Saturdays spread throughout the year.

Tour Highlights: People liked that the entire Wildlife Explorers Basecamp was almost empty of people. They didn’t have to worry that some big kid was going to accidentally knock over their little toddler. One parent said that her little girl finally had the confidence to walk the rope bridge because she wasn’t scared by other kids swinging it. 

Exclusive VIP Experience San Diego Zoo name tag with cheetah, giraffe and koala. Photo collage.

Exclusive VIP Experience

  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Age restrictions: All ages are welcome. Ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult.
  • Price: $710+ per person. Admission is separate for each person and required. Call 619-718-3000 to arrange and customize your tour
  • Click HERE to get a discount code for 1-day Zoo passes, instructions & discounted tickets by email.

Why Pick The Exclusive VIP Experience? It’s the very best San Diego Zoo tour because you create your own 5-hour San Diego Zoo adventure with your own personal tour guide. Get out your must-see bucket list and start checking off your animal wishes. 

Tour Tip: Zoo tour guides have told me to ask if there are new zoo babies you can see when you book this experience. Often VIP Experience participants are permitted to see and sometimes interact with animals that are not on exhibit to the general public yet. For instance, when Xena the sloth gave birth in 2022, the only zoo visitors allowed to get close to mom and baby were VIP participants. 

Change and Cancellation Policies For San Diego Zoo Tours

If you need to make changes to any tour arrangements at the zoo, check the instructions on your email ticket confirmation. You can also look at the Special Experiences page on the zoo’s website for each tour. I’ve summarized the policies below:

Tour Changes

  • 5 or more days before reservation – changes allowed but a $15 Administrative Change Fee will be charged.
  • Less than 5 days before reservation – changes not permitted

Cancellations

  • 5 or more days before reservation – changes allowed but a $25 Cancellation Fee will be charged.
  • Less than 5 days before reservation – payment not refundable.
  • The tours are outdoor events. The zoo reserves the right to cancel or change the program due to weather, animal welfare, and guest safety concerns. If any event is canceled, the zoo will try to reschedule you for a future time. 
Bob and Nancy Ulrich taking a selfie in front of our Crazy About Cats Inside Look tour cart.
Bob & Nancy Ulrich after our “Crazy About Cats” San Diego Zoo Tour.

Are San Diego Zoo Tours Worth It?

Heck yes! Bob and I have had a wonderful time on every tour. We love getting unique, close-up views and feeding the animals (not on every tour). Giraffe slobber is a gooey mess, but it is still fun.

In my conversations with 42 tour attendees, I didn’t run into anyone who felt disappointed with their excursion. I was not able to talk with anyone who took the Inside Look Elite Adventure or VIP Experience.

Eight people wanted their excursions to be longer, but those were spread out between the 90-minute and 2-hour tours. It seemed to me that they were having a good time and just didn’t want their tours to end. I and my husband would have stayed with our guides all day if given the chance.

The cart tours are usually not crowded. We’ve been going to the zoo for years and have observed hundreds of carts loading and unloading on Front Street. Most have 6 to 9 people in a vehicle that could hold 13. The larger vehicles have 4 rows of seats plus one next to the driver. Their padded benches easily seat two adults plus a child or an adult plus two kids.

NOTE: I’ve been on more tours at Safari Park. Discover which ones are best HERE.


San Diego Zoo Best Tours Closing Thoughts

I hope that between my San Diego Zoo tours chart and the detailed explanations of each option, you’ve found your ideal special experience. If you have further questions or want to tell me about your experiences, you can find my contact information HERE. Now go and enjoy the best-ever San Diego Zoo tour!

Nancy Ulrich

I'm nuts...about animals, polymer clay, mixed media art & husband Bob. Happily planted in San Diego among good friends, family that I would have chosen if given the choice and optimism for a bountiful future for us all.

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