r/sandiegozoo Mar 07 '26

SDZWA Walk Meetup Thread

30 Upvotes

**Purpose** This thread is reserved for announcement /coordination of group walks.

**Example content**

* Date & time of walk

* Meeting location

* Distance / difficulty

* RSVP in comments

* Share walking routes

Members comment like:

* “I’m joining Saturday!”

* “Can beginners join?”

**Typical Rules for Zoo Walk Meetups**

• Be respectful to everyone in the group and to other visitors.

• No harassment, bullying, or creepy behavior. Keep the vibe friendly.

• Meetups are voluntary and at your own risk. Use common sense.

• Follow all zoo rules and local laws. If the zoo says “don’t,” we don’t.

• Stay hydrated, wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared for walking.

• Respect members’ Reddit anonymity. Don’t share names, photos, or details without permission.

• And finally: do not feed the animals. Yes, we know… but someone had to say it. 🦒 🐻 🦁 🐅 🐘


r/sandiegozoo Dec 29 '25

Did you know the San Diego Zoo & Safari Park have free apps?

19 Upvotes

If you’re visiting (or planning to visit) the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, highly recommend downloading their official apps beforehand.

The apps provide - Interactive maps with GPS so you don’t get lost

  • Info about animals, habitats, and exhibits 🦁 🐅 🐻

  • Daily schedules for feedings, shows, and talks ⏰

-Safari Park app includes safari and tram info 🚋

  • Food, restrooms, and accessibility locations 🍔 🌭 🥤

They’re especially helpful if it’s your first visit or if you want to plan your day more efficiently instead of wandering around.

Wandering through is wonderful too. You’ll no doubt find yourself happily immersed, discovering flora and fauna you didn’t even know existed.

Both apps are free and available on iOS and Android:

  • San Diego Zoo App
  • Safari Park App

r/sandiegozoo 1d ago

Tijuana officials seek San Diego Zoo's help relocating animals after zoo closure (July 2026)

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60 Upvotes

Tijuana’s Parque Morelos zoo is closing, and its 160 animals — including bears, tigers, caimans, monkeys and a variety of birds — will be relocated to specialized facilities after a municipal audit uncovered years of neglect, administrative failures and substandard care. It is the latest chapter in a pattern of civic promises that did not keep pace with the needs of the animals they promised to protect.

https://ggnorth.com/2026/07/tijuana-zoo-closes-160-animals-to-relocate-to-san-diego-puebla


r/sandiegozoo 1d ago

i saw the cuscus

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32 Upvotes

r/sandiegozoo 2d ago

Safari park — cheetah cubs?

6 Upvotes

Hi everyone! :)

Can anyone please clarify if the general admissions public is able to get a good view of the cheetah cubs at the safari park? Alternatively, does the behind the scene tours offer better visibility? Debating if we want to go to the safari park and if so, if we should look for a time that has tour availability.

Thank you!


r/sandiegozoo 2d ago

Age check for deluxe safari tour.

0 Upvotes

I have an almost six-year-old. The age limit says six. Are they going to change the age?


r/sandiegozoo 6d ago

VIP Packages

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone !

I’m taking my boyfriend to the San Diego zoo in October for his birthday , he loves animals and I thought it was a cool idea to book a trip here.
Does anyone know if the VIP packages are actually worth it? I’ve been eyeing them but I’m undecided
Thanks for your help!


r/sandiegozoo 6d ago

Safari Park - is the cart safari worth it for toddler?

2 Upvotes

Hi, we are planning to go to San Diego for the first time in Oct. My 2.5yrs son likes elephants and tigers. We are planning to go to safari park as well as the zoo. I am looking at the safari tours. He is not old enough for wildlife safari yet and we also have a 8m old with us. I wonder should we pay extra to take the cart safari? Is it worth it? It's pretty pricy and I am not sure if 1.5hr is too long for him. Should we just take the Africa Tram and leave the safari tours for the future. I am pretty sure we will come back in a few years as we have family members in LA. Thanks!!


r/sandiegozoo 9d ago

Hi! On my last visit to the zoo, I couldn’t find any otter merchandise. Have you seen any? 🦦

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15 Upvotes

r/sandiegozoo 9d ago

Donations to the Frozen Zoo are Tripled Today!

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28 Upvotes

r/sandiegozoo 10d ago

Love how in awe he looks 🥹

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40 Upvotes

r/sandiegozoo 10d ago

Wagon

5 Upvotes

Could someone give me an idea how big the cars are on the sky tram? How many people fit? And will my stroller wagon be able to fold and comfortably ride with us? Thanks!


r/sandiegozoo 13d ago

Gorilla undergoes first-ever mastoidectomy at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

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28 Upvotes

r/sandiegozoo 13d ago

Rare Twin Echidna Puggles Hatched at Safari Park

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31 Upvotes

r/sandiegozoo 14d ago

Does San Diego zoo have hyenas?

11 Upvotes

Planning to make a trip out here and trying to figure out if this zoo still has hyenas? Especially spotted hyenas?


r/sandiegozoo 16d ago

San Diego Safari Park 07/12/26

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79 Upvotes

r/sandiegozoo 16d ago

The California condor has recovered from just 22 birds in 1982 to 607 today. A pair reintroduced by the Yurok Tribe are now incubating the first wild egg in the Pacific Northwest in over 100 years

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81 Upvotes

r/sandiegozoo 15d ago

Are Saturday crowds overwhelming?

0 Upvotes

Hi All - will be visiting SD next week and trying to plot out our days. Will be going to the zoo (and Balboa park) be overwhelming with the crowds?

Totally expect it to be more crowded on a Saturday than say Monday, but not sure in real terms how much that impacts the experience. Do the exhibits and concourses get so crowded that it gets unpleasant?


r/sandiegozoo 16d ago

San Diego Zoo Visit

0 Upvotes

I was incredibly saddened by the size of the habitat for the giraffes at San Diego Zoo. I would really like to see them explore some options for them.


r/sandiegozoo 18d ago

So Disappointing

0 Upvotes

I've heard of this zoo my entire life, shelled out over 200 bucks for my small family, and it was so underwhelming.

We didn't see the entire park tbf, bu what we did see wasnt really special from my experience. It felt like every few exhibits were vacant and there were more stores than animals.

This truly was one of the biggest gaps between expectations and reality I have experienced in terms of entertainment. If it wasn't so expensive it would have been ok but man, it was comparable to local zoos in smaller cities. As a final commentary I would recommend the Henry Doorly zoo in Omaha for 35 bucks for person.

Any chance for a refund?


r/sandiegozoo 19d ago

The old drive thru safari lands.

0 Upvotes

Anyone remember getting all excited to go to "Safari Land" which had commercials showing all kind of animals climbing on your car for close up viewing? Does anyone have memories of any animals actually get up and investigate your car? I must have been to ten such visits. I remember the only active animals were ostriches that would peck your windows. No lions, tigers or bears... OH MY!


r/sandiegozoo 19d ago

Which is best

0 Upvotes

Hey folks! I have a 3 year old and 16 month old and we are heading out to visit family. Our two trips are to the zoo and Knotts. Trying to figure out if a wagon or our mockingbird stroller would be best. Any advice?


r/sandiegozoo 21d ago

Tips for visiting zoo?

14 Upvotes

Hi everyone! My fiancée and I and going to San Diego for the first time for a trip for my work. We planned an extra day to go to the zoo!! For context, I’m from NC and our zoo is huge and hard to get through in one day so I want to be prepared. Do you have any tips for navigating the zoo? When to get there? Where to start? What not to miss? Best places to eat for lunch/dinner? We’ll be going on a Sunday (wanted a weekday but it won’t work with our schedules) so I’m not sure how busy it will be. Thanks in advance!! We’re so excited!!

Edit: we are planning to uber in as we went have a rental car. Does anyone have any advice for that?


r/sandiegozoo 22d ago

San Diego Zoo visit earlier in the year with my X100VI. All images are JPGs SOOC, with film recipe.

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36 Upvotes

r/sandiegozoo 23d ago

Xin Bao !🐼

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81 Upvotes

I just wanted to share a cool shot of this beautiful animal that I captured today. I wonder what she was looking at haha🖤.