Main Entrance / Front Street entrance· Start here
All general visitors, including ticket holders and visitors buying tickets.
2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101 · Public entrance from the parking lot and transit side; ticket windows, turnstiles, rentals, lockers/luggage storage, Guest Services, Bus Tour loading, and the Rex lion statue are here.
Bus
MTS Rapid 215; Route 7 · San Diego Zoo
5 min walk
Connects through downtown with Santa Fe Depot, downtown hotels, cruise terminal, and Blue, Orange, and Green trolley lines.
Car
Zoo visitor parking lot, reached from Park Boulevard at Zoo Place
5 min walk
First-come, first-served; use Zoo Drive rather than Zoo Place for some tour check-ins to avoid congestion.
Shuttle
Inspiration Point, Park Boulevard and Presidents Way
Complimentary on selected busy days only; runs 11 a.m. until one hour after Zoo closing, so it is not useful for opening-time arrival.
Step 1
Have ticket ready to scan
Buy online before arrival to bypass the ticket-purchase line; all visitors still use the admission turnstile.
Step 2
Show required ID if applicable
Membership holders need photo ID; active-duty military and visitors using an in-person discount must show the required ID.
Step 3
Check daily closure/change notices
The Zoo posts changes to habitats, transport, restaurants, tours, and presentations at the entrance.
Fine
Not allowed
No cloakroom is promised. Front Street has self-service lockers and same-day luggage storage for a fee; car seats can be stored.
Source: zoo.sandiegozoo.org
The grounds are accessible but hilly, with steep grades and some scenic paths involving stairs or steep terrain. Follow blue-dotted accessible routes; elevators at TreeTops/Bashor Bridge connect levels. Accessible parking and restrooms, on-call ADA shuttle service, and an Easy Access Pass for guests who have difficulty standing in Bus Tour or Skyfari lines are available. Manual wheelchairs and ECVs can be rented near the entrance first-come, first-served; ECV users must be 18+ and present a driver’s license or photo ID.
Source: zoo.sandiegozoo.org