There’s a lot to see and do on the San Diego Zoo, from exploring wonderful reveals to recognizing uncommon and endangered animals. Figuring out the Zoo’s insurance policies forward of time may also help make your go to easy and stress-free.
Whether or not you’re packing snacks, determining stroller guidelines, or planning what to carry, this information covers the whole lot it’s good to know—from the San Diego Zoo meals coverage and bag coverage to pet guidelines and extra.
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San Diego Zoo Meals Coverage
When visiting the San Diego Zoo, one necessary element to plan for is the meals you’ll carry—or purchase.
Guests have a variety of choices for meals and drinks, in addition to particular pointers about what they will carry with them.
Exterior Meals and Drink Coverage
You possibly can carry meals to the San Diego Zoo! The San Diego Zoo meals coverage permits exterior snacks and drinks. I used to be informed some time again, whereas on a tour, that as a result of it’s a nonprofit group, they don’t have the assets to accommodate all dietary wants.
Whereas fashionable eating spots like Albert’s Restaurant provide scrumptious eating, bringing your individual meals means that you can eat what you need. It additionally saves time by avoiding ready in line or for meals preparation.
Like quite a lot of theme parks, the meals will be expensive. Many Zoo friends herald lunch however then splurge on snacks like a tender serve cone at Hua Mei cafe (a private favourite of mine).
You can even be happy to eat your individual meals at any of the picnic tables in entrance of the eating institutions.
Though a picnic lunch is welcome, sure gadgets are prohibited. For instance, you cannot carry glass containers or straws. Paper straws and their wrappers pose a danger to the animals if by chance ingested.
Small Coolers and Containers
Many guests pack meals in small coolers to carry into the Zoo. Particularly, six-pack-sized coolers or small Tupperware containers are acceptable in the event that they match underneath a stroller.
The final guideline is that coolers and huge meals storage containers needs to be no bigger than 12″ x12″. Coolers with wheels are usually not allowed.
Alcohol Coverage
Guests could carry non-alcoholic drinks. Craft beer and different alcoholic drinks can be found for buy at designated eating areas contained in the park. Exterior alcohol is prohibited, and the San Diego Zoo strictly enforces this coverage to take care of a family-friendly atmosphere.
Some spots the place you possibly can seize a beer embrace Zoo Brew within the Misplaced Forest and San Diego Craft Beer & Margaritas on Entrance Avenue.
Particular Dietary Wants and Restrictions
As talked about already, the San Diego Zoo meals coverage addresses particular dietary wants and meals allergic reactions by permitting friends with dietary restrictions to carry private meals gadgets.
Through the years, Zoo eating places have gotten higher at providing vegetarian and gluten-free gadgets. However not each restaurant has these choices.
Nonetheless, you probably have particular dietary considerations about eating within the Zoo’s eating places, it’s simple to name their customer support or use the chatbot on their web site to ask extra particular questions.
Meals and Drink Choices Contained in the San Diego Zoo
For many who don’t wish to carry meals, San Diego Zoo eating choices are fairly good, really. If meals is necessary to you, plan your day round seeing the reveals close to the restaurant you wish to go to. It’s not simple to stroll throughout the Zoo to eat someplace.
Some eating spots to take a look at embrace:
- Albert’s Restaurant (Misplaced Forest): That is finest for sit-down eating and fish tacos.
- San Diego Zoo Sandwich Firm (Entrance Avenue): Straightforward to-go close to the doorway
- Sabertooth Mexican Grill (Elephant Odyssey): I had actually good tacos right here not too long ago.
- Hua Mei Café (Asian Passage): Ice cream and orange rooster.
- Sydney’s (Outback): Barbecue
To be taught extra, try our article on San Diego Zoo eating places.
San Diego Water Bottle Coverage
I all the time carry a standard-sized plastic water bottle or Hydroflask to the Zoo. As talked about earlier, don’t carry one which’s glass, as that’s not allowed.
There are ingesting fountains everywhere in the park, and you may ask for cups of ice and water in any of the eating places at no cost. In fact, you can too purchase a dear bottled water if push involves shove.
San Diego Zoo Bag Coverage
Navigating the San Diego Zoo’s bag coverage means understanding dimension restrictions and storage choices for gadgets you don’t wish to carry.
Bag Dimension and Restrictions
Guests can carry backpacks, purses, and satchels. These things are usually allowed so long as they meet commonplace dimension limitations. Outsized baggage are usually not assured entry, so plan accordingly.
Baggage and Journey Bag Storage
For bigger baggage or journey baggage, the San Diego Zoo gives lockers for handy storage. Locker charges are as follows:
- Small gadgets: $10 per piece
- Medium gadgets: $12 per piece
- Massive gadgets: $15 per piece
Why Retailer Your Baggage
I’m a fan of getting lockers at theme parks. The Zoo includes quite a lot of strolling and also you don’t wish to carry a heavy backpack. Plus, you may want one thing later or possibly don’t wish to retailer one thing in a sizzling automobile in an unshaded car parking zone.
Strollers and Wagons on the San Diego Zoo
Households visiting the San Diego Zoo have a number of choices for managing their little ones’ transportation. You possibly can carry your individual strollers or wagons or select from the stroller leases out there on-site.
Notice that strollers for hire are on a first-come, first-served foundation close to the doorway. For reference, listed below are the present rental costs:
- Stroller single: $16
- Stroller double: $20
Whereas strollers and wagons are incredible for exploring the San Diego Zoo, they’ve restrictions on sure rides and sights.
For security causes, this stuff are sometimes not allowed on trams, tour buses, or choose reveals. Securing them in designated areas earlier than collaborating is usually required. As an example, there’s stroller parking on the Guided Bus Tour, which begins and stops in the identical spot.
FAQ: Can I Take a Stoller on Skyfari Aerial Tram?
I rode this tram with my relations, who had a fold-up stroller, and it was tremendous simple.
San Diego Zoo Digicam Coverage
I carry my DSLR digicam with a giant zoom lens to the Zoo on a regular basis. Guests can carry cameras for private use, however skilled gear is restricted.
- Tripods: Allowed however should not impede pathways or habitats.
- Drones: Prohibited to make sure animal and visitor security.
Plan accordingly if you happen to’re capturing your journey. And don’t be stunned if you happen to see some media cameras there occasionally who’ve particular permissions. On media days, you’ll see tripods in quite a lot of locations.
San Diego Zoo Pet Coverage
Whereas service animals are permitted, pets and emotional help animals are usually not.
Service Animals
The San Diego Zoo follows ADA pointers for service animals. They should be on not than a 6-foot leash and are allowed in most areas, preserving their distance from Zoo animals.
Close by Animal Daycare Companies
Since there isn’t a kennel service on the Zoo grounds, vacationers with pets can look into close by daycare amenities for pets and emotional help animals.
Close by Pet-Pleasant Motels
For in a single day stays, take a look at one of many many pet-friendly inns in close by Downtown San Diego, together with Alma Lodge and Pendry San Diego.
You’ll even be conveniently positioned to San Diego Worldwide Airport and Santa Fe Depot prepare station. (The one factor is that you simply sometimes can’t go away pets unattended in inns to go sightseeing.)
What You Can’t Carry to San Diego Zoo
For security and delight, sure gadgets are usually not allowed contained in the San Diego Zoo. These embrace however are usually not restricted to:
- Smoking merchandise
- Alcohol and unlawful substances
- Weapons and replicas
- Disruptive gadgets (e.g., laser pointers, noisemakers)
- Costume apparel
Plan Your Excellent Day on the San Diego Zoo
With considerate preparation, you possibly can guarantee your go to to the San Diego Zoo is stress-free and memorable. Whether or not packing a picnic, renting a stroller, or exploring reveals, realizing the principles will aid you deal with the enjoyable. We’ve a whole article targeted on San Diego Zoo suggestions, however listed below are a few fast highlights:
- There’s free parking in a big lot. (I’ve by no means not been capable of park.)
- You’ll want a timed ticket to see the pandas.
- Get there early to see the animals once they’re most energetic.
- We’ve closely researched easy methods to get San Diego Zoo low cost tickets.
Prioritize everybody’s security and respect the Zoo’s wildlife for an gratifying expertise.
Able to go? Go to the Zoo’s web site for updates, obtain the San Diego Zoo app for maps and schedules, and seize your discounted admission. Don’t overlook concerning the sister park, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which has comparable digicam, meals, and bag insurance policies.
