There may be a lot to see and do on the San Diego Zoo, from exploring wonderful reveals to recognizing uncommon and endangered animals. Realizing the Zoo’s insurance policies forward of time may also help make your go to clean and stress-free.
Whether or not you’re packing snacks, determining stroller guidelines, or planning what to convey, this information covers all the things 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 essential element to plan for is the meals you’ll convey—or purchase.
Guests have a spread of choices for meals and drinks, in addition to particular pointers about what they’ll convey with them.
Exterior Meals and Drink Coverage
Happily, the San Diego Zoo meals coverage permits outdoors snacks and drinks. I used to be instructed some time again, whereas on a tour, that as a result of it’s a nonprofit group, they don’t have the sources to accommodate all dietary wants.
Whereas standard eating spots like Albert’s Restaurant provide scrumptious eating, bringing your personal meals lets you eat what you need. It additionally saves time by avoiding ready in line or for meals preparation.
Like numerous theme parks, the meals will be expensive. Many Zoo friends usher in lunch however then splurge on snacks like a tender serve cone at Hua Mei cafe (a private favourite of mine).
You may as well be happy to eat your personal 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 convey glass containers or straws. Paper straws and their wrappers pose a threat to the animals if by chance ingested.
Small Coolers and Containers
Many guests pack meals in small coolers to convey into the Zoo. Particularly, six-pack-sized coolers or small Tupperware containers are acceptable in the event that they match below a stroller.
The overall guideline is that coolers and huge meals storage containers ought to be no bigger than 12″ x12″. Coolers with wheels are usually not allowed.
Alcohol Coverage
Guests could convey 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 keep up a family-friendly surroundings.
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 Road.
Particular Dietary Wants and Restrictions
As talked about already, the San Diego Zoo meals coverage addresses particular dietary wants and meals allergy symptoms by permitting friends with dietary restrictions to convey private meals gadgets.
Over time, Zoo eating places have gotten higher at providing vegetarian and gluten-free gadgets. However not each restaurant has these choices.
Nonetheless, in case you have particular dietary issues about eating within the Zoo’s eating places, it’s straightforward 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 need to convey meals, San Diego Zoo eating choices are fairly good, really. If meals is essential to you, plan your day round seeing the reveals close to the restaurant you need to go to. It’s not straightforward 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 Road): Simple to-go close to the doorway
- Sabertooth Mexican Grill (Elephant Odyssey): I had actually good tacos right here just lately.
- Hua Mei Café (Asian Passage): Ice cream and orange hen.
- Sydney’s (Outback): Barbecue
To be taught extra, take a look at our article on San Diego Zoo eating places.
San Diego Water Bottle Coverage
I all the time convey a standard-sized plastic water bottle or Hydroflask to the Zoo. As talked about earlier, don’t convey one which’s glass, as that’s not allowed.
There are consuming fountains everywhere in the park, and you may ask for cups of ice and water in any of the eating places without cost. After all, you may also purchase a dear bottled water if push involves shove.
San Diego Zoo Bag Coverage
Navigating the San Diego Zoo’s bag coverage means understanding measurement restrictions and storage choices for gadgets you don’t need to carry.
Bag Measurement and Restrictions
Guests can convey backpacks, purses, and satchels. This stuff are usually allowed so long as they meet customary measurement limitations. Outsized luggage are usually not assured entry, so plan accordingly.
Baggage and Journey Bag Storage
For bigger baggage or journey luggage, the San Diego Zoo provides lockers for handy storage. Locker charges are as follows:
- Small gadgets: $10 per piece
- Medium gadgets: $12 per piece
- Giant gadgets: $15 per piece
Why Retailer Your Baggage
I’m a fan of getting lockers at theme parks. The Zoo includes numerous strolling and also you don’t need to carry a heavy backpack. Plus, you would possibly want one thing later or perhaps don’t need 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’ll be able to convey your personal strollers or wagons or select from the stroller leases obtainable 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 unbelievable for exploring the San Diego Zoo, they’ve restrictions on sure rides and points of interest.
For security causes, this stuff are sometimes not allowed on trams, tour buses, or choose reveals. Securing them in designated areas earlier than taking part is often required. For 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 straightforward.
San Diego Zoo Digicam Coverage
I convey my DSLR digicam with an enormous zoom lens to the Zoo on a regular basis. Guests can convey cameras for private use, however skilled tools is restricted.
- Tripods: Allowed however should not hinder 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 shocked if you happen to see some media cameras there every now and then who’ve particular permissions. On media days, you’ll see tripods in numerous 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 now not than a 6-foot leash and are allowed in most areas, retaining 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 Lodges
For in a single day stays, have a look at one of many many pet-friendly motels 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 practice station. (The one factor is that you simply usually can’t depart pets unattended in motels to go sightseeing.)
What You Can’t Deliver to San Diego Zoo
For security and pleasure, 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 Good 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, figuring out the foundations will show you how to deal with the enjoyable. We’ve got a complete article targeted on San Diego Zoo ideas, 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 lively.
- We’ve closely researched find out how to get San Diego Zoo low cost tickets.
Prioritize everybody’s security and respect the Zoo’s wildlife for an pleasurable 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 related digicam, meals, and bag insurance policies.