Combos

Combo (Save 5%): San Diego Zoo Tickets + Old Town Trolley Tour

4.7/5(2,646)

Darragh O

Solo

Verified booking

4 days ago

I didn't know what to expect when I decided to go but I don't regret it. If you're in SD definitely check out this zoo. It has everything and is a lot more than just a zoo.

Zachary S

Family

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

Our visit to the San Diego Zoo was one of those family memories we’ll be talking about for years. Watching my son experience a real zoo for the very first time was absolutely priceless. Seeing his eyes light up as he finally got to meet his favorite animals in person was something no book, TV show, or video could ever replace. Every exhibit felt like a new adventure, and he learned so much simply by seeing the animals up close and asking questions along the way. What really made the day special was how welcoming and knowledgeable everyone on the staff was. Every employee we spoke with was friendly, eager to help, and happy to share interesting facts that made each exhibit even more exciting. You can tell the people here truly care about the animals and about creating an unforgettable experience for families. The zoo itself is beautiful, clean, and incredibly well maintained. There’s so much to see that every turn feels like discovering something new. Whether you’re visiting with young children, teenagers, or just love animals yourself, there’s something here that will amaze you. If you’re looking for an unforgettable family adventure, the San Diego Zoo is worth every penny. We didn’t just spend a day looking at animals—we made lifelong memories, inspired a child’s love of wildlife, and left with smiles from ear to ear. We can’t wait to come back! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jayadev U

Couple

Verified booking

Jul 2026

The San Diego Zoo is exceptionally well maintained, and it’s clear the animals are cared for and placed in environments that suit them. Every employee we interacted with was warm, helpful, and always smiling. They answered all our questions so sweetly, which made the experience even better. Adding to that, the Headout app made booking our tickets incredibly easy. The app was simple to use, gave quick access to all booking details, and made our trip from Boston to San Diego feel seamless. Kudos to the amazing team at the San Diego Zoo and the Headout team for making this trip truly memorable.

Get up close with exotic animals at the San Diego Zoo, one of the world’s most celebrated zoos.

See San Diego’s landmarks your way with the flexible Old Town Trolley, featuring live commentary and 11 stops.

Stop J on the trolley route makes it easy to combine your city tour with a visit to the San Diego Zoo.

San Diego Old Town Trolley Tours

1-day unlimited hop-on hop-off tour

Access to Orange Route

Live guide/conductor

Free audio-guided walking tours

Discount coupons worth $30

Map brochure with day planner

San Diego Zoo

Entry to the San Diego Zoo

Kangaroo Express bus tour

Guided bus tour

Skyfari aerial tram

Access to all shows and exhibits

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

2,646 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Mexico, Canada, France and over 30 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Zachary S
Family
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Our visit to the San Diego Zoo was one of those family memories we’ll be talking about for years. Watching my son experience a real zoo for the very first time was absolutely priceless. Seeing his eyes light up as he finally got to meet his favorite animals in person was something no book, TV show, or video could ever replace. Every exhibit felt like a new adventure, and he learned so much simply by seeing the animals up close and asking questions along the way. What really made the day special was how welcoming and knowledgeable everyone on the staff was. Every employee we spoke with was friendly, eager to help, and happy to share interesting facts that made each exhibit even more exciting. You can tell the people here truly care about the animals and about creating an unforgettable experience for families. The zoo itself is beautiful, clean, and incredibly well maintained. There’s so much to see that every turn feels like discovering something new. Whether you’re visiting with young children, teenagers, or just love animals yourself, there’s something here that will amaze you. If you’re looking for an unforgettable family adventure, the San Diego Zoo is worth every penny. We didn’t just spend a day looking at animals—we made lifelong memories, inspired a child’s love of wildlife, and left with smiles from ear to ear. We can’t wait to come back! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Susan L
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
We spent an hour sitting on a bench watching the elephants and keepers put their food on the feeders. Amazing. Also thrilled to see one panda eating her bamboo. Major highlights. Will return in the Fall.
Falko G
Family
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Very entertaining and interesting. When the trolleys are full, they react in a flash and provide additional vehicles! The drivers—we had four different ones—are real entertainers and do their jobs perfectly. We can wholeheartedly recommend this tour! Great!
Brenda J
Family
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Such a wonderful experience! We brought our extended family; 14 people! Loved the 40 min bus tour to give the overall view! Also loved walking around after! It was a wonderful day! It was our first time at this Zoo! It was amazing!!! Thank you!
Brian B
Family
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The San Diego zoo was a special experience for me, and my family. We enjoyed seeing the Panda (Xi), and the cleanliness of the property (very Disney-like). I look forward to coming back at some point in the near future!

Old Town Trolley

Hop on the Old Town Trolley to explore San Diego at your own pace. With 11 stops at top attractions like the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, and Coronado, enjoy lively guides sharing stories and trivia as you navigate the city with ease.

Hop-on Hop-off Route - Orange Route

Ready to soak up the sunny vibes of San Diego’s coastline? Ride down the orange route to explore the city’s must-see landmarks and the scenic Coronado shoreline at your own pace.

Schedule

Jan 1–Mar 9, July 4, Nov 3–Dec 31

First bus: 9am from Stop 1, Old Town Market

Last bus: 3pm from Stop 1, Old Town Market

Frequency: Every 20 minutes

Popular stops: Seaport Village, Balboa Park, Little Italy

Mar 10–July 3, July 5–Nov 2

First bus: 9am from Stop 1, Old Town Market

Last bus: 4pm from Stop 1, Old Town Market

Frequency: Every 20 minutes

Popular stops: Seaport Village, Balboa Park, Little Italy

NOTE:

Please note that the tour does not run on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Please click here for a detailed route map and its boarding points.

You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.

San Diego Zoo

Step into the lush, open-air sanctuary of the San Diego Zoo, home to over 12,000 animals across 650 species. Explore immersive habitats like the Lost Forest with playful primates, Elephant Odyssey for gentle giants, and the Polar Bear Plunge for Arctic life. Enjoy engaging keeper talks, interactive exhibits, and surprises at every turn. Conveniently located near trolley Stop 'J', it’s easy to combine both experiences for a perfect day out.

What's not allowed

San Diego Old Town Trolley Tours

Due to operator restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.

Accessibility

San Diego Old Town Trolley Tours

The buses are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

Your guide dogs are welcome onboard.

Additional information

San Diego Old Town Trolley Tours

The tour does not run on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Please note that on special event days, the tours may be delayed, face street closures, or skip certain stops. So expect some changes in the tour schedule if you’re traveling during Memorial Weekend, Rock-N-Roll Marathon, Independence Day, Comic Con, AFC Half Marathon, Labor Day Weekend, or December nights.

San Diego Zoo

With your voucher, you can skip the ticketing window and proceed directly to the entrance. Please be aware that this privilege is only applicable for bypassing the admission ticket line and does not extend to the bus or Skyfari lines.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please display the same at each ticket redemption point along with a valid photo ID.

Ticket redemption points

San Diego Zoo

Show your ticket at San Diego Zoo.

Address: 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, United States.

Get directions to the redemption point

Old Town Trolley

Please redeem this voucher from the bus driver or a member of staff at any of the stops.

Tours depart from boarding locations approximately every half hour.

You can then board the bus at any designated stops. The recommended stops are Stop A - Old Town Market, Stop C - Embarcadero Marina, Stop D – Headquarters at Seaport District, Stop E – Seaport Village, Stop G – Gaslamp Quarter, Stop J – Coronado – Orange Ave.