Combos

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

4.7/5(2,847)

Jack F

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

The San Diego Zoo was by far the best experience of my entire trip to San Diego, and nothing short of remarkable. It is set in the iconic Balboa park and is in close proximity to other amazing places and activities in the park including the Japanese Friendship Gardens or the gorgeous Botanical Gardens. Headout made the ticket purchasing and entry process incredibly easy with not only a seamless and non-confusing UI, but most importantly the ability to access tickets without an internet connection. This eliminated the stress of waiting on slow or unreliable connections at busy ticketing lines, and made my experience at the Zoo much more enjoyable in general. The Zoo is a perfect example of what I think a modern zoo should be, with a great balance of engaging and entertaining exhibits, while making it evident that animals are extremely well taken care. Habitats are beautiful and reflect the natural environments of the animals they house. It is hard to find zoos that feel ethical while also providing the classical amusement park feel of a large zoo. San Diego balances this perfectly with a wide selection of activites, concessions, etc; while maintain ethical standards and clean and proper habitats. My favorite parts of the Zoo were the "Lost Forest" pathways that really immerse you in the environment and make you feel like your really walking through a true jungle. I would recommend wearing capable footwear as the park is massive and is built upon many different hills and cliff sides that brings way for many uphill and downhill walks. However, the park is accessible for those with disabilities as there is a guided 35 minute bus tour that takes you throughout the park and has visible views of the animals, as well. The park also has plenty of food and beverage options for both kids and adults, or individuals with food allergies like myself. I was able to find several gluten free options, most notably carne asada tacos at the sabertooth grill near the elephant habitat. They were delicious and reasonably priced for in-park food. There is also alcoholic beverage stations around the park to really amp up the experience. Overall, the San Diego Zoo is a perfect excursion that is situated in an accessible area of the city and is suitable for everyone!

Timoteo E

Group

Verified booking

2 days ago

Our first family visit to the San Diego Zoo was such a wonderful experience! Parking was easy, and there were no long lines, which made everything feel stress-free from the start. Whenever we had a question or felt a little lost, there was always someone nearby willing to help. The facilities were clean and well-maintained, and it was clear that the animals and plants were well cared for. Everyone we encountered was kind, welcoming, and helpful. Thank you for making our first family visit so special. We created some beautiful memories, and we look forward to coming back!

Beverley S

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Our driver, Belle was fun, polite and knew her stuff. The San Diego Hop-on Hop-Hop-off Trolley Tour was very enjoyable, informative and entertaining all at once and is a great way to get the feel and layout of the city. We would certainly recommend it to any visitors wanting to get to know something more about the place.

Stephen O

Couple

Verified booking

5 days ago

Awesome day. All went super well. Clean, orderly and helpful staff. This is a must see for San Diego visitors. We were there from open to close and enjoyed every minute.

Rosa M

Group

Verified booking

Last week

Using Headout was so easy. Purchasirng in advance allowed me to skip the long entrance line and allowed me to utilize all the extra time seeing the animals.

Anderson T

Family

Verified booking

4 days ago

San diego is awesome. Staff were helpful and courteous. I travelled from India to visit San diego and it was an unbelievable experience. Way to go guys

Combine a visit to the San Diego Zoo with a 1-day unlimited hop-on hop-off trolley tour to experience wildlife and explore San Diego in one flexible combo.

Enjoy Zoo admission with access to its animal habitats, shows, exhibits, Kangaroo Express, Guided Bus Tour, and Skyfari Aerial Tram.

Ride the Old Town Trolley’s Orange Route with 11 stops, letting you hop off near popular attractions and continue sightseeing at your own pace.

Benefit from live conductor commentary, free audio-guided walking tours, a map with a day planner, and $30 worth of discount coupons.

Easily combine both experiences with Stop J located near the San Diego Zoo, making it convenient to switch between city sightseeing and wildlife exploration.

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.

2,847 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, United Kingdom and over 35 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Jack F
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
The San Diego Zoo was by far the best experience of my entire trip to San Diego, and nothing short of remarkable. It is set in the iconic Balboa park and is in close proximity to other amazing places and activities in the park including the Japanese Friendship Gardens or the gorgeous Botanical Gardens. Headout made the ticket purchasing and entry process incredibly easy with not only a seamless and non-confusing UI, but most importantly the ability to access tickets without an internet connection. This eliminated the stress of waiting on slow or unreliable connections at busy ticketing lines, and made my experience at the Zoo much more enjoyable in general. The Zoo is a perfect example of what I think a modern zoo should be, with a great balance of engaging and entertaining exhibits, while making it evident that animals are extremely well taken care. Habitats are beautiful and reflect the natural environments of the animals they house. It is hard to find zoos that feel ethical while also providing the classical amusement park feel of a large zoo. San Diego balances this perfectly with a wide selection of activites, concessions, etc; while maintain ethical standards and clean and proper habitats. My favorite parts of the Zoo were the "Lost Forest" pathways that really immerse you in the environment and make you feel like your really walking through a true jungle. I would recommend wearing capable footwear as the park is massive and is built upon many different hills and cliff sides that brings way for many uphill and downhill walks. However, the park is accessible for those with disabilities as there is a guided 35 minute bus tour that takes you throughout the park and has visible views of the animals, as well. The park also has plenty of food and beverage options for both kids and adults, or individuals with food allergies like myself. I was able to find several gluten free options, most notably carne asada tacos at the sabertooth grill near the elephant habitat. They were delicious and reasonably priced for in-park food. There is also alcoholic beverage stations around the park to really amp up the experience. Overall, the San Diego Zoo is a perfect excursion that is situated in an accessible area of the city and is suitable for everyone!
Beverley S
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Our driver, Belle was fun, polite and knew her stuff. The San Diego Hop-on Hop-Hop-off Trolley Tour was very enjoyable, informative and entertaining all at once and is a great way to get the feel and layout of the city. We would certainly recommend it to any visitors wanting to get to know something more about the place.
Dora S
Couple
Verified booking
Sep 2026
We covered every inch of the Zoo. Staff were courteous and helpful. Exhibits were well-laid out. The animals knew we had waited for decades to see them 😉 and were awake and active. What a great visit!
Martin C
Couple
Verified booking
Sep 2026
The entry was super fast we didn't have to wait we just scanned and walked right into and amazing zoo. I came across Headout on google and it was super easy thank you.
Rosa M
Group
Verified booking
Last week
Using Headout was so easy. Purchasirng in advance allowed me to skip the long entrance line and allowed me to utilize all the extra time seeing the animals.

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

Explore wildlife from around the world across the San Diego Zoo’s diverse habitats, with access to animal exhibits, presentations, and included experiences. Make the most of your visit with the Guided Bus Tour and Skyfari Aerial Tram, which help you cover more of the Zoo while offering different ways to see its wildlife and grounds.

Features:

Wildlife from around the world: Discover animals from diverse regions and habitats while learning about their behaviors, environments, and conservation.

Guided Bus Tour: Join a narrated, approximately 35-minute round-trip ride on a double-decker bus, covering a large section of the Zoo with insights into its animals and conservation efforts.

Skyfari Aerial Tram: Travel above the Zoo’s treetops between two points of the grounds, offering a convenient way to get around and a different perspective of the exhibits.

Wildlife presentations: Attend scheduled presentations led by wildlife care specialists and see animal ambassadors while learning more about their care and conservation.

Explore at your own pace: Choose your own route through the Zoo, stopping at habitats, presentations, and experiences that interest you most.

Family-friendly experiences: Let younger visitors take a break from exploring animal habitats with dedicated play areas and activities throughout the Zoo.

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 shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.