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 every part it is advisable 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 carry—or purchase.
Guests have a variety of choices for meals and drinks, in addition to particular tips about what they’ll carry with them.
Outdoors Meals and Drink Coverage
You possibly can carry meals to the San Diego Zoo! 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 assets to accommodate all dietary wants.
Whereas standard eating spots like Albert’s Restaurant provide scrumptious eating, bringing your individual meals lets you eat what you need. It additionally saves time by avoiding ready in line or for meals preparation.
Like a number of theme parks, the meals might be dear. Many Zoo company usher in lunch however then splurge on snacks like a comfortable serve cone at Hua Mei cafe (a private favourite of mine).
You too can be at liberty 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 threat 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 below a stroller.
The final guideline is that coolers and enormous meals storage containers ought to be no bigger than 12″ x12″. Coolers with wheels are usually not allowed.
Alcohol Coverage
Guests might carry non-alcoholic drinks. Craft beer and different alcoholic drinks can be found for buy at designated eating areas contained in the park. Outdoors alcohol is prohibited, and the San Diego Zoo strictly enforces this coverage to keep up a family-friendly setting.
Some spots the place you’ll be able to 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 company 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.
Nevertheless, you probably 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 individuals who don’t need to carry meals, San Diego Zoo eating choices are fairly good, truly. If meals is essential to you, plan your day round seeing the reveals close to the restaurant you need to go to. It isn’t 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 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 study extra, try our article on San Diego Zoo eating places.
San Diego Water Bottle Coverage
I at all times 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 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 dimension restrictions and storage choices for gadgets you don’t need 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 luggage are usually not assured entry, so plan accordingly.
Baggage and Journey Bag Storage
For bigger baggage or journey luggage, the San Diego Zoo affords 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 a number of 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 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 obtainable on-site.
Word that strollers for lease are on a first-come, first-served foundation close to the doorway. For reference, listed here are the present rental costs:
- Stroller single: $16
- Stroller double: $20
Whereas strollers and wagons are improbable 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 taking part is usually required. As an illustration, 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 carry my DSLR digital camera with an enormous zoom lens to the Zoo on a regular basis. Guests can carry 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 should you’re capturing your journey. And don’t be shocked should you see some media cameras there from time to time who’ve particular permissions. On media days, you’ll see tripods in a number of locations.
San Diego Zoo Pet Coverage
Whereas service animals are permitted, pets and emotional assist animals are usually not.
Service Animals
The San Diego Zoo follows ADA tips for service animals. They have to be on not than a 6-foot leash and are allowed in most areas, preserving their distance from Zoo animals.
Close by Animal Daycare Providers
Since there isn’t a kennel service on the Zoo grounds, vacationers with pets can look into close by daycare services for pets and emotional assist animals.
Close by Pet-Pleasant Accommodations
For in a single day stays, take 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 situated to San Diego Worldwide Airport and Santa Fe Depot practice station. (The one factor is that you simply sometimes can’t go away pets unattended in motels to go sightseeing.)
What You Can’t Carry 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 Excellent Day on the San Diego Zoo
With considerate preparation, you’ll be able to 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, understanding the foundations will show you how to concentrate on the enjoyable. We have now a whole article centered on San Diego Zoo suggestions, however listed here 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 after they’re most energetic.
- We’ve closely researched learn how to get San Diego Zoo low cost tickets.
Prioritize everybody’s security and respect the Zoo’s wildlife for an fulfilling 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 digital camera, meals, and bag insurance policies.