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The San Diego Zoo is a not-for-profit conservation organization that raises funds to maintain its parks, provide state-of-the-art animal care for endangered species, and pursues conservation efforts around the world. Most of our funds are raised through admission and on-grounds sales at our parks. Unlike most zoos in the United States, we are not largely supported by municipal, state, or federal funds. In the interest of supporting our conservation mission, we do not offer complimentary or discount admission to members of other zoos.
Complimentary 1-Day Pass at the Zoo and Africa Tram Safari at Safari Park for U.S. active duty military, cadets of their respective academies, and reserves (with active orders) is offered if the individual shows valid, active military identification card at our gates. This program includes U.S. cadets that do not have “Active” on their IDs. Members of any foreign military services are excluded.
Seniors age 60 and older receive a 10% discount off the 1-Day Pass. Discount cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer. Senior discount cannot be applied online as guests will need to present their photo IDs in person.
Travel Agents, wholesalers, and tour operators presenting a valid IATA or IATAN card with picture ID receive a 50% discount off the 1-Day Pass at the Zoo and the Safari Park ticket windows. One accompanying guest will also receive the 50% discount. All other accompanying guests will pay the full ticket package price at any ticket booth at the same time the travel agent ticket is processed. Discount cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer.
AAA members who show their valid AAA membership cards at ticket windows located at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park will receive 10% off a 1-Day Pass. Valid for up to 6 people. Discount cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer. AAA discount cannot be applied online as guests will need to present their AAA cards in person.
Airline and cruiseline employees presenting a company-picture identification badge or CLIA card at the ticket windows receive a 10% discount off the 1-Day Pass.
Discount tickets for both the Zoo and Safari Park are available to your employees via advanced online ticket purchase. Please e-mail us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
The Zoo and Safari Park no longer offer a single free admission day (traditionally called Founder’s Day). Unfortunately, the popularity of Founder’s Day created an annual event by which park services were over-taxed and visiting families were pressured by crowds and unsupervised teenagers. The month of October is now “Kids’ Free Days” with a free 1-Day Pass (park entrance only) offered to children 11 years and younger at both the Zoo and the Safari Park.
Guests who visit our parks in groups of 15 or more will receive a 10% discount off the 1-Day Pass. We also offer Meal Vouchers, accepted at participating restaurants. Our parks are committed to providing a wide selection of high-quality, delicious all-American or international fare, snacks, and healthy alternatives at restaurants throughout both parks. Meal vouchers are $11 per person.
Group reservations and Meal Vouchers can be arranged through our Reservation Sales Department at 619-718-3000.
Each year, from October 1–31, in honor of our Zoo’s founding, children ages 3–11 are admitted free to the Zoo and Safari Park when accompanied by an adult.
The Zoo’s Guided Bus Tour and the Skyfari Aerial Tram are not included with Kids’ Free entrance and must be purchased separately at the Zoo.
The Safari Park’s Africa Tram Safari and the Conservation Carousel are not included with Kids Free entrance and must be purchased separately at the Park.
To apply a discount promotion code for online purchase, please go to our homepage and click on “Tickets & Hotels.” Next, please select either “San Diego Zoo Buy Tickets & Hotels Online” or “Safari Park Buy Tickets & Hotels Online.” Next, click on “Buy” next to “1-Day Pass.” Once you have entered the quantity of 1-Day Pass tickets for Adults and/or Children, please click “Add to Cart.” The next display will show the quantity of tickets selected and the retail prices. At the lower left you will see: “Enter your discount or promotional code.” Please enter the promotion code and click “Apply.” The next display will show the recalculated amount per ticket and the new total. Below the total will be the amount saved: “A total of $X was applied as a discount.”