There may be 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 help make your go to clean and stress-free.
Whether or not you’re packing snacks, determining stroller guidelines, or planning what to carry, this information covers every thing you should 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 vital 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 pointers about what they’ll carry with them.
Exterior Meals and Drink Coverage
You possibly can carry meals to the San Diego Zoo! The San Diego Zoo meals coverage permits exterior 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 well-liked eating spots like Albert’s Restaurant supply scrumptious eating, bringing your personal meals permits you to eat what you need. It additionally saves time by avoiding ready in line or for meals preparation.
Like plenty of theme parks, the meals may be expensive. Many Zoo visitors herald lunch however then splurge on snacks like a mushy serve cone at Hua Mei cafe (a private favourite of mine).
It’s also possible to be at liberty 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 carry glass containers or straws. Paper straws and their wrappers pose a danger to the animals if unintentionally 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 overall 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. 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’ll be able to 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 allergic reactions by permitting visitors with dietary restrictions to carry 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.
Nevertheless, when you’ve got particular dietary considerations about eating within the Zoo’s eating places, it’s simple 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 wish to carry meals, San Diego Zoo eating choices are fairly good, really. If meals is vital to you, plan your day round seeing the reveals close to the restaurant you wish to go to. It’s not simple to stroll throughout the Zoo to eat someplace.
Some eating spots to take a look at embrace:
- Albert’s Restaurant (Misplaced Forest): That is greatest 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 lately.
- Hua Mei Café (Asian Passage): Ice cream and orange hen.
- Sydney’s (Outback): Barbecue
To be taught extra, try our article on San Diego Zoo eating places.
San Diego Water Bottle Coverage
I all the time 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 consuming fountains all around the park, and you’ll ask for cups of ice and water in any of the eating places totally free. After all, you can even 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 wish to carry.
Bag Dimension and Restrictions
Guests can carry backpacks, purses, and satchels. These things are typically allowed so long as they meet commonplace dimension limitations. Outsized baggage are usually not assured entry, so plan accordingly.
Baggage and Journey Bag Storage
For bigger baggage or journey baggage, the San Diego Zoo gives 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 Luggage
I’m a fan of getting lockers at theme parks. The Zoo entails plenty of strolling and also you don’t wish to carry a heavy backpack. Plus, you would possibly want one thing later or perhaps don’t wish to retailer one thing in a scorching automotive 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 possibly can carry your personal strollers or wagons or select from the stroller leases accessible on-site.
Be aware 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 implausible 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 usually required. As an 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 simple.
San Diego Zoo Digicam Coverage
I carry my DSLR digicam with a giant 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 impede pathways or habitats.
- Drones: Prohibited to make sure animal and visitor security.
Plan accordingly in the event you’re capturing your journey. And don’t be stunned in the event you see some media cameras there once in a while who’ve particular permissions. On media days, you’ll see tripods in plenty of 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 not than a 6-foot leash and are allowed in most areas, maintaining 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 amenities for pets and emotional help animals.
Close by Pet-Pleasant Motels
For in a single day stays, have a look at one of many many pet-friendly accommodations in close by Downtown San Diego, together with Alma Resort 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 accommodations 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’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 principles will assist you concentrate on the enjoyable. We’ve got a whole article centered 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 in a position to 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 easy methods to get San Diego Zoo low cost tickets.
Prioritize everybody’s security and respect the Zoo’s wildlife for an gratifying 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 neglect in regards to the sister park, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which has related digicam, meals, and bag insurance policies.