There’s a lot to see and do on the San Diego Zoo, from exploring wonderful displays to recognizing uncommon and endangered animals. Figuring out the Zoo’s insurance policies forward of time will 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 all the pieces you might want 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 spread of choices for meals and drinks, in addition to particular pointers about what they’ll carry with them.
Outdoors Meals and Drink Coverage
You may carry meals to the San Diego Zoo! The San Diego Zoo meals coverage permits outdoors snacks and drinks. I used to be informed 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 common eating spots like Albert’s Restaurant provide scrumptious eating, bringing your personal meals means that you can eat what you need. It additionally saves time by avoiding ready in line or for meals preparation.
Like a variety of theme parks, the meals might be expensive. Many Zoo visitors herald lunch however then splurge on snacks like a gentle serve cone at Hua Mei cafe (a private favourite of mine).
You may also 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 threat to the animals if by accident 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 huge meals storage containers ought to be no bigger than 12″ x12″. Coolers with wheels usually are not allowed.
Alcohol Coverage
Guests could 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 surroundings.
Some spots the place you may seize a beer embody 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 allergy symptoms by permitting visitors 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 considerations 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 many who don’t wish to carry meals, San Diego Zoo eating choices are fairly good, really. If meals is essential to you, plan your day round seeing the displays close to the restaurant you wish to go to. It isn’t straightforward to stroll throughout the Zoo to eat someplace.
Some eating spots to take a look at embody:
- Albert’s Restaurant (Misplaced Forest): That is finest for sit-down eating and fish tacos.
- San Diego Zoo Sandwich Firm (Entrance Avenue): Simple 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 hen.
- Sydney’s (Outback): Barbecue
To be taught extra, take a look at 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’ll ask for cups of ice and water in any of the eating places totally free. In fact, you too can purchase an expensive 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. This stuff are usually allowed so long as they meet normal dimension limitations. Outsized baggage usually are 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 Baggage
I’m a fan of getting lockers at theme parks. The Zoo includes a variety of strolling and also you don’t wish to carry a heavy backpack. Plus, you may want one thing later or possibly don’t wish to retailer one thing in a scorching automobile 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 may carry your personal strollers or wagons or select from the stroller leases out there on-site.
Observe that strollers for lease 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 incredible for exploring the San Diego Zoo, they’ve restrictions on sure rides and sights.
For security causes, these things are sometimes not allowed on trams, tour buses, or choose displays. 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 members of the family, who had a fold-up stroller, and it was tremendous straightforward.
San Diego Zoo Digicam Coverage
I carry my DSLR digital camera 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 if you happen to’re capturing your journey. And don’t be stunned if you happen to see some media cameras there now and again who’ve particular permissions. On media days, you’ll see tripods in a variety of locations.
San Diego Zoo Pet Coverage
Whereas service animals are permitted, pets and emotional help animals usually are 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, holding 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 Lodges
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 Lodge and Pendry San Diego.
You’ll even be conveniently positioned to San Diego Worldwide Airport and Santa Fe Depot prepare station. (The one factor is that you simply usually can’t go away pets unattended in accommodations to go sightseeing.)
What You Can’t Carry to San Diego Zoo
For security and delight, sure gadgets usually are not allowed contained in the San Diego Zoo. These embody however usually are 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 may 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 displays, realizing the principles will assist you to give attention to the enjoyable. We now have a whole article targeted on San Diego Zoo suggestions, 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 how one can get San Diego Zoo low cost tickets.
Prioritize everybody’s security and respect the Zoo’s wildlife for an pleasurable 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 concerning the sister park, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which has comparable digital camera, meals, and bag insurance policies.
