San Diego Zoo Food Policy, Bags & What You Can Bring In [2024]

There is a lot to see and do on the San Diego Zoo, from exploring superb displays to recognizing uncommon and endangered animals. Knowing the Zoo’s insurance policies forward of time will help make your go to clean and stress-free.

Whether you’re packing snacks, determining stroller guidelines, or planning what to carry, this information covers every thing it is advisable to know—from the San Diego Zoo meals coverage and bag coverage to pet guidelines and extra.

San Diego Zoo Food Policy

When visiting the San Diego Zoo, one necessary element to plan for is the meals you’ll carry—or purchase.

Visitors have a variety of choices for meals and drinks, in addition to particular pointers about what they’ll carry with them.

Outside Food and Drink Policy

Fortunately, the San Diego Zoo meals coverage permits exterior 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.

While standard 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 a variety of theme parks, the meals may be dear. Many Zoo company usher in lunch however then splurge on snacks like a tender 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.

Although a picnic lunch is welcome, sure objects are prohibited. For instance, you can’t carry glass containers or straws. Paper straws and their wrappers pose a danger to the animals if by accident ingested.

Small Coolers and Containers

Many guests pack meals in small coolers to carry into the Zoo. Specifically, six-pack-sized coolers or small Tupperware containers are acceptable in the event that they match underneath a stroller.

The basic guideline is that coolers and enormous meals storage containers needs to be no bigger than 12″ x12″. Coolers with wheels usually are not allowed.

Alcohol Policy

Visitors might carry non-alcoholic drinks. Craft beer and different alcoholic drinks can be found for buy at designated eating areas contained in the park. Outside 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 Lost Forest and San Diego Craft Beer & Margaritas on Front Street.

Special Dietary Needs and Restrictions

As talked about already, the San Diego Zoo meals coverage addresses particular dietary wants and meals allergy symptoms by permitting company with dietary restrictions to carry private meals objects.

Over the years, Zoo eating places have gotten higher at providing vegetarian and gluten-free objects. But not each restaurant has these choices.

However, in case you 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.

Food and Drink Options Inside the San Diego Zoo

For those that don’t wish to carry meals, San Diego Zoo eating choices are fairly good, really. If meals is necessary to you, plan your day round seeing the displays close to the restaurant you wish to go to. It is just not straightforward to stroll throughout the Zoo to eat someplace.

Some eating spots to take a look at embrace:

• Albert’s Restaurant (Lost Forest): This is finest for sit-down eating and fish tacos.
• San Diego Zoo Sandwich Company (Front Street): Easy 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 study extra, take a look at our article on San Diego Zoo eating places.

San Diego Water Bottle Policy

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 ingesting fountains all around the park, and you may ask for cups of ice and water in any of the eating places without spending a dime. Of course, it’s also possible to purchase a dear bottled water if push involves shove.

San Diego Zoo Bag Policy

Navigating the San Diego Zoo’s bag coverage means understanding measurement restrictions and storage choices for objects you don’t wish to carry.

Bag Size and Restrictions

Visitors can carry backpacks, purses, and satchels. These objects are usually allowed so long as they meet normal measurement limitations. Oversized luggage usually are not assured entry, so plan accordingly.

Luggage and Travel Bag Storage

For bigger baggage or journey luggage, the San Diego Zoo presents lockers for handy storage. Locker charges are as follows:

• Small objects: $10 per piece
• Medium objects: $12 per piece
• Large objects: $15 per piece

Strollers and Wagons on the San Diego Zoo

Families visiting the San Diego Zoo have a number of choices for managing their little ones’ transportation. You can carry your personal strollers or wagons or select from the stroller leases obtainable on-site.

Note 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

While strollers and wagons are implausible for exploring the San Diego Zoo, they’ve restrictions on sure rides and points of interest.

For security causes, these things are sometimes not allowed on trams, tour buses, or choose displays. Securing them in designated areas earlier than collaborating is often required. For occasion, there’s stroller parking on the Guided Bus Tour, which begins and stops in the identical spot.

I rode this tram with my relations, who had a fold-up stroller, and it was tremendous straightforward.

San Diego Zoo Camera Policy

I carry my DSLR digital camera with an enormous zoom lens to the Zoo on a regular basis. Visitors can carry cameras for private use, however skilled gear is restricted.

• Tripods: Allowed however should not hinder pathways or habitats.
• Drones: Prohibited to make sure animal and visitor security.

Plan accordingly for those who’re capturing your journey. And don’t be shocked for those who see some media cameras there occasionally who’ve particular permissions. On media days, you’ll see tripods in a variety of locations.

San Diego Zoo Pet Policy

While 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, protecting their distance from Zoo animals.

Nearby Animal Daycare Services

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.

Nearby Pet-Friendly Hotels

For in a single day stays, have a look at one of many many pet-friendly motels in close by Downtown San Diego, together with Alma Hotel and Pendry San Diego.

You’ll even be conveniently positioned to San Diego International Airport and Santa Fe Depot practice station. (The solely factor is that you simply usually can’t go away pets unattended in motels to go sightseeing.)

What You Can’t Bring to San Diego Zoo

For security and delight, sure objects usually are not allowed contained in the San Diego Zoo. These embrace however usually are not restricted to:

• Smoking merchandise
• Alcohol and unlawful substances
• Weapons and replicas
• Disruptive objects (e.g., laser pointers, noisemakers)
• Costume apparel

Plan Your Perfect 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 packing a picnic, renting a stroller, or exploring displays, realizing the foundations will show you how to give attention to the enjoyable. We have a whole article centered 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 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 how one can get San Diego Zoo low cost tickets.

Prioritize everybody’s security and respect the Zoo’s wildlife for an pleasurable expertise.

Ready to go? Visit 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 related digital camera, meals, and bag insurance policies.