San Diego Zoo Meals Coverage, Baggage & What You Can Carry In [2024]

There’s a lot to see and do on the San Diego Zoo, from exploring superb reveals to recognizing uncommon and endangered animals. Realizing the Zoo’s insurance policies forward of time can assist make your go to easy and stress-free.

Whether or not you’re packing snacks, determining stroller guidelines, or planning what to deliver, this information covers all the things you have to know—from the San Diego Zoo meals coverage and bag coverage to pet guidelines and extra.

San Diego Zoo Meals Coverage

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

Guests have a variety of choices for meals and drinks, in addition to particular pointers about what they will deliver with them.

Outdoors Meals and Drink Coverage

Luckily, 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 assets to accommodate all dietary wants.

Whereas widespread eating spots like Albert’s Restaurant supply 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 could be expensive. Many Zoo friends herald lunch however then splurge on snacks like a mushy serve cone at Hua Mei cafe (a private favourite of mine).

You can even 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 objects are prohibited. For instance, you can’t deliver glass containers or straws. Paper straws and their wrappers pose a danger to the animals if by chance ingested.

Small Coolers and Containers

Many guests pack meals in small coolers to deliver 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 deliver 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 take care of a family-friendly atmosphere.

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 friends with dietary restrictions to deliver private meals objects.

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

Nevertheless, in case you have particular dietary issues 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 deliver meals, San Diego Zoo eating choices are fairly good, truly. If meals is necessary 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 finest for sit-down eating and fish tacos.
• San Diego Zoo Sandwich Firm (Entrance Road): Straightforward to-go close to the doorway
• Sabertooth Mexican Grill (Elephant Odyssey): I had actually good tacos right here just lately.
• Hua Mei Café (Asian Passage): Ice cream and orange rooster.
• Sydney’s (Outback): Barbecue

To be taught extra, try our article on San Diego Zoo eating places.

San Diego Zoo Bag Coverage

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

Bag Measurement and Restrictions

Guests can deliver backpacks, purses, and satchels. This stuff are typically allowed so long as they meet commonplace measurement 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 objects: $10 per piece
• Medium objects: $12 per piece
• Giant objects: $15 per piece

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’ll be able to deliver your individual strollers or wagons or select from the stroller leases obtainable on-site.

Be aware that strollers for hire 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 incredible 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 reveals. Securing them in designated areas earlier than taking part is often required. As an illustration, there’s stroller parking on the Guided Bus Tour, which begins and stops in the identical spot.

I rode this tram with my members of the family, who had a fold-up stroller, and it was tremendous simple.

San Diego Zoo Digital camera Coverage

I deliver my DSLR digital camera with a giant zoom lens to the Zoo on a regular basis. Guests can deliver 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 for those who’re capturing your journey. And don’t be shocked for those who see some media cameras there every now and then 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 pointers for service animals. They should be on now 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 amenities 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 lodges 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 depart pets unattended in lodges to go sightseeing.)

What You Can’t Carry to San Diego Zoo

For security and delight, sure objects 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 objects (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, realizing the principles will aid you concentrate on the enjoyable. We’ve a complete article targeted on San Diego Zoo ideas, 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 once they’re most lively.
• We’ve closely researched tips on how to get San Diego Zoo low cost tickets.

Prioritize everybody’s security and respect the Zoo’s wildlife for an satisfying 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 comparable digital camera, meals, and bag insurance policies.