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A guide to San Diego Zoo’s operating hours

San Diego Zoo

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The San Diego Zoo is open daily from 9am to 6pm, with extended hours during select holiday events like Jungle Bells.

Mar 15 TO Mar 24 Timings

Days (Mar 15 TO Mar 24)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–19:00
Tuesday (Today)09:00–19:00
Wednesday09:00–19:00
Thursday09:00–19:00
Friday09:00–19:00
Saturday09:00–19:00
Sunday09:00–19:00

Mar 25 TO Mar 25 Timings

Days (Mar 25 TO Mar 25)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–16:00
Tuesday09:00–16:00
Wednesday09:00–16:00
Thursday09:00–16:00
Friday09:00–16:00
Saturday09:00–16:00
Sunday09:00–16:00

Mar 26 TO Apr 6 Timings

Days (Mar 26 TO Apr 6)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–19:00
Tuesday09:00–19:00
Wednesday09:00–19:00
Thursday09:00–19:00
Friday09:00–19:00
Saturday09:00–19:00
Sunday09:00–19:00

Apr 7 TO May 2 Timings

Days (Apr 7 TO May 2)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–18:00
Tuesday09:00–18:00
Wednesday09:00–18:00
Thursday09:00–18:00
Friday09:00–18:00
Saturday09:00–18:00
Sunday09:00–18:00

May 4 TO May 4 Timings

Days (May 4 TO May 4)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–18:00
Tuesday09:00–18:00
Wednesday09:00–18:00
Thursday09:00–18:00
Friday09:00–18:00
Saturday09:00–18:00
Sunday09:00–18:00

May 5 TO May 22 Timings

Days (May 5 TO May 22)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–18:00
Tuesday09:00–18:00
Wednesday09:00–18:00
Thursday09:00–18:00
Friday09:00–18:00
Saturday09:00–18:00
Sunday09:00–18:00

May 23 TO Jun 20 Timings

Days (May 23 TO Jun 20)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–20:00
Tuesday09:00–20:00
Wednesday09:00–20:00
Thursday09:00–20:00
Friday09:00–20:00
Saturday09:00–20:00
Sunday09:00–20:00

Jun 21 TO Jun 21 Timings

Days (Jun 21 TO Jun 21)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–17:00
Tuesday09:00–17:00
Wednesday09:00–17:00
Thursday09:00–17:00
Friday09:00–17:00
Saturday09:00–17:00
Sunday09:00–17:00

Jun 22 TO Aug 10 Timings

Days (Jun 22 TO Aug 10)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–20:00
Tuesday09:00–20:00
Wednesday09:00–20:00
Thursday09:00–20:00
Friday09:00–20:00
Saturday09:00–20:00
Sunday09:00–20:00

Aug 11 TO Aug 29 Timings

Days (Aug 11 TO Aug 29)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–18:00
Tuesday09:00–18:00
Wednesday09:00–18:00
Thursday09:00–18:00
Friday09:00–18:00
Saturday09:00–18:00
Sunday09:00–18:00

Aug 30 TO Sep 1 Timings

Days (Aug 30 TO Sep 1)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–20:00
Tuesday09:00–20:00
Wednesday09:00–20:00
Thursday09:00–20:00
Friday09:00–20:00
Saturday09:00–20:00
Sunday09:00–20:00

Sep 2 TO Oct 2 Timings

Days (Sep 2 TO Oct 2)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–18:00
Tuesday09:00–18:00
Wednesday09:00–18:00
Thursday09:00–18:00
Friday09:00–18:00
Saturday09:00–18:00
Sunday09:00–18:00

Oct 3 TO Oct 5 Timings

Days (Oct 3 TO Oct 5)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–09:00
Tuesday09:00–09:00
Wednesday09:00–09:00
Thursday09:00–09:00
Friday09:00–09:00
Saturday09:00–09:00
Sunday09:00–09:00

Oct 6 TO Oct 9 Timings

Days (Oct 6 TO Oct 9)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–18:00
Tuesday09:00–18:00
Wednesday09:00–18:00
Thursday09:00–18:00
Friday09:00–18:00
Saturday09:00–18:00
Sunday09:00–18:00

Oct 10 TO Oct 12 Timings

Days (Oct 10 TO Oct 12)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–21:00
Tuesday09:00–21:00
Wednesday09:00–21:00
Thursday09:00–21:00
Friday09:00–21:00
Saturday09:00–21:00
Sunday09:00–21:00

Oct 13 TO Oct 16 Timings

Days (Oct 13 TO Oct 16)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–18:00
Tuesday09:00–18:00
Wednesday09:00–18:00
Thursday09:00–18:00
Friday09:00–18:00
Saturday09:00–18:00
Sunday09:00–18:00

Oct 17 TO Oct 19 Timings

Days (Oct 17 TO Oct 19)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–21:00
Tuesday09:00–21:00
Wednesday09:00–21:00
Thursday09:00–21:00
Friday09:00–21:00
Saturday09:00–21:00
Sunday09:00–21:00

Oct 20 TO Oct 23 Timings

Days (Oct 20 TO Oct 23)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–18:00
Tuesday09:00–18:00
Wednesday09:00–18:00
Thursday09:00–18:00
Friday09:00–18:00
Saturday09:00–18:00
Sunday09:00–18:00

Oct 24 TO Oct 26 Timings

Days (Oct 24 TO Oct 26)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–21:00
Tuesday09:00–21:00
Wednesday09:00–21:00
Thursday09:00–21:00
Friday09:00–21:00
Saturday09:00–21:00
Sunday09:00–21:00

Oct 27 TO Oct 30 Timings

Days (Oct 27 TO Oct 30)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–18:00
Tuesday09:00–18:00
Wednesday09:00–18:00
Thursday09:00–18:00
Friday09:00–18:00
Saturday09:00–18:00
Sunday09:00–18:00

Oct 31 TO Oct 31 Timings

Days (Oct 31 TO Oct 31)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–21:00
Tuesday09:00–21:00
Wednesday09:00–21:00
Thursday09:00–21:00
Friday09:00–21:00
Saturday09:00–21:00
Sunday09:00–21:00

Nov 1 TO Nov 26 Timings

Days (Nov 1 TO Nov 26)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–17:00
Tuesday09:00–17:00
Wednesday09:00–17:00
Thursday09:00–17:00
Friday09:00–17:00
Saturday09:00–17:00
Sunday09:00–17:00

Nov 27 TO Nov 27 Timings

Days (Nov 27 TO Nov 27)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–16:00
Tuesday09:00–16:00
Wednesday09:00–16:00
Thursday09:00–16:00
Friday09:00–16:00
Saturday09:00–16:00
Sunday09:00–16:00

Nov 28 TO Nov 30 Timings

Days (Nov 28 TO Nov 30)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–19:00
Tuesday09:00–19:00
Wednesday09:00–19:00
Thursday09:00–19:00
Friday09:00–19:00
Saturday09:00–19:00
Sunday09:00–19:00

Dec 1 TO Dec 18 Timings

Days (Dec 1 TO Dec 18)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–17:00
Tuesday09:00–17:00
Wednesday09:00–17:00
Thursday09:00–17:00
Friday09:00–17:00
Saturday09:00–17:00
Sunday09:00–17:00

Dec 19 TO Dec 23 Timings

Days (Dec 19 TO Dec 23)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–20:00
Tuesday09:00–20:00
Wednesday09:00–20:00
Thursday09:00–20:00
Friday09:00–20:00
Saturday09:00–20:00
Sunday09:00–20:00

Dec 25 TO Dec 31 Timings

Days (Dec 25 TO Dec 31)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–20:00
Tuesday09:00–20:00
Wednesday09:00–20:00
Thursday09:00–20:00
Friday09:00–20:00
Saturday09:00–20:00
Sunday09:00–20:00

Jan 6 TO Mar 14 Timings

Days (Jan 6 TO Mar 14)

TIMINGS

Monday09:00–17:00
Tuesday09:00–17:00
Wednesday09:00–17:00
Thursday09:00–17:00
Friday09:00–17:00
Saturday09:00–17:00
Sunday09:00–17:00

Best time to visit the San Diego Zoo

Weekday vs Weekend

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Weekdays, especially Tuesday through Thursday, are quieter and provide a more relaxed experience. Weekends are busier with larger crowds, so it’s best to arrive early if visiting on Saturdays or Sundays.

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Pleasant
Crowded
Very Crowded
Closed

Peak season vs low season

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Peak season includes summer months (June-August) and holidays, when the Zoo is bustling with tourists and families on vacation. The low season (September-February) offers fewer crowds, shorter lines, and cooler weather, making it an ideal time for a more relaxed visit.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Off Season
Moderate Season
Peak Season

How long should I spend at the San Diego Zoo

A visit to the San Diego Zoo can take anywhere from a half-day to a full day, depending on how much you want to explore. If you're short on time, plan for at least 4 to 6 hours to see some of the major exhibits like the Africa Rocks, Elephant Odyssey, and Lost Forest, along with a guided bus tour and a ride on the Skyfari aerial tram. This will give you a good overview of the zoo's layout and the highlights without feeling rushed.

For a more immersive experience, we recommend a full day visit (6 to 8 hours). This allows you to take in more animal presentations and educational talks. Plus, with 12,000 animals across 100 acres, it’s easy to fill an entire day exploring all the diverse habitats and exhibits the zoo has to offer. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and take advantage of the hop-on, hop-off Kangaroo Bus to save some walking energy.

​Plan your visit to San Diego Zoo

Frequently asked questions about San Diego Zoo’s operating hours

Early weekdays are typically less crowded. Visiting right at opening time or later in the afternoon around 3pm can also help you avoid peak crowd times.

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