Watch giant pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao climb, tumble, explore their habitats, and munch on bamboo. Their playful movements, distinctive black-and-white markings, and relaxed personalities make them a favorite to watch.
Explore San Diego Zoo through photos
With over 100 acres featuring diverse habitats and ecosystems, San Diego Zoo is one of the first zoos in the US to feature open, habitat-based design and layouts. Discover the marvels of the San Diego through photos to understand its key zones, experiences, and wildlife you can explore on your visit.
The habitats of San Diego Zoo
Lost Forest
Explore dense tropical forests filled with gorillas, monkeys, hippos, and tigers across trails such as Gorilla Tropics, Monkey Trails, Hippo Trail, and Tiger Trail. The zone recreates forest environments where visitors can explore different habitats while moving through lush surroundings.
Must-see species at the San Diego Zoo
Gorillas
Watch gorillas move through the forested setting of Gorilla Tropics, where their size, strength, and social behavior make them especially engaging to observe. Take your time around the habitat to catch them climbing, moving between spaces, or interacting with one another.
Interactive experiences and tours at the San Diego Zoo
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Animal feedings
Watch Zoo animals respond to food and enrichment during scheduled feeding experiences, offering a chance to see their behavior up close. Feeding sessions also give you a glimpse into how the animals are cared for and how their daily routines are supported.
Kangaroo Bus Tour
Ride the complimentary guided bus on a narrated loop around the Zoo, passing multiple animal habitats along the way. It’s a practical way to get an overview of the Zoo and cover more ground before continuing your exploration on foot.
Skyfari Aerial Tram
Take the Skyfari Aerial Tram between the Zoo’s upper and lower areas for an elevated view across the habitats and trails. Besides offering a different perspective of the Zoo, it can help you move between sections without walking the entire distance.
VIP Tour
Explore the Zoo with a private, guided experience designed for a more personalized visit. Your guide provides deeper insights into the animals, habitats, and conservation work while helping you discover more of the Zoo beyond a standard self-guided visit.
Animals in Action Tour
Get a closer look at how Zoo animals behave, interact, and respond during an engaging guided experience. The tour combines animal encounters with keeper-led insights, giving you a better understanding of the behaviors and care behind the scenes.
Wildlife Explorers Basecamp
Let kids get hands-on with wildlife discovery across Rainforest, Wild Woods, Cool Critters Reptile House, and Spineless Marvels Invertebrate House. Interactive spaces encourage children to explore animals and their habitats through play, observation, and hands-on activities.
San Diego Zoo live cam | Featured species and what you can expect
The San Diego Zoo live cams stream wildlife during San Diego daylight hours, while some feeds replay footage after dark. Keep in mind that animals may be indoors or outside the camera’s frame, so activity can vary throughout the day.
Giant panda cam
Koala cam
Tune in to koalas as they perch, rest, and move among the eucalyptus trees. Their sleepy expressions, rounded ears, and laid-back behavior make the cam especially popular with visitors who love these iconic Australian marsupials.
Baboon cam
Watch hamadryas baboons and geladas forage, groom, explore, and relax in their Africa Rocks habitat. Their active social behavior makes this one of the more dynamic cams, with plenty of interaction to look out for.
Polar cam
Get a live look at polar bears as they move around their cold-climate habitat and, when visible, take to the water. Their large size and swimming ability make them particularly interesting to watch when they become active.
Penguin cam
Watch African penguins as they move around their habitat and swim underwater. Their distinctive waddle and lively movements make them an entertaining cam to check in on, especially when they take to the water.
Hippo cam
Observe hippos as they move through their habitat, rest, and spend time in and around the water. Their enormous size and surprisingly active behavior can make an otherwise quiet cam worth watching for a while.
Tips to keep in mind when visiting San Diego Zoo
- Follow photography rules: Take photos for personal use, but follow posted guidelines around animal habitats and restricted areas. Avoid using flash if signs prohibit it, as it can disturb animals.
- Give animals space: Stay behind barriers and keep to designated paths while viewing or photographing animals. Never tap on glass, call out to animals, or try to attract their attention for a photo.
- Check animal activity times: Animals may be more active at certain times of day, so check the Zoo’s daily schedule when planning your route. Build in extra time rather than rushing between habitats.
- Plan your route: The Zoo covers a large, hilly area, so choose priority habitats in advance and group nearby areas together. Use the Kangaroo Bus Tour and Skyfari Aerial Tram strategically to reduce walking and backtracking.
- Wear comfortable footwear: Expect plenty of walking across trails, inclines, and different habitat areas. Comfortable, supportive shoes will make it easier to explore for a full day.
- Stay on designated paths: Follow marked trails and barriers throughout the Zoo, particularly around animal habitats. This protects both visitors and animals while helping preserve the habitats.
- Check the daily schedule: Review the Zoo map, animal presentations, tours, feeding opportunities, and transportation schedules when you arrive. This helps you fit scheduled experiences around your priority habitats.
