San Diego Zoo and Safari Park 2-Visit Pass Ticket

The best part of this pass is the contrast between two very different animal parks. The San Diego Zoo packs lush habitats, steep walking paths, buses, and a famous aerial tram into 100 acres. The Safari Park, about 35 miles away, spreads animals across 1,800 acres, with giraffes, rhinos, elephants, and other species in broad open areas.

I like the included transportation, especially the Zoo’s Guided Bus Tour and Skyfari tram, and I like the flexibility of using the ticket within one year of purchase. The main catch is that the pass wording can be confusing: it can mean one visit to each park, or two visits to just one park. You should plan carefully, since trying to see both parks in one day is a poor use of your time.

Key points to know before booking

• Two large parks, two different experiences: The Zoo feels compact, detailed, and packed with exhibits. The Safari Park feels more open and requires more walking.
• The Africa Tram is included: You can take the 30-minute ride past elephants, zebras, and endangered species without buying a separate tram ticket.
• Use the pass on separate days: The parks are about 35 miles apart, with a drive of roughly 45 minutes to one hour.
• The Zoo has useful included rides: The Guided Bus Tour, Kangaroo Bus, and Skyfari Aerial Tram can save your legs on the Zoo’s hills.
• Special animal experiences cost extra: Admission covers exhibits, shows, and listed rides, but special ticketed encounters and events are not included.
• Mobile entry is usually direct: Scan the phone ticket at the turnstiles, but keep each ticket easy to display and confirm that every person has the correct admission barcode.

Two parks, two very different days

At $130 per person, this is not a cheap attraction ticket. It can make sense if you plan to spend a full day at the Zoo and another at the Safari Park, especially if you use the included rides and see many exhibits.

The value drops if you only want a short visit or if you expect a premium safari vehicle experience. The pass includes admission and the Africa Tram, but special ticketed safaris and animal encounters cost extra. Some premium safari rides can cost close to, or even more than, the admission price, so budget for those only if they matter to you.

The pass offers three use options:

• One visit to the San Diego Zoo and one visit to the Safari Park
• Two visits to the San Diego Zoo
• Two visits to the Safari Park

The stated travel date is for reference. You can redeem the ticket within one year of the original purchase date, and you do not need to amend the date for a visit within that period. This is useful if the weather changes or your schedule moves around.

Still, make sure you understand what you are buying before payment. The phrase 2-Visit Pass does not mean two consecutive days automatically, and it does not guarantee a two-day visit to both parks beyond the options above.

The San Diego Zoo: the stronger first visit

The Zoo is at 2929 Zoo Drive in Balboa Park. It covers about 100 acres and holds more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals, representing roughly 660 species and subspecies. It also has more than 700,000 plants, so the paths often feel more like a botanical garden than a standard city zoo.

I would begin here, especially if this is your first time. The Zoo gives you more variety in a smaller area, and you can get your bearings with the included Guided Bus Tour. The ride is a useful introduction before you choose which sections deserve more time.

The Zoo is not flat. Some paths have steep grades, and a full day can be tiring for anyone with limited mobility. The Kangaroo Bus and Guided Bus Tour help, while the Skyfari Aerial Tram provides a quick ride over the treetops to the far side of the grounds.

The Skyfari is included and can save a long uphill walk. Wheelchairs and strollers cannot be taken on the aerial tram, so plan another route if you need either one.

Elephant Odyssey and California’s animal story

One of the Zoo’s distinctive areas is The Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey. It connects present-day animals with prehistoric California, using fossil evidence and a fossil dig setting to explain how the region changed over time.

You can see elephants as well as a pair of lions and a jaguar. Displays explain the extinction of mammoths and saber-toothed cats, then shift toward current conservation work. The Pleistocene playground gives younger children a more hands-on way to connect with the subject.

This area works well for families because it is not simply a row of animal enclosures. You get a basic lesson in extinction, habitat change, and conservation while still seeing large, familiar animals.

How to use your four to seven hours

A four-hour visit gives you a good introduction, but you will need to make choices. With six or seven hours, you can use the bus and tram, stop for food, and walk several major trails without rushing.

Go early if you want the best chance of seeing active animals. The Zoo is open every day of the year, including holidays, and operates rain or shine. Rain may send some animals into off-exhibit areas, though many remain visible.

Food is available at Albert’s Restaurant, casual dining spots, and quick-service stands. You can also bring food in small containers. Coolers, glass containers, alcohol, party trays, birthday cakes, and decorations are not allowed, and there is no food storage.

Zoo parking has an important date issue. The supplied information describes the Zoo lot as free, but also states that beginning January 5, 2026, Balboa Park charges a flat $16 per vehicle per day. Check the current parking rule before driving, especially if your visit is after that date.

The Safari Park: open space and longer walks

The Safari Park is at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road in Escondido, about 35 miles from the Zoo. The drive usually takes 45 minutes to one hour, depending on traffic.

This is not simply a second city zoo. The park covers about 1,800 acres and holds more than 3,000 animals from more than 300 species. Many animals live in large open areas, which gives the place a different feel from the enclosed paths at the Zoo.

The tradeoff is simple: open habitats can feel more natural, but animals may be farther away or harder to spot. You may see fewer animals in a short period than at the Zoo, especially if you skip the tram and larger walking routes.

The Safari Park is best treated as a separate full day. Four hours lets you see a good portion of it, but four to six hours gives you time for the Africa Tram, the Heart of Africa trail, overlooks, food, and breaks.

Africa Tram and the wide animal habitats

The included Africa Tram is one of the strongest reasons to visit the Safari Park. The ride lasts about 30 minutes and passes herds of elephants, zebras, and several endangered species.

You may see giraffes among gazelles and cranes, rhinos near a watering hole, or South African cheetahs resting on a sunny hill. Animal sightings depend on where the animals choose to be, so the tram is not a guarantee of close views. It does, however, let you cover more ground than walking alone.

The pass includes unlimited rides on the Africa Tram, subject to availability. If the line is short, a second ride can be worthwhile because animals may be in different places later in the day.

Heart of Africa and Nairobi Village

Heart of Africa covers 32 acres and combines forest paths with grassy savanna trails. Miles of paths lead to overlooks for lions, tigers, and other exotic animals.

The park’s size can make navigation less direct than at the Zoo. Bring comfortable shoes and allow extra time between sections. A child who wants to reach one particular exhibit may find the long routes frustrating, especially when signs or route markers are easy to miss among plants.

Nairobi Village offers shopping and dining. The Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook provides a full-service option, with other casual food spots and quick bites around the park. You can bring small containers of food, but the same restrictions on coolers, glass, alcohol, and stored food apply.

Safari Park parking is not free. A fee applies at the privately owned lot, and payment can be made by cash or card. RV and bus parking is available during normal operating hours, with staff directing large vehicles to the proper area.

Why one day for both parks is a bad plan

It is technically possible to visit both parks in one day, but I would not recommend it. The parks are around 35 miles apart, and the drive alone can take up to an hour in traffic.

The Zoo needs at least three to four hours for a quick visit. The Safari Park needs at least four to six hours for a useful visit. Add driving, parking, entry, and meals, and you will spend much of the day in transit or watching the clock.

A rushed schedule also wastes the best features of the pass. At the Zoo, you want time for the bus, Skyfari, Elephant Odyssey, and walking trails. At the Safari Park, you want time for the Africa Tram and open-field overlooks. Trying to squeeze both into one day usually turns a strong two-day plan into two incomplete visits.

Ticket scanning and practical entry advice

This is a direct-entry mobile ticket. You should take the phone ticket straight to the turnstiles, with no Will Call exchange.

Keep the ticket open before you reach the entrance. Brighten your screen, make sure the barcode loads, and confirm that each person has the correct ticket. There have been cases where a barcode did not scan or two adults appeared under one ticket, creating delays at the gate.

The parks’ staff can help with ticket problems, but you do not want to begin an expensive family outing by standing aside while admission is sorted out. Save the confirmation and ticket information offline if possible, since phone reception can vary.

The pass is offered in English and confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you book within one day of travel, confirmation may take longer and depends on availability.

Walking, mobility, children, and service animals

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The Zoo has steep sections, and the Safari Park involves long distances between some areas.

Both parks provide accessible parking, restrooms, show access, tour buses, and exhibit access. Manual wheelchairs and electric scooters are available to rent for a fee, with a valid driver’s license or San Diego Zoo membership card required.

Children aged 3 to 11 have a discounted rate, and children 2 and under enter free. The Zoo’s Elephant Odyssey, bus rides, and Skyfari are especially useful for families, while the Safari Park’s open spaces and Africa Tram give children a strong sense of scale.

Service animals are allowed. Pets, comfort animals, and emotional support animals are not permitted because both parks house rare and endangered species in quarantine facilities.

What the pass does not cover

Admission includes all animal exhibits and shows. At the Zoo, it includes the Guided Bus Tour, Kangaroo Bus, and unlimited Skyfari rides, subject to availability. At the Safari Park, it includes unlimited Africa Tram rides, also subject to availability.

It does not include food, hotel transportation, Safari Park parking, special ticketed exhibits, special animal encounters, or special events. This distinction matters because the word safari can suggest a private vehicle tour. The Africa Tram is included, but upgraded safari experiences are separate purchases.

Smoking and electronic cigarettes are not allowed on the grounds or in the parking lots. If you leave to smoke, ask for a hand stamp for same-day re-entry and keep your ticket.

Who should buy this pass?

I would choose this pass if you have two full days in the San Diego area, enjoy animals and walking, and want both a detailed city zoo and a large open-range park.

It is a good fit for families, couples, and anyone who wants flexibility around weather or changing plans. The one-year redemption period is useful, especially if you are staying in the area long enough to split the visits.

I would think twice if you only have one free day, dislike walking, or mainly want a premium safari ride. In that case, the Zoo alone may be the better use of your time, since it offers a high concentration of animals, several included rides, and easier access from central San Diego.

Should you book the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park pass?

Book it if you can visit the parks on separate days and will use the included transportation. The Zoo is the safer choice for a first visit, while the Safari Park rewards extra time and patience with larger animal areas.

Do not book it assuming both parks fit comfortably into one day, and do not assume special safari encounters are included. At $130 per person, the pass earns its value through two substantial visits, not through a quick look at both entrances.

FAQ

How do I redeem the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park pass?

Show the mobile ticket directly at the turnstiles. You do not need to exchange it at Will Call.

Where is the San Diego Zoo?

The Zoo is at 2929 Zoo Drive in Balboa Park, San Diego, California 92101.

Where is the Safari Park?

The Safari Park is at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, California 92027.

How far apart are the Zoo and Safari Park?

They are approximately 35 miles apart. The drive generally takes 45 minutes to one hour, depending on traffic.

Can I visit both parks on the same day?

Yes, it is possible, but it is not recommended. The Zoo needs at least three to four hours, and the Safari Park needs at least four to six hours.

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one year from the original purchase date. The travel date shown on the ticket is for reference.

What visit combinations are included?

You can use the pass for one visit to the Zoo and one visit to the Safari Park, two visits to the Zoo, or two visits to the Safari Park.

Is the Africa Tram included?

Yes. Admission includes unlimited Africa Tram rides at the Safari Park, subject to availability.

Are special safari experiences included?

No. Special ticketed exhibits, animal encounters, experiences, and events are not included.

Is parking free?

Zoo parking information states that the Zoo lot is free, but Balboa Park charges a flat $16 per vehicle per day beginning January 5, 2026. Safari Park parking has an additional fee. Check the current parking terms before your visit.