San Diego Zoo route

Question

I am hoping someone can help me figure out a strategy for my husband and me to visit the Zoo on a Monday in August. We don't mind walking, but are hoping to avoid as many uphill treks as we can. We have never been to the Zoo before. I've done some research, but have not landed on a route yet for our day at the Zoo.

Here is what I've planned so far:

1. Arrive as soon as the Zoo opens with tickets pre-purchased online. We will be ridesharing from our hotel.

2. Next, try to get giant panda timed tickets. Can anyone recommend what would be a good time to aim for given the location and what else we'd like to do that day (listed below)?

3. Then, take the free bus tour to get a good orientation of the entire Zoo.

I'm not sure what to head to after that, given the other things we want to do.

The things we would like to do or see are:

1. Have lunch (midday, but somewhat flexible) at either Alberts or the Tree Tops Bistro.

2. Ride the Skyfari Tram.

3. For sure see pandas, elephants, polar bears, and monkeys. We are open to seeing other animals of course. :)

We'd like to be done by about 4 or 5pm. Thanks for any suggestions.

Answer

Visiting the San Diego Zoo for the first time can feel overwhelming due to its size and hilly terrain, but with some planning, you can enjoy all your must-see animals and attractions without exhausting yourselves.

Suggested strategy for the day:

Arrive at opening with pre-purchased tickets — perfect plan. This gives you early access to the more popular exhibits before crowds build.
Head straight to the Giant Panda Exhibit to use your timed ticket. Early morning is ideal — around 10:00–10:30 AM — because pandas are usually more active then, and it is near the main entrance, making it convenient before doing uphill treks.
After the pandas, take the guided bus tour. This is a flat, relaxing way to get an overview of the Zoo and helps you decide which areas to explore in more depth later. The bus tour is also helpful for avoiding unnecessary walking uphill.

Midday plan:

After the bus tour, consider lunch around 12:00–12:30 PM. Both Albert’s Restaurant (located near the central plaza) and the Tree Tops Café (near Skyfari) offer decent food. If you want a more scenic break with minimal walking, Tree Tops Bistro is slightly higher up, but you can take the Skyfari Tram there.
Use the Skyfari Aerial Tram either before or after lunch. Riding it early helps you save energy and gives a good view of the Zoo while avoiding walking up hills. Riding it after lunch provides a gentle “break” before heading to other exhibits.

Animal viewing (afternoon):

After lunch and/or Skyfari, head to the major animals you want to see. The layout helps minimize uphill walking:

Elephants: Located near the Lost Forest area, which is centrally located.
Monkeys: Try the Monkey Trail and nearby primate exhibits in the Lost Forest; mostly moderate walking with a few short inclines.
Polar bears: Near the northern end of the Zoo; you can reach this area via the bus tour drop-off points or take Skyfari for minimal walking uphill.

Consider adding other nearby animals that are relatively flat to reach, like koalas and hippos, if time allows.

Tips to minimize walking uphill:

Take the free shuttle or bus tour between distant areas whenever possible.
Use the Skyfari Tram strategically to save energy and get from lower to higher elevations quickly.
Start with the areas closest to the entrance and work outward, saving the higher elevations for later in the day when you might need a tram ride.

With this plan, you can comfortably visit the pandas, elephants, polar bears, monkeys, enjoy lunch, ride the Skyfari, and still finish by 4–5 PM without excessive uphill trekking.

Suggested rough timeline:

9:00 AM — Arrive at Zoo
9:15–10:30 AM — Panda Exhibit
10:30–11:15 AM — Bus Tour for orientation
11:30 AM–12:30 PM — Skyfari ride and/or walk to selected exhibits
12:30–1:15 PM — Lunch at Albert’s or Tree Tops Café
1:15–3:30 PM — Explore elephants, monkeys, polar bears, and any other desired exhibits
3:30–4:00 PM — Optional revisit favorite animals or grab a quick snack before exiting

This approach balances seeing the highlights, avoiding strenuous walking, and allows a relaxed pace for a Monday in August when it may be warm and busy.

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