Barely 2 days in SD to visit zoo; no car?

Question

We’re an Aussie family who’ve never visited this part of California before. At the beginning of January, we have the opportunity to arrive in SD (international airport) on a Sunday, around midday and need to get to LAX on the Tuesday for a 9pm flight.

The reason for stopping in SD is the zoo - we have 2 kids 6 & 8 who LOVE animals. We don’t plan to hire a car.

Was hoping to get affordable accommodation near the zoo, do 1.5 days at the zoo and pay for transport to LAX.

- does this sound doable at all?

Answer

Yes, a short stop in San Diego to visit the zoo without a car is doable, especially with two kids who are excited about animals. Given your schedule—arriving midday Sunday and leaving Tuesday evening—you can plan 1.5 days at the zoo and still have a comfortable pace for transport to LAX.

For accommodations, staying near the San Diego Zoo or in the nearby Uptown/Hillcrest/Balboa Park area is ideal. This location allows you to walk or take a short ride-share to the zoo and other attractions.

Hotels near Balboa Park or Hillcrest, such as Inn at the Park or The Westgate Hotel, are convenient and family-friendly.
Vacation rentals or Airbnb options near the zoo provide more space for families and may include kitchen facilities.
Budget hotels further away can work if you are comfortable taking a short ride-share or using public transit.

For visiting the zoo, plan to arrive early Monday morning for a full day. The San Diego Zoo is large, so prioritizing exhibits your kids most want to see will make the visit more enjoyable.

Day 1 (Sunday afternoon/evening): Check into your hotel, explore Balboa Park gardens, and let the kids adjust to the time zone.
Day 2 (Monday): Full day at San Diego Zoo. Consider using the guided bus tour at the start to get an overview of the park and decide which exhibits to revisit.
Day 3 (Tuesday): Half-day at the zoo or Balboa Park attractions, then leave for LAX in the afternoon via shuttle or ride-share.

Transportation to LAX from San Diego without a car can be done via:

Private airport shuttles or shared vans, which you can book in advance for convenience.
Ride-share services (Uber/Lyft) directly to LAX; plan for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours travel time.
Amtrak or Greyhound bus is an option but requires more planning and transfers; less convenient with kids and luggage.

Overall, with careful planning and staying near the zoo, your 1.5-day zoo-focused itinerary is realistic and enjoyable without needing a car.