The San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego are among the many high San Diego points of interest. Each deal with animals to a sure diploma, however the choices and vibe at every differ considerably.
Many guests, particularly when in San Diego with youngsters, will possible choose to hit up each of those big-name theme parks. However let’s say you’re extra restricted and want to decide on or prioritize one.
On this article, I’ll break down the SeaWorld vs. San Diego Zoo query by highlighting the principle components that can most probably affect which attraction you choose.
With this sensible comparability, you may determine which one is finest to your trip. We’ve annual passes to each points of interest, and I discuss to individuals about these theme parks day by day. I do know who enjoys their visits and who doesn’t.
It can save you on tickets, excursions, and motels by way of my affiliations. In case you make purchases by way of the hyperlinks on this submit, I could also be compensated. Additionally, costs at theme parks change quickly and should differ from what’s on this submit. Verify earlier than you go.
Admission Comparability
Winner: Normally San Diego Zoo, until you might be lively army or SeaWorld tickets are on sale.
Relating to the ticket worth, San Diego Zoo edges out SeaWorld San Diego as a higher-value vacation spot. Why? The tickets are often inexpensive – however not all the time.
What Admission Will get You on the San Diego Zoo
Costs keep comparatively steady as a result of tickets by no means go on sale. Because of this, we’ll use the net worth since it’s $2 lower than in case you had been to buy on the gate.
Nonetheless, keep in mind that I’ve low cost San Diego Zoo tickets that can prevent much more on 1-Day tickets than is listed beneath.
Listed here are the fundamental costs and particulars:
- 1-Day Move: Costing $65 for adults and $55 for youngsters ages 3 to 11, the 1-Day Move gives admission in addition to a Guided Bus Tour, a journey on the Skyfari Aerial Tram, and a seat on the Kangaroo Specific Bus everytime you need it. It can save you a further $2 per ticket in case you select a Worth Day.
- 1-Day Move Plus: This ticket—$71 for adults and $61 for youngsters—provides to the above a screening on the zoo’s 4D Theater. It can save you a further $2 per ticket in case you select a Worth Day. (The price of a 4D film is $7 per individual and may be added on on the park. It’s cheaper to do that and purchase my low cost tickets.)
- 2-Go to Move: The two-Go to Move, which prices $110 for adults and $100 for youngsters, means that you can mix a go to every to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Alternatively, you should utilize the cross for a reduced two visits to 1 or the opposite vacation spot.
There are additionally restricted, or limitless zoo visits accessible by way of San Diego Zoo membership plans. A few of these embody blockout dates.
Parking is free. And, I’ve an unique low cost on 1-Day tickets.
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What Admission Will get You at SeaWorld San Diego
As a result of they provide gross sales all year long, you’ll not often pay full worth at SeaWorld San Diego. However, this makes a worth comparability trickier. Right here the gate costs for the commonest tickets.
- Date-Particular Tickets: Tickets for a single day’s admission start at $99.99. This admission consists of entry to a lot of the rides and exhibits inside SeaWorld San Diego, although the Skytower and Bayside Skyride price a further charge. This ticket is sort of all the time on sale or may be bought at a reduction.
- Ticket & All-Day Eating Bundle: For a retail worth of $144.88, you may add to your single-day admission an entree and aspect or beverage each hour at SeaWorld San Diego. That is additionally often on sale.
When the tickets go on sale, they are often as little as $59.99 for a day’s admission, bringing a one-day go to near the Zoo. A Ticket & All-Day Eating Bundle may be as little as $89.99.
We’ve tons of recommendation for purchasing low cost SeaWorld San Diego tickets. You’ll pay to park at SeaWorld San Diego.
Different choices embody a SeaWorld Annual Move, which moreover a yr’s price of SeaWorld admission, lands you free parking, free visitor tickets, and sure in-park reductions. Enjoyable Playing cards additionally present limitless admission.
Lively Obligation army personnel get pleasure from complimentary admission to SeaWorld San Diego (as do as much as three of their direct dependents).
There are additionally varied upgrades accessible for SeaWorld admission, together with Fast Queue Limitless for attending to the entrance of traces and Reserved Seating for exhibits.
Combo tickets & SightSeeing Passes
The all-inclusive Go San Diego Move consists of each San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego admission along with over 50 different native points of interest.
Utilizing this cross removes admission as a think about figuring out which park to go to, plus you get entry to different standard museums, excursions, and points of interest.
As well as, a number of choices mix admission for the 2 points of interest:
Animal Displays
Winner: San Diego Zoo
SeaWorld San Diego and San Diego Zoo boast quite a lot of animal reveals. That stated, there’s no query that the Zoo presents much more selection — not stunning, given animal shows are the core of its enchantment.
San Diego Zoo Displays
San Diego Zoo is residence to just about 13,000 particular person animals representing greater than 650 species and subspecies.
A go to right here takes you on a tour across the globe’s spectacularly various ecosystems and exhibits off simply how diverse and sumptuous their lifeforms are.
The Zoo’s zones vary from Africa Rocks, Asian Passage, and Misplaced Forest to the Reptile Home at Discovery Outpost. Animals calling the place residence embody (to call just a few):
- Bonobos
- Orangutans
- Western Lowland Gorillas
- Baboons
- African Lions
- Malayan Tigers
- Snow Leopards
- Jaguars
- Mountain Lions
- Cheetahs
- Grizzly Bears
- Polar Bears
- Sloth Bears
- Tasmanian Devils
- African & Asian Elephant
- Hippos
- Giraffes
- Purple Pandas
- Meerkats
- Komodo Dragons
- Inexperienced Anacondas
- Alligator Snapping Turtles
- Chinese language Alligators
- California Condors
- Flamingos
- Secretary Birds
- Harpy Eagles
A number of different issues to notice: The San Diego Zoo is intently related to fashionable efforts to preserve the enormous panda, together with a well-known captive-breeding program. However as of 2019, large pandas are now not on view on the zoo.
Additionally, plant lovers will revel within the botanical collections on the zoo, which of their means are simply as complete because the faunal roster. Self-guided excursions of the zoo’s gardens and plantings can be found.
SeaWorld San Diego Displays
The reveals aren’t practically so diverse at SeaWorld San Diego. However partly, that’s due to the theme park’s narrower scope.
In any case, SeaWorld San Diego is an oceanarium and marine theme park. Meaning sea animals and leisure within the type of exhibits and rides dominate its focus.
That doesn’t imply there aren’t absorbing reveals like interactive contact swimming pools and aquaria at SeaWorld San Diego.
Among the principally marine residents embody:
- Beluga whales
- Orcas
- Sharks
- Rays
- Moray eels
- Sea turtles
- Penguins
- Sea Otters
- Sea Lions
- Seals
- Walruses
- Pilot whales
- Bottlenose Dolphins
Even a number of “topside” organisms make the SeaWorld reduce, together with macaws, toucans, and two-toed sloths.
Younger and outdated alike ought to thrill on the likelihood to pet a glossy ray at Bay Ray Shallows or a starfish within the SeaWorld tide swimming pools.
The identical goes for the up-close seems to be at hulking marine mammals by way of plexiglass panes. And the innocent however thrilling gauntlet of toothy grins you cross by way of within the Shark Encounter tunnel is a dependable spotlight.
Rides
Winner: SeaWorld San Diego
On the subject of rides, SeaWorld San Diego, with out query, has extra to supply than San Diego Zoo.
Rides at San Diego Zoo
The handful of rides on the San Diego Zoo are principally low-grade thrills and excursions however nonetheless very nice.
Skyfari Aerial Tram
The gondola expertise supplied by the Skyfari Aerial Tram, for one, consists of fabulous top-down views of the zoo and its Balboa Park environment.
Guided Bus Tour
Different journey choices maintain you firmly on the bottom. The primary-come, first-served Guided Bus Tour is a 35-minute narrated introduction to the zoo’s structure and inhabitants—positively advisable for first-time guests.
Kangaroo Specific Bus
Probably not a journey a lot as sensible around-the-zoo transportation, the non-narrated Kangaroo Specific Bus makes 4 stops on its circuit.
Discovery Cart Tour (Paid Improve)
An extended narrated tour is accessible by way of the hour-long Uncover Cart rides which is an upgraded expertise bought individually from admission.
Balboa Park Minature Railroad
The Balboa Park Miniature Railroad takes zoo goers on a quick three-minute, half-mile circuit by way of eucalyptus timber simply outdoors the Zoo.
Tickets price simply $3, however there are lower than fifty of those classic trains left working.
Rides at SeaWorld San Diego
You’ll discover a way more in depth unfold of amusement rides at SeaWorld San Diego.
These vary from low-key, toddler-friendly choices resembling spinning teacups to a few of the gnarliest curler coasters within the Golden State.
Listed here are the principle thrill and household rides on supply.
Excessive Thrill Rides
- Emperor: California’s tallest, quickest, and longest dive coaster (143-foot vertical drop, 60+ miles per hour)
- Manta: Launch coaster
- Electrical Eel: San Diego’s tallest and quickest launch coaster
- Tidal Tornado: Dueling rolling coaster
- Journey to Atlantis: Flume journey
Medium Thrill Rides
- Shipwreck Rapids: Whitewater journey with rapids and waterfall
- Riptide Rescue: Spinner journey
Low Thrill Rides
- Bayside Skyride: Gondola journey (paid improve)
- Skytower: Tower providing 100-mile sightlines over Larger San Diego and out to the Pacific
- Elmo’s Flying Fish: Kiddie journey
- Tentacle Twirl: Swing journey
- Abby’s Sea Star Spin: Swinging teacups
- Sea Dragon Drop: Shot-n-drop tower appropriate for young children
- Octarock: Child-friendly swing
- Oscar’s Rockin’ Eel: Child-friendly side-to-side slide
- Aqua Scout: Bumping kiddie journey
SeaWorld San Diego debuted Sesame Place San Diego in 2022, which incorporates water points of interest, amongst them a 500,000-gallon wave pool and water slides. It is a separate theme park positioned in Chula Vista.
Reveals
Winner: SeaWorld San Diego
You’ll discover dwell leisure with an academic element at each parks.
Usually talking, the exhibits on the San Diego Zoo are on a smaller scale and targeted on schooling. Most could be higher known as talks or shows.
For flashier (splashier?) exhibits targeted extra on leisure, SeaWorld San Diego is the place to go.
Which park you favor primarily based on exhibits alone is dependent upon which sort of present is extra significant to you.
Reveals & Displays on the San Diego Zoo
Common Wildlife Care Specialist Talks reveal a few of the inside scoop on assembly the behavioral, dietary, and different wants of particular species on the zoo.
The San Diego Zoo presents its varied animal ambassadors in day by day exhibits on the Africa Rocks stage, Rady Ambassador Presentation Space, and Wegeforth Bowl amphitheater.
Remember that the zoo additionally presents quite a lot of upgraded excursions and actions that, if not precisely “exhibits,” are nonetheless participating and thrilling experiences.
These embody the Loopy About Cats, Animals in Motion, and Early Morning Cheetah experiences, plus the Inside Look Excursions that absorb some behind-the-scenes goings-on associated to animal care.
Reveals & Displays at SeaWorld San Diego
Stay exhibits are positively on the coronary heart of the SeaWorld San Diego expertise.
The killer-whale present, Orca Encounter, is the defining draw, providing you with a firsthand have a look at the sweetness, agility, and intelligence of the ocean’s apex predator.
Additionally standard are the Dolphin Days and Sea Lions Stay exhibits, every that includes its personal glossy and charismatic marine mammals.
There are slower-paced animal experiences as effectively, together with sea-turtle feedings and sea-otter shows.
And never the entire SeaWorld exhibits must do with sea life. The Sesame Avenue Meet-and-Greets permit youngsters to rub shoulders with their favourite Sesame Avenue characters. The Cirque Electrique performances embody acrobatic and jet-skiing thrills on the Bayside Amphitheater.
Night fireworks present an everyday spectacle as effectively (examine the calendar as they don’t happen day by day).
Crowds & Measurement
Winner: San Diego Zoo
Each the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego are main vacationer points of interest.
In any case, we’re speaking in regards to the most-visited zoo within the nation and the unique SeaWorld location. Count on giant crowds, particularly on weekends and throughout the summer time or vacation seasons.
However, do they really feel crowded? Let’s discover out.
San Diego Zoo Crowds & Measurement
The San Diego Zoo covers 100 acres, with some hilly terrain to navigate.
You possibly can anticipate loads of firm, significantly across the bigger water-dwelling animals resembling polar bears and hippos. That’s as a result of visitors are inclined to hover across the glass that showcases them swimming underwater.
Nonetheless, the dimensions of the zoo and its spread-out reveals means it not often feels uncomfortably full of individuals.
However maintain the hilliness of the zoo’s grounds in thoughts (which is nothing anybody ever complains about). You might get a bit exercise throughout a typical zoo go to, particularly in case you push a stroller round.
The Kangaroo Bus and Aerial Tram turn out to be useful whenever you want a break from strolling or are visiting with extra mobility-challenged associates or relations.
You don’t wait in line for a lot at San Diego Zoo since there are not any rides and other people have a tendency to maneuver by way of the reveals at an inexpensive tempo.
SeaWorld San Diego Crowds & Measurement
Given the most well-liked points of interest at SeaWorld are rides and exhibits, anticipate a considerably extra crowded really feel. You’ll spend time ready in traces since rides are among the many hottest issues to do there.
SeaWorld San Diego is an enormous place, too, overlaying some 172 acres. (Although it doesn’t really feel practically 2x the dimensions of the Zoo.)
Who Visits?
Winner: San Diego Zoo
For sure, there’s fairly a little bit of crossover in relation to the Seaworld San Diego vs. San Diego Zoo target market.
Each spots rank among the many metropolis’s largest household points of interest, although their enchantment—particularly in relation to the San Diego Zoo—isn’t in any respect restricted to kiddos.
SeaWorld presents a higher-octane vibe given its thrill rides and extra spectacle-oriented exhibits, however the zoo delivers a broader and richer total expertise.
Who the San Diego Zoo Will Enchantment to the Most
The San Diego Zoo is an all-ages vacation spot. It’s actually an excellent place to deliver youngsters, particularly youthful youngsters nonetheless reliably wowed by firsthand encounters with the animal kingdom.
However, I can let you know that retirees, newlyweds, singles, and even enterprise vacationers exit of their solution to go to. Even locals will head over very first thing within the morning to stroll by way of the gardens and varied areas for train (at a brisk tempo or in the appropriate sections, it’s a exercise). Searching for yard inspiration? Lots of the 700,000 crops are labeled.
The Zoo’s a very potent draw in case you or any individual in your social gathering has a particular curiosity within the pure world or conservation. That stated, a roaring large cat, gargantuan elephant, or inquisitive nice ape is more likely to captivate nearly anyone, younger or outdated.
Who SeaWorld San Diego Will Enchantment to the Most
SeaWorld San Diego’s attract is often stronger for the youthful crowd.
Smaller youngsters will discover the contact swimming pools and the Sesame Avenue Bay of Play space intriguing. Many locals have season passes throughout the toddler years as a result of, effectively, there’s Elmo, Abby, Cookie Monster, and the gang featured in tame rides, merchandise, and characters roaming the park.
Teenagers like it for curler coasters. Apart from the historic coaster at Belmont Park, these are the one ones in San Diego. They usually’re large and quick.
I don’t sometimes hear of or see many guests going with out youngsters in tow. One exception could be when they’re working meals festivals or vacation occasions.
Eating
Winner: San Diego Zoo
Given they’re designed to be half- or full-day locations, it’s no shock that each the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego are effectively outfitted to fulfill appetites.
The Zoo, although, wins for the range of eating choices. Nonetheless, SeaWorld San Diego presents eating packages that would prevent cash in case you plan to spend all day on the park.
Relaxation assured that grownup drinks are served in each parks! And each supply vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices.
Eating on the San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo presents a formidable lineup of eateries, snack bars, and watering holes effectively distributed all through the grounds. From on-the-go snacks and sit-down meals to grownup drinks, they cowl a number of cuisines starting from hearty to wholesome.
Named for a well-known, bygone silverback resident of the San Diego Zoo, Albert’s within the Misplaced Forest is a full-service restaurant and bar with a wonderful patio beside a small waterfall. Together with its day by day lunches and dinners, Albert’s presents a preferred weekend brunch.
Observe down extra informal eating, in the meantime, on the following institutions:
- Busy Bee Café (Zoofari Celebration Space)
- San Diego Zoo Sandwich Co. (Entrance Avenue)
- Entrance Avenue Candy Shack (Entrance Avenue)
- Safari Kitchen (Entrance Avenue)
- Lagoon Terrace (Entrance Avenue)
- Sydney’s Grill (Australian Outback)
- Hua Mei Cafe (Asian Passage)
- Sabertooth Mexican Grill (Elephant Odyssey)
- Treetops Cafe (Misplaced Forest)
That’s not all: You’ll additionally discover shut to twenty snack-and-refreshments-style retailers within the San Diego Zoo, from the Northern Frontier’s Ituri Hut and the Misplaced Forests’s Jungle Java to the Boardwalk Beer Backyard and Busy Bee Cocktails.
The San Diego Zoo additionally permits guests to usher in their very own meals and drinks (single individual), although no glass containers, coolers, alcohol, birthday muffins, or social gathering trays are allowed.
Eating at SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld additionally presents a spread of eateries and snack stations however not fairly the number of the San Diego Zoo. And if I’m to be frank, the standard of the meals isn’t pretty much as good although it’s superb for a theme park.
Its eating places and refreshment stands embody:
- Huge Chicken’s Bistro
- The Waterfront
- Calypso Bay Smokehouse (ribs listed here are standard)
- Mama Stella’s Pizza Kitchen
- Shipwreck Reef Cafe
- Craft Beer Bar
- Sea Lion Amphitheater Bar
- Explorer’s Cafe & Bar
You too can bundle all-day eating together with your ticket, which permits three objects at collaborating eating places as a lot as as soon as per hour. There are some limitations, but when you will be spending time consuming, it may be a superb deal. It may possibly additionally make traces lengthy throughout peak days.
SeaWorld San Diego presents a number of particular eating packages and experiences. Probably the most noteworthy is the Dine With Orcas deal, which gives a chef-curated meal on a non-public poolside patio with orca-viewing and data.
In contrast to on the zoo, you can not deliver outdoors meals or drinks into SeaWorld save for bottled water. Exceptions are made for child method guests with sure dietary restrictions or meals allergic reactions.
Location
Winner: San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego are each simply accessible from Downtown San Diego. The Zoo will get the sting in relation to the comfort of its location just because it’s a shorter Uber from Downtown motels and Balboa Park is subsequent door.
However, severely, there’s no must get too hung up on their places. The drive time between the 2 is often about quarter-hour.
San Diego Zoo
Located in Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo’s mere minutes from downtown and immediately accessed by a bus line (the No. 7).
That location additionally means an entire host of different points of interest. A few of San Diego’s high museums and gardens—are inside prepared strolling distance from the zoo.
Balboa Park’s among the best locations for strolling on the town and hosts an everyday calendar of live shows and different particular occasions. And heads up: You too can journey the free Balboa Park Tram to get round within the neighborhood.
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld is positioned on Mission Bay, about quarter-hour from Downtown San Diego.
The No. 8 and 9 Metropolitan Transit System buses supply public transportation to SeaWorld from the Previous City Transit Heart. SeaWorld’s basic neighborhood isn’t walkable to something.
However, whilst you’re there, you may take a brief drive to Belmont Park San Diego and the Mission Seashore space (parking on the seashore may be powerful throughout peak season).
Parking
Winner: San Diego Zoo
There’s ample parking at each the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego.
Parking on the San Diego Zoo
The zoo presents free parking in its Metropolis of San Diego-managed lot.
If the zoo parking zone is full, which is uncommon however does occur, strive searching for area alongside Park Blvd. or elsewhere within the Balboa Park neighborhood.
Parking within the Balboa Park parking heaps can be free.
Parking at SeaWorld San Diego
You’ll pay for parking within the big SeaWorld lot: a separate charge from admission.
Normal Parking is $25, whereas areas near the doorway price $30 or extra for Up-Shut Parking and $35 or extra for VIP Parking.
You possibly can pre-pay parking on-line in case you like, however you too can pay the attendant whenever you get there.
SeaWorld vs. San Diego Zoo: Summing Up
When all is alleged and executed, the San Diego Zoo is the extra universally participating vacation spot. The standard of its animal reveals and the breadth of on-site interpretation and schooling relating to its denizens and international conservation are excellent. It’s one of many world’s most extremely regarded zoological parks for good motive.
SeaWorld is actually additionally effectively price testing, significantly in case you’re visiting San Diego with youngsters. However it’s a bit extra one-dimensional, and may very well be a dearer day trip.
Right here’s a mind dump of questions individuals ask me when evaluating each parks.
| SeaWorld San Diego | San Diego Zoo | |
| Reservations vital | No | No |
| Low cost tickets accessible | Sure | Sure |
| Similar-day tickets accessible | Sure | Sure |
| Non-profit park | No, however SeaWorld Leisure operates nonprofits dedicated to animal and habitat rescue. |
Sure |
| Accredited zoo | Sure | Sure |
| Kids’s sections | Sesame Avenue Bay of Play | Wildlife Explorers Basecamp |
| Free parking | No | Sure |
| Alternatives to the touch animals | Contact swimming pools with rays, feeder sharks, tide pool animals. | No, until you get fortunate throughout an upgraded tour. |
| Different points of interest inside strolling distance | No | Balboa Park is subsequent door. |
| VIP excursions | Sure | Sure |
| Usher in meals | No (child meals and particular weight-reduction plan meals okay) | Sure |
| Stroller and locker leases | Sure | Sure |
| Gluten, vegan, and vegetarian eating choices | Sure | Sure |
| Grownup drinks on the market | Sure | Sure |
FAQs About San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld San Diego
How far aside are SeaWorld and San Diego Zoo?
The 2 theme parks are about 8 miles aside. The drive time with out site visitors is about quarter-hour.
Are you able to go to SeaWorld San Diego and San Diego Zoo on the identical day?
In concept, sure, you may go to each parks on the identical day if in case you have huge stamina. I’d not suggest it, particularly with younger youngsters.
You’re going to get probably the most out of each parks in case you see them on separate days.
Which Zoo is Finest in San Diego?
The reply is dependent upon your pursuits. Most individuals will vote for San Diego Zoo. Nonetheless, there are three zoos in San Diego:
- San Diego Zoo
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park
- SeaWorld San Diego
Hopefully, this text helped you determine between San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld San Diego. We’ve coated San Diego Zoo vs. San Diego Zoo Safari Park as effectively in case you need assistance deciding between these two parks.
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SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO
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