How to Buy Discount San Diego Zoo Safari Park Tickets: 18 Best Cheap Ways

I’m a member and a huge advocate of visiting San Diego Zoo Safari Park. I’ll share why it’s not your average zoo, but first, you’ll want my insider tips for buying discount San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets through authorized sellers, including access to my exclusive promo code.

This way, you’ll avoid trying online coupons, special offers, and deal links that do not work (there are many). The idea is to leave a little extra cash in your pocket to upgrade your day with a lorikeet feeding, animal encounters, safaris, sweet treats, or fun souvenirs.

EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Due to my volume, I have the best 1-Day San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets discount. Readers have successfully used tens of thousands of these cheap tickets over the years.

You can save on tickets, tours, and hotels through my affiliations. If you make purchases through the links in this post, I may be compensated.

(You may still hear people refer to the park by its old name, San Diego Wild Animal Park, or as the Escondido Wild Animal Park.)

San Diego Safari Park Ticket Prices at the Gate

First, learn how much San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets cost and what they include. If you already know all of this, you can jump to my discount code.

General admission prices are consistent across authorized ticket sellers, which is why my promo code is so valuable. To understand the savings, first, you need to know what gate San Diego Safari Park prices are.

• 1-Day Passes – Any Day: $71/adults (ages 12+) and $61/child (ages 3-11).
• 1-Day Passes – Value Dates: $71/adults (ages 12+) and $61/child (ages 3-11).

San Diego Zoo Safari Park charges a $1 per ticket administrative fee for purchasing admission online through them. You pay less overall with my discount code because taxes and fees are included in the price.

Tickets include Africa Tram and all regularly scheduled experiences (subject to availability).

Parking Fees

San Diego Zoo Safari Park parking is $20 per vehicle and $38 for RV parking, year-round. Preferred parking is available and starts at $38 per vehicle. You’ll pay for parking when you arrive at the park.

How to AnalyzE the savings

Some methods are better for those on longer San Diego vacations while others are a better deal for day-trippers, but here is the bottom line:

• Decide whether you need a 1-Day ticket because you’re only visiting the Safari Park. If so, you will save most with my exclusive San Diego Zoo Safari Park discount code.
• If you are also visiting other San Diego attractions, you’ll need to crunch the numbers to decide which sightseeing pass, combo ticket, or a la carte discount ticket purchases are best for you.

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1. Lowest Price for 1-Day Tickets — My Exclusive Discount Code

The most popular (and easiest) way to get discounted admission to San Diego attractions, including the Safari Park, is through my affiliation with San Diego-based aRes Travel. They are an authorized ticket seller that I am comfortable recommending because I know people in the company and use the tickets personally.

NOTE: The Safari Park charges a $1 per ticket transaction fee. Since aRes Travel 1-Day tickets include taxes and fees, you are already coming out ahead. Passes can be printed at home or pulled up on a mobile device to present at the gate so that you can skip the ticket line.

If you are looking to buy 1-Day San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets, this is your best deal because I have an exclusive discount that I have to keep unpublished. I will show you how to access it.

2. Go Twice for Less with 2-Visit Passes

If you want to visit San Diego Zoo Safari Park twice, do not buy two separate 1-Day tickets. You’ll save significantly by purchasing the 2-Visit Pass.

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3. Go San Diego Sightseeing Pass

Go San Diego is the most popular bundled attraction pass used by tourists and locals alike. With it, you can save up to 55% off of admission to most of the top San Diego theme parks, museums, and attractions — including San Diego Zoo Safari Park and San Diego Zoo.

It’s extremely easy to buy and to use. Just choose the pass option that gives you the best discount on the attractions you want to visit. You have three pass choices:

• Purchase admission to 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 attractions with the Explorer Pass.
• Choose the All-Inclusive pass, available in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7-day options, which allows you to visit all included attractions.

Once you buy your pass, it will appear right on your phone and serve as your ticket. My discount below on All-Inclusive passes stacks on top of Go San Diego pass sale pricing for extra savings.

PLEASE NOTE: Go San Diego passes are not qualifying tickets for the annual Kids Free San Diego promotion in October.

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4. Combo Ticket Packages with Other Theme Parks

You can enjoy deeper savings when you bundle your discount San Diego Zoo Safari Park ticket with other theme parks in San Diego.

5. Save on Safaris

Safaris are upgraded experiences that you can pay extra for. You will still need to purchase San Diego Safari Park admission and parking in addition to the safaris. San Diego Zoo Safari Park tours are called “safaris” and are at an additional cost to your general admission. These safaris offer some of the best animal encounters in San Diego and if you’re a conservation or animal enthusiast I would recommend them.

When you purchase through the park, prices for these exciting safari expeditions vary based on whether you attend on a value, standard, or peak day.

Through aRes Travel I have access to good any day safari prices. On peak days these will be less expensive than buying directly and on standard days, they are the same price (at the time of this writing).

6. San Diego Zoo Safari Park Vacation Packages

There are a couple of popular ways to combine San Diego Safari Park tickets with hotels near San Diego Zoo Safari Park for extra savings.

There are many reasons to stay in the Escondido area, where hotel prices can be more reasonable. But, you can also bundle admission with hotels across San Diego County.

LOOK FOR PRICE DROP ALERTS!

When you shop the San Diego Zoo Safari Park vacation packages below, look for the special Price Drop alerts that indicate deeper hotel savings. The longer you stay, the more you save!

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7. San Diego CityPASS

San Diego CityPASS offers an opportunity to bundle San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets with a handful of other experiences. Here’s how it works:

1. You’ll pick whether you want to visit LEGOLAND California, SeaWorld San Diego, or both theme parks.
2. Then, you’ll choose three of the four following experiences: San Diego Zoo or Safari Park, USS Midway Museum, Old Town Trolley and/or City Cruises.

Note that you can not visit both San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance parks with this pass. It’s one or the other. I think Go San Diego provides more flexibility but which you choose depends on your itinerary.

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8. Free Kids Tickets in October

One of the best times to visit San Diego as a family is in October, when kids eat, stay, and play for free at over 90 venues around town. Throughout the entire month, up to 10 kids ages 11 and under enjoy free admission to San Diego Zoo Safari Park when accompanied by a paying adult.

Tickets purchased with my exclusive discount code qualify for Kids Free San Diego!

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9. AAA Discount Tickets

While this isn’t the deepest discount available, AAA San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets are 10% off for members who have a valid membership card. You can buy these at the ticket window for up to 6 people or check with your local branch to see if you can purchase them in advance.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance encourages people to arrive at their parks with tickets in-hand as part of their increased health and safety measures. My deeper savings offers nearly the same discount and the tickets can be purchased online right now, saving a little bit of hassle.

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10. Military Discounts and Free Tickets

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers both special military discounts in the form of free passes for active-duty members, along with discounts for spouses and dependents. These discounts are currently available year-round, and you can take advantage of them more than once a year.

For Active-Duty U.S. Armed Forces Personnel

If you present a Common Access Card (CAC) or Uniformed Services ID card at the ticket window, you’ll receive a free single-day pass to the Safari Park. Free tickets are for active-duty members.

For Military Families

Spouses and children of active-duty personnel who present a valid dependent ID card at the ticket window will receive a 10% discount off of a single-day pass.

TIP: Your MWR Department may know of other discount programs for veterans and military members that can be applied to San Diego Zoo Safari Park admission.

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11. Group Ticket Discounts

Groups that include 15 people or more and purchase tickets together can receive a 10% discount off of single-day passes. Groups of 100 or more can get a 15% discount on their 1-Day Passes.

You can also arrange meal vouchers for your group for cashless transactions at participating restaurants. To expedite entry, I would highly suggest arranging your group discount before arriving. You can do this by calling the Reservation Sales Department at 619-718-3000.

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12. Teacher Discounts, School Field Trips, & Youth Groups

Teachers and other accredited educators who plan to bring their classes to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park can organize field trips for free or for a small fee by calling Safari Park directly at 760-738-5057.

San Diego County students and their chaperones are free during most school days. Some neighboring county school groups may pay a discounted price of $15 per student on regular school dates.

Youth groups like Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts can visit for a cheaper price as well. The price is $29.50 for each guest ages 17 and younger and $34.50 for each guest ages 18 and older, including chaperones.

Your group will need to be 15 or more people with a reservation made at least 14 days in advance. Read the details and requirements for these special offers.

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13. Student Discounts

The Safari Park student discount applies to students ages 18 and older. Students who live in San Diego County receive 10% off San Diego Resident, Resident Premium, Wildlife Protector, or Wildlife Protector Premium memberships.

Students who do not live in San Diego County will receive 10% off a Wildlife Protector or Wildlife Protector Premium membership.

These discounts can only be realized when purchasing memberships in person at the park using a student ID.

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14. Senior Discounts – Free in February!

In 2023, during the month of February, guests age 65 and up received free general admission to San Diego Zoo Safari Park. If you qualify for this discount, you would simply present your ID at a ticket booth window when you arrive at the park. Parking is not included. For 2024 and future years, you can get the details here.

Outside of the seniors free in February promotion, visitors who are 65 and older can get a 10% discount off of the regular 1-Day Pass price when they present a photo ID at the ticket window.

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15. First Responder Discounts

In September, the park celebrates Firefighter Appreciation Month by giving active firefighters free 1-Day tickets upon presenting a firefighter identification card and a photo ID. Up to six accompanying family members or friends can receive 10% off of 1-Day tickets as well.

No news of the 2023 promotion is available yet, however, there are discounts of up to 20% on tickets at shop.id.me.

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16. Travel Industry Discount Tickets

If you are a travel agent, airline employee, or cruise line employee, you can receive a 10% discount on a 1-Day Pass. You’ll need to present the required identification at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park ticket booth window.

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17. Gift Cards

While not part of a discount program, San Diego Zoo Safari Park gift cards let you give your favorite people the gift of visiting the park more often. Gift cards can be applied to regular passes, a safari experience, or even an annual membership. Gift card amounts start at $50.

See also: How to Buy Discounted Tickets to the San Diego Zoo

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18. San Diego Zoo Safari Park Memberships

We have an annual San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance membership and believe it’s of great value. Regular visitors should absolutely consider a San Diego Zoo Safari Park membership that will allow weekday or unlimited admission per year for one flat rate. The membership tiers and perks have been revised for 2021 and beyond. Here’s what’s new.

• All membership tiers (except for the San Diego Zoo Kids Club) receive Wild Perks benefits around the parks, which are discounts on food, merchandise, and more when showing your membership card. Discounts range from 5–15%, depending on your membership tier.
• If you’re looking to cover multiple family members, adults choose the membership tier that is best for them. Kids ages 3–17 use the San Diego Zoo Kids Club annual membership ($62/year).

San Diego Resident and San Diego Resident Premium Passes

San Diego Zoo Safari Park annual passes are for San Diego County residents in these zip codes who would like to enjoy the Zoo and Safari Park as much as they like during a membership year. You have two membership types to choose from.

San Diego Resident: Get weekday-only admission to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park with some blackout dates. You’ll also receive two 50% off admission coupons, exclusive member specials, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal subscription, and 5% Wild Perks discounts.  ($99/adult – $71/child — $89.10/senior)

San Diego Resident Premium: Get unlimited admission to both parks and two 50% off admission coupons, exclusive member specials, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal subscription, and 5% off Wild Perks.  ($129/adult – $71/child — $116/senior)

Membership Clubs

Wildlife Protector: This pass includes weekday admission to both parks with some blackout dates, one free 1-Day Pass, free parking, 10% Wild Perks discounts, use of the Donor Club entrance, and a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal subscription.  ($149/adult – $71/child – $134.10/senior)

Wildlife Protector Premium (Top Pick): This pass includes unlimited admission to both parks, one free 1-Day Pass, free parking, 10% Wild Perks discounts, use of the Donor Club entrance, a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal subscription, special early hours. This is the pass that resembles the old Keeper’s Club pass the most. ($169/adult – $71/child – $152.10/senior)

Wildlife Guardian: Get unlimited admission to both parks, two free 1-Day Passes, free parking, 10% Wild Perks discounts, use of the Donor Club entrance, a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal subscription, special early hours, a 50% off Special Experience/Safari Tour, member appreciation day and access to special events. ($225/adult and $71/child)

Wildlife Champion: Passholders receive unlimited admission to both parks, two complimentary 1-Day Passes, free Preferred Parking at the Safari Park, 15% Wild Perks discounts, use of the Donor Club entrance, a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal subscription, special early hours, two 50% off Special Experience/Safari Tour, priority boarding for the Bus Tour at the Zoo and Africa Tram at the Safari Park, member appreciation day and access to special events (including the annual “Evening with the Directors” event. ($425/adult and $71/child)

President’s Clubs

If you are looking to get more out of our membership, choose one of the President’s Clubs donor club levels.

You’ll receive everything in the Wildlife Champion membership and access to some pretty incredible special events filled with insider news and a closer look at some of the animals. The higher the level, the more exclusive experiences and events you’re invited to at both parks.

We have been to many of these events and they are pretty incredible for those who enjoy behind-the-scenes experiences and animal interactions. Memberships range from $1200–10,000.

Tip: Always check blockout dates! Certain levels of membership have blockout dates that can include weekends, holidays, and random peak days.

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What to Know Before Buying San Diego Zoo Safari Park Tickets

New health and safety guidelines are in place according to state, local, and CDC guidance. Here is what you need to know:

• Reservations are not required.
• It is highly recommended that you purchase San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets (use my promo code for 1-Day tickets) and upgraded safaris in advance to minimize transactional contact while at the park.
• Take your valid admission ticket straight to the turnstiles for scanning.
• Check park policies during your visit.
• No proof of vaccination is required but all guests regardless of vaccination status must wear face coverings indoors between December 15, 2021-January 15, 2022 per state regulations (and pending reevaluation).
• Play areas and some other exhibits may be closed, but this will not negatively impact your day. Check the app for closures and prepare the kids accordingly.
• Locker rentals are available near the entrance at Safari Outfitters.

You can read more about the new procedures.

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Other San Diego Zoo Safari Park Discounts: Saving Money Inside the Park

One of the other things people always want to know after purchasing admission is whether there are other ways to save while at the park.

WildPerks

Outside of the ticket deals mentioned above, the best way to save on purchases inside the park is with an annual membership. Memberships include WildPerks which basically provide San Diego Zoo Safari Park discounts on food and merchandise.

To give you an idea, San Diego Resident Premium passholders receive a WildPerks 5% discount. Wildlife Protector passholders receive a 10% discount.

Bring Your Own Food and Water

You’re allowed to bring in food and drinks which is one way to minimize costs. Just keep in mind that right now, park re-entry is not permitted so it’s best to bring in a soft-sided cooler that you can carry or put in a locker.

Be sure to avoid disposable straws (these are prohibited) and be very careful to manage trash that may be harmful to the animals if blown away.

What Else to Spend Money On (Or Not)

I recommend planning to spend a few dollars on food to feed the lorikeets and ducks, especially if you visit with kids. Outside of this, you don’t really need to spend money inside the park.

Where the Money Goes

Part of my job involves keeping an eye out for reliable San Diego Safari Park coupons, cheap admission tickets, discount codes, so if they exist they’ll be listed in this post.

However, if you do spend money in the park, every dollar that you spend goes to operating costs and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s amazing conservation initiatives as a nonprofit organization.

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FAQs About San Diego Safari Park Tickets & More

These are the questions about San Diego Zoo Safari Park ticket prices and admission that I receive the most in my inbox.

Is San Diego Zoo Safari Park open?

Yes. San Diego Zoo Safari Park is open. The park was temporarily closed during Southern California’s regional stay-at-home order until it reopened on Saturday, January 30, 2021. It has been open daily since then.

Do I Need a Reservation to Visit the Safari Park?

No. Reservations are not required to visit San Diego Zoo Safari Park or San Diego Zoo. When you purchase tickets, they are valid for one year after the purchase date.

What happens if I had a reservation to visit when the park was closed?

If you had a reservation to visit the Safari Park during its closure, it was automatically released. Your ticket will stay valid for one year after purchase.

What happens to my annual pass?

Your annual pass will be extended by the number of days that the Safari Park was closed.

Is There an AZA Reciprocal Discount?

No. San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) but the park does not participate in the reciprocal admissions program.

The AZA Reciprocal Admissions Program means that if you are a member of an AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium, you can receive free or discounted admission to AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums that participate in this program. You can check the list of participants.

Does Costco Sell San Diego Safari Park Tickets?

No. Costco has not sold San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets for some time. However, it doesn’t hurt to check your local store. You will not find them on their website either.

What About Groupon?

Groupon sometimes sells tickets to the Safari Park but not at a discounted price. There are none available at the time of this writing.

Can You Drive Through San Diego Zoo Safari Park?

No. While there are other safari parks across the United States where you can drive your car through to see animals, this park is not set up like that.

You can book the Caravan Safari which will drive you into the African Plains to see rhinos, giraffes, and other animals up-close. Or, you can take the Africa Tram around the park.

How much are San Diego Safari Park tickets?

A 1-Day Pass to the park costs $65 for guests 12 years and older, and $55 for guests that are 3-11 years old. Children ages 2 and under are free. You can save on one-day tickets using my promo code.

Are tickets separate for San Diego Zoo and Safari Park?

Yes. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance operates the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, but they are two separate parks with two separate tickets.

(Note: I have heard of people accidentally buying tickets for one park that were able to use them at the other park. I highly suggest avoiding this. Make sure that you buy the correct tickets for each park.)

Is there a San Diego Zoo and Safari Park package?

Yes, there are several multi-park passes you can purchase. The 2-Visit Pass gets you admission into both the Zoo and the Safari Park (one visit each) or two visits to either park.

The All-Inclusive Go San Diego Card provides admission to more than 55 local attractions including both San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance parks. Its cost depends on how many days you’ll use the pass for.

How can I get San Diego Zoo Safari Park discount tickets?

Request my secret ticket discount code for cheaper 1-Day tickets (mentioned above). That is the best deal for single-day admission. You can also use my other advice for taking advantage of military, AAA discounts, and more. 

What does a San Diego Safari Park ticket include?

A San Diego Safari Park ticket gets you into the park with access to all open public exhibits, favorites like the Cheetah Run, unlimited rides on the Africa Tram, and all regularly scheduled shows. You may upgrade your day with a variety of safaris at an additional cost.

Are there San Diego resident discounts?

San Diego County residents who live in zip codes 91900–92899 are eligible to purchase annual passes at a cheaper price.

Annual passes are the only ways that residents can save a little bit more on tickets, dining, and merchandise in the park. Anyone, including SD residents, can get a better price by using my promo code on tickets.

Is there a Safari Park and LEGOLAND package?

San Diego Zoo Safari Park and LEGOLAND ticket packages are very popular for those staying in North County San Diego. Visit these two San Diego attractions with an All-Inclusive or Explorer Go San Diego pass.

You can also bundle these two parks with San Diego Zoo tickets or San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego at aRes Travel.

How do I use an aRes Travel ticket?

It’s so easy. I buy these tickets myself. All you need to do is pull your ticket up on a mobile device and the park will scan its QR code at the turnstiles. Alternatively, you can take a printed copy, which you will receive immediately after purchase by email, and they’ll scan the QR code on your printed copy. With an aRes Travel ticket, you can go straight to the gate and skip the ticket booth queues.

Where can I find San Diego Wild Animal Park ticket discounts?

The best San Diego Wild Animal Park ticket discounts are secured by using my promo code for San Diego Safari Park tickets because they are the same place! San Diego Wild Animal Park is the Safari Park’s former name.

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Why You Should Visit & What to See

You can feel good about visiting this park and will leave it with a deeper understanding of its important conservation initiatives.

It’s the world’s largest veterinary hospital, home to a Frozen Zoo (from which they plan to bring the white rhino back from extinction, for example), and their research is shared with organizations worldwide to help save native species.

Not to mention you’ll enjoy one-of-a-kind views of zebras, camels, cheetahs, gorillas, giraffes, lions, meerkats, tigers, warthogs, wild cattle, and more in free-range enclosures designed to mimic natural habitats closely. Some of my many favorite highlights include:

• The wallabies that freely jump around you in Walkabout Australia.
• The only playpuses outside of Australia.
• Feeding rhinos during the Caravan Safari (an upgraded experience).
• The daily Cheetah Run.
• Feeding lorikeets.
• Tiger Trail.
• Condor Ridge to appreciate how instrumental the park was in saving the California condor from extinction.

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Want to score more theme park ticket discounts? I’ve written comprehensive guides to buying discount:

• San Diego Zoo tickets
• SeaWorld San Diego tickets
• LEGOLAND California tickets
• SeaWorld San Diego tickets
• Aquatica San Diego tickets
• Disneyland tickets
• Universal Studios Hollywood tickets
• Six Flags Magic Mountain tickets
• Knott’s Berry Farm tickets
• Universal Studios Orlando tickets

How do you buy discounted San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets?