Education: San Diego Zoo Guided Tours
School groups are entitled to free or discounted
admission to the Zoo. Click
here for admission rates. Many school tours are available
in Spanish. Reservations are needed: call 619-557-3962 or 557-3963.
Most
school groups respect our animals and property.
Please familiarize yourself and your group with
our rules before coming to the Zoo to make your
visit run smoothly:
• Grades
Pre-K–6
•
Grades 7–12
Pre-ordered lunches are available at the Zoo. Each lunch includes: animal cookies, chips, a drink, and your choice of a hot dog, cheese sandwich, or chicken strips. Lunches can be ordered at the time of your field trip reservation or at least two weeks prior to your visit date. For Zoo lunch reservations, please call 619-557-3962.
Guided tours
If you don’t want to be the tour guide, a Zoo Educator can guide your students through the Zoo while enthralling them with inside information. All tours include a bus tour, behind-the-scenes visits, and up-close animal encounters.
Length: 2 hours Maximum: 40 participants (students and chaperones) Fee: $200 per group. Add discounted group admission rates if you are not in San Diego County.
Grades K–6
Once Upon a Time—This educational adventure begins with a special animal story: Best Beak in Boonaroo Bay for grades K–3 and The Iguana Brothers for grades 3–6. Then it's on to the Children's Zoo for a meeting with an animal. Students will do some food prep work and even hand-feed a critter as part of the theme of animal diets and adaptations. Literature/Life Science
Grades K–8
Whodunit?—There's a mystery afoot and it's up to students to help discover which Asian animal has disappeared and who is responsible. The program provides a wealth of information about the Zoo's collection of Asian animals. Students will visit various locations to collect clues about the nine suspects and have a close encounter with an Asian animal. Life Science/Conservation
Grades
K–12
The Inside Story—Students learn the fundamentals of running a zoo: animal health care, exhibit design, feeding, breeding, and more via an exclusive bus tour. A Zoo educator, ready to answer your students' questions, will provide up-close animal encounters and behind-the-scenes visits. Life Science/Careers
Grades 1–8
Dr. Harry's Time Machine—Dr. Harry Wegeforth played an integral part in the creation of the Zoo, and students will "travel through time" to learn all about who Dr. Harry was and how his influence still guides the Zoo today. Visits to historical animals and exhibits help demonstrate the important relationship between people and the animal world and how we can improve it. History
Grade 2
Free guided visit—Second grade classes
in San Diego County are invited to participate in
a FREE guided visit at the San Diego Zoo. Dr. Harry
Wegeforth, the founder of the San Diego Zoo, dedicated
the Zoo to the children of San Diego. In honor of
this dedication, the free second grade program has
been a long-standing tradition at both the Zoo and
Wild Animal Park. The program includes a bus tour and an animal presentation.
This special program is very popular among teachers
who are "in the know" so reservations are required
and must be made early in the school year!
Length: 1.5 hours
Maximum: 70 participants Fee: FREE. Add group admission rates if you are not in San Diego County.
"I loved the tour bus ride, the life cycle assembly, and all the other wonderful things you showed us!
My most favorite animal in the world is a giraffe! I love the Zoo! "—Sophia, 2nd grade student
At-the-Zoo small group programs
Small group experiences are available in the Zoo's Otto Center auditorium.
Length: 1 hour Maximum: 35 participants (students and chaperones) Fee: $125 per group. Add discounted group admission rates if you are not in San Diego County.
Grades Preschool–2
Critter Coverings—Using animal presentations, hands-on helpers, and magic, Critter Coverings is a program designed for young children. A reptile, a bird, and a mammal are used along with props to help children focus on the coverings of each animal group. A short interactive slide show and closing song are also part of the program. Participants can spend the rest of the day at the Zoo following their program. Also available as an assembly at your school.
Grades 1–6
Animal Art at the Zoo—What better way for students to reflect on their fun Zoo experience than through art? After a morning self-guided tour, students gather in the Zoo's Otto Center auditorium for an art assembly. All supplies will be provided and instructor Judi Bowes will help guide students' work to help uncover the hidden artist in everyone. Art/Life Science
Start time is 12:30 p.m. only.
