San Diego Zoo

One of the world's largest zoos — and TripAdvisor's #1-rated zoo — the San Diego Zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals across 800-plus species, and it sits inside Balboa Park just 6.4 miles from Comfort Inn San Diego Airport at the Harbor. Staying with us puts you close enough for an easy morning drive to the gates, with a quiet, harbor-front room to come back to once the day is done.

Getting to the San Diego Zoo from Our Hotel

Distance: 6.4 miles from Comfort Inn San Diego Airport at the Harbor (5102 North Harbor Drive) — about a 15-20 minute drive via Pacific Highway/I-5, depending on traffic.
By car: the most reliable option for guests staying with us — the hotel is not on a direct bus or trolley line, so self-driving or a rideshare (Uber/Lyft, typically 10-15 minutes) is the practical route from our address, with paid parking available at the zoo.
Without a car: guests can rideshare into downtown and pick up MTS Rapid Route 215 or Route 7, both of which reach Balboa Park/the Zoo from downtown transit hubs in 15 minutes or less.
Once inside: the Skyfari aerial tram and guided bus tours (already covered in Activities above) are the easiest way to cover the park's size once you've arrived.

Details

Please visit the Zoo's website for prices, timings and current events- San Diego Zoo

Plan Your Stay

Most families plan a full day for the zoo — 4 to 6 hours is typical once you account for the Skyfari, animal encounters, and a lunch break. If you're pairing the Zoo with Balboa Park's museums and gardens (see our Balboa Park page), a two-night stay lets you give each its own day instead of rushing both into one.

Because we're a straightforward drive from the zoo rather than directly on top of it, guests tend to use our hotel as a quieter home base for a multi-day San Diego itinerary that also includes the harbor and airport-area attractions on this site — without paying downtown parking rates every night.

Activities

Animal Exhibits
4-D Shows
Play Areas

Guided Bus Tours
Skyfari
Balboa Park Mini Train

Kangaroo Bus
Animal Encounters
Picnics

FAQs

what types of benefits do zoo members receive?

The San Diego Zoo offers plenty of exclusive benefits for its members, including unlimited admission, discount admission coupons for your additional guests, unlimited access to the Africa Tram Safari, unlimited access to the Skyfari Animal Tram and a ZOONOOZ Magazine subscription.

can i bring food into the san diego zoo?

Though the San Diego Zoo doesn't offer food storage facilities, guests can bring food into the parks. Coolers are not allowed, but there are picnic areas throughout the zoo where guests can enjoy their own snacks. The San Diego Zoo also offers several dining venues, including Alberts with open-air deck seating in the Lost Forest, Poppy's Patio, serving hot dogs, burgers, chicken sandwiches, Treetops Cafe, and San Diego Zoo Sandwich Co. Enjoy lunch at Sabertooth Grill serving fresh California cuisine overlooking the Elephant Odyssey and Hua Mei Cafe, offering Asian fare and beer.

How far is Comfort Inn San Diego Airport at the Harbor from the San Diego Zoo?

We're 6.4 miles from the San Diego Zoo, about a 15-20 minute drive. We recommend a rideshare or self-driving, since the hotel isn't on a direct transit line to Balboa Park.