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San Francisco Zoo & Gardens

San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, from its own website

Photo from the venue's own site

Zoo & aquarium · Admission from $29 · 7 verified savings

Tickets on official site →

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Plan a day here

Admission from $29. Open Daily 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

About San Francisco Zoo & Gardens

San Francisco Zoo & Gardens holds nearly 1,500 animals and operates daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sloat Boulevard at the Great Highway in the southwestern corner of the city. Visitors explore exhibits featuring invertebrates and diverse wildlife while enjoying gardens throughout the 125-acre grounds. Tickets are sold online through sfzoo.org or at the main gate, with separate pricing for adults aged 12 to 64, seniors 65 and older, and children aged 2 to 11. The Zoo offers membership for unlimited admission and discounts on programs. Students ages 12 through college receive San Francisco resident admission rates. San Francisco residents with EBT/SNAP or Medi-Cal cards can purchase up to four tickets for $3 each; non-residents with EBT/SNAP cards can buy up to four tickets for $5 each. Visitors arriving by Muni receive $1 off admission with proof of same-day transit use. Current members of reciprocal institutions receive 50 percent off general admission. Learn more about current discounts at sfzoo.org.

Tickets, prices & hours

Child (2-11) — Weekdays
$19
Senior (65+) — Weekdays
$21
Child (2-11) — Weekends & Holidays
$21
Senior (65+) — Weekends & Holidays
$23
Adult (12-64) — Weekdays
$29
Adult (12-64) — Weekends & Holidays
$31

Hours: Daily 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Buy tickets on sfzoo.org →

Prices and hours quoted from sfzoo.org. Prices can change — the link above goes to the page they came from.

Tickets, prices and savings

EBT and free days
San Francisco resident free days are every first Wednesday of the month. Proof of San Francisco residency is required. Valid only for regular admission during daytime hours.
The named cardholder must show the card and proof of San Francisco residency. These tickets must be purchased in person at the ticket windows. P-EBT, SUN Bucks, WIC, and Medi-Cal for non-residents do not qualify.

From sfzoo.org/visit-the-zoo/tickets-hours and sfzoo.org/tickets-hours · checked on

What’s on at San Francisco Zoo & Gardens

  • Bingo night: Nov 13, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Join us for Bingo night in the Leaping Lemur Café! (Bingo night event, Nov 13)
  • Silent disco: Nov 14, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. A family-friendly, Winter Wonderland-themed Silent Disco on Saturday, November 14th (Silent disco event, Nov 14)
More (1)
  • ZooLights, from November 6, 2026 – January 3, 2027: over one million lights across 14 unique zones, including glowing 3D animal installations, an immersive “frozen” zone for family photos, interactive light-up playgrounds, and a dramatically illuminated look at our extended Dinos Rule! exhibition.

More events from sfzoo.org · checked on

The 7 savings

Day tickets

Muni Transit Discount

$1 discount off admission with same-day Muni receipt, transfer, or monthly pass

“Visitors arriving by Muni receive a $1 discount off admission, just show your same-day Muni receipt, transfer, or monthly pass at the ticket window.”

Quoted from sfzoo.org · checked on
See it on the attraction’s site →

If you qualify

EBT/SNAP and Medi-Cal Discount (SF Residents)

Admission for San Francisco residents with EBT/SNAP or Medi-Cal card

$3

“admission for San Francisco residents with an EBT/SNAP or Medi-Cal card is just $3”

Quoted from sfzoo.org · checked on
See it on the attraction’s site →

EBT/SNAP Discount - San Francisco Residents

Up to four tickets for $3 each with EBT/SNAP or Medi-Cal card and proof of SF residency

$3

“San Francisco residents with an EBT/SNAP or Medi-Cal card can buy up to four tickets for $3 each.”

Quoted from sfzoo.org · checked on
See it on the attraction’s site →

EBT/SNAP Discount (Non-Residents)

Admission for non-residents with EBT/SNAP card

$5

“Non-residents with an EBT/SNAP card are eligible to receive up to four admission tickets at $5 each”

Quoted from sfzoo.org · checked on
See it on the attraction’s site →

Student Discount

Students ages 12 years through college receive San Francisco resident rates

“Students (ages 12 years – college students) receive San Francisco resident rates.”

Quoted from sfzoo.org · checked on
See it on the attraction’s site →

Season passes

Reciprocal Member Discount

Current members of reciprocal institutions receive 50% discount on general admission. Discount applies to named adults and two children under 18 on the membership.

“Yes. We are still offering a 50% discount on general admission to current members of our reciprocal institutions.”

Quoted from sfzoo.org · checked on
See it on the attraction’s site →

Extras

EBT/SNAP Discount - Non-Residents

Up to four tickets for $5 each with EBT/SNAP card and matching photo ID

$5

“Non-residents with an EBT/SNAP card can buy up to four tickets for $5 each with matching photo ID.”

Quoted from sfzoo.org · checked on
See it on the attraction’s site →
Why there’s no expiry date here. Most attractions don’t publish one, and the dates that do appear are often stale. The date here is the day this offer was last read on sfzoo.org, and the link goes to the exact page, so you can check it yourself in one click.

Planning your visit

Opening hours
The Zoo is open every day of the year, including holidays, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Last entry for general admission is 3:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. for members.
Seasonal closures
The Zoo is open every day of the year, including holidays.
More (2)
Ticket dates and refunds
If you choose not to visit due to the weather, pre-paid tickets can be used for up to 30 days from your original visit date. Bring your original reservation to the ticket windows to redeem.
Guests may use your pre-paid tickets for up to 30 days from your original visit date. Bring your original ticket to the ticket windows to redeem.

From sfzoo.org/tickets-hours and sfzoo.org/visit-the-zoo/tickets-hours/general-faqs · checked between and

Before you go

Parking
Disabled guests may park free with a valid disabled placard. Please note there are no in-and-out privileges.
Getting there
Within San Francisco, take the L Taraval line outbound to the Zoo. Muni bus lines 23 and 18 also stop nearby.
More (4)
Outside food
Guests are welcome to bring their own food and beverages. Glass containers and alcohol are not permitted.
Food
Dining is available on site at the Leaping Lemur Café, open daily, with additional food outlets open on weekends.
Rain
The Zoo remains open rain or shine. On occasion, inclement weather may dictate an early closure. If you choose not to visit due to the weather, pre-paid tickets can be used for up to 30 days from your original visit date.
Re-entry
Before you walk out, please get a same day re-entry handstamp at the Gatehouse.

From sfzoo.org/tickets-hours and sfzoo.org/visit-the-zoo/tickets-hours/general-faqs · checked on

What’s there

Rides and attractions
Children under 3 may ride free (ticket required) when accompanied by a paid adult. Train hours of operation: 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. It does not run in wet weather and is periodically closed for maintenance.
The Elinor Friend Playground is free with Zoo admission, with a River Play Area for toddlers (6 months – 2 years), a Polar Zone exploration space for pre-schoolers (2-5 years), and a Banyan Tree climbing structure for pre-teens (5-12 years).
More (3)
The Sculpture Learning Plaza has nearly 100 touchable animal sculptures on the grounds, and Under the Canopy is an immersive installation exploring tropical rainforests.
The restored 1921 Eugene Friend Dentzel Carousel is located near the Exploration Zone; kids choose to ride a horse, a cat, a rabbit, or even a giraffe. Adults may ride free when standing by a paid child.
Size
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens is home to over 1,500 animals across nearly 100 acres of oceanfront gardens.

From sfzoo.org/visit-the-zoo/rides-attractions and sfzoo.org · checked on

Who it suits

Little ones
The Elinor Friend Playground has a River Play Area for toddlers (6 months – 2 years). Free with Zoo admission.
Sensory support
The Zoo offers a Neurodiversity Program, including a downloadable sensory guide and a complimentary sensory bag, available for checkout at the Membership Office, to help guests with heightened sensitivities navigate their visit comfortably.

From sfzoo.org/visit-the-zoo/rides-attractions and sfzoo.org/tickets-hours · checked on

Accessibility

Accessible parking and drop-off
Vehicles (Lyft/Uber/Personal) pick-up and drop-off is in the loading Zone on Sloat Boulevard outside the Zoo. If you enter the main parking you will have to purchase an exit pass.
Wheelchair and scooter hire
Stroller and wheelchair rentals are available at the Friend and Taube Family Entry Village.

From sfzoo.org/visit-the-zoo/tickets-hours/general-faqs and sfzoo.org/tickets-hours · checked on

Rules and safety

Pets and service animals
Pets are not permitted on Zoo grounds, as they can pose a health risk to the animals. Trained service animals are welcome throughout the Zoo, with the exception of areas where animals roam freely.

From sfzoo.org · checked on

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