San Diego Zoo Food Policy, Bags & What You Can Bring In [2024]

There is so much to see and do at the San Diego Zoo, from exploring amazing exhibits to spotting rare and endangered animals. Knowing the Zoo’s policies ahead of time can help make your visit smooth and stress-free.

Whether you’re packing snacks, figuring out stroller rules, or planning what to bring, this guide covers everything you need to know—from the San Diego Zoo food policy and bag policy to pet rules and more.

San Diego Zoo Food Policy

When visiting the San Diego Zoo, one important detail to plan for is the food you’ll bring—or buy.

Visitors have a range of options for food and drinks, as well as specific guidelines about what they can bring with them.

Outside Food and Drink Policy

Fortunately, the San Diego Zoo food policy allows outside snacks and drinks. I was told a while back, while on a tour, that because it’s a nonprofit organization, they don’t have the resources to accommodate all dietary needs.

While popular dining spots like Albert’s Restaurant offer delicious dining, bringing your own food allows you to eat what you want. It also saves time by avoiding waiting in line or for food preparation.

Like a lot of theme parks, the food can be pricey. Many Zoo guests bring in lunch but then splurge on snacks like a soft serve cone at Hua Mei cafe (a personal favorite of mine).

You can also feel free to eat your own food at any of the picnic tables in front of the dining establishments.

Although a picnic lunch is welcome, certain items are prohibited. For example, you can not bring glass containers or straws. Paper straws and their wrappers pose a risk to the animals if accidentally ingested.

Small Coolers and Containers

Many visitors pack food in small coolers to bring into the Zoo. Specifically, six-pack-sized coolers or small Tupperware containers are acceptable if they fit under a stroller.

The general guideline is that coolers and large food storage containers should be no larger than 12″ x12″. Coolers with wheels are not allowed.

Alcohol Policy

Visitors may bring non-alcoholic drinks. Craft beer and other alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at designated dining areas inside the park. Outside alcohol is prohibited, and the San Diego Zoo strictly enforces this policy to maintain a family-friendly environment.

Some spots where you can grab a beer include Zoo Brew in the Lost Forest and San Diego Craft Beer & Margaritas on Front Street.

Special Dietary Needs and Restrictions

As mentioned already, the San Diego Zoo food policy addresses special dietary needs and food allergies by allowing guests with dietary restrictions to bring personal food items.

Over the years, Zoo restaurants have gotten better at offering vegetarian and gluten-free items. But not every restaurant has these options.

However, if you have specific dietary concerns about dining in the Zoo’s restaurants, it’s easy to call their customer service or use the chatbot on their website to ask more specific questions.

Food and Drink Options Inside the San Diego Zoo

For those who don’t want to bring food, San Diego Zoo dining options are pretty good, actually. If food is important to you, plan your day around seeing the exhibits near the restaurant you want to go to. It is not easy to walk across the Zoo to eat somewhere.

Some dining spots to check out include:

• Albert’s Restaurant (Lost Forest): This is best for sit-down dining and fish tacos.
• San Diego Zoo Sandwich Company (Front Street): Easy to-go near the entrance
• Sabertooth Mexican Grill (Elephant Odyssey): I had really good tacos here recently.
• Hua Mei Café (Asian Passage): Ice cream and orange chicken.
• Sydney’s (Outback): Barbecue

To learn more, check out our article on San Diego Zoo restaurants.

San Diego Water Bottle Policy

I always bring a standard-sized plastic water bottle or Hydroflask to the Zoo. As mentioned earlier, don’t bring one that’s glass, as that’s not allowed.

There are drinking fountains all over the park, and you can ask for cups of ice and water in any of the restaurants for free. Of course, you can also buy a pricey bottled water if push comes to shove.

San Diego Zoo Bag Policy

Navigating the San Diego Zoo’s bag policy means understanding size restrictions and storage options for items you don’t want to carry.

Bag Size and Restrictions

Visitors can bring backpacks, handbags, and satchels. These items are generally allowed as long as they meet standard size limitations. Oversized bags are not guaranteed entry, so plan accordingly.

Luggage and Travel Bag Storage

For larger luggage or travel bags, the San Diego Zoo offers lockers for convenient storage. Locker fees are as follows:

• Small items: $10 per piece
• Medium items: $12 per piece
• Large items: $15 per piece

Strollers and Wagons at the San Diego Zoo

Families visiting the San Diego Zoo have several options for managing their little ones’ transportation. You can bring your own strollers or wagons or choose from the stroller rentals available on-site.

Note that strollers for rent are on a first-come, first-served basis near the entrance. For reference, here are the current rental prices:

• Stroller single: $16
• Stroller double: $20

While strollers and wagons are fantastic for exploring the San Diego Zoo, they have restrictions on certain rides and attractions.

For safety reasons, these items are often not allowed on trams, tour buses, or select exhibits. Securing them in designated areas before participating is typically required. For instance, there’s stroller parking at the Guided Bus Tour, which starts and stops in the same spot.

I rode this tram with my family members, who had a fold-up stroller, and it was super easy.

San Diego Zoo Camera Policy

I bring my DSLR camera with a big zoom lens to the Zoo all the time. Visitors can bring cameras for personal use, but professional equipment is restricted.

• Tripods: Allowed but must not obstruct pathways or habitats.
• Drones: Prohibited to ensure animal and guest safety.

Plan accordingly if you’re capturing your adventure. And don’t be surprised if you see some media cameras there on occasion who have special permissions. On media days, you’ll see tripods in a lot of places.

San Diego Zoo Pet Policy

While service animals are permitted, pets and emotional support animals are not.

Service Animals

The San Diego Zoo follows ADA guidelines for service animals. They must be on no longer than a 6-foot leash and are allowed in most areas, keeping their distance from Zoo animals.

Nearby Animal Daycare Services

Since there isn’t a kennel service on the Zoo grounds, travelers with pets can look into nearby daycare facilities for pets and emotional support animals.

Nearby Pet-Friendly Hotels

For overnight stays, look at one of the many pet-friendly hotels in nearby Downtown San Diego, including Alma Hotel and Pendry San Diego.

You’ll also be conveniently located to San Diego International Airport and Santa Fe Depot train station. (The only thing is that you typically can’t leave pets unattended in hotels to go sightseeing.)

What You Can’t Bring to San Diego Zoo

For safety and enjoyment, certain items are not allowed inside the San Diego Zoo. These include but are not limited to:

• Smoking products
• Alcohol and illegal substances
• Weapons and replicas
• Disruptive items (e.g., laser pointers, noisemakers)
• Costume attire

Plan Your Perfect Day at the San Diego Zoo

With thoughtful preparation, you can ensure your visit to the San Diego Zoo is stress-free and memorable. Whether packing a picnic, renting a stroller, or exploring exhibits, knowing the rules will help you focus on the fun. We have an entire article focused on San Diego Zoo tips, but here are a couple of quick highlights:

• There’s free parking in a large lot. (I’ve never not been able to park.)
• You’ll need a timed ticket to see the pandas.
• Get there early to see the animals when they’re most active.
• We’ve heavily researched how to get San Diego Zoo discount tickets.

Prioritize everyone’s safety and respect the Zoo’s wildlife for an enjoyable experience.

Ready to go? Visit the Zoo’s website for updates, download the San Diego Zoo app for maps and schedules, and grab your discounted admission. Don’t forget about the sister park, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which has similar camera, food, and bag policies.