Zoo Inside Look

About the Inside Look Tour at the San Diego Zoo

During this 2-hour tour, get a special peak behind-the-scenes and learn how we take care of our animals. You’ll be part of a small, intimate group that will tour the Zoo in a VIP cart and have the opportunity to participate in two very special experiences. Children ages 3 and older are welcome (and must pay).

• Learn how we take care of our animals
• Includes two special experiences (behind-the-scenes or animal presentation)
• Possible behind the scenes areas: giraffes, camels, rhinos, koala peek, gorilla roof, tigers, okapis, cats, hippo (no guarantees)

Inside Look Options

• Inside Look: Surprise!
  • An “Inside Look” at how the Zoo takes care of our animal and plant collections—connecting our guests to wildlife and conservation.

Go behind the scenes to learn how we take care of our animals during this two-hour tour.

You’ll be part of a small group that will explore the Zoo in a private cart for an exclusive adventure filled with experiences you can’t get elsewhere.

Tour on private cart 2 special experiences Behind-the-scenes visits or close animal encounters A stop at pandas is included All Inside Look tours stop at pandas Guests bypass the line and are brought to the narrator viewing area All Guides have been advised that the panda stop is part of Inside Look tours If for any reason the Guide does not have time to go to pandas, the guide will drop the guests off at the panda narrator at the end of their tour, so they still get to bypass the panda line

• Inside Look: Elephants & Friends
  • In this edition, you’ll have an opportunity to go inside the elephant care center to see where keepers prepare diets for the elephants that live in the Zoo’s Elephant Odyssey exhibit. You’ll also get to see tools that are used in the care of elephants like a foot file and an elephant shoe; see or touch some elephant artifacts like teeth, tusk, hair, and cross-section of the foot; as well as see some paintings done by elephants. You’ll peak into the kitchen and hear about elephant diets (they eat a lot). You’ll get to watch an elephant training session inside the “active zone” and get the inside scoop on how we take care of the largest land mammal and learn how we are supporting their survival in the wild.

• Inside Look: Koalas
  • In this edition, you’ll have an opportunity to go inside the Queenslanders House to see where keepers prepare diets for the Australian animals that live in the Zoo’s Outback exhibit.

You’ll meet an animal that would live in the same eucalyptus forests as koalas before having the opportunity to stroll through the male koalas’ “bachelor pad.”

You’ll get the inside scoop on how we take care of these special marsupials and learn how we are supporting their survival in the wild.

Please note:

• Guests will not be touching or holding koalas.

• No koala feeding opportunities.

• Guests visit areas to which the general public will never have access

• There are some "retired" koalas in the back area that are just a fence away. Guests will walk the path that is between the "retired" koalas and those out on exhibit. Tour guests will be "on display" for the regular public. It almost feels like you are part of the exhibit!

• The Queenslanders House is neat. The second you walk in you are bombarded with the eucalyptus smell!

• Inside Look: Polar Bears & Friends
  • In this edition, you’ll have an opportunity to go inside the polar bear care center to see where our bears are trained to receive physical exams (e.g., ultra sounds, opening mouth to check teeth, etc.) and where we conduct research like sound studies. You’ll learn all the tricks that keepers have to provide enrichment activities for the bears and how they prepare for a cub. You’ll obtain the inside scoop on how we take care of one of the largest land carnivores and learn how we are supporting their survival in the wild.

ADA

• To book, please call Reservation Sales at 619-718-3000
• No service animals permitted on tour.

Admission

• Admission is NOT included in the price of the Inside Look and is required. Please ensure each guest has a valid Admission ticket or Membership.

Age Restrictions

• Recommended for families with children 10 and older, but all ages will enjoy this fun tour
• All ages welcome
• All ages must pay
• No free lap children

Capacity

• Join-in tour
• Minimum: 1
• Maximum: 7
• 1A / 2C All children must pay and be accompanied by a paid adult. Maximum two children per adult.

Change / Cancel Policy

• Changes or cancellations are not permitted.

Check In

• Check in 15 minutes prior to tour time
• Meet at Signpost #4 near the flamingo exhibit.

Frequency

• Daily

Program Advisements (Mandatory)

• Sunscreen, sun glasses, and a hat are recommended
• No food or beverages allowed (bottled water ok; iced water provided)
• Large or bulky camera equipment not permitted
• All-weather event
• Proof of age may be required

Ratios

• 1 Adult for every 2 Children (no exceptions)

• Ages 16 and 17: no accompanying adult required; cannot be chaperone for riders ages 10 - 15 years