Membership: Frequently Asked Questions

1) WHEN WILL I GET MY MEMBERSHIP CARD?
Your membership card should arrive within two to three weeks from time of purchase. Adult cards and Koala Club cards are mailed separately and may arrive on different days.

2) CAN I VISIT BEFORE I GET MY CARD?
Sure! Just bring your photo ID and stop by the Membership Booth at either the San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park to verify your purchase. Membership Booths are open from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, with extended summer hours.

3) WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO ORDER THE MEMBERSHIP ONLINE?
You may purchase your membership:
• In person at the Membership Booth at the San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park. Membership booths are open from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, with extended summer hours.
• Over the phone by calling 619-231-0251 or toll free 877-3MEMBER. The Membership Call Center hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m., excluding holidays.
• Print and Fax: after filling out the online membership form, click "Continue," fill out the billing info and then select the “Complete Mail/Fax Purchase” button. Your credit card will not be charged until you fax or mail in the printout.

4) CAN I RENEW MY MEMBERSHIP ONLINE?
Yes. Click here to renew online.

5) DO YOU HAVE A FAMILY MEMBERSHIP?
No. In order to provide the most flexibility, memberships are sold a la carte. We offer adult memberships for one person or two people living in the same household. For children ages 3–17, we offer Koala Club membership. Click here for membership prices and information.

6) ARE THE GUEST PASSES VALID AT EITHER PARK?
Depending on your current membership level, guest passes are valid for: one-time admission to the San Diego Zoo OR one-time admission to the Wild Animal Park OR one-time admission to either park. The front of the guest pass coupon states at which park(s) the passes are valid.

7) WHAT IF I WANT TO BRING A GUEST BEFORE I GET MY GUEST PASSES IN THE MAIL?
Just stop by the Membership Booth at either the San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park to verify your purchase. Membership booths are open from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, with extended summer hours.

8) IS THERE A FEE FOR PARKING?
Parking is free of charge at the San Diego Zoo. At the Wild Animal Park, members enjoy a discounted rate of $6* for a standard vehicle or $11* for an RV. For donor club members (Diamond Club and up) free parking at the Wild Animal Park is included as a benefit of your membership.
*Prices subject to change

9) HOW DO I MAKE A CORRECTION TO MY ONLINE ORDER?
Online orders are generally processed on the same day they are received. If you need to make an adjustment, please contact our Membership Call Center immediately at 619-231-0251 or toll free 877-3MEMBER, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., excluding holidays. If you prefer, you can send an e-mail with your order number and changes to onlinemember@sandiegozoo.org.

10) HOW CAN I CHANGE MY ADDRESS?
You may change the address for your membership or ZOONOOZ subscription:
• In person at the Membership Booth at the San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park. Membership Booths are open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, with extended summer hours.
• Over the phone by calling 619-231-0251 or toll free 877-3MEMBER. The Membership Call Center hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m., excluding holidays.
• By sending an e-mail to membership@sandiegozoo.org with your account number, full name, old address, and new address.

11) DOES MEMBERSHIP INCLUDE THE GUIDED BUS TOUR?
While there is still a charge for the guided bus tour, members get a discounted rate. The member rate is $8.50* for an adult and $5* for a child ages 3–11.
*Prices subject to change.

12) DOES MEMBERSHIP INCLUDE ENTRANCE TO THE ZOO AND THE WILD ANIMAL PARK?
Yes, membership includes unlimited year-round admission to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park during regular operating hours with no blackout dates.

13) CAN I PURCHASE MEMBERSHIP FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR?
No, we do not sell memberships for multiple years.

14) DO MEMBERS RECEIVE DISCOUNTS ON FOOD OR MERCHANDISE AT EITHER PARK?
Member Specials, which vary from month to month, occassionally include discounts on food and/or merchandise. However, there is no standing discount for members. For a list of this months’ current Member Specials, click here.

15) HOW DO I GET TO THE SAN DIEGO ZOO?
Click here for directions.

16) HOW DO I GET TO THE WILD ANIMAL PARK?
Click here for directions.

17) HOURS/PRICES
For San Diego Zoo hours and prices, click here. For Wild Animal Park hours and prices click here.

18) CAN I PUT MY MEMBERSHIP ON HOLD?
No. Memberships become active immediately upon purchase and cannot be suspended.

19) CAN I TRANSFER MY MEMBERSHIP TO SOMEONE ELSE?
No. Memberships are nontransferable and are valid only for the person whose name appears on the card.

20) CAN I STILL VISIT IF I’VE MISPLACED MY MEMBERSHIP CARD?
Yes! Just stop by the Membership Booth located on the front plaza at either the San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park to verify your purchase and receive a free temporary pass. If you’ve misplaced your card permanently, you can order a new card for a $2* processing fee. Membership booths are open from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, with extended summer hours.
*Price subject to change.

21) WHEN CAN I USE MY MEMBERSHIP? ARE THERE BLACKOUT DATES?
Membership is valid for general admission entrance to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park during regular operating hours all year long. There are no blackout dates or restrictions. Membership includes admission to the Festival of Lights and Park at Dark at the Wild Animal Park and Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo. Membership does not cover entrance to special events or tours.

22) DO YOU OFFER A DISCOUNT FOR STUDENTS?
A Student Pass is available for students living and attending school in San Diego County. The membership fee is $42*. The Student Pass offers unlimited admission to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park as well as free Skyfari aerial tram rides and Journey into Africa tour at the Wild Animal Park. The Student Pass does not include the guest passes or discount coupons included with other membership levels or a subscription to ZOONOOZ magazine. Student Passes can only be purchased in person at the Membership Booth at the San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park. Proof of current school enrollment is required.
*Price subject to change.

23) DO YOU OFFER A DISCOUNT FOR SENIORS?
Senior Memberships are available for seniors over the age of 60 living in ZIP codes 90000–92999. The Senior Dual Membership (for two adults living in the same household) is $60. The Senior Single Membership (for one adult) is $45. Senior Members are entitled to unlimited admission to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park as well as free Skyfari aerial tram rides and Journey into Africa tour at the Wild Animal Park. Senior Memberships do not include the guest passes or discount coupons included with other membership levels or a subscription to ZOONOOZ magazine. Senior Memberships can only be purchased in person at the Membership Booth at the San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park. Proof of age is required.
*Prices subject to change.

24) DO YOU OFFER A DISCOUNT FOR MEMBERS WITH DISABILITIES?
Members who are disabled do not receive a discount on membership, but can have their card stamped indicating they are allowed to bring an adult attendant with them on each visit for free. Please stop by the Membership Booth at either the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park to have your card stamped.

25) WHAT ARE THE OUT-OF-REGION RATES?
For residents living outside ZIP codes 90000–92999, the Dual Membership (for two adults living in the same household) is $109* and the Single Membership (for one adult) is $85*. You may purchase membership for children living outside ZIP codes 90000–92999 as long as their membership is purchased in conjunction with an adult membership.
*Prices subject to change.

26) CAN I LEND MY MEMBERSHIP CARD TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER?
No. Memberships are nontransferable and are valid only for the person whose name appears on the card. Supporting photo ID is required for entrance.

27) WHY DO I HAVE TO SHOW PHOTO ID WHEN I USE MY CARD TO ENTER THE SAN DIEGO ZOO OR WILD ANIMAL PARK?
As a nonprofit organization that relies heavily on membership and attendance for support, we need to prevent misuse of our membership cards. We also want to protect our members should their cards be lost or stolen. We try very hard to keep our membership prices affordable for as many people in our community as possible. If memberships were shared by families and neighbors our revenue would be severely reduced and we would have little choice but to raise our prices.

28) IS MY MEMBERSHIP PAYMENT TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Yes. Your payment, less the fair market value of the benefits you receive, is deductible for income tax purposes. Under Internal Revenue Services guidelines, the estimated value of standard-level membership benefits is not substantial; therefore the full amount of your payment is a deductible contribution. For tax deduction information for Curator’s, Director’s, President’s or Circle-level Memberships, call our donation processor at 619-231-1515, ext. 4460, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday–Friday, excluding holidays.

29) IS MY MEMBERSHIP GOOD AT OTHER ZOOS?
No. At this time, we do not have reciprocal agreements with any other zoos. Because our membership is so large—nearly half a million cardholders—we feel it would not be fair to smaller organizations that depend on revenue from their own visitors. Also, San Diego is a major tourist destination. About four million out-of-town guests visit the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park each year.

30) IS MY MEMBERSHIP AT ANOTHER ZOO GOOD AT THE ZOO AND PARK?
We do not receive municipal funding and therefore our operation depends heavily on admission revenue. It is quite reasonable to expect that many of our visitors are members of their own zoological societies. If we had reciprocal agreements with these other facilities, our admission revenue would be severely reduced.

31) DOES MY MEMBERSHIP INLCUDE THE NEW JOURNEY INTO AFRICA TOUR AT THE WILD ANIMAL PARK?
Members can ride the new Journey into Africa tour for free.