San Diego Zoo Safari Park Hours, Tickets & Wild Holidays 2026

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through most of November 2026, and stays open until 8 p.m. on Wild Holidays evenings from late November through January 3, 2027. A 1-Day Pass costs $78 for adults and $68 for kids 3 to 11 (less on online Value Days), and it includes the Africa Tram. Parking is $20 per car.

This is the San Diego Zoo’s big sister: 1,800 acres of open savanna, canyon and forest habitats, where herds of giraffes, rhinos and antelope roam together instead of in separate enclosures. It sits in the San Pasqual Valley east of Escondido, a North County drive from downtown San Diego, so plan a full day. Most first-timers underestimate how much walking it takes.

Hours and the best time to go

The official Plan Your Visit page lists 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for November 1 through 25, 2026. Hours shift with the seasons and with special events, so check the date calendar on that page before you drive up.

Arrive at opening if you can. Animals are most active in the cooler morning hours, the Africa Tram line is shortest, and the Balloon Safari flies best between 9 a.m. and noon. Inland Escondido is usually warmer than the coast, so summer and early-fall afternoons can be hot and slow.

Holiday hours

On Wild Holidays dates the park stays open until 8 p.m. (see the holiday section below). The Africa Tram and many habitats and trails close before dark on those nights, so the park itself recommends arriving earlier in the day if seeing animals matters to you.

Tickets and what they include

Prices from the official tickets page:

Ticket	Adult (12+)	Child (3–11)
1-Day Pass, any day	$78	$68
1-Day Pass, Value Days (online only, select dates)	$73	$63
2-Visit Pass (Zoo, Safari Park, or one of each)	$130	$120

The 1-Day Pass covers park entry and the Africa Tram. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance memberships start at $99 per person, and since January 6, 2026 adult members park free by showing their card at the booth. That alone can make a membership worth it for a family planning two or three visits to the Zoo and Safari Park in a year. The park also sells through San Diego CityPASS, which it lists from $169 per adult.

If you also plan to visit the downtown zoo, the 2-Visit Pass is the simplest way to save. See our San Diego Zoo guide for that half of the trip.

The Africa Tram: cost and what you see

The Africa Tram is included with admission, so there is no separate tram cost. It is a guided, open-air ride that loops about 2.5 miles around one of the park’s large savanna habitats, the closest most visitors get to a classic game drive without paying for an upgrade. Expect to see giraffes, rhinos, antelope and wading birds sharing the same space.

Lines build fast after mid-morning. Ride it early, then walk the trails while the crowds queue.

Paid safaris and the balloon ride

The park’s safaris page lists the current upgrades. Every price below is per person and on top of park admission:

Safari	Who can go	Starting price
Wildlife Safari (1 hour, covered open-air truck with a guide)	Ages 3+	$98
Behind-the-Scenes Safari	Ages 3+	$98
Cart Safaris	All ages	$64
Wildlife Trek	All ages	$32
Flightline Safari (zipline)	Ages 8+	$120
Roar & Snore (overnight camping)	All ages	$205
Ultimate Safari	All ages	$760

If you remember the Caravan Safari, where an open truck drove you onto the savanna, the closest option on today’s list is the Wildlife Safari: a one-hour ride in a covered open-air truck with a guide, past savanna animals up close. Children 15 and under must be with a paying adult (up to three kids per adult).

Segway tours, which older guides mention, are not on the current list.

Balloon Safari

The Balloon Safari is a tethered helium balloon that rises 400 feet above the park for a 10 to 12 minute flight. You get a wide view over the savanna habitats and the San Pasqual Valley. Prices vary by day and season and are sold in the park, and it doesn’t check in at the main Safari Excursions desk. It closes in high wind or bad weather, so if the balloon is the reason you’re going, have a plan B.

Elephant Valley and other highlights

The Denny Sanford Elephant Valley opened on March 5, 2026, and is included with admission. The park’s herd of eight elephants uses two watering holes, including a 240,000-gallon pool where they swim and play. You can stand on a bridge while elephants walk through a passageway directly beneath you. The two-story Mkutano House restaurant sits in the middle of the valley, which makes it a good lunch stop with a view.

Beyond the elephants, the park is spread across walking trails and themed areas such as Nairobi Village, Condor Ridge, Walkabout Australia and Safari Base Camp. The terrain includes steep grades. A free ADA shuttle is available for guests with mobility-related disabilities.

Wild Holidays: the Safari Park’s holiday event

The Safari Park’s holiday celebration is Wild Holidays. If you searched for a “Festival of Lights” at the Safari Park, this is the current event. Wild Holidays runs on select evenings from November 28, 2026 to January 3, 2027:

• November 28 and 29
• December 18 to 23
• December 26, 2026 through January 3, 2027

Members get a preview night on November 27. Activities are included with admission or membership, and the park is open until 8 p.m. on event nights.

Expect light displays across the park, mostly from 5 to 8 p.m.: a musical Bridge of Lights tunnel on the Safari Walk Bridge, the Nairobi Lantern Walk, the Enchanted Lagoon at Mombasa Lagoon, the Forest of Color on Arbor Walk and Lights of Baja at Condor Ridge. Safari Base Camp has a choreographed “Light Up the Holidays” show, a celebration tree and Santa photos. Strolling musicians and holiday food and drink are spread through the park.

The best plan for a holiday visit is to arrive in the early afternoon. That gives you time to ride the tram and see animals in daylight, then stay for the lights after dark.

Looking for the San Diego Zoo’s Christmas lights?

The downtown San Diego Zoo runs its own event, Jungle Bells, from December 19, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (member preview December 18). It is open until 8 p.m. and included with admission, except on December 24. For a drive-through display instead, see our Holiday of Lights guide.

Getting there and parking

Address: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027.

Most drivers take I-15 to Via Rancho Parkway (exit 27) and follow the signs east to the park. Weekend and holiday traffic on I-15 can be heavy, so leave early.

Parking rates from the official visit page:

• General (cars and motorcycles): $20 per day
• Oversized vehicles: $55
• Preferred: from $45
• No in-and-out privileges, first come, first served
• Adult Alliance members: free with a valid membership card

Public transit is possible but slow. The park points visitors to the 511 line and NCTD for bus and train schedules into Escondido.

Tips for a smoother day

• Wear real walking shoes. The park is hilly and spread out, and the walk from the entrance to the far habitats adds up.
• Book upgrades ahead. Paid safaris have limited spots, so reserve before busy weekends and holidays.
• Do the tram first, trails second. The tram queue grows quickly after 10 a.m.
• Bring layers in winter. Inland valley evenings get cold, especially on Wild Holidays nights.
• Check outside food rules on the official visit page before packing a cooler. Rules can change.

Who it suits and what to pair it with

The Safari Park is best for families with school-age kids, wildlife photographers and anyone who has already done the downtown zoo and wants to see animals in wide-open spaces. Toddlers enjoy the tram and Elephant Valley but may need a stroller for the distances.

Since you’re already in North County, you can build a longer inland trip around it. In spring, add strawberry picking; on a fall or winter weekend, keep driving into the mountains for apple pie at the Julian Pie Company.