Directions & parking
This urban oasis on the Pacific Ocean is a great getaway for Bay Area residents and an important historical destination for those visiting San Francisco. What’s more, we offer a discount for those who take Muni to the Zoo.
Parking & prices
Our parking lot has two entrances, one off of the Great Highway for people driving from the East Bay and South Bay, and one off of Sloat Boulevard at 47th Avenue for those driving from the North Bay. There is only one exit from the parking lot – putting everyone northbound on the Great Highway.
Guests planning to park in the Zoo’s parking lot need to purchase a parking voucher on site on the day of your visit.
Parking can be paid for in four ways once you arrive at the Zoo.
1. At the ticket office windows when you arrive or when you leave
2. At the Little Puffer Train station (11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
3. At the Denzel Carousel ticket booth (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
4. At the main gift shop in Entry Village
Please note, paid parking is available on a first come, first serve basis. See the parking fees in the right hand column. There is free parking on the street along Sloat Boulevard.
| Weekdays | Weekends & Holidays | |
| Parking | $15.00 | $20.00 |
| SF Zoo Member Parking | $13.00 | $15.00 |
Directions
- Take the Bay Bridge to San Francisco.
- After crossing the Bay Bridge, take 101 South.
- Follow 101 South to the 280 interchange.
- Take 280 South to the Westlake District – John Daly Boulevard exit.
- Make a right onto John Daly Boulevard and continue to Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35).
- Turn right onto Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35).
- At the Skyline/Great Highway junction, turn left onto the Great Highway.
- Get into the right lane and take the right turn into the Zoo Entrance on the Great Highway.
- Take the Golden Gate Bridge (Highway 101).
- After passing through the toll plaza, merge into farthest right lane to take 19th Avenue – Golden Gate Park exit.
- After passing through the toll plaza, merge into farthest right lane to take 19th Avenue – Golden Gate Park exit onto Presidio Parkway.
- Take a right onto Fulton Avenue.
- Take Fulton Avenue down to the ocean and turn left onto the Great Highway.
- Continue south on the Great Highway. (Please note: the Great Highway is closed to vehicle traffic on weekends beginning Friday at noon through Saturday and Sunday also on holidays)
- Turn left onto Sloat Boulevard.
- Get in the right hand lane and turn right into the Zoo Entrance on Sloat Boulevard.
- Take 280 North to the Westlake District exit in Daly City. Continue going north (Junipero Serra Boulevard) to John Daly Boulevard.
- Turn left at John Daly Boulevard and continue to Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35).
- Turn right onto Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35).
- At the Skyline/Great Highway junction, turn left onto the Great Highway.
- Get into the right lane and take a right turn into the Zoo Entrance on the Great Highway.
Take Muni and Get a Discount
We encourage you to use public transportation when visiting us. Visitors who take Muni to the Zoo receive a $1 discount off the price of admission. Just show your same-day Muni receipt, transfer, or monthly pass at the ticket window. Within San Francisco, take the Muni L Taraval line outbound to the Zoo. Muni bus lines 23 and 18 also stop at the Zoo. Use the SFMTA Trip Planner sfmta.com/drive-park for directions.
Ride Share Pick Up and Drop Off
Taxi and ride share drop off and pick up is located off of Sloat Boulevard at 47th Avenue. There are no drop-offs or pick-ups in our paid parking lot.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations
We now have EV vehicle charging stations in the public parking lot! There are three Tesla only towers and two universal charging towers. The stations were graciously donated by Tesla and are free to use. Each tower has two plugs and can charge two vehicles simultaneously.
Ready to visit? Your tickets are waiting.
