Disclosure

San Diego Zoo discount terms are set and controlled by San Diego Zoo and can change at any time. NavyWeek.org is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by San Diego Zoo. "San Diego Zoo" and related names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners, shown here for identification only. Always confirm the current offer on the official page before purchasing.

Theme Parks & Attractions

San Diego Zoo Military & Veteran Discount

Free admission every day for U.S. Active Duty; spouses and dependents save 10% — verified by military ID in person.

The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park give free admission to U.S. Active Duty military, every day of the year, at both parks — no ticket or reservation needed. Just show a valid Common Access Card (CAC) or Uniformed Services ID Card at the gate. Active Duty spouses and eligible immediate dependents get 10% off a 1-Day Pass at any ticket window, and they don’t have to be with the service member to use it.

There is an important limit: the parks do not offer a discount to retirees or veterans. If you’re retired or a veteran, the Zoo directs you to the MWR (Morale, Welfare & Recreation) ticket office at a local military installation, which may offer discounted package deals.

This is an independent guide to help military families plan a visit; it is not affiliated with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The Zoo sets and can change these terms at any time, so confirm details on the official Help Center before you go.

Written by

T Madden Alford — U.S. Naval Academy '02 · U.S. Navy Reserve Captain (O-6) · Former submarine officer, USS Key West

Reviewed by

Erik Rivera — U.S. Naval Academy '04 · Former U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer

Last reviewed: June 23, 2026 · Sources checked: June 23, 2026

How we research & review: Our editorial process

See San Diego Zoo military policy

Opens zoo.sandiegozoo.org · Verified in person with a military ID

San Diego Zoo Military Discount — Key Facts

Active Duty: Free admission every day at both parks
Spouse / dependent: 10% off a 1-Day Pass
Retirees / veterans: No park discount (see MWR/ITT)
Verification: CAC or Uniformed Services ID in person; no ID.me/GovX
Where to redeem: At the gate / any ticket window — not online or by phone
Region: U.S. Active Duty military only

Source: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance — Help Center / FAQ (military discount) · Last verified: June 23, 2026

WHO QUALIFIES

U.S. Active Duty military get free admission every day of the year at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, and Active Duty spouses and eligible dependents get 10% off a 1-Day Pass. Retirees and veterans get no park discount.

U.S. Active Duty members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard — free admission with a valid CAC or Uniformed Services ID.
Reserve components (Ready Reserve, National Guard, Reservists in training) — included in the Active Duty free-admission group per the official list.
Cadets of the U.S. service academies and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy — included per the official list.
Active Duty spouses and eligible immediate dependents — 10% off a 1-Day Pass with a valid dependent ID (need not be accompanied by the service member).
Retirees and veterans — no park discount; the Zoo directs them to a local installation’s MWR ticket office.

San Diego Zoo discount by community
Audience	Discount
U.S. Active Duty (incl. Reserve, National Guard, and service-academy cadets)Every day of the year at both parks, for the service member only, with CAC or Uniformed Services ID.	Free admission
Active Duty spouse / eligible dependentAt any ticket window with a valid dependent ID.	10% off 1-Day Pass
Retirees & veteransDirected to a local military installation’s MWR ticket office for any package deals.	No park discount

HOW TO REDEEM

Online at zoo.sandiegozoo.org

No online redemption
The military benefit is not available online. Active Duty free entry and the dependent 10% discount are processed in person only — do not purchase a discounted military ticket online.
Buy guest tickets separately if needed
Accompanying guests who need paid tickets can buy those separately online, but the military benefit itself is applied at the park.

In store

Active Duty: go to the turnstile
Go directly to the entry turnstile at the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park — no ticket or reservation needed for yourself — and present a valid CAC or Uniformed Services ID Card to enter free.
Spouses/dependents: visit a ticket window
Show a valid dependent ID card at any ticket window to receive 10% off a 1-Day Pass; you do not need to be accompanied by the service member.
Cover accompanying guests
Buy tickets or memberships separately for any accompanying guests ages 3 and older. If an active-duty member cannot present a valid ID, admission must be purchased (non-refundable).

HOW IT WORKS

Verification is in person and ID-based — there is no third-party verification provider (no ID.me, GovX, or SheerID) and no online account requirement for the military benefit. Active Duty present a CAC or Uniformed Services ID at the gate; spouses and eligible dependents present a valid dependent ID card at a ticket window. Verification happens at the point of entry or purchase each visit.

The free Active-Duty admission is unusually generous for a major attraction — it is valid every day of the year ("Visit as often as you wish!"), except it is not valid for special ticketed events or programs. Its lack of any retiree or veteran park discount, however, is more restrictive than some peer zoos and aquariums.

For retirees and veterans, the support path is the MWR / ITT ticket office on a local military installation, which partners with the Zoo on discounted package deals. Separate, non-military promotions such as "Kids Free" in October and "Seniors Free February" at the Safari Park can also lower the cost of a family visit.

Exclusions & fine print

Retirees and veterans get no discount at the parks — they are directed to MWR ticket offices.
Free admission covers the active-duty service member only; accompanying guests ages 3 and older must have a ticket or membership.
Safari Park parking is not included, and the benefit is not valid for special ticketed events or programs.
Civilians and foreign military personnel are not eligible.
The 10% dependent discount applies to the 1-Day Pass only; application to memberships, multi-day passes, or combining with other offers is not stated.

SOURCES

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance — Help Center / FAQ (military discount) — San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance — Tickets — San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance — Reservations — San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does San Diego Zoo offer a military discount?

Yes. U.S. Active Duty military get free admission every day of the year at both the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park, and Active Duty spouses and eligible dependents get 10% off a 1-Day Pass. Retirees and veterans do not get a discount at the parks.

How much is the San Diego Zoo military discount?

For U.S. Active Duty military it’s 100% — free admission. For their spouses and eligible immediate dependents it’s 10% off the 1-Day Pass. There is no published discount for retirees or veterans at the parks.

Do veterans, retirees, spouses, or dependents qualify?

Veterans and retirees do not get a park discount (the Zoo refers them to MWR ticket offices). Active Duty spouses and eligible immediate dependents do qualify — for 10% off a 1-Day Pass, shown at a ticket window, even if the service member isn’t with them.

How do I verify my military status?

In person. Active Duty present a Common Access Card (CAC) or Uniformed Services ID Card at the gate; spouses and dependents present a valid dependent ID card at a ticket window. There is no online verification.

Does San Diego Zoo use ID.me, GovX, SheerID, or WeSalute?

No. The military benefit is verified by showing a military or dependent ID in person — no third-party verification service and no online account are involved.

What’s excluded?

Companions ages 3+ need their own ticket or membership; Safari Park parking isn’t included; the benefit isn’t valid for special ticketed events or programs; and civilians, foreign military, retirees, and veterans aren’t eligible.

Is the active-duty free admission available every day?

Yes — it’s valid every day of the year, except that it is not valid for special ticketed events or programs.

MORE MILITARY DISCOUNTS

20% offYETI 10% offLowe’s Up to 30% off (online)Regal Check local clubPlanet Fitness

All military & veteran discounts

Editorial policy

Source priority. We cite San Diego Zoo's official discount page and the identity-verification provider (In-store ID) first. Discount amounts, eligibility, and exclusions are quoted from those sources and confirmed on the "Last verified" date above.
Independence. NavyWeek.org is not affiliated with the U.S. Navy, the Department of Defense, NAVCO, or any federal agency. We do not accept payment to recommend specific recruiters, schools, vendors, or services.
Review cadence. Because San Diego Zoo can change these terms at any time, the offer is re-verified against the official page on a recurring basis and whenever a reader reports a change.
Reviewer. The page is reviewed for accuracy by the reviewer named in the byline. The "Last reviewed" date at the top of the page reflects the most recent review pass.
Corrections. Factual errors are corrected as soon as we can verify the issue against an official source. See the "Report an outdated fact" link below.
Not advice. This page is informational only. For decisions about service, benefits, pay, or assignment, rely on official .mil sources and your chain of command, detailer, recruiter, or accredited representative.

See something out of date? Report an outdated fact or reach the editors via the contact page. Please include a link to the official .gov or .mil source you believe is more current.