San Diego Zoo vs SeaWorld San Diego

There’s a lot to love about the surrounding neighborhoods for both parks.

Front of the Fred Shuttle in the Gaslamp Quarter

What’s Around the Zoo?

The zoo is part of Balboa Park, which is a San Diego attraction hotspot. With over a dozen museums and some gorgeous scenery perfect for hiking or renting a bike, this green space at the heart of the city is a local icon.

Balboa Park is also near the attractions of Downtown San Diego. Public transit like the FRED Shuttle can bring you to nearby neighborhoods like the Gaslamp Quarter, where you’ll find one of our team’s favorite hotels, the luxurious Pendry San Diego.

We Love the Views of Mission Bay in Seaworld San Diego

Nearby SeaWorld

Given its focus on marine life, it’s only fitting that SeaWorld is right by the ocean in Mission Bay. I find this neighborhood to be very beautiful with some of the best views around.

Mission Bay Park also has its share of beaches with spots for everything from swimming and sailing to jet skiing and paddleboarding.

The Best Location: Tie

For me, the winner here is personal preference. For some, the diversity of attractions around Balboa Park and Downtown will appeal more, while others may prefer the scenic, beachside Mission Bay.

Both parks focus on animal-centric exhibits with a few other shows and attractions. The San Diego Zoo is just that, a zoo, while SeaWorld San Diego is a more traditional theme park complete with rides.

While that is a noticeable difference, there are seemingly countless things to do and see at both parks, so let’s take a look at what you’ll find.

Kids Reading Zoo Map at the San Diego Zoo

Exhibits and More at the Zoo

Animals are the main attraction at the San Diego Zoo, so wildlife lovers of any age are sure to enjoy themselves!

Animal Exhibits

The San Diego Zoo is one of the best zoos in the country for animal diversity. There are more than 12,000 animals from over 680 different species on park grounds.

Among animal exhibit offerings are large enclosures like Elephant Odyssey, crowd-pleasing favorites like lions and tigers, and rare and endangered species from the native California condor to exotic koalas and panda bears.

Other Attractions

The zoo also has attractions like the 4D Theater and themed play areas for kids. These are fun diversions, but you’ll spend most of your time among the animals.

Todd and Erika next to the Life Sized Turtle Signs at Seaworld San Diego

SeaWorld’s Attractions

From marine animals to exciting rides, SeaWorld offers guests a little of everything.

Marine Mania

SeaWorld’s aquariums are especially impressive. The park houses well over 25,000 animals in large tanks and touch pools, though there are fewer unique species than at the zoo.

Be sure to make time for the Shark Encounter, which was one of my favorites. Getting to walk through a tunnel with sharks and other kinds of fish swimming all around me was amazing.

Some other exhibits I especially enjoyed were the sea lion, killer whale, and penguin enclosures. Themed areas like Turtle Reef and Wild Arctic were cool too.

Rides and More

Similar to parks like Sesame Place San Diego, SeaWorld also has a selection of rides, with options for all ages.

Embark on the Shipwreck Rapids, a white-water adventure, or hop on roller coasters like the Electric Eel, a land-based thrill ride. Younger kids can enjoy calmer rides like the Octarock swings and Tidepool Twist.

Kookaburra Bird in the Outback Section of the San Diego Zoo

Our Ranking on Exhibits: San Diego Zoo

Both parks have impressive exhibits without much overlap, but we think the animal exhibits at the zoo can’t be beat.

Both parks promise a full day of fun, but which one is larger - and which feels larger when you’re there?

Back of Double Decker Tour Bus at the San Diego Zoo

The Scale of the San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo spans about 100 acres, making the wild animal park a good deal smaller than SeaWorld - and also quite a bit smaller than its sister Safari Park, which is over 1,800 acres!

What the zoo lacks in sheer size, though, it makes up for in how densely packed the attraction is. You can easily spend all day or even multiple days at the zoo depending on your pace. Plus, if you’re traveling with little ones, it can be a bit easier to corral them around a smaller park.

You Can Get on and off the Guided Bus Tour Whenever You Like

SeaWorld’s Size

When strictly comparing square footage, SeaWorld is nearly double the zoo’s size, at about 200 acres. This is about the same as the location in Florida, SeaWorld Orlando.

It’s also hard to say that SeaWorld San Diego is any smaller in scope, as many of its show stages and exhibits feel massive. Additionally, many of the park’s benches and rest areas overlook the gorgeous scenery of Mission Bay, so the overall experience feels like it’s on a grander scale.

Another Play Area at Seaworld San Diego

The Winning Park: SeaWorld San Diego

I personally love the zoo’s home in Balboa Park, and all that it has to offer. But we’re primarily focusing here on the size of the parks themselves.

The scale of Sea World’s biggest exhibits makes them feel larger than life - plus its location in Mission Bay means you’ll be enjoying beautiful seaside views while you explore, which just can’t be beat.

Make your time at SeaWorld or the San Diego Zoo a truly memorable occasion with specialty tours and opportunities to see the animals up close.

Malayan Tapir at the San Diego Zoo

Zoo Tours

The zoo’s VIP Tour is an unbeatable experience, as you’ll get your own personal tour guide and a sit-down lunch included on this 5-hour tour.

Cheaper options that still offer a special experience include the Discovery Cart Tour and Inside Look Tours at different exhibits.

Animal Meet and Greets

See the zoo’s animal ambassadors at the Animals in Action Experience. You’ll learn from behavioral specialists at this informative and interactive show in the park’s Urban Jungle.

Beluga Whales Being Fed at SeaWorld San Diego

Tours at SeaWorld

Elevate your day at SeaWorld by signing up for a tour, where you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into taking care of the park’s animals. The VIP Tour is a curated group experience featuring dining with orcas and front-of-the-line access to shows and rides.

Marine Meet-Ups

Like the zoo, SeaWorld San Diego has special experiences that bring you closer to the animals. Standouts include the orca encounter and penguin encounter which are exciting for all ages.

Watching an animal show is a ton of fun too!

Tiger Exibit at the San Diego Zoo

Our Preference: San Diego Zoo

You can take a VIP tour at either park, but when comparing value, we think the San Diego Zoo’s tours and animal encounters are better.

Shark Inside Shark Encounter Entrance at SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego may be the pick if the ocean is a bigger draw for you and your family. But in our opinion, it’s hard to compete with the San Diego Zoo, making it our winning choice!