SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — After several months of contention between the public and the City of San Diego, paid parking will finally be implemented in Balboa Park — and that includes at the San Diego Zoo.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) posted the city’s parking changes, which are set to begin on Jan. 5, 2026, on a detailed webpage as well as an email to zoo members.
Parking at San Diego Zoo lots will be free for some, paid for others
Complimentary parking is offered to zoo members, but the permit is only valid for one vehicle per active adult member, SDZWA states on its website.
To ensure they get complimentary parking, members must register their vehicle through an online portal at sandiegozoo.org/memberparking. Then, they must enter the membership number located on their physical or digital zoo membership card in addition to their vehicle’s license plate number.
Members will only need to register their vehicle once, but must repeat the process if they plan to park in a different vehicle than their previous visit…