Skyfari

4.7(41)google

4.4(22)yelp

Free(This aerial tram is located inside the San Diego Zoo; rides are fully included with general zoo admission or membership cards)

Wildlife WatchingFamilyScenic LookoutOutdoor

Overview

Skyfari is the iconic, historic open-air aerial tramway located inside the world-famous San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, offering a thrilling and highly practical transportation experience since its inception. The cable car system glides smoothly suspended high above the zoo's lush, mature botanical canopy, transporting visitors quickly from one end of the expansive park to the other. Riding it provides a unique bird's-eye perspective of the animal habitats below, alongside panoramic views of Balboa Park's monuments.

Practical Info

Skyfari, San Diego, CA 92101, USA

Suggested DurationAbout 15-30 minutes

Best TimeAfternoon or golden hour on a clear day is the prime time for a ride. This iconic open-air aerial tram inside the San Diego Zoo serves as both fun transit and a scenic viewpoint, offering a bird's-eye view over the lush canyon canopy and Balboa Park.

Getting ThereLocated directly inside the San Diego Zoo, with terminal stations near the front entrance and the Polar Bear Plunge. Included with standard zoo admission; simply take MTS Bus Route 7 or Rapid 215 to the zoo entrance and follow the signs inside.

zoo.sandiegozoo.org/activities/skyfarir-aerial-tram

Travel Tips

This aerial tram operates entirely inside the San Diego Zoo and requires valid zoo admission. Ride privileges depend on your ticket tier; loose safety bars, rocking the gondola cabins, or leaning out for pictures is strictly illegal and triggers immediate security eviction from the park.
Bypass the massive queues that form at the West Station between 1:00 and 4:00 PM as crowds trek back from Elephant Odyssey to the main gates. Instead, reverse your route and ride from the front East Station to the back before 11:00 AM for near-zero wait times.

Photo Tips

Photo Spots

The definitive framing for capturing the dense zoo canopy alongside the downtown skyline is from the dead-center apex of the cable wire. Morning hours (9:30-11:00 AM) offer crisp front-lighting; bump up your shutter speed to counter movement blur and minimize glass glare.

Reviews

Positive

The iconic aerial tram inside the world-famous San Diego Zoo, taking visitors on a seamless flight high over the lush tropical canopy.
The aerial view is commanding and stunning, allowing clear looks at rare wildlife below while capturing Balboa Park panoramas.
The tram ride is typically included in general zoo admission with no extra fees, serving as an efficient transit between gate and north wings.
Safety management and crowd control reach top-tier theme park standards, operating bi-directionally with highly efficient boarding speeds.

Heads up

Features an open-air open-sided basket carriage design, which can trigger anxiety for claustrophobic guests or highly active kids.
During summer and weekend midday peak hours, long lines form at both boarding stations, requiring half-hour waits under full sun.
In high winds, stormy weather, or lightning risks, the system shuts down instantly for safety, forcing guests into long detours on foot.
Only provides grand macro vistas; due to the high elevation and continuous forward movement, it is unsuited for detailed micro wildlife viewing.