SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Zoo & Gardens' next resident free day is Wednesday, Nov. 4, giving San Francisco residents free admission with proof that they live in the city.
The Zoo's event calendar lists the free-day window as 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and says visitors should bring government-issued ID to the ticket-scanning area. One free admission is provided for each ID showing San Francisco residency.
Who gets free admission on Nov. 4?
The offer is for San Francisco residents. The Zoo's free-day page says to bring a government-issued ID showing SF residency and says each qualifying ID receives one free admission.
The Zoo's general resident-admission page separately says proof of residency can include a valid driver's license or government-issued ID card, or a utility or phone bill with your name and current address together with valid photo ID. Because the Nov. 4 event page specifically tells free-day visitors to bring government-issued ID, that is the safest document to carry for the free admission itself.
What time is the SF Zoo free day?
The Nov. 4 free-day calendar entry is listed for 9 a.m.–3 p.m.. There is one timing detail worth knowing before an early arrival: the Zoo's general tickets-and-hours page currently lists ordinary daily operating hours as 10 a.m.–5 p.m..
Those two official pages therefore differ by one hour at the start of the day. The free-day listing is the event-specific source, but visitors planning to arrive before 10 a.m. should check the Zoo's day-of information in case entry procedures are clarified.
How much is parking?
The Zoo lists on-site parking at $15 on weekdays, with no in-and-out privileges. Disabled guests may park free with a valid disabled placard. The Zoo encourages public transit when possible.
Which Muni lines go to the Zoo?
The L Taraval runs directly to the Wawona Street & 46th Avenue stop labeled “SF Zoo.” SFMTA's current route page lists weekday L service from 5 a.m. to midnight. The Zoo also lists the 18 and 23 bus routes as nearby options.
For riders coming from downtown, the L serves Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, Civic Center, Van Ness, Church, Castro, Forest Hill and West Portal before continuing toward the Zoo.
Is this a one-time free day?
No. The Zoo calendar says SF Resident Free Day repeats on the first Wednesday of each month through March 4, 2027. The Nov. 4 date is the next listed occurrence.