San Diego Zoo: Yun Chuan, Xin Bao & Panda Ridge
Updated October 3, 2026
The San Diego Zoo is the only place on the US West Coast to see giant pandas. Male Yun Chuan (云川) and female Xin Bao (鑫宝) arrived from China in June 2024 and live at Denny Sanford Panda Ridge, rebuilt at four times the size of the zoo's old panda habitat. The zoo streams a Giant Panda Cam from the habitat.
The two pandas
Yun Chuan (云川) — male
- Born: July 28, 2019, at the Gengda Shenshuping Panda Base in Sichuan, China
- Arrived in San Diego: June 27, 2024
- Family: Grandson of Bai Yun and Gao Gao (two pandas that thrived at San Diego for decades); son of Zhen Zhen, who was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007
- How to spot him: long, slightly pointed nose
Xin Bao (鑫宝) — female
- Born: July 22, 2020, at the Gengda Shenshuping Panda Base
- Arrived in San Diego: June 27, 2024
- Name meaning: "precious treasure of prosperity and abundance"
- How to spot her: large, round face and big, fluffy ears; an excellent climber
Denny Sanford Panda Ridge
When the pandas returned in 2024, the zoo rebuilt their habitat as Denny Sanford Panda Ridge — about four times the size of the previous panda habitat. It's a walk-through area on a one-way path, with a standby line. There is no separate panda ticket and nothing to book ahead.
Is there a baby panda at the San Diego Zoo?
As of early October 2026, no. Yun Chuan and Xin Bao are the only two pandas at the zoo, and no cub has been announced. (Search results in spring 2026 that mentioned "San Diego panda cub" reflected interest, not an actual birth — the zoo's official pages list only Yun Chuan and Xin Bao.)
Visiting the pandas in person
- Where: Denny Sanford Panda Ridge, San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA
- Getting in: General zoo admission; no extra panda ticket or reservation
- Tip: Viewing windows at Panda Ridge close in the afternoon (around 3:30–4:00pm) — go early to see the pandas active
- Also at the zoo: Panda Ridge connects to the wider zoo; check the zoo's daily schedule for keeper talks
Sources
- San Diego Zoo — Giant Panda Cam
- San Diego Zoo — Giant Pandas
- 国家林业和草原局 — 圣地亚哥动物园：我们与中国大熊猫的30年 (Chinese official source on the 30-year partnership)
- La Jolla Mom — How to See the San Diego Zoo Pandas (visitor tips)
This page is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.