San Diego: The Animals Have Fled the Zoo! image 1

San Diego: The Animals Have Fled the Zoo!

🔒 Instant Access: Book now and start immediately. No need to wait for a guide.

⏱️ Total Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume whenever you want.

🧩 Gamified Discovery: Solve 13 location-based puzzles to unlock hidden stories and secret spots.

📍 Starting Point: Balboa Park Miniature Railroad, 1800 Zoo Pl, San Diego, CA 92101, USA

🛡️ Free Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours before your planned start for a full refund.

🌐 Available In: 🇬🇧 English

Places you will visit

13

It will take you

115-145 mins

You will walk

7620 steps

Total distance

5.8 km

Route you will explore

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Starting point Balboa Park Miniature Railroad
1800 Zoo Pl, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Finish point Balboa Park Carousel
2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA

About this quest

There was an alarming disruption at the San Diego Zoo. The front gates burst open and many of the animals fled into Balboa Park. Leonardo the Lion tried to round them up outside the gates until they panicked and scattered again. 

See if you can help him gather the herd to escort them back home.    Leonardo has set out ahead of you to convince his friends that all is well. He needs your help and has dropped some clues. 

Use your detective skills to figure out what or who caused the disruption. 

What to Expect

This self-guided walking tour in San Diego combines exploration, storytelling, and puzzle-solving into one unique experience. As you navigate through the city, you will discover 13 carefully selected locations, each revealing a piece of the story.

The entire quest takes approximately 7800 minutes to complete and covers 5.8km on foot. You will move at your own pace, with the freedom to pause whenever you want to take photos, grab a coffee, or simply soak in the atmosphere.

Each location features a challenge or puzzle that unlocks the next chapter of your story. These challenges are designed to be fun and engaging while teaching you about the history, culture, and hidden gems of San Diego.

No tour guide needed – your smartphone becomes your guide. The Questo app provides directions, shares stories, and presents challenges along the way.

Highlights

  • Take a beautiful stroll and tour the highlights of San Diego’s Balboa Park.

  • Learn a bit about the amazing collection of museums here.

  • When done grab the trolly to get a broader tour.

The mission: Your story in San Diego

There was an alarming disruption at the San Diego Zoo. The front gates burst open and many of the animals fled into Balboa Park.  Leonardo the Lion tried to round them up outside the gates until they panicked and scattered again. 

See if you can help him gather the herd to escort them back home. Leonardo has set out ahead of you to convince his friends that all is well. He needs your help and has dropped some clues. Use your detective skills to figure out what or who caused the disruption.

Tips & Recommendations

👟

Wear Comfortable Shoes

You will be walking throughout the city, so comfortable footwear is essential for enjoying the experience.

🔋

Charge Your Phone

Make sure your smartphone is fully charged. The quest runs through the Questo app, and you will be using it throughout.

🌤️

Check the Weather

This is an outdoor activity. Bring an umbrella or sunscreen depending on the forecast.

📸

Bring a Camera

You will discover photogenic locations and hidden gems perfect for capturing memories.

💧

Stay Hydrated

Bring water, especially during warmer months or longer quests.

👥

Play with Friends

While you can play solo, quests are more fun with friends or family. One ticket works for a group.

Important Information

⏱️

Duration

Approximately 7800 minutes

🚶

Distance

5.8km walking

👥

Group Size

Unlimited

💪

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible (stairs and uneven surfaces)

🔄

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your scheduled start time

ℹ️

Need to Know Before Booking

  • You will need the Questo app on your smartphone (iOS or Android)
  • Each ticket can be used by a group (share one device or play separately)
  • Internet connection required to download the quest initially
  • Once downloaded, you can play offline if needed

Ratings and Reviews

4.71

17 ratings

5 Stars
76%
4 Stars
18%
3 Stars
6%
2 Stars
0%
1 Star
0%
Reviews
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seine33

21 Jun 2025

Lari Rubio

17 Mar 2025

GucciQuinzel

16 Mar 2025

evehalcyon

22 Sep 2024

WitchRaven

22 Sep 2024

Beat the best: Top San Diego explorers

evehalcyon
evehalcyonSeeker
4000 XP
Ester Gamache
Ester GamacheRookie
4000 XP
Sierra ValadezSeeker
3970 XP

Compare Questo vs. Guided Walking Tours

FeatureRegular Guided ToursQuesto
Flexibility
Fixed schedules & no pausing
Start, pause, and resume anytime
Privacy
Crowds of up to 30 strangers
Private experience for your group only
Pricing
$30-$40 per person
Affordable per-group pricing
Availability
Requires advance booking
Instant access 24/7/365
Experience
Passive listening to a guide
Active gamification; you solve the mystery

Have an unlock code?

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