I know I said most of my takeaways from my visit were too photography-centric to by helpful to a person not going to the zoo for that specific reason but I did come up with some more general advice that may be helpful.
-Try to see the koalas right when the zoo opens. This is feeding time for them so they are most active at this time.
-The bonobos get a food toss around 10:30 AM, although when I was there, it was more like 10:15.
-Try to see the tigers at a time when the zoo is less crowded. The viewing area underneath the shelter where they both were at the time I tried to see them is fairly large, but it crowded up very quickly and people stayed for a long time. I am not mad at the visitors for being interested in them, but it was very frustrating for me personally, as I get overstimulated by crowds quite easily.
-The presenters at the Rady presentation are over in the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp say that the zoo will try to bring their baby Linnaeus's two-toed sloth out for presentations every Wednesday. The presentations are at 1:00 PM I believe.
-Don't spend too much time in the Urban Jungle. Its honestly the weakest part of the zoo and I think most people on here agree. There's really nothing there that most zoos don't have or aren't already at the zoo in a better enclosure. Only exception would be the Soemmering's gazelle, which apparently only have about 6 holders in the US (though I could be wrong on that front).
-Visit the Hummingbird Habitat Aviary. There are wattled jacana chicks in there and they were honestly some of my favorite animals I saw at the zoo. I recommend dedicating quite a bit of time to this as if you stick around for long enough you may get to see them try to walk on the lily pads.
-In the Scripp's Aviary there is an African darter. It is likely the only one currently in captivity ao this may be your only chance to see one. People on this site say that it is usually hiding and that rang true during my visit. While I was there it stayed in the area right by the entrance to the Aviary's upper level by the pond.
-There are giant Asian softshell turtles in the gharial enclosure. They like to lay underneath the sand in the two small submerged pools within the rockwork. If you stay long enough you will see them briefly come out.
-I recommend doing the Lost Forest during the hottest/sunniest part of your visit as the paths are very well shaded. I did not think of this and ended up regretting it.
-I'm sure you've been made aware that the zoo is very hilly but the part of Northern Frontier with the hoofstock yards is on a very sharp incline. Probably something you'll want to do during one of the cooler parts of the day.
-The paths at the red panda yards are very narrow so expect to have to move out of people's way a lot as people walk by.
-The outdoor exhibits at the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp are quite nice and I do recommend checking them out but I'll warn you they are very well integrated with the play areas, so there will by lots of kids running around right by you.
-This is about all I can think of right now but I'll come back and let you know if I come up with anything else.
Also, I did start a thread asking for photography advice when I was preparing for my visit. I'll link it because it may have some tips that can be helpful not just to photographers but any visitor.
Any advice for photography at the San Diego Zoo?
