We came here with Scouts for a private program and overnight camping adventure. What a special experience! The staff here were so friendly and knowledgeable, their love of the rescue animals came through to how they shared this with us and the large group of kids. Programming might be unique but we had meet and greet of various animals, a night hike at a ranch next door, and tent set up / camping overnight. Lots of rare animals including kangaroos, bald eagles, capybara, spider monkey, python, etc Unique up close experiences including feeding kangaroos bread and bananas, feeding capybara corn and lettuce, holding a tarantula, petting a porcupine, alligator, river otters hunt for live fish, etc Facilities included clean bathroom/shower, kitchen area with running water, fridge, grill, fire pit, shaded central hang out area with couches, picnic tables, kids games, and parking. Also super kid friendly with sand play area, train ride. Also two onsite "tents" Highly recommend checking this out - does require a booking. Note that a single family can book for a private experience. read more

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I brought my fiancée to Paso Robles for the animals (not the wine) to celebrate her 30th birthday. This was 100% the best animal experience we've ever had. Spoiler-wise - I was very happy that I did not read too many reviews prior to our visit. The surprise of meeting each animal was a delight, and probably would not have been as joyful if I knew what to expect or was expecting to meet a specific animal that was not part of the tour. Don't read further if you'd like to have a similar experience as us! *** We arrived early and were immediately greeted by Lisa, an animal caretaker veteran who runs the rescue with her husband. I obviously did not do enough research because I expected more guests, but quickly realized that it was just our small group of 2. Lisa purposely keep tours to a smaller group to reduce stress to the animals. Lisa was incredibly knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and clearly passionate about her work. She made us feel comfortable right away, and tailors the tour based off her observations of us, the guests. We interacted with owls, a hawk, river otters, a talking raven, teenage capybaras, an elder spider monkey, a sloth, a laughing kookaburra, an armadillo, a ruffled lemur, and many more critters! Each animal interacted with us on their own accord. She never forced an animal to do something they did not want to. After the tour, she welcomed us to explore the facilities and we saw some warthogs, eagles, and a fennec fox. All I can say is that the price was worth it! My childhood dreams of being a zookeeper fulfilled. read more

Conservation Ambassadors - Zoo to You - Zoos Near Me - Paso Robles, California

Loved everything and everyone . We stayed the night in one of their tent cabins ate s'mores and listened to animals by a campfire . Then in the morning toured the property with Lisa . My son even got a little extra Capybara time as they were doing the morning clean and set up . We learned so much about the animals and loved engaging with them . I may be ruined now for a normal zoo . This is definitely an experience. read more

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The entire experience was incredible. From meeting and petting the animals to listening to all the knowledge our guide had and her love for all the animals. Truly an amazing experience and well worth what we paid. read more

Conservation Ambassadors - Zoo to You - Zoos Near Me - Paso Robles, California

This was hands down one of the best animal encounters I've ever been to! You can tell right away how much love and care goes into this place. The animals are clearly so well taken care of, and the staff are super friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. They were happy to answer all our questions and shared so many cool facts about each animal. Some of the animals have been there longer than I've been alive, which just shows the level of dedication they have. We got to see such a wide variety of animals. Every single one was awesome in its own way. The baby capybaras (just 7 months old!) were a major highlight, SO adorable. The river otters were insanely soft, and the owls and hawks were seriously impressive. Feeding the sloth and kangaroos was such a cool experience, and the little armadillo bouncing around was so cute. The porcupine was way cooler than I expected, and we even met a newly rescued ferret and some warthogs. And then there was Maya, the spider monkey. She completely stole our hearts. We also got to play with a lemur which was really fun. There were honestly so many animals, I'm sure I'm forgetting a few, but each encounter was special. The experience is a bit on the pricey side, but it's sooooo worth it for what you get, and even more so knowing that the money goes directly back into caring for the animals. You can really tell the owners pour every bit of themselves (and their resources) into this place. That kind of love and passion just makes the whole experience even better. Highly, highly recommend. You won't regret it! And they take some great pictures for you too so you can really focus on enjoying your time with the animals. Lisa really showed us a great time! read more

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I'm always wary of animal encounter experiences that involve direct interaction with animals. Too often, they prioritize profit over proper care. This is not some random instagram husband-wife duo who hoard exotic wildlife. That's why I was genuinely impressed by Zoo to You, it's a legitimate nonprofit that focuses on rescue, education, and animal welfare. Many of the animals come from situations like the illegal pet trade or have been abandoned, displaced, or injured. Because they can't be released into the wild, they serve as ambassadors in educational programs. The organization is clearly credible. The founder has formal education in zoology and exotic animal training, and our guide, Lisa, also has professional experience working with animals. It showed throughout the entire visit. Lisa was extremely knowledgeable and clearly passionate about both the animals and education. What stood out most was how the animals interacted on their own terms, they could choose whether or not to engage with us. The enclosures were clean and spacious, and everything felt thoughtfully managed. The animals are trained, but not in a performative or circus-like way. The training is focused on safety and positive reinforcement, ensuring a safe environment for both the animals and the guests. Lisa maintained clear boundaries and never allowed inappropriate handling. Some of the animals, like the otters, were rescued at just a few months old and, years later, now appear in films and shows as animal ambassadors. It's clear their care and training are rooted in long-term well-being, not exploitation. This isn't a place that throws around terms like "sanctuary" without substance, it genuinely meets those standards. Lisa also spoke in detail about enrichment and proper diet, which reinforced how much thought goes into the animals' care. The experience is pricey, but knowing the money supports a nonprofit doing this kind of work makes it feel worthwhile. I'd much rather support this than anything that compromises animal welfare. If you're looking to book: 1) avoid looking at photos/videos of other experiences. Each experience is dependent on the age of guests and availability of animals. 2) wear clothes you're not too worried about getting dirty + the animals are outside (so consider a hat and sunscreen) read more

Worth every penny! When I first heard about Conservation Ambassadors I knew that my wife and I had to go, we are huge animal lovers and this seemed perfect. When I found out they have capybaras and you get to interact with them I went from thinking about it to booking it, I love capys lol! We were greeted upon arrival and taken into the waiting area where they had food and drinks available. They were finishing up with some overnight visitors so she told us it would just be a few minutes and she handed us a 7 month old joey to hold an interact with. The joey was beyond cute and very interested in us. When the guide came back we went all over the park. We met the capybaras, a sloth, capuchin monkey, lemur, kangaroos and so much more! We were given great information about the animals and how they came about acquiring them from illegal pet owners to smugglers and more the stories were incredible. It was such a personal experience I can't recommend it enough. If you are into animals but on the fence about the price, trust me it's really worth it. You won't get many if any experiences quite like this one. read more

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They do tours on the island. Did you know that the conservation owns 88% of the island?

The Best Birthday Gift Ever (Sorry, Wrapped Presents!) Forget fancy dinners or gift cards -- my daughter wanted a trip to Conservation Ambassadors - Zoo to You, rather than traditional presents and wow... best birthday idea ever! From the start, Lisa welcomed us like old friends. She's warm, funny, and clearly in love with every creature there -- and by the end, we were too. We hand-fed a two-toed sloth, played ball with an armadillo, fed and snuggled capybaras, hung out with a lemur who could've starred in a movie, and met kangaroos, otters, and birds of prey. Each one had its own personality -- and honestly, they all stole our hearts. The best part? No crowds, no long lines, no "hurry up and move along." Just real moments with amazing animals who seemed to enjoy meeting us as much as we loved meeting them. And knowing that our visit helps fund their care and future rescues makes it even better. If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind, feel-good, unforgettable experience -- this is it. Worth every penny and then some! read more

Went for the Kangaroo Yoga experience and it was incredible. Up close and personal time with the Roos. Very well organized and the animals are so well cared for. Excellent experience! read more

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We booked a private animal encounter for two last month at Zoo to You and it was such a great experience from start to finish. Their website lays out all of the information about your two hour experience, including the price and you can choose the date and time that works best for you. They reach out to you prior to your visit to find out your particular interests and cater your experience to that. Lisa was lovely and informative. She made us feel welcome and comfortable. She even took some photos and sent them to us, which was lovely because you can get so caught up in the experience, you can forget to get those pictures in! We had an amazing time and learned a lot. We were able to meet lots of animals and we both came away surprised by which moments were our favorites. I came in excited to see the capybaras and they did not disappoint, but I will never forget the few moments I spent with the little capuchin named Route. She absolutely stole my heart! My husband was most excited for the owls and really enjoyed meeting them but his bobcat encounter was by far his most memorable moment. For anyone with apprehensions, please know that it is clear that the main goal and purpose of this location is housing and caring for displaced wildlife. There were many, many animals that we were not able to see or be near because they genuinely care about the wellbeing of their animals that they are happy and well taken care of. Only those animals who show interest and inclination are part of this program and no animals were forced to interact with us at any time. I would highly recommend this experience to any animal lovers who have the means to take advantage of it. You will be supporting a great cause and having a wonderful time. You will not be disappointed. read more

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I was grateful enough to visit Zoo To You for work today. Lisa and Megan were very informative about the animals and guided us along the different parts of the zoo! We got to meet lemurs, kangaroos, sea otters, capybaras, and many more! We love the meaning behind their conservatory and loved how they are rescuing animals and loving them as their own. Such an awesome experience and would love to visit again. P.S. we saw that you are able to stay at their site and meet the animals as well! read more

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Wow!! What more can I say, this experience more than exceeded my expectations. My family and I were fortunate enough to get to spend the night at this wonderful facility and closely interact with so many wonderful ,diverse creatures. The hospitality went above and beyond, Lisa and her staff were warm and receptive and so knowledgeable. The accommodations were absolutely adorable and so very comfortable, I wish we could've stayed another night! I cannot recommend this place highly enough, a truly once in a lifetime experience!! read more

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From registration to leaving, this was such a great experience. Lisa reached out to us a few days before arrival and asked if there was anything special we wanted to do or see during our stay. We were promptly greeted when we arrived and spent so much time with the menagerie of animals she cares for. We bottle-fed baby kangaroos, spent quality time with sea otters, capybaras, a hawk, a sloth, a giant owl, pigmy owls, a monkey, a cerval (I think?), and so many more. It's just like the photos show... you get to interact with them, feed them, hold (some of) them, and more. Lisa knew so much about each animal, we learned a lot as well. And it was clear that Lisa cares for these animals. This is not a money grab or a sad "petting zoo" like we've seen in other places (looking at you, Sea Quest). It was expensive but absolutely worth it and we're ready to go back. read more

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Magical and Amazing! It exceeded my expectations and hopes. Fun and highly educational. My face hurt I was smiling so hard and for so long. The creators and caretakers of the conservation zoo love all the animals, and it shows. The animals were happy and healthy. Interacting one-on-one with only the people in our group was such a fantastic treat. It was a different and better animal experience than anything I have ever done. The care for details of our experience blew me away. Highly recommend and plan to return many times!!! read more

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Go!!! Yes, a little pricey- but worth every penny. Such an interactive experience. Took our 2 adult kids (age 20, 22) and we had the best time. The grounds are amazing. The animals are so loved. It was educational & hands-on. Do not hesitate- you will be so happy ! This was our family Christmas gift, and it will a treasured memory. read more

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This place is a MUST-DO for anyone who remotely likes animals and happens to be in the Paso Robles area. We booked the Animal Encounter for a Friday afternoon with our group of 9, and all of us had the absolute best time. This was originally planned for our friend who is the biggest animal lover, but it ended up being the highlight of our weekend for all of us. Lisa, her husband, and the rest of the staff are so knowledgeable about the animals and the pet trade, one of the sources of their rescues, and you really get to establish a connection with all of the animals, many of which you get to interact with up close. The price per person isn't cheap, but since every dollar goes towards maintaining the place and taking care of the animals, I think it's absolutely worth it. They will also only book one group at a time so whether you're a group of 3 or 10, it's the same price per person for a very personal tour. read more

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Greatest animal experience ever! These are really loved and well-cared for animals whose depth of knowledge about each animal species is super impressive. Every little detail has been considered in how to provide each animal with its best possible life. The same thoughtfulness has gone into creating an excellent experience for guests. Lisa welcomed us warmly and customized the experience for us so we could see animals we would enjoy most (we are less excited about meeting reptiles, for example). We LOVED all of the birds! We also loved visiting with the sloth, river otters, bobcat, lemur, kangaroos, and many more. This experience far exceeded the high expectations I came with. Highly recommend to anyone who loves animals! read more

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My son's 10th birthday wish was to meet and pet a capybara. I was absolutely delighted to find out that it would be possible at Conservation Ambassadors. We booked a night in the clamping tent and an animal encounter the following morning. It was all that I had hoped for and more. Lisa's animals are lovely, well socialized and beautifully taken care of. I feel so lucky and privileged that she was willing to share them with my family. We got to play with and feed more animals than I could have imagined. It was amazing - a once in a lifetime opportunity. I highly recommend. read more

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Our Zoo-to-You encounter was private, personalized, and phenomenal, much MORE than we anticipated or could have asked for. Lisa was a fabulous hostess, knowledgeable about every animal under her care and full of stories, mostly about her rescued animals but a little about her own fascinating life (since we asked)! The animals LOVED interacting with us (up close and personal!) and vice versa (obviously!); we soaked up the affection as much as they did! We got to feed many, cuddle and play with lots, and "fly" a couple. The list was long and full of surprises. We learned a lot, took dozens of photos and videos, and had a TON of fun! When you experience this expansive, clean rescue environment and see first-hand the care and attention these wounded or abandoned creatures receive, it is so obvious that this place views what they do as a mission, especially catering to educating kids. Nobody is getting rich here, and they work long, hard hours. So don't complain about the price; you're helping to keep this place going. And you walk away better for having participated. Bring some friends, a great experience with several or many! read more

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An AMAZING experience!! So worth it!! We had the best time with Lisa, she explained everything and made the experience so welcoming. The whole staff was great! We interacted with so many different animals and learned so many things about them. I've been telling everyone I know to visit, we will definitely be back to experience the tents they have! read more

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This place is incredible! Lisa and the whole zoo team care about the animals so much, offering them enrichment and love and shelter. Our animal encounter was amazing. I can't stop smiling about it! We took the whole family including 2 kids (10 & 5) and my parents. Everyone loved it!! We got to feed a sloth, cuddle snakes, pet otters, hold a kangaroo for a nap, and so many other things I don't want to spoil! If you love animals you must find a way to do this. It's a great organization and such wonderful animals. We will definitely come back in the future and say hi to our friends again! read more

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A very personal encounter with the animals that the kids and adults enjoyed. Everyone was beyond thrilled with our time there. Very unique and memorable. I got to feed and pet a reindeer ! We actually had a private tour at the San Diego Zoo for a special occasion, but this was way better as it was more intimate and friendlier. We hope to return again ! read more

Conservation Ambassadors - Zoo to You - Zoos Near Me - Paso Robles, California

The highlight of my recent trip down to the central coast for me and my kids was visiting this rescue zoo for a private tour. I knew it would be pretty cool but it was seriously a once in a lifetime experience! It was 90 minutes of interacting with the animals and learning about their care, and hands down one of the coolest things I've ever done with my kids! Some (but not all) of the stuff we did there: - Held blue tongued skink lizards - Held a 70 pound python - Felt the soft feathers of an owl - Fed a hawk and had it land on my arm - Met and talked to a number of exotic birds - Fed two porcupines and got a porcupine quill to take home - Got insanely close to a tiger and two giant bears and watched them get fed - Fed a pet a capybara - Met river otters who appeared on the show Bunk'd - Pet a red fox - Saw an African kitty and cougar up close - Held a lemur on my shoulder - Got to meet 3 bald eagles and watched them get fed - Held and touched the belly of an alligator - Fed a reindeer, goats, ducks, and emus Lisa, who owns the zoo with her husband, gave us the tour and was so warm and friendly, and really awesome with the kids. It isn't cheap, but it shouldn't be, you're getting a private inside tour and so much interaction with the animals. These tours are one of the ways the zoo continues to sustain itself especially during Covid. It was worth every penny for us because we loved the experience so much and it was such a unique once in a lifetime thing. I'd definitely go back again!! read more

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We had such a fun time playing with/learning about these amazing animals. Lisa and David are some of the best in the conservation business and renowned around the country for their rescue efforts. The animals are so loved and well cared for and the facilities are amazing. The tents for spending the night at the zoo are brand new. Very clean and comfortable. Nothing comes close to the ability to experience these creatures up close! Must do activity for anybody (any age!) in the area! read more

Conservation Ambassadors - Zoo to You - Sheila the baby kangaroo hanging out in her pouch! - Zoos Near Me - Paso Robles, California

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Such an amazing experience here!! The staff was so kind, informational, and accommodating to our needs! Such down to earth people. We will never forget meeting all their beautiful animals. I love that they have one on one tours so you get all the attention from the staff and the animals. If you're considering if you should pay them a visit, do it!! You won't regret it. read more

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Have you ever wanted to cuddle a lemur, play with otters, feed a kangaroo and hug an alligator? Well, maybe not that last one! But you can do all this and more on the grounds of Conservation Ambassadors in Paso Robles. A visit to their animal sanctuary is like getting a backstage pass to a rescue zoo. Founded in 1990 by David Jackson, Conservation Ambassadors allows visitors to feed and interact with their rescue animals on its sanctuary, located minutes away by car from downtown Paso Robles. They also operate a program called "Zoo to You," focused on educating students of all ages to get up close and personal with animals they'd otherwise never have the chance to meet. In addition to their education and outreach efforts, the animal sanctuary is the forever home of abused, displaced, confiscated or permanently injured wildlife and exotic animals. We signed up for their Up Close Encounters experience -- where we met their rescue animals and learned about their unique backstories. Like one of the alligators, which was discovered during a drug bust. They asked me if I wanted to hold one and of course how could I pass up the opportunity. Staff members were with us the entire time guiding us on how to hold the animals so I never felt nervous. Though I'm guessing my face revealed another story, as they told me that the alligator was often used for educational programs. If a kid can do this, I got it! Conservation Ambassadors is open 7 days a week. The Animal Encounter experience is highly recommended ($125 per person) and can be booked directly on their website. read more

Absolutely life changing. Such a wealth of knowledge as well. Amazing to interact with animals that have so much love to give!

what an amazing opportunity to play and observe tigers, bears, cougar and bird of prey right here in Paso Robles. Don't miss the personal animal experiences! https://www.conservationambassadors.org/what-to-do-at-the-zoo/ read more

Conservation Ambassadors - Zoo to You - feeding baby kangaroos in the yard! - Zoos Near Me - Paso Robles, California

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Simply the best animal experience you will ever have. We got to pet and interact with so many animals- otters, a capuchin monkey, capybara, kangaroos, an owl, a hawk, a sloth, blue tongued skinks, tortoise, a kookaburra and many more. The facility is clean, animals are happy, well cared for and Lisa and her husband are knowledgeable and welcoming. If you are an animal lover this is a unique and amazing experience. read more

It really was the best day ever. Lisa and Elizabeth were so kind and patient with our diverse crew (five year old, teenager, octogenarians) and made the day perfect. We learned so much and all of the animals are clearly so well loved. I can't recommend enough - thank you so much for everything!! read more

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This experience was easily in my top five favorite things I've ever done in my 51 years. We did the two hour encounter and it blew my mind. These animals are so well loved and cared for. I went primarily to see the capybara but the lemur, wallaby and kangaroos were amazing as well. We got to bottle feed a 14 day old Capuchin monkey! Lisa was just so knowledgeable and kind and showed us so many critters and birds. Cannot recommend this enough. read more

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My mom, children and I took the Inside Look Tour and it was absolutely amazing! Both of my kids had Zoo to You as an in person assembly at their school 2 years ago, so it was so special to be able to visit some of these same animals in person. The animals are cared for so lovingly and, during the tour, the visitors are educated. I appreciate the care all staff have towards these animals as well as advocating for the humane treatment of all creatures. They do an excellent job informing the dangers of having exotics as pets. Thank you to all of the caretakers at Conservation Ambassadors! read more

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A truly unforgettable experience! The Conservation Ambassadors have set up a wonderful home for many displaced and abused animals. And we get to meet many of these awesome animals through a private tour. We went as a family of four (two 9-year olds) and we all loved every minute of the experience. We were blown away by the variety of animals - from reptiles, otters, kangaroos, and eagles. Highly recommend it! read more

I would give 10 stars if I could, this place exceeded all my expectations, would highly recommend to anyone who loves animals. Interacting with the animals you can see just how well taken care of and loved they are. read more

This was one of the coolest experiences I've had in a long time. Lisa (the owner/our guide) was amazing and is so in tune with her animals. You can tell they love her and are so well cared for. My cousin and I got the Kangaroo encounter and hung out and learned so much about the kangaroos. (Lisa was so amazing because she also let us check out a couple other animals that we now want to go back and spend more time with!!) The kangaroos were absolutely adorable and you can tell they want for nothing :) just lounging in the sun and loving life. I can't wait to bring other friends and let them experience this amazing place. read more

I have been to many animal encounters and I have to say this one blows the others out of the water! I was amazed at how many animals we actually got to interact with and learn about. Lisa was so informative and had the neatest stories about the animals she cares for. She has so much passion for what she does and she made the whole experience enjoyable and relaxing. I am already looking to plan my next trip (and an overnight even!) because it was so awesome. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves animals and wants to get up close and personal. Just visiting this place helps them as profits go to food and essentials for all the different creatures--and there are a lot! Check it out, you will be happy you did! :) read more

Wow! I had the best birthday! My momma heart is filled with memories of today! Lisa was perfect! So much information, and clearly well taken care of and loved animals! We will be back! read more

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This experience was very exciting and intriguing. For example, we got to play with the otters, feed the kangaroos bananas, and have the monkey climb all over you. The staff were very nice and instead of the regular 2 hour tour we got a little more than usual. This was a lot of fun and we learned a lot about animals. read more

We went to see the kangaroos this week with Lisa and what a unique experience! It's up close, very personal and so fun. Lisa is an incredible host and very knowledgeable. We will definitely be back and would recommend highly. read more