Spent the day at the Oakland zoo. We had an 11:30am reservation time, and we arrived at around noon. There was quite a bit of traffic exiting the freeway as the off ramp goes directly into the turn to the zoo. It took quite a bit of time to exit the freeway and get through the entrance line. After getting through the parking line they had staff out directing traffic into makeshift parking. We parked way out near the entrance in a grassy field. It was a short walk to the entrance, though it is uphill from here. Parking in this area isn't the best for handicapped parking - however it looked like there were other spots closer to the front that were for handicapped vehicles. I recommend purchasing tickets online in advance as they are still operating on ticketed time slots for entrance. I have heard great things about this zoo, but it was smaller than I expected. I loved the open concept of this zoo, a lot of the habitats had "moats" so you didn't have to look at the animals through a fence which was a nice touch. The map was a bit confusing when you are first trying to decipher which direction you need to go to get to the next area of the zoo. There is a gondola that will take you from "Africa" to the California Wilderness area - this is the only way you can access this area of the zoo. They also offer a sky lift for a price where that takes you up a ski lift over exhibits and then back down. It took us about 3 hours to complete the majority of the zoo, however to access Australia, you need to exit the zoo and enter the area where they have rides outside, purchase train tickets and take a train ride to where they house the Wallaroos & Emu's. We waited in line to ride the train for over an hour and it was only a 7 minute train ride there and back. Though you get up close to the animals, to me it was not worth the $18 ride and hour long wait. I really enjoyed seeing the Grey Wolf Pack in the California Wilderness area as well as the HUGE Grizzly Bears. My step daughter really loved seeing the Giraffes up close. We were bummed we couldn't see the Hyena. The Elephant enclosure is closed as their Elephant moved to a sanctuary and they plan to remodel this area before gaining a new Elephant or other animal in that area. Overall, this was a great zoo and a fun day trip for our family. It was a bit pricey as our grand total with parking was around $120 for 2 adults & a child. read more

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I had somehow made it my entire adult life in the East Bay and had never been to the Oakland Zoo, so when my friend who has kids offered to take me with her membership, of course I had to! It's the perfect mid-size zoo with fun animals, some level of uniqueness, and manageable size to do in 2-3 hours or less. Came on a Tuesday around opening time 9:30am-noon ish, which in my opinion was the perfect time to come because the animals were so active, and we left right before it got super busy with young kids field trips. Honestly, I had a blast. You do have to pay $6 or have a ticket to ride the train to see the wallaroos and emus in the "Australian" area. Pros: - The animals were so active in the morning when I went. I heard a lion roar for the first time, got up close to the glass where a grizzly bear was playing in the water, the giraffes and meerkats were so cute. - Lots of places where you can take a break from the sun - loved that little telescope area where you can look at the bay and skyline - My friend let me borrow her "key" to learn other random fun facts about animals - The gondola was so cool haha I get the hype. It's fun to look down and see the animals from afar - You can get free parking if you're a teacher and bring your ID! - The volunteers were so knowledgeable and nice! - The little trading card concept is fun if you have kids too - lots of really cute photo-ops along the way if you have kids Cons: - can get SUPER crowded and loud when a bunch of kids come - since I think it's very popular for field trips or summer camps as expected. I also think I may have felt differently about it if I had to pay for my own ticket - so thank you to all my friends in the East Bay who have kids and memberships (I didn't realize it was such a common membership to have lol). - A lot of the "key boxes" were not functioning - give this zoo more funding lol! - In the summer if you go too late, it can actually get so full that they don't let any more people who don't have memberships Overall this was a great experience and I would 10/10 come again - it won't BLOW your mind, but if you enjoy animals, it's such an accessible place and honestly such a great local attraction to spend a couple hours at. read more

Oakland Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Oakland, California

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Very expensive for nothing - admission was way $$$$$. This place is awful- we were on a school field trip when a lady (short haired lesbian) working there began screaming at one of my students when they laughed loudly as they saw a chimp / orangutan peeing. She was awful, pointed her finger in his face rudely and obviously didn't need to be working in a place where there are a lot of children. She could have explained nicely that if he was loud - it disturbs the sleeping animals. But she turned a learning opportunity into a bad memory. This place is a money grab and nothing is worth it. Most of the animals were either hiding or sleeping during our time there. Upside: Gondola was the best part and the food too. But I'll never go back! read more

Oakland Zoo - Giraffe - Zoos Near Me - Oakland, California

This place has gone downhill (like a lot of Oakland) in the years since I visited. Other than the new upper area, the facilities are dilapidated and have not been well maintained. Exhibits are awkward for viewing anything. They do a great job of hiding the animals and especially blocking the view for kids. Today... Lion, Tigers, Grizzly and Sky ride were closed. Elephants are gone. Another 10 exhibits were nothing visible. And the petting zoo was barely that. read more

Oakland Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Oakland, California

We had a great time at the Oakland Zoo! If you're visiting on a weekend, my biggest tip is to get there right when they open. We arrived at opening and walked right onto the gondola with no wait. A lot of the animals were still waking up and weren't very active yet, but honestly I'd take that over standing in long lines and navigating huge crowds later in the day. By the time we were leaving around 12 pm, the gondola line was incredibly long. If riding the gondola is important to you, get there early. The zoo is clean, beautiful, and very family-friendly overall. My one complaint as a parent is that the changing pads in the bathrooms were surprisingly gross and felt unstable, which made diaper changes more stressful than they needed to be. Other than that, it was a really enjoyable visit, and we'll definitely be back. read more

Oakland Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Oakland, California

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We love this zoo. Buying the membership was one of the smartest things we did for our toddler before she started school. She quickly learned the animal names and grew such a love for animals. We used to visit twice a month and it was such a treat for the family. read more

Oakland Zoo - Monitor - Zoos Near Me - Oakland, California

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Oakland Zoo was an unexpected gem when I discovered it a few years ago. Since then I've had the annual membership for my family. My daughter loves animals and my son loves going there to collect the trading cards. The animal exhibits here are larger than what you'll see at most zoos with lots of open space and interactivity. My favorites are within the California habitat area which features gray wolves, bears and mountain lions among other species. A must-visit if you're looking for a way to spend the day in the east bay. read more

Oakland Zoo - Gray Wolf exhibit - Zoos Near Me - Oakland, California

This trip was a little different for us than the last, with two little kids in haul! A few highlights: - the grizzly bears were putting on a show for bystanders. An absolute amazing experience! - staff members in the ride area were very friendly. Our toddler had a blast on the merry go round! - wear your walking shoes because it is a workout! Lots of uphill climbing to get your blood pumping! - they don't regulate outside food, so you can pack a nice picnic lunch! Cons: - only one stroller allowed per gondola ride, even though we folded the umbrella stroller up small. This meant my husband and I had to be split up and split the kids up to get up to the top section of the zoo. - once we got up there, the elevators were out of order. We either had to carry the strollers down multiple flights of stairs, or walk all the way back around to the beginning near the condors. Hopefully this is fixed next time we go! Overall a must stop for anyone within a 60 mile vicinity of the Oakland Zoo. It's a fun day trip for everyone, all ages! read more

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This was such a fun zoo. Went a little late, but that was just fine. I got to see a mountain lion group get fed as an enrichment activity. I saw probably like 75% of the animals at the zoo before they closed. Ended the day off watching the chimpanzees get their lettuce food. Such a lovely lovely day. I saw way more than I thought I would. I have also been reminded how teeny tiny humans are compared to these big old animals. read more

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I'm a teacher in San Francisco, and I'm always on the lookout for the best field trip experiences in the Bay Area. The Oakland Zoo has become one of our absolute favorites. Over the years, I've tried several of their educational options: the first year we booked a wildlife assembly (we were the only class there), the second year we participated in the ZooSchool program, and this year we explored the self-guided option. Each experience has been well-organized and engaging for students. In the past we never had time to ride the gondola or explore the zoo on our own so we never collected Zoo cards. My students this year loved collecting cards throughout the day, but what really stood out was an Oakland Zoo staff member who went above and beyond at the end of the day. He took the time to trade cards with my students and make the experience feel extra special. The Oakland Zoo is, in my opinion, far superior to the San Francisco Zoo in terms of both educational value and visitor experience. We'll definitely continue returning year after year. Highly recommend it for teachers, families, and anyone looking for a meaningful and memorable day at the zoo! I also attended glowfari for the first time last year and WOW! It is worth every penny. The decorations are up and it's looking EPIC this year. read more

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This is a nice, small Zoo. They have a diverse collection of animals and reptiles. It is hilly, so traversing the grounds may be challenging for some. There is also an aerial ride and an enclosed Gondola that provide a "bird's eye view" of the animal enclosures. It is a nice 2-3 hour outing for your family. The Zoo offers a special glow-in-the-dark experience, focused on the children's area during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. It opens at 5pm and has a separate admission fee. read more

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I took my wife and 5 year old daughter here on Mother's Day. We loved it! When you purchase tickets you need to specify the time of arrival (ex: 11:30 am). It's also recommended to buy the parking online as you save $. The first thing you need to do is get onto the Gondola. This is near the Zoo entrance and takes you to the top of the Zoo where the cafe is located. It's a relaxing and scenic 2 1/2 minute ride up. There is also a mini park with rides (ex: carousel) next to the zoo that is included! When you exit the Zoo you simply get stamped to come back inside. The highlights are seeing the monkeys and Chimpanzees. read more

The Oakland Zoo is a pretty great zoo experience. We really enjoyed ourselves on a July weekday visit. Sections of the zoo-- Tropical Rainforest African Savanna Children's Zoo California Trail (via a gondola ride, free with admission) Wild Australia (via a train ride at extra cost) Rides area (pay for tickets, adjacent to the zoo) What I liked-- -Nicely maintained with a lot of big habitats to see so many neat animals -Foliage or covered areas provided nice shade -Multiple viewpoints to look at animals -Lots of seats/benches available -Encountered staff who shared information -Cool gondola offered a peaceful ride with lovely scenery to enjoy -Awesome views of the bay from the California Trail section -Play areas for kids (the California Trail play area was especially fun) -Hand sanitizer bottles widely available -Cool animal statues & different cut outs for cute photo opps -The (extra cost) train ride goes into the Wild Australia area to see a few animals up close, gives nice views of the bay, & offers looks down into parts of the zoo Be aware-- -Like any zoo, the chance of seeing animals out & active will depend on timing -Inky re-entry stamp didn't dry & smears -Elevation differences require some uphill walking on some paths -The Reptile/Amphibian Room was stuffy & muggy The workings-- -Reserve & buy tickets in advance online. Price for admission is variable depending on the day/entry time. We showed our online parking payment proof at the entrance window. -Parking was a little dicey, we got lucky finding a spot while people circled. -Outside food & drinks are allowed to be brought in, but no plastic lids & straws. Water filling stations are scattered throughout. -Women's restroom experience near the entrance was very busy, so supplies ran low/out. The restroom at the California Trails section was less busy, nicer, & better maintained. read more

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Of our two Bay Area zoos, Oakland Zoo is by far the best. SF Zoo is so much more convenient for me, but it feels cramped, there's less to see, and leadership has been severely lacking in ways that put staff and animals at risk. (There have been some really good feature stories on this, in addition to all the reporting on recent controversy with the now ex-CEO). At Oakland Zoo, there are so many animals to see, the animal habitats are so extensive, and the conservation message is conveyed really clearly. My kids also love the gondola! The only thing I don't like is the pay-extra area just outside with rides, which seems like kind of a crock. We went to Glowfari for the first time last night and it was amazing! My advice for those who want to go on the earlier dates is to buy tickets as soon as they go on sale. I logged on the second they went live for non-members and was 57th in line. It was worth it! And bonus--despite the park being really busy with even more young kids than usual, and despite the late hour--the bathrooms were clean! read more

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Here is advice for Glowfari, which starts in November and lasts until January: - It's awesome. It's definitely worth it. The lanterns are meticulously designed and painted, and many have animatronics. There are a huge number of lanterns. - Skip the train ride. The lanterns along the train ride can all be seen when you drive up/down the access road, and it's not worth the very long wait or $6 ticket fee. - Go at the earlest time slot; Both parking and the zoo get more crowded as the night goes on. - When you enter, immediately take the gondola to the top and check out the lanterns up top. The return line for the gondola gets super long later in the evening. - There are strollers everywhere. It's a great family event. read more

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I've been to my share of zoos and this one is pretty close to the top. It's not San Diego Zoo but it's perfect for us. Since purchasing a membership, I've now been twice. (But I've been 3 times since I also went last year during glowfari.) I recently went with my work family which includes little kids. I didn't realize you can purchase these keys at the gift shop and at most enclosures, you put the key in and listen about the animals. It definitely gets the kids excited about moving throughout the park. Plus, many zookeepers (or they might be volunteers) hand out cards to the kids on different animals. Look out for those while you're visiting! The kids on my visit collected at least 4! Plus there are several play areas for the kids and they are super fun including a zip line. The key is going first thing when the animals are more active. Plus we were lucky that the weather was very cloudy with some sprinkles. The animals loved being out since it was nice and cool. When it's hot, they tend to go find a shady spot and sleep. Not to mention, when you come early, less people to deal with. We took the gondola up to the top right away and we had most of the place to ourselves. So what did we see that day? Everything! Jaguar, mountain lion, lions, tigers, bears, giraffes, meerkats, baboons, wolves--and all of them were up close. It was a great visit. They have a nice food establishment at the top but be prepared to spend big money. If you don't want to lose your entire paycheck on a meal, you are allowed to bring food in which is what we did. If you're coming here for the first time, I highly recommend getting the membership. 1) You don't have to worry about timed tickets. Members can come whenever. 2) Members don't have to pay parking. 3) After your second visit you've pay for your membership so it's totally worth it. read more

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Oakland Zoo is a gem of the East Bay and I like to come visit every now and then. It's a mid-sized zoo where you can see everything in under 2 hours. My first stop is always to ride the gondola to the upper portion and get an amazing view of the Bay. I was pleasantly surprised to see the grizzly bears so active and playing as last time they were far away and resting. One qualm is that some of the enclosures, you can barely see the animals...or they may be hiding altogether. But there were enough of other animals to see like zebras, hyena, meerkats, baboons, lions, etc. to have a satisfying visit. This zoo is on a hill, so be prepared for some incline and wear good shoes. And if it's sunny, I suggest bringing an umbrella for shade. I didn't get to try their cafe or food and brought some snacks and fruits instead. read more

Oakland Zoo - giraffes - Zoos Near Me - Oakland, California

I had the opportunity to visit the zoo today after a very long time. The updates that have been completed are very nice. The gondola ride was fun and the restaurant at the top had decent food. Thete is definitely something here for everyone to enjoy! read more

Oakland Zoo - Restaurant Balcony View - Zoos Near Me - Oakland, California

Great experience with kiddos first time being here I will highly recommend. Staff is very friendly and we're super nice

When we went to Oakland Zoo the roller coaster wasn't operational due to Staffing which isn't our problem. All rides need to be fully operation "every time" the doors are open to pay $100 for admission. I'm unsure if we'll visit again this year!! read more

It's been quite awhile since the last time I visited the Oakland Zoo. My kids are grown adults now and for Labor Day I decided to take them. I was a bit disappointed. The river otter habitat was leaking water. It took some time before we were able to see the ONE river otter. We also saw ONE rabbit and ONE alligator. We visited the petting zoo. The goats looked sad but maybe that was due to the heat? It was a hot day in Oakland and there were A LOT of people today. Tickets were actually SOLD OUT when we arrived. They had us parking in the GRASS area. I was not a fan of that. Things have really changed since our last visit. The best things I saw were the giraffes today. Every other animal was in hiding or nonexistent. We were hot and tired so we did not make it to the new part of the zoo. Another plus was the people working there were super nice and friendly. read more

Highly recommend! Kid-friendly environment: The zoo is a great place for families. California Trail: This area is a popular attraction, showcasing native California animals. Gondola ride: The gondola is mentioned as a fun experience and really relaxing. Food: Typical zoo food. I brought my own lunch. The zoo is considered a great place to visit, not just for locals but also for tourists.q read more

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How do You Zoo? Founded in 1922, the 100-acre Oakland Zoo is run as a non-profit and houses over 850 native and exotic animals. They are also AZA (Association of Zoo Animals) accredited. The Good: *Membership pays for itself in two visits and you get free parking. *Fantastic views on the way up to the zoo along the hill *Tram ride (free) to the California side of the zoo was fun. *Great little "restaurant" in the CA area that has lots of food options beyond greasy pizza. It's pricey but it is what it is. *Loved the variety of animals here *If you have young kids this is a great place to bring them, as there's tons of play areas for them. *Animals look well cared for with large spaces *Glowfari Christmas light display during the season. The Meh: *We found this out the hard way, but they still require timed entry reservations for non-members, and unfortunately, we were already en route when we found this out. -_- So their evil plan worked and we bought a membership. *They charge for parking unless you're a member (see above) The Ugly: *That train ride is cool but kind of a joke. It goes by so fast and we didn't see one animal, except for Lou the Emu being a PiTa and not allowing the train to enter the area. It was pretty funny, tho, but don't bother with it unless you have a kid who's really into trains. Conclusion: Maybe the best zoo in the Bay Area, as we slightly preferred it over the SF Zoo. read more

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Never knew there is such a good zoo out here, I've been to San Diego zoo and couldn't find similar to this one. Oakland zoo is very cool zoo, so many animals you could see up close , my 3 year old son loved it, we saw all the animals out in action and very clear view, my son loved baboons and chimpanzees, we will be coming back here for sure! read more

Oakland Zoo - Bison cliff - Zoos Near Me - Oakland, California

This zoo was a fun place for my friends and I to wander and yap. We were sad Kaya was not there yet. Really love the gondola ride that is free. We spent 3 hours here. Super family friendly and stroller friendly. Saw a lot of families who brought their own lunches. We snagged some watermelon lemonade that was 10.50 for a cup, quite pricey but super quenching. read more

Oakland Zoo - Bison - Zoos Near Me - Oakland, California

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It was my first time to Oakland zoo and it was such a fun time! We went around 1pm on a Saturday, it was pretty hot and luckily some animals were very active! Favorite exhibit was grizzly bears, wolves, giraffes, we went to 3 different bear exhibits and they were all so cute. Definitely take the sky ride! We took it and were able to see sleeping lions resting underneath the shade further back in their exhibit. If we didn't take the sky ride, we definitely wouldn't have been able to see them. It also has great views of the bay! We also did the train ride- this one took a bit long to get on as there were so many families and large parties. This is the only way to access wallabies and emus. It was fun to see emus up close- but maybe would skip if you're short on time and the train line is too long. Definitely would come back again to enjoy the park- who doesn't love animals? read more

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I am currently a zoo member and love the Oakland Zoo! This review is for the overall zoo experience (not including dining experience at the zoo). STARS (stand out qualities) -Great variety of animals that are well taken care of and have a lot of space -Trading cards are given out by some staff and docents -Location is well maintained and clean, including bathrooms -Staff and volunteers are professional, friendly and helpful STAIRS (areas of growth) -More cards passed out by docents and staff TIPS -Membership seems to pay off after about 3 or so visits and has a lot of perks (newsletter, special events, store discount and more) -Special events that are an additional charge include an animal feeding, veterinary hospital tour and Glowfari read more

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Oakland Zoo is one of my favorite places to visit! There are so many animals to see, the zoo is very clean and well maintained, and the gondola ride was fun, safe, and had beautiful views. A great place for families and kids -- we always enjoy our time here! read more

This is my favorite zoo in the Bay Area! It's so beautiful nestled in the outdoors in the Oakland hills. So many different animals and a wonderful gondola ride that takes you to experience wolves, bears, and bison. The zoo is very clean and practices sustainability. I also like that they have ticketed times when purchasing online tickets to help manage the experience and not feel overly crowded. read more

Oakland Zoo - Jaguar - Zoos Near Me - Oakland, California

Honestly I think this is one of the best zoo/museum memberships in the Bay Area, especially if you are living in the East Bay. The Zoo is well kept, has interesting/unique attractions such as the Gondola, and has both exotic and local animals species to see and learn about. The Landing Cafe up top also has some of the best views of the Bay you can have and the food there is constantly changing/delicious. Super nice to go even just for an hour or so before closing to go for a walk with your kids. The playground up top is fantastic for the little ones to explore and run around in. Just be mindful on long weekends or holidays that it can get PACKED. As in backing up onto the freeway packed, get there early! Or if you have a membership you can get in earlier. We love this zoo and would highly recommend this for any family in the Bay Area. read more

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2nd time here You have to go to the website and buy your tickets for the specific day and time slot . If you are an Oakland resident you get a discount Adult tickets are $25 Parking is $13 This zoo has a lot of hills so be prepared especially if you are pushing a stroller There is a little cafe/restaurant one near the main entrance and one on the other side of the zoo You need a ticket for all kid rides Train ride is $3 Carousel ride is $3 No more elephants at the zoo But there are lots of little play areas and it's really kid friendly I would recommend coming here and experiencing it for your self read more

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I don't love zoos, and this zoo is no exception. But I will try to be objective. Tickets: buy them online, along with parking. They have time slots that you will need to select, and that is a good thing. The car line getting into parking was about 15 minutes long, and I fretted about it being too crowded. It was okay after all. The tickets are a little pricey, but I imagine that caring for animals is pricey too, so if you like zoos, probably becoming a member would be better. The enclosures are mostly thoughtful, blending the animals' needs for living without stress and people's desires to see animals. The lemurs had a good enclosure (no sightings at 1, but we returned at 4 and saw a few). I felt sorry for the giraffes, lions, and the chimpanzees, but what do I know. I did feel like it was too easy to throw or drop stuff into enclosures. One lady had a big bag of peanuts like in a 1950s cartoon. No. Not much visible staff. The gondola was absolutely thrilling and gorgeous. The new top California area was very well done. The wolves seen from above were wagging their tales and looked like dogs that they are. Bears were lounging in hammocks living life. We had good fries with an amazing view. We have two big boys--my 13 year old was the oldest kid I saw--but we had a fine time staying nearly 4 hours. read more

Oakland Zoo - Meerkats on the lookout for danger. - Zoos Near Me - Oakland, California

We had a disappointing experience and, unfortunately, would not recommend visiting. From the outset, interactions with staff felt dismissive rather than guest-oriented. Most questions were redirected to the website, which is impractical in a live setting--particularly for families managing young children. We arrived just one minute past the gondola cutoff, and there was no clear or visible signage at the ride indicating strict timing policies. Despite there being no line or crowd, we were turned away without any flexibility or attempt to accommodate. The explanation provided--that it "wasn't busy"--was difficult to reconcile given that tickets for the day were sold out. When we politely asked if any accommodation could be made, the response felt unnecessarily rigid and lacking in basic hospitality. What was most notable, however, was the presence and conduct of management. After being turned away, we moved toward the carousel area to salvage the experience for our son, who was understandably disappointed. At that point, multiple staff members--including management--positioned themselves nearby and appeared to observe us rather than offer assistance (photo attached). The interaction felt disproportionate and unwelcoming, particularly in what is meant to be a family-friendly environment. Additionally, a number of exhibits had limited or no visible animal activity during our visit, which further impacted the overall experience and perceived value. At this level, guests expect a baseline of organization, communication, and hospitality. Unfortunately, this visit fell short across all three. We've had far more seamless and welcoming experiences elsewhere--particularly at the San Francisco Zoo. Visited: March 30, 2026 read more

Oakland Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Oakland, California

Half of the zoo was closed and not listed on the website as being such. I wouldn't have spent over $100 for my family to go if I had known. The African region was completely blocked off, along with several other animal exhibits, the petting zoo was closed, the train was closed meaning we couldn't see any of the Australian animals either. About 50% of the zoo being unavailable was so upsetting for my children as they missed out on the opportunity to see the animals and we don't get to do things like this very often. read more

I have such praise for employees Lucy and Nicole in the little ride area. I saw an upset couple being extremely disrespectful and heard some pretty unseemly comments from a woman and her husband about the Carousel closing. Very professional in their handling. I don't usually post review like this but the couple were being disgusting with their comments, some including the Holocaust and both women were handling it as well as possible. Keep up the good work ladies! read more

We love the Oakland Zoo. Their Glowfari event is magical and goes through the end of January, but just visiting the zoo during the day is great too. A few things to note: *you need to buy tickets with a timed entry in advance. Usually cheaper to do that as well, then risk them being sold out when you arrive. *you should pay for parking in advance as well Plan for a few extra minutes to get in and park - they are sometimes backed up. This zoo is set on a mountain and is surrounded by beautiful views. It's spread out so prepare to walk and some uphills as well. They have a gondola that you take up high for some of their exhibits, I would do this as early in the day as you can. The exhibits are designed well with seating, etc since some animals require a bit more wait time to appear. They have a shop and some rides as well, although when we were there this week they were all closed due to an earlier power outage. read more

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Coming from the Central Valley The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is far superior in all aspects. I was shocked to be disappointed by a "big city" zoo. Pros: The Grizzly bears were cool to see and the gondola ride people were nice. Cons: overall the zoo seems unkept with VERY LIMITED animals/resources for such a large city. Pathways are confusing with dangerous transitions of gravel and dirt with height changes. Overall sad, dirty and bay area look of dirtiness and neglect of the upkeep everywhere. -food area at landing station looked like a cafeteria from the 80s with a gross woman's bathroom on the outside. -reptile house only had only spiders and random frogs. -The information booth in the front had workers watching a movie pretending to not hear any questions. The guy at the exit gate on 3/10 around 2:30pm (the man with the long nails) was very little help with questions as well. Overall seems as though staff needs an inservice on manners and professionalism. read more

First time here at the zoo and it was a pretty fun experience. Went on an off weekday and it wasn't as busy which was a plus. Not necessarily nicer or more interesting than any other zoo I've been to but the upside here is that the newer area up in the hills that is only accessible through the free gondola ride (which as someone who has a somewhat fear of heights, was still ok). That area felt much more well maintained and going around the perimeter allows you access to see a wider vantage point for animals such as the bears, wolves, vultures, etc. It's a big positive that their seems to be a good amount of care to increase the living space for these animals which can't be said about every single captive animal across all zoos. The main restaurant is also on this higher elevation and surprisingly has some tasty offerings (which we ultimately were suckered into getting cause of how hungry we were). Naan-chos were pretty good a filling although its really just fried pita with a tikka masala-like topping. Lastly, this upper area had a children's section that was actually pretty accomodating for for all ages as we found out they had implemented a while back a trading card system where each month or so they would roll out new cards that they provide for doing "challenges" in designated areas. Most of these challenges require ansering questions about nature that can be found nearby by reading through the plaques and info cards. You can also trade existing cards even to staff members - and they even have collabed with the SF Giants at one point with SF specific cards. The downside here is that the bottom older area is a little less well maintained with tons of construction currently happening to fix up some of the existing problems. Several exhibits were not in function during our visit which was disappointing and many of the ones that were in action, a lot of the animals weren't out and about (which ultimately is a game of chance so not to upset here). While we did get to see tons of birds, apes, and even the elusive rare sun bears, we were sad to not have been able to see tigers or hyraxes (awawas) even though their exhibits were open. Ultimately, Oakland Zoo is a great place to visit especially considering they also offering some discount for folks on EBT so that anyone can come and experience and learn. read more

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Our grandchild sat on the lap of the best looking Santa I have ever seen. He was at the Glowfari Led-illuminated animal lanterns event. His suit was made in Chile in South America, and he has wore it for 56 years at Christmas time. read more

Lovely visit on a slow weekday with mild summer weather. This is my favorite Zoo - great layout and variety and the gondola is the big highlight. The views are beautiful. The kids love the park at the top - we spent a long time there and also ate at the Landing Cafe. Cafe was more expensive than the restaurant near the entrance for similar items so next time we will probably eat there and maybe grab a snack at the top. Kids loved petting the goats and watching them butt heads. My fave was the otters. So cute. We did spring for the train ride this time - $18 for three people. It was a short ride and we saw one emu and some wallabies. Will probably skip next time for the price. Should be included imo. That and the sky ride both charge extra but the gondola is included. read more

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