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Oakland Zoo

4.0 (1.7k reviews)
Closed 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Oakland Zoo Zoos Photos

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Asal B.

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.

Michele R.

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.

Poppies in the Zoo Glow special event for November and December.
Janine D.

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.

Rebekah A.

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!

Glowfari decorations are up
Leah E.

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.

Hyena
Alma S.

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.

Restaurant Balcony View
Danny N.

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!

Glowfari
Susan S.

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!

Glowfari schedule 2025
Scott F.

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.

Carissa K.

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.

giraffes
Amanda T.

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.

Bison cliff
Tetiana S.

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!

Oakland Zoo
John D.

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.

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Cute little zoo. Takes about 1.5 hours to see every thing no including rides. We enjoyed ourselves.

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Oakland Zoo Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Oakland Zoo

How much are the rides in the zoo?

The train was 2 tickets per person. Hope this helps.

Anyone know if they have any discount if I have the WIC card?

They do not provide a discount for the WIC card. They provide discounts for those using SNAP benefits and for Oakland residents.

Hows parking security, are hoodlums roaming around?

It's ALL the way up the hill and there's a parking attendant at the bottom of the hill you have to pass. I would say it's safe; however, I never leave anything in the body of my car (because you know...it's still the Bay). Better safe than sorry!… Read more

Can we carry stroller (Chicco bravo) with us on gondola and train ride?

Just wanted to add that a double side-by-side/wide stroller will not fit on the gondola and you will have to leave it in the stroller parking area. But, I was able to fit my UppaBaby Vista with the bassinet on the bottom without a problem.

Do they check your bags?

No, I brought a purse and it was not checked.

Are there EV charging station at the zoo?

Charging stations are being discussed, but for now there are no stations available.

We purchased for 3 pm. Can we come at 11?

No, our reservation system is in place to stagger crowds and alleviate parking congestion. We ask that you please arrive at your designated time.

Do you have to print the tickets or can you show them on your phone?

No, printing tickets is not necessary

Does the Wonderfold w4 fit into the gondola?

Every model's different. We normally ask larger carts and double wide strollers be left in our stroller parking location across from the gondola station near giraffes, but you're allowed to attempt to bring it on and if it doesn't work, our Gondola… Read more

Are there dedicated lactation spaces available here?

We do not currently have lactation spaces available.

Does the Oakland Zoo participate in the discounted tickets for the museums for all program with food stamps?

Oakland Zoo does not participate in this program.

Are there lockers to store your food and belongings?

Unfortunately, we do not have lockers.

Can I take a cooler for my families water and food... cooler especially?

Yes, you can bring a cooler. We allow guests the opportunity to bring in their own food and drinks.

Can we visit there without buying tickets on Saturday? We have free admission tickets gifted by our friends.

Thank you for your inquiry, Stella. Our in-date, free admission tickets should be stamped for approval, have reservation required messaging on it with directions to follow, and a code to utilize. Additionally, after reserving your free tickets, you… Read more

What time does the train start? Can't find information on the app or website

Train rides fall under the standard "Ride" Schedule, i.e.: M-F 11:00 am-5:30 pm & Weekends/Holidays, also 11:00 am-5:30 pm (last tickets sold at 5:15).

Can you bring your own drinks, snacks or food? Also, I know this question was already answered but…

Monique, you are more than welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks. Stroller wagons are also welcome. Keep in mind, depending on size, you may not be able to fit it in a gondola leading up to the California Trail, but you can park it… Read more

Do you have to be there at your reserved time?

Think you have a half hour leeway before or after. They let us in and we were a bit early. They are pretty chill about it- just staggering so it is not overwhelming with Covid.

Do you need reservations if you just want to go on the rides? Also how much are the rides?

You shouldn't however you might have to pay for parking

Can you bring snacks?

Yup! There are lots of picnic areas.

Is there electric wheelchair/scooter available for rent?

Thank you for your question, Debbie. Yes, the zoo offers electric scooters for rent. They are first come first served. Rental cost is $30 without a deposit and can be found at our gift shop next to our main entrance.

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Review Highlights - Oakland Zoo

So many different animals and a wonderful gondola ride that takes you to experience wolves, bears, and bison.

Mentioned in 358 reviews

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My son and immediate family had such a fun time this visit at fairyland. I haven't been since I was…read morelittle so it was definitely full circle bringing my child. This place has been around since my parents were little and they've been there too! Pretty neat. I used my wic card and valid photo Id for 5$ tickets, I couldn't tell you exactly how many is the cap but there were 5 adults and the kids were free I believe. We went as soon as it opened and the park was not overly packed at all it was really nice. I plan on getting out with my kiddo whenever I get the chance as I saw many mothers just hanging out with lunch for their kiddo for the day and I just loved that idea. Everything was open for the most part except two attractions which didn't stop us from enjoying the visit all around. From what I've learned if you visit the park twice your third visit you get a year pass! I'd say that's pretty convenient being a low income single mother. Hope I helped convince you to go !

My daughter Head Start School sent us here for Week of The Young Child to have family day which it…read morewas my first time ever going in my life. I think fairyland is an awesome place to bring your children to let them run around & play. I did feel a bit overwhelmed because it was literally every head start in Oakland so it was tons of kids, but I would I bring my daughter & son back again. Also I really enjoyed their Cafe too! Although I do feel like 10.95 is alot for 4 slices of pizza but I understand. It was still delicious.

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Tilden Regional Park Little Farm - Fun feeding fowls!

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It really is a "little" farm, so it doesn't take long to pay a visit. Beware of the incline walking…read moreout to the field near the cows and sheep. The short trek is worth seeing the beautiful animals up close but will require a bit of energy going uphill. Lots of empty pens in the farm this past Sunday. But I did get to see some chickens, ducks, cows, sheep, pigs, goat, and bunnies! I counted about 10 bunnies in the little red barn, dutch rabbits to be exact. Super cute, just chillaxing :) This farm allows for petting of the animals with caution, but lots of signs saying no feeding allowed. There's also educational opportunities on site, wash stations, restrooms, and a free parking lot for convenience, to go along with free admission to the farm. There's no wifi here, and minimal seating. I made the most out of my visit, by checking out Jewel Lake nearby as well.

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Glowfari - 2025-26 Glowfari

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GloFari at the Oakland Zoo has truly become a Bay Area staple for our family. We've been going…read moresince the Zoo Lights days, and it's been amazing to see how it's evolved into what GloFari is now. It honestly gets better every year. My kid is a teenager now and still looks forward to it, which says a lot. It's officially a family tradition at this point. This year felt extra special with all the Oakland touches woven throughout the displays. Seeing local icons like the Fox Theater, BART and other staples represented in lights was such a cool and thoughtful addition. It really felt like a celebration of the city. We loved it and will definitely keep the tradition going.

I came many years ago, around 2018-2019. I was underwhelmed back then. My friend then invited me…read morefor this year's event 2025-2026, and OMG it has improved a lot! The lights were so beautiful. Back then the lights honestly felt like lazy front yard effort--skinny fairy lights, minimal planning, but now they've got lantern lights and the art truly glows! It truly feels like you've been transported somewhere magical. There was a lot to see, and we left happy with everything we've seen. My friend said we had an Iconic Oakland night, coming here and having dinner at Fentons. It really was Oakland iconic: lights depicting the Fox Theater, Bart train (yes you can go inside), Children's Fairyland shoe house, and even raccoons in the dumpster on display lol. Some displays moved, too! I loved the florals. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that despite not raining for the past few days the ground was still pretty muddy in some areas. I'm glad I wasn't wearing new shoes. Lots of families, which is great but my friend's kid got run into/had near misses because some families weren't supervising their kids. It looks like there's a new theme each year. My friend says last year there was a pyramid theme. My first impression of Glowfari wasn't good, but now that I've seen it's improved so much I'm all aboard and looking forward to what's to come next winter season.

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9.6 mi

Open every weekend (weather permitting) including holidays 11am to 6pm…read more Super cute steam train that takes you around the park Tickets are $5 per person Kids 2 years and up need a ticket Credit card and debit card accepted Parking in the main lot gets full fast but there is additional parking not too far away and parking is free My little man enjoyed this ride I love making new memories with him

Redwood Valley Railway was honestly way more fun than I expected. It's one of those small, somewhat…read morehidden attractions in the East Bay that you might not hear about unless someone tells you. But once you visit, it feels like a perfect little weekend activity, especially if you have kids or dogs. The main attraction is the miniature steam train that runs through the redwood forest in Tilden Regional Park. The train goes through trees, small bridges, and tunnels, and the ride is surprisingly scenic. It's about 12-15 minutes long, which feels just right--not too short, but also perfect for kids. Even though it's technically designed for children, adults definitely enjoy it too. There's something very nostalgic about riding a tiny train through the woods. One thing I really liked is how dog-friendly the place is. You'll see a lot of families bringing their dogs along, and it's honestly pretty cute seeing dogs riding the train with everyone else. The surrounding park area is also really nice, so you can easily walk around a bit or have a small picnic after the ride. That said, this place is extremely popular on weekends. There's basically always a line for the train. Because of that, timing really matters. I would strongly recommend arriving around 10:50 AM. That way you can usually still park in the main lot and get in line right before the first train of the day at 11. Getting on that first ride makes the whole visit much easier, otherwise the wait can get pretty long. Another cool thing is that on Sundays, there's actually another train experience nearby run by a train enthusiast club called Golden Gate Live Steamers. It's just further down the hill, and they usually offer free miniature train rides (donations encouraged) in the afternoon. Those trains are run by hobbyists and are even more "enthusiast style," which is pretty fun to see. Overall this place feels like one of those hidden local gems. It's simple, charming, and surprisingly fun. Great for a relaxed weekend morning--especially if you want something outdoors that works for both kids and dogs.

Photos
Redwood Valley Railway - Frist time here with the fam 5/31/2025

Frist time here with the fam 5/31/2025

Redwood Valley Railway
Redwood Valley Railway - Frist time here with the fam 5/31/2025

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Frist time here with the fam 5/31/2025

Oakland Zoo - zoos - Updated May 2026

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