Really great animal park. Some of the animals might need a bit more enrichment, some seemed to be stressed out. Other than that great exhibits and space for them to roam. Really enjoyed every bit The train ride was also fun, kind of wish their was some secret exhibit if you went on the train but still fun nonetheless I bought a t-shirt Would recommend going at least once read more

It's a small, very family-friendly zoo that's not as sprawling as the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park, but its size and chill atmosphere make it a relaxing experience rather than one where you're rushing to see everything and are super exhausted at the end of the day. Parking lot wasn't large, but we easily found a spot near the front close to opening time on a Sunday morning. Tickets purchased online in advance are $37.95 each. Our group went at our own pace looking at animals and going through exhibits. We fed Theo the giraffe ($8 to give him four leaves of romaine lettuce), brushed some goats at the barnyard (free activity), took the 15min train ride around the park ($8 per person), ate lunch, backtracked a little to find things we missed, had multiple bathrooms breaks, and visited a gift shop - all in about four hours. We didn't have to wait in long lines for anything, and the park didn't get annoyingly crowded during our time there. My favorite animals from here were the snow leopard, red panda, giraffes, island fox, otters, and Australian birds like the kookaburra and frogmouth. I appreciated that there were plenty of seating areas and different vantage points for viewing. Some animals were hiding, napping, or camouflaged, so it was fun trying to find them. There were a few concerns, though. Since the park's acreage is on the smaller side compared to those of other zoos, we were concerned that the animals didn't have much space for themselves. Their enclosures seemed to be limited in area, and the ones with water could definitely be expanded and topped off with more water. A lot of the social animals didn't appear to have buddies, either, which seemed quite sad, but I'm guessing there are reasons of which I'm not aware. read more

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This was our first time back at the zoo in many years! As a kid, you remember it feeling so big, but coming back as an adult, it's a bit smaller than expected. That said, it's still a great walk and definitely a bit of a workout, and we really appreciated how stroller-friendly it is. The zoo appeared clean and well-maintained for the animals. At one point, we were a little concerned about how small some of the enclosures seemed for larger animals like the lions and snow leopards, but one of the zookeepers reassured us that they actually have much more space behind the scenes to roam. Unfortunately, I didn't catch her name, but she was incredibly knowledgeable and did a great job explaining things--it definitely gave us peace of mind. One area that could use improvement is the restrooms. For the price of admission, it would be nice to see some updates and a bit more attention to cleanliness, as they felt quite dated. Overall, we had a great time and enjoyed seeing all the animals. We look forward to coming back again with our kids! read more

Spent Valentine's at Santa Barbara and of course, our first activity was the zoo! We made our 10 am reservation online days prior and made sure to come on time to avoid a huge entrance line! Right when we entered, we made our way to the Giraffe area in order to get in line to feed them! We waited about 20 minutes and was around the fifth group in line. The giraffe feeding was definitely the highlight of our day. It was fun but wow, the pricing is expensive. It's $8 per 2 lettuce pieces that's broken into four small pieces. My boyfriend kindly got me two feeds since I was really excited about the activity but I don't think we'd do it again. It was way too short (probably less than a monite for three feeds) and so expensive for what it was. We went to a few zoo talks like the penguin and australian walk but other than that we walked the entired zoo independently. There were a few things that made us dislike the zoo (and we LOVE zoos). The sea otter exhibit was lacking water, it was really sad to see. Most animals were traded with other zoos and breeded in the zoo (none were rescued). There were little to no information whenever we read the plaques. The zoo was a bit underwhelming for what it is. read more

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I love Santa Barbara zoo!! I live more than 1 hour away, but try to visit once every two months to see their animals, but mainly Asian small clawed otters. Perfect size and well maintain. Their light up event is very nice too. read more

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My husband and I have visited a lot of zoos in various states and by far this is our favorite! The zoo grounds are extremely beautiful and well kept. All the animals seem so happy, well maintained and content. Every animal was out so you could see them. This is not the same in other zoos. You go to the zoo and see maybe 60% of the animals. Others are in their habitat or non-visible. I have never gone to a zoo and seen 100% of the animals. This is a smaller zoo where you can see everything within one day. One neat feature was an area where you could feed the giraffe. Also there was a walk about area where you were walking right next to kangaroos!! Everything here was so fantastic!! We are looking forward to our next trip to Santa Barbara Zoo. read more

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Most animals are missing, it's kind of sad walking past empty cages. Kangaroos were fun and feeding the giraffes, other than that there was nothing much to see or do. read more

A core memory to my childhood, the Santa Barbara Zoo will always help me reawaken my inner kid. Spent my Saturday afternoon at the zoo, boy was it a blast. Parking was a bit of a hassle since there was an event going on, but it wasnt a pain. If you have children I'd highly recommend visiting this zoo. Although small in size, this zoo has been one of the best zoo experiences to date, not only was it extremely interactive children, the animals looked happy to be there. With a variety of exhibits on display I'd say my favorite had to be gorilla and penguin exhibit. There are plenty do food vendors found at the zoo. Their gift shop too has an assortment of gifts. I would definitely recommend read more

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The Santa Barbara Zoo is on the smaller side, but it is still a very enjoyable experience. Two adults can comfortably see everything in about an hour and a half to two hours. If you are visiting with kids, expect to take longer. The animal selection is solid. We saw giraffes, a lion and lioness, California condors, several macaws, parrots, cockatoos, and a handful of reptiles. For its size, the zoo does a good job offering variety without feeling overwhelming. It is easy to navigate, and the layout makes for a relaxed walk. One area that felt lacking was food and drink availability throughout the park. Most of the snack and hydration options are concentrated near the entrance. Once you are deeper into the zoo, choices become limited. On the Sunday we visited, the only spot we found mid park for water or sports drinks was a vending machine. Compared to other zoos that have multiple snack stands spread throughout, this felt minimal. The gift shop, however, was a strong point. About half of the merchandise featured branded items tied to the zoo and its conservation campaigns, which was nice to see and made it feel more unique than a generic souvenir store. Parking was easy and convenient. Overall, while it is not a massive zoo, it is well maintained and worth a visit, especially if you are already spending time in Santa Barbara. I would recommend it as a one time stop for most adults, and likely a bigger hit for families with kids. read more

Santa Barbara has a zoo! It's located in the downtown area near the beachfront. The parking is $11 and admission is $35 adults (yikes) , $25 child (2-12), and FREE for kids under 2. But if you buy online and not in person, that you'll save you $7 on each admission. Plus if you get there early enough, there may be free street parking immediately outside of the lot. The lot is smallish and can fill up quickly on the weekends. Public paid lots are about .3 miles down the street. They allow you to bring in food and non alcoholic drinks. That's good considering the admission prices. My review is hecka long and mind numbing... read further for nighttime reading. You've been warned. The zoo exhibits are in most part grouped by geographic area. The footprint is 30 acres in total. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with gorgeous plants, blooms, and trees. In the children's area, there was with outdoor art adding touches of whimsy. "Great art picks up where nature ends." Mash of nature meets Alice in Wonderland. For the adults, there is a coffee cart, concession stand, and a beverage stand selling beer, wine & cocktails. If you can't stay dry for zoo time, they got you covered. The zoo has activities for the kids such as sing n dance with the puppets. I so happen to pass by that area which is next to the zoo train and gardens. I caught a performance, those tunes are catchy and yup got me swaying and just keep the good vibes flowing. The zoo train is carnival type ride vs large passenger train. Perfect size for the kiddos to feel big, and big enough for adults to ride without feeling smushed (parents, you know what I mean). It goes around the perimeter of the zoo. It's a super cute train with the bells n whistle and fun living conductor. Memory maker for sure. $7 adult, $6.50 kids. Unlike the admission, there's no discount if you pay online vs in person. Lions, Cheetah, Gorillas, Penguin, Alligator, Giraffes ... oh my. Follow the paths and visit ALL the animals. The lion exhibit has a male and female. There was a glass viewing wall. I was able to see them both sleeping right in front of the glass. They were less than 24 inches away with just glass separating us. Wild. The cheetah though had a walkway right up next to the glass. He/ she walked back n forth several times. That excited the crowd, it did me. The penguin colony was viewable from ground level and then they had an underwater viewing through glass. It was neat seeing them swim from that angle. They were a noisy bunch, they have a squeaky melodic voice. Who knew that they are a social bunch, party animals. Giraffe- rest in peace to the famous Gemina, the crooked neck, giraffe. She passed in 2008 and there is a memorial plaque honoring her. She was an icon; a very popular pop culture referenced animal of her time. Anyways back to my visit, the viewing balcony to feed the giraffe will cost you $8. The regular balcony was set back about 8 feet and was close enough to see these lash fantastic beauties as they came up to the balcony to feed from the feeding baskets. Goat interaction-free to get up close and personal to pet and brush the mini Nubian and dwarf Nigerian goats. Outback Walkabout- it's an enclosed double gated area you walk through with free roaming kangaroos and wallabies. Folks have to stay on the path. Keep to the path or you may find yourself in a boxing match. Just kidding or am I. The animals stayed far back against the perimeter walls sitting together in the shade and just looking back at us humans. I suppose we may be their entertainment. Bird walkthrough exhibit was insane. I walked in and I was right there with them. Yikes. They flew about and hollering. One big, plump, spectacular colorful bird (might I add with a noticeable beak) sat on a nest that was eye level. The branch was next to the only exit/ entrance. He/ she was giving everyone the side eyes. Then a bird did its business while flying about. Too much up close n personal nature for me, I left asap after that. Plump bird was still on that branch. Probably laughing inside at us all. (Fun fact: birds pee and poop while flying). read more

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If I were you I'd just get the annual pass. You get accommodated parking, unlimited visits that you can book online, bringing an extra guest and fun times looking at the animals grow. They just recently finished an area by the penguins that you can check out reptiles inside. You can actually book events here like a wedding, night events, leave your child here for their outdoors licensed preschooler school, volunteer and donating in so many ways here. You can support by donating to for example plant new trees for animal habitats, help pay for equipment, material needs, and staffing in the field, sponsor a camper by helping low-income families in Santa Barbara County, sponsor an animal by helping for example offset the Zoo's animal food costs. Donate also for the enrichment experiences program that supports natural animal behaviors, sponsor a class to help economically disadvantaged/at-risk students learn about animals and conservation, sponsor an event to support and promote your business while helping the Zoo. And the most popular one in Santa Barbara is the planned giving to leave a legacy by making a planned or estate gift. You can also donate your green waste, by calling (805) 403-5303 for more info and be aware that those donation with deliveries are by appointment only! For a list of edible plant materials including leaves, shoots, bark, green waste non-toxic branches, leaves from specific species of trees, shrubs, such as bamboo and grape vines access this list: https://assets.speakcdn.com/assets/2995/website-complete-browse-list.pdf https://www.sbzoo.org/donate read more

Santa Barbara Zoo - Monopoly Santa Barbara style cool - Zoos Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

an incredible zoo, probably the best in socal north of San Diego. they make really good use of their relatively limited space and seem to have excellent facilities; the care they have for and knowledge they evince about their animals is inspiring. do yourself a favor and go to the keeper talks! we attended pretty much all of them and it really made our day getting to hear specific details about all the animals. we spent all day here but most people should probably allot at least three hours for a visit. specific recommendations for the australian walkabout, rainforest passage, and wings of asia. make sure to appreciate the california condors and remember that at one point, the four in the SB zoo would have represented around 18% of the entire species' population. conservation works and needs your support! read more

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This has to be the most Beautiful zoo in the United States, I get it's small but it's stunning with ocean views, crisp gorgeous landscape with plants and flowers, animals that are beautiful and healthy, and perfect Santa Barbara weather and architecture/design. I can keep going. I know it's "expensive" but if you buy tickets online it saves you $7 a ticket and you can park on the street to save on parking. We also picnic so that saves food money. We did bring cash and paid for the giraffe feeding experience and the train but you could use card for the train. We love the kids play area/park, the dance party on the stage, the train ride, the kangaroo walk through, and feeding the giraffes, it was the perfect family outing with toddlers. We got here at 9:30 and We wrapped up at noon for nap time but could Have stayed longer to play/do more if time allowed. I love this zoo! read more

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Always love this zoo and it was a really fun day trip. Parking is $11, but there are plenty of places around that are cheaper or even free in exchange for a 5-10 minute walk. We came on a random Thursday, but there were still a good bunch of people. Handlers and staff were all super friendly and willing to chat about their work concerning animal diets, ages, and etymologies which was pretty impressive since we saw the same few people all over the zoo. They run a pretty efficient ship! We accidentally became flies on the wall for like 5 minutes during the capybara experience and had no idea what was happening, but learned a lot about the zoo's mission and partnerships. But every week at a specific time and date, for a few hundred dollars they run close up animal experiences! This really is the zoo of add-ons, if you want to feed the giraffes I think it's $11? (Everything is like $3 cheaper if you're a member though) There's roughly 2 places to eat, a food counter at the entrance and a food stand near the back. I saw there's also a coffee truck now! Didn't actually visit and see what they were offering but it seemed like your normal flash fried zoo food with energy drinks and sodas. One thing that's a little negative is because there's few staff, some inconsiderate people do tend to let out their wild side. We quickly passed by the gorilla because a group of middle aged adults were hooting, hollering, and hitting the walls to the enclosure to the gorillas. There are multiple viewpoints to see the gorilla that require no such hitting and hooting. Gorillas see eye contact as aggression. Please do not cat call the gorilla. I do enjoy that most of the animals have some spaces to hide, it was fun circling back to see if they had moved. Gifts store is still very expensive, but they do have small knick knacks from $1+ if your kid desperately wants to take something home. I really enjoy their trading cards, which come in 5 in mystery bags for $5. If your kid is too excited by moving animals to read the placards while in the zoo, these cards have the animals' names and information on them. We came around 12:30 and spent 2 hours looking at everything at an intentional pace, which was good because the zoo closed early that day (3:30 vs usually at 5) for an event. Lots of play areas for kids and the zoo does have a clear intention towards kids with shorter viewing areas available, playground equipment scattered around, and lots of shade. I don't use either but I'd say it's relatively stroller and wheelchair friendly, though some slopes are steep. read more

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Outstanding membership and benefits, the resident animals are extremely well taken care of, are mostly friendly and beautifully living protected but amazing lives. The animals actually seem to appreciate humans and interacting with them! read more

This was a nice first time visit for me and my weekend guests. We planned to visit the zoo when it first opened at 9:30am on a Saturday; which I think was a great time. It took us (4 adults) about 2.5 hours to see all the exhibits. Some animals were not currently on exhibit like the snow leopard. We did not purchase the additional train ride to save ourselves $7. Not sure if we missed out on much as TripAdvisor reviews said to skip it because all you get to see is the back of the exhibits. I think the only benefit to taking the train would have been to get a better look at the lions. The lions were sleeping closer to the back fence far away from the main viewing area but the train goes back behind the fencing. It was nice to walk through the kangaroo exhibit where they are roaming along the habitat that you are walking through. The zoo workers are very strict on making sure you don't step off the cement paths and that you are moving along and not spending too much time in the exhibit. It looks like the elephants used to be where the kangaroos are now but the elephants passed away in 2018 and 2019 and the zoo no longer has any. It was pretty cool that they have some bald eagles and a red panda. The giraffes were my favorite but they do charge $8 for non-members to feed them. Overall a nice way to spend some time with the family, get your walking steps in and also have some views of the ocean nearby. read more

Santa Barbara Zoo - Penguins 4-11-25 - Zoos Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Santa Barbara is a great little zoo. You can see everything in an hour or hour and a half but there's a little bit of everything. There is a nice play area for the kids with a coffee truck right next door. This zoo is worth a visit. read more

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This zoo is fantastic. You can see the Pacific Ocean from the zoo. It has an interesting array of animals for adults and kids alike. The two highlights of the zoo are the Australian walkabout exhibit and feeding the giraffes. The staff are super friendly. You can see all that the zoo has to offer in about 2-3 hours. read more

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So there's a problem. My family is from San Diego and my kids are 3 and 6. We hit the San Diego Zoo OFTEN. Once per month usually. Here's another problem. The San Diego Zoo is a tourist over populated trap! Yes, it's fun, but it's a two day event. So much space, so much walking. The Santa Barba Zoo is incredible. It's immersive, it's for locals, its not population dense. It's warm, it's intimate. The coolest components: you can walk with Wallabys, you can feed the Giraffes, there's a train ride that allows you to see nearly everything. While the weather was misty it didn't ruin the experience, it enhanced it. It felt like we were in some mystical fictional fantasy world. My kids had a great time, so did we. It could be more kid friendly but it's excellent. Prices of admission and food aren't too bad either. Highly recommend! read more

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We are members at the SB zoo, but unfortunately we won't be renewing our membership now. It was over 80 degrees today and I brought my 2 year old and 2 month old. We walked around the zoo and on our way out we went to the gift shop to buy my 2 year old a toy. Mind you it's a Tuesday at 3:45pm. The gift shop is empty. I brought my 2 month on right inside the door in the stroller (since she's asleep) so she wasn't in anyone's way (even though it's empty!) and she's not sitting in the sun. The worker was very rude. Came over and said "this is why we have a sign that says we don't allow strollers" so I apologized and said I didn't want to leave her alone outside. I began to leave and they just couldn't leave it at that... they rudely made some sort of remark on my way out like "mhmm it's on the sign". Honestly the zoo is literally a place for kids. And none of the other employees had a problem with it. That person needs more training on how to communicate with guests. I will be reaching out to management in hopes of this being fixed. I don't know if they just hate their job or what... but no need to be rude to the people who are trying to enjoy a day at the zoo. read more

The Santa Barbara Zoo is one of those rare gems that manages to feel both world-class and incredibly intimate at the same time. It's beautifully landscaped, thoughtfully laid out, and perfect for families--but what really sets it apart is the heart and care behind every experience. On our recent visit, we had a moment that genuinely moved us. We had just missed the last official train ride of the day--something my young daughter had been eagerly looking forward to all afternoon. When the conductor realized how heartbroken she was, he didn't hesitate--he fired up the train one more time just so she could enjoy the ride. It wasn't just a kind gesture; it was the highlight of her day, and ours. You don't forget moments like that. Another standout was the kangaroo walk-in exhibit. Getting that up-close with the roos--without fences or glass--felt like something out of a nature documentary. It was interactive, respectful of the animals, and totally unique. A must-do if you're visiting! The zoo itself is walkable, clean, and filled with thoughtful little details--from shaded picnic areas to clever animal encounters. It's clear the staff love what they do, and it shows in how they engage with guests and care for the animals. If you're in Santa Barbara and have a few hours, this place is an absolute must. It's not the biggest zoo and certainly not the San Diego Zoo--but it just might be the most memorable bang for your buck. read more

What a fantastic little zoo. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up with animals and exhibits. I woke up on a Friday morning in my hotel and saw the beautiful weather, so I decided a nice walk from the wharf to the zoo would be in order. I made my reservation/bought my ticket at the hotel on my laptop and allowed myself 30 minutes to get there. All the animals were out and about. Loved the Kangaroo/Wallaby walk thru. Got to see an Axolotl up close. The Bald Eagles were talkative. The view of the Giraffe eating from a tree was picturesque. His relatives in Africa would be so jealous. A great way to spend a few hours, and walked along the shore all the way back to the hotel. Just a wonderful experience. read more

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OM goodness I almost forgot to review the Santa Barbara Zoo! What a great experience. This place is gorgeous and very walkable even for seniors and young children. We really enjoyed the Walk-A-bout the Kangaroos seemed oblivious to us a we walked through and we left them to their daily routines! Wish we were to be here around the Christmas Holidays to see the displays of lights. The Red Panda was the shower of the day but so many beautiful animals call the Santa Barbara Zoo home. The staff are always willing to explain and enlighten you to help you understand the animals and their lives. This is a great expo for young and old alike. read more

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I am really disappointed that their website didn't say the train and the giraffe exhibit are under construction and closed for the season. Had I known this, I wouldn't have come in the morning and instead purchased tickets for the night lights. Aside from this, we were here two hours. Parking is $11. We went to Taqueria El Buen Gusto (a few minutes drive away) prior to get burritos to go and brought in water and snacks. Prior to leaving, we had lunch on a bench to avoid toddler meltdown. The animals present are so close! I was surprised how close the lion, lioness, gorilla, and red panda got to us. We even heard the lion roar. We also loved the light fixtures of animals throughout the park for their seasonal light show at night. It was stunning during the day so I can imagine how magical it is in the dark. My two year old loved being able to brush the goats and he won't stop talking about it. Lots of photo ops. You also get views of the ocean near the lions and giraffes. read more

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This is a beautiful zoo. The animals look very well cared for. This zoo is very small. Took us an hour to see the whole zoo. The entry price of $35 per person and $11 parking is way over priced for how small this place is. read more

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The Santa Barbara Zoo is such a special place! It's small enough to enjoy over a few hours without being overwhelming and the price of admission is totally reasonable! I recently got to go with a friend and her kids, which made it even more exciting to experience through a child's eyes. We of course had to ride the train and it was super fun! I was so impressed with Wallaby walk where you get to enjoy kangaroos loose around you! The giraffes are always such a sight to see too. Some of the lions were hanging out very close to the glass. The terrain of the zoo involves some incline, so wear comfortable shoes! They've got lots of options for food and drinks while you're visiting. Easy parking right outside the entrance too. read more

Santa Barbara Zoo - Giraffes! - Zoos Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Small zoo it wonderfully well maintained and AZA accredited to boot ( so you know the welfare is above and beyond ). As a behaviorist , these animals seemed relaxed and unbothered by sounds and the public or keepers . My mother and I had a wonderful day . Keep providing great care to the critters SB Zoo!!! read more

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Great place for family and their young children to spend a day!! There's a large play area and lots of grassy fields to play and lounge ! Brought my baby here for his first zoo experience! He loved it!! Lots of shady areas for nap time and was no super crowded! Looks like that they have a ton of fun activities and events for kids! read more

Some of the habitats looked too small for the animals. Sad. Gorillas hid , tired of being looked at I guess. Also should have a nicer habitat. Eagle looked sad , again habitat too small and does he have a mate ? Leopards pacing , looked anxious. With all the money people in Santa Barbara you would think they could hold some events to improve the zoo. read more

Zoo Parking is about $10 , there are some lots walking distance for $7 across from the zoo . We opted for the zoo lot. If you have a placard or plates parking is free for disabled . That was a pleasant surprise and entry was also discounted . Yesterday was the first day of zoo lights so they closed early at 3:30 . last entry is at 2:30. Zoo lights runs for a few days in November and from what we saw, the place must look magical at night . They didn't skimp on lights , we saw them hanging everywhere including overhead . You may need a reservation for this . I can see this being very crowded . I didn't clock the amount of time it took us to get though the zoo but it wasn't longer than 2 hours , we were not in a hurry and walked slow. There are some steep hills but there are stairs or alternate paths so even for someone who's got minimal challenges the last push up a flight of stairs looked better than a steep hill. Most of the animals were out in their habitat . I'll have to say the most animated were the penguins . We started them from below their habitat under water .. What a hoot! Some of them were posers and some played up to us at the window. Probably the funnest part of the zoo. The Lioness, once we got her attention wanted nothing to do with her photo being taken and crouched behind a tree -that was pretty funny and yes I got the message . They are improving the habitat for the giraffe so they were all inside . It's an odd area for a zoo, right near the freeway, and a large habitat for either condors or vultures overlooks the freeway (bird Tv?) and a giant pond . I'll bet those birds dream of taking a dip in that pond . It was kind of sad . If you're a mom with small kids it's a great place and has a lot of family spaces and kid play areas . There were a lot of paved areas so very stroller friendly and did have many stroller parking areas . There was only one food vendor area open when we were there (they sell vienna beef hot dogs (chicago dogs) )for $13.50 . We almost bit since it's my fav dog, but at that price i can order a # or two from Vienna + shipping . There were many vendor spots located around the zoo just not open on a thursday in November . I'd imagine during summer and weekends this is a busier zoo as it does require a reservation entry time if you buy on line . The good part about their reservation system is they show you how many spaces are left so you can choose a less crowded day if you prefer . If your looking to kill a few hours in a unexpected place in the bustle of the 101 freeway or just want to stretch your legs after a long trip from driving the 101 , I recommend the SB Zoo. read more

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This was a small but powerful zoo! Everything can be done in about 2-2.5 hours but I felt that the animals were much better than that of other zoos. They actually had a red panda that wasn't sleeping in the morning! They also had a walk in area to go and get closer to the kangaroos which was really cool. Had the other basic cool animals such as lions, cheetahs, giraffes. Only thing that was missing was the gorilla exhibit was closed due to construction. For $25 per person and $11 for parking, I felt this zoo was actually pretty worth! read more

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My daughter and I were heading to Goleta for a birthday party which started later in the day. Therefore, I did some research for things to do in Santa Barbara. Came across the zoo located by the beach. We found parking outside on the streets at no cost so we didn't have to pay $11 inside the zoo. It looked so small from the outside, but there were so many animals. Monkeys, giraffes, apes, hawks, goats, turtles so much more. My daughter loves capybaras and we were able to see one for the first time. So cute! My favorite were the red pandas. They looked like stuff animals where I just want to squeeze. We had hopped on the train ride which took us around the whole zoo. It is at an additional small cost and thought it was worth the ride. Great options of snacks, foods, and drinks offered at reasonable prices for lunch or dinner. Adults can also grab cocktails while strolling along within the zoo. The grounds were very well maintained for everyone to enjoy. It took us about two hours around visiting with plenty of animals to see. Highly recommend to visit when you are in Santa Barbara. read more

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I had so much fun at the zoo! There were a lot of kids there but it was still fun as an adult. The animals were so cute. I got to listen to a giraffe talk with Kelli and she explained everything so well. I learned a lot about giraffes! Train conductor was so funny too! Would definitely recommend! read more

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A must when being in Santa Barbara. Love this zoo and all staff is super friendly. Don't forgot to take the train! read more

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100% recommend this zoo!! We had the most amazing experience feeding giraffes! We also interacted with gorillas behind the glass and walked steps away from the kangaroos in their inclosure and walked under the birds. They had many interactive areas for the kids from play areas, a story time, shows, a craft station, goat brushing and a few walk throughs. This zoo definitely knows how to keep the animals upfront and centered for easy viewing. Every animal looked very well taken care of. Very walkable, not too big and extremely well done. We were able to do the whole zoo with 2 elementary aged kids in 3.5hours. read more

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The Santa Barbara Zoo was okay, but honestly a bit underwhelming. We took the little train ride, which was just fine, but the zoo itself is very small. The animals seemed to be kept in really small enclosures, which felt sad to see. It's a quick visit if you're already in the area, but not a place I'd go out of my way for. read more

Visited SB zoo a couple weeks ago. It was fun. My family and I probably finished the zoo in about 2 hours. It's alot smaller than the LA zoo. It can be tiring due to the little hills you'll walk up to get to certain animals. It's a gorgeous zoo. They have so many areas to sit, relax, and enjoy food. read more

Came to the zoo a few weeks ago while voting SB. My wife surprised me and brought me specifically for feeding the giraffes. That experience was awesome!!! The zoo is a bit smaller and could use some upgrades but I still had a good time. The lion area was awesome because that's probably the closest I will ever be to a lion! read more

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Very nice small zoo. Animals are in good care. Very alert. Very clean . We bought the tickets online so entrance was fast and smooth. They have many places that you can seat over the zoo with nice shades areas. Animals places are close to each other so easy can finish in 2-3 hours. In the afternoon around 2 pm they have the giraffe feeding time that it's $8 and they give 3 lettuces leaf. But on this time actually the giraffe didn't eat eventhough they come very close to us so they refund our money. They also have couple capybaras. And another nice and different habitat was were the wallabies and kangaroos are because they are free and you can walk next to them. Nice experience . Of course they have a nice gift shop at the entrance and some small ones in the middle next to the train station. read more

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Santa Barbara Zoo is one of the best small zoos in SoCal. I actually prefer it to the LA zoo which is much bigger in size. The zoo is situated by the beach which can expect cooler temperatures. I think what I like most about this zoo is that it has a great assortment of animals for its size and good animal enclosures. This zoo somewhat reminds me of the Living Desert zoo in Palm Springs in terms of its size. While I've been coming not a whole lot has changed aside from a Wallaby encounter that allows you to come up close to the animals. Parking is a reasonable charge, you can find free parking around the area if you're willing to walk. Food options are somewhat limited and includes your standard zoo food and kid friendly meals. Most food is found at the gate. There is another dinning location up the hill towards the top of the zoo, but is not always open during slower days. For children's activities there is a train that takes you around the perimeter of the park and they also have a small children's area play place. The other highlight includes giraffe feeding area which is a highlight. This zoo is a great place to take young children and one of the highlights of visiting Santa Barbara. read more

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