See the animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo

Plan Ahead

Reservations aren’t required for entry, but you will save $7 per ticket if you purchase your tickets online in advance.

Location and Attractions

Neighboring the Andree Clark Bird Refuge in the east part of downtown, the Santa Barbara Zoo offers visitors a taste of the exotic just a block from the sandy shore. Permanent residents of the zoo include African lions, Masai giraffes, red pandas, anteaters, leopards, gorillas, and penguins. However, the biggest celebrities here are the native California condors and endangered Amur leopards.

Animal Encounters

For an added fee, you can book an animal encounter. These experiences range from observing animals like the Amur leopard up close to feeding Humboldt penguins and learning about giraffe care in zoo settings.

Family-Friendly Activities

The zoo’s approachable size is ideal for families with young kids. They can enjoy a variety of activities such as a children’s train, goat brushing, a play area, a 26-foot rock climbing wall, and a windowed zoo kitchen where visitors can observe how food is prepared for the animals. Some of these experiences come with an extra fee, while many are included in zoo admission.

Hours of Operation

The zoo is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas, when it opens from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tickets and Fees

Admission starts at $28 for adults and $18 for children ages 2 to 12. Additional costs may apply for parking ($11), the zoo train, the carousel, and animal feedings.

For more details, check out the zoo's website.