1 / 3Oakland Zoo
📍 Sequoyah, CA
Home to the California Trail exhibit featuring native species, plus giraffes, bears viewable via live webcam. Behind-the-scenes Veterinary Hospital tours run select Wednesdays and Saturdays. Advance ticket reservations required.
Went to the Oakland Zoo and it’s still my favorite zoo. There are a lot of animals and a good amount of walking, so it feels like you actually get a full day out of it. The giraffe area is my favorite part. Wish you could feed them though—like at the San Diego Zoo—but you can’t here. That would be a nice addition. Parking was pretty easy and there’s plenty of it. I’d definitely recommend buying tickets in advance so you’re not waiting around when you get there.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with kids aged 4 and up who can handle a full day of walking. Toddlers will enjoy animals and the terrain is substantial. Advance reservations are mandatory — do not show up without tickets. Members get 10% off through mid-May 2026 with code ADVENTURE26.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →13,985 Google reviews
Charlie Von Bark
“Went to the Oakland Zoo and it’s still my favorite zoo. There are a lot of animals and a good amount of walking, so it feels like you actually get a full day out of it. The giraffe area is my favorite part. Wish you could feed them though—like at the San Diego Zoo—but you can’t here. That would be a nice addition. Parking was pretty easy and there’s plenty of it. I’d definitely recommend buying tickets in advance so you’re not waiting around when you get there.”
dua afghan
“Beautiful place but some of the park staff members were rude.”
Patricia Baldisseri
“Really great!”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Oakland Zoo spans enough ground that visitors report genuinely full-day visits. The California Trail showcase focuses on native California species and conservation. Giraffe viewing is a crowd favorite, and the zoo's live animal cams let you scope out bears and giraffes before you arrive. Veterinary Hospital tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at a facility built to accommodate all current and future resident animals. Conservation programs tie directly to bison restoration efforts.
