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Zoos & Wildlife

San Francisco Zoo

πŸ“ Lakeshore, CA

β˜…4.4(14,052 Google reviews)

Accredited zoo and gardens open every day of the year, home to 1,500-plus exotic, endangered, and rescued animals. Features an alligator exhibit, koala habitat, conservation programs, and structured educational programs for multiple age groups.

βœ“ zooβœ“ koalasβœ“ rhinosβœ“ conservationβœ“ educational programsβœ“ birthday parties
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β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…Featured review by Victoria (Tors)

Really enjoyed my time here and it’s a lot bigger than I originally thought! I was pleasantly surprised. Lots of animals, a few habitats were empty but there was still a lot to look at!

πŸ† Family Action Verdict

Strongest for families with kids aged 3 and up who want a full half-day or day-length outing. Toddlers enjoy large mammal exhibits at close range; school-age kids engage well with the educational programs and keeper talks. The zoo's size means stroller-friendly paths are essential β€” bring one for children under 5.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

πŸ’‘Arrive at opening to catch keeper feeding sessions and morning animal activity before crowds build
⏰Bring a stroller for children under 5 β€” the grounds are larger than they appear on the map
🎟️Check the event calendar before visiting β€” seasonal programs and keeper talks vary by month
πŸš—Membership pays off quickly for Bay Area families who plan multiple visits per year

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πŸ’¬ What Families Are Saying

View all reviews β†’
4.4
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14,052 Google reviews

Impressive animal variety50%
Bigger than expected25%
Great for kids15%
Some empty enclosures10%
V

Victoria (Tors)

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β€œReally enjoyed my time here and it’s a lot bigger than I originally thought! I was pleasantly surprised. Lots of animals, a few habitats were empty but there was still a lot to look at!”

E

Evgeny Lesovskiy

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β€œΠ‘ΠΎΠ»ΡŒΡˆΠΎΠΉ, Ρ…ΠΎΡ€ΠΎΡˆΠΈΠΉ Π·ΠΎΠΎΠΏΠ°Ρ€ΠΊ. Π˜Π½Ρ‚Π΅Ρ€Π΅ΡΠ½ΠΎ Π±Ρ‹Π»ΠΎ ΡΠΌΠΎΡ‚Ρ€Π΅Ρ‚ΡŒ, ΠΊΠ°ΠΊ носорог ΠΊΠ°Ρ‚Π°Π΅Ρ‚ большой ΡˆΠ°Ρ€ Π½Π° своСй Ρ‚Π΅Ρ€Ρ€ΠΈΡ‚ΠΎΡ€ΠΈΠΈ.”

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Serra Ano

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β€œSunday July 07, 2024 11:11 AM koala carer keeper Ross Anthold easy peasy 🐨 Logan was low on outside tree run throughout afternoon zoomed around ate some grass and clover Stacey 🐨 was in tree wallpapered enclosure behind plexi bonus b4 closing around πŸ•“ koala carer keeper Ross said Logan was securely inside carrier on trolley could stand closer. couldn't smell 🌿 Logan is 9 years old unfortunately , informed Cobar Wolemi past May possibly clearance for San Diego zoo to send 3rd koala if gurl 🐨 Stacey has a possible friend boy koalas are aggressive (thought koalas overall solitary ) unless orphaned raised by humans (like Omeo 🐨 , @SD Zoo featured on animal planet episode years ago) keeper Ross explained tree fell in wallaroo enclosure 3 wallaroo fam + recent tfr brown kangaroo from Oakland zoo = 4 difficult to view when all standing behind fallen 🌳 Sat Β  Aug 05, 2023 04:14 PM yay saw a wallaroo Emu koala carer keeper was in outback enclosure 2 of 3 wallaroos already in to protective area, emu on his way as well very distinctive look too bad ppl kept calling him ugly. on way out saw 🐨🐨 Stacy and cobar Wollemi napping. and new hyacinths πŸ’™ across from koala crossing fresh from Sacramento zoo earlier saw one Chimpanzee in pachiderm house hoping to see orangutans in future. Lemurs across from entrance to giraffe neighborhood cute and athletic one jumping laps under walk bridge huge birds ? storks resting by water Sun Β  Jul 30, 2023 04:14 PM found free street parking a block up from zoo on sloat walked in entrance gate near doggie diner head by 43rd across from George's zoo. benefit of individual membership admittance until 04:00 p.m. (SF Zoo closes at 05:00 p.m.) family farm zoo enterance by red panda πŸ€” closes at 02:00 p.m. brushing goats fun one day when I get parking on sloat by 09:30 a.m. going to go there hopefully, 🐴 πŸ“ donkey will be around. whew docent was nearby and koalas still on view thru windows of their enclosures. koala crossing my favorite. Koala keeper carer Ross Anthold went to outdoor run 🌳🐨🀍 to collect 🐨 Logan before 5 p.m. πŸ€” until he told kids I couldn't spot where or which tree. such a treat. πŸ‘ koala keeper carer Ross earlier he placed cobar Willem inside to clean non wallpapered room behind shiny glass window to clean out water pot and eucalyptus leaves 🌿 & house down floor. Stacey 🐨🀍 remained in wallpapered room. while koala keeper carer Ross was fetching Logan 🐨🌳 outside. treat to see Stacey woke up when kkc Ross came in to clean just before 05:00 p.m. closing. wanted to stay and observe. Yet loud speaker announced please exit Zoo closed 05:00 p.m. glad restrooms by entrance and far side of giraffe πŸ¦’ zebra πŸ¦“ area was still open. 2 of 5 stalls were out of order. glad private restrooms 🚻 around side by membership office were still open. unlocked πŸ”“ not too messy still stocked with soap, seat covers, and paper towels. free parking on sloat in middle by 45 to 47 streets zoo entrance and $13 paid parking lot u turn at 47th or turn in and out of beach parking at great highway.”

Reviews from Google

Overview

San Francisco Zoo sits at Sloat Boulevard and the Great Highway, spanning enough ground to surprise first-time visitors with its size. The collection includes koalas, rhinoceroses, California bald eagles, and rare amphibian and reptile species bred through active conservation programs. Educational programs are structured by age group. The zoo hosts birthday parties, weddings, and corporate events, and runs an Adopt-An-Animal program.

πŸ• Opening Hours

Monday10:00 – 17:00
Tuesday10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday10:00 – 17:00
Thursday10:00 – 17:00
Friday10:00 – 17:00
Saturday10:00 – 17:00
Sunday10:00 – 17:00

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