California has some of the best zoos and aquariums in the country, and it’s not even close. Between the coastline, the deserts, and the sheer amount of conservation work happening here, the state is home to world-class facilities from San Francisco to San Diego.
I’ve visited most of these with my family over the years, and I’ve organized them from north to south so you can figure out which ones fit your trip. Whether you’re road-tripping through NorCal wine country or spending a week in Southern California, there’s something worth a stop.
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Zoos and Aquariums in Northern California
Northern California’s zoos and aquariums span from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Central Valley and Monterey’s coastline. You’ll find everything from a Sonoma safari to one of the most respected aquariums in the world.
San Francisco Zoo
Right on the Pacific coast, the San Francisco Zoo is home to around 1,000 animals across more than 250 species. It’s got a great mix of endangered and rescued animals in a setting that feels more like a lush garden than a concrete jungle.
Don’t miss Penguin Island, which has the largest colony of Magellanic penguins outside of the wild. The Lipman Family Lemur Forest is the biggest outdoor lemur habitat in the country, and grizzly sisters Kachina and Kiona are always entertaining in Hearst Grizzly Gulch. Fun fact: the zoo sits near the site of the now-demolished Fleishhacker Pool, once one of the largest public swimming pools in the world.
Aquarium of the Bay
Located on San Francisco’s Pier 39, Aquarium of the Bay is all about the creatures that live in the San Francisco Bay and its surrounding waters. The highlight is 300 feet of underwater tunnels where sharks and rays swim right overhead. Kids lose their minds here.
The aquarium is home to over 24,000 marine animals, and the flow is really well designed. You start in shallower waters and gradually move to deeper habitats, which keeps it interesting for all ages. The hands-on touch pools are great for younger kids. Plan some extra time for Pier 39 itself, too. The sea lions and the food options make it a full outing.
Oakland Zoo
Oakland Zoo is home to more than 850 animals and has a well-regarded elephant program, plus themed exhibit areas covering the African savannah, wild Australia, and the rain forest. Each area features both the animals and the native plants of that region, which makes it feel immersive.
During the winter holiday season, the zoo puts on Glowfari, a walk-through lantern festival with larger-than-life glowing animal lanterns. It’s a separate ticketed event, and it’s fantastic. Year-round, the children’s zoo area is great for little ones, and the zoo uses dynamic “plan-ahead pricing,” so booking online in advance will save you money.
Sacramento Zoo
The Sacramento Zoo has been a family favorite in the state capital since 1927. Located in William Land Park, it’s home to over 300 animals and is AZA accredited. It’s compact enough to do comfortably in a couple of hours, which makes it ideal for families with younger kids.
If you’ve heard about the planned move to Elk Grove, that was officially cancelled in 2025. The zoo is staying put and investing in upgrades to its current location instead. It’s a nice addition to a Sacramento visit, especially if you’re combining it with Old Sacramento or a stop on a NorCal road trip.
Safari West
This isn’t your typical zoo. Safari West is a 400-acre wildlife preserve in Sonoma County with more than 900 animals from around 80 species. Think open-air jeep safaris past giraffes, rhinos, and zebras while you’re surrounded by wine country. USA Today named it the #1 glamping spot in America, and the luxury tents imported from Botswana are genuinely lovely: hardwood floors, private decks, ensuite bathrooms.
Safari tours start around $110-$120 per adult, so it’s a splurge, but it’s an experience you won’t forget. Note that guests must be at least four years old, and this pairs beautifully with a Sonoma wine weekend for the adults. If you’ve always wanted to try glamping, this is the place.
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
If you’re driving through the Central Valley, Fresno Chaffee Zoo is well worth a detour. This AZA-accredited zoo sits on 39 acres with over 190 species, and it draws close to a million visitors a year, which should tell you something. The 13-acre African Adventure is the centerpiece, and the newer Kingdom of Asia exhibit (opened 2023) features tigers and orangutans.
Stingray Bay is a hit with kids, and the seasonal Zoorassic Park dinosaur exhibit is fun for the whole family. Tickets are in the $20-$29 range depending on the day, making it one of the more affordable options on this list. It fills a real gap between the Bay Area and Southern California.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the world, full stop. Give yourself a full day here. The three-story kelp forest is mesmerizing, the sea otter exhibit is always a crowd favorite, and the jellies gallery is unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else.
The big addition since 2025 is “Into the Deep,” a $15 million exhibit focused on deep-sea creatures. It’s the largest exhibition of its kind in North America and features species so new some don’t even have names yet. The giant Pacific octopus exhibit near the Kelp Forest is also a must-see. Tickets are $65 for adults, so it’s not cheap, but it’s worth every penny.
Zoos and Aquariums in Southern California
Southern California is where you’ll find the heaviest concentration of major zoos and aquariums in the state, including the San Diego Zoo, which many consider the best in the world. These are spread from Santa Barbara down to the Mexican border, so there’s almost certainly one near wherever you’re staying.
Santa Barbara Zoo
Food Network called this “the Audrey Hepburn of zoos — petite, charming and beautiful,” and honestly that nails it. The Santa Barbara Zoo sits on 30 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the San Ynez Mountains, with over 146 species living in open, natural habitats. The California condors and the Australian Walkabout (where you walk through kangaroo and wallaby territory) are highlights.
Kids love feeding the giraffes ($8/person), riding the Zoo Train, and climbing the 26-foot rock wall. Check out the Ridley-Tree Animal Kitchen, where you can watch the team prepare meals for 380+ animals through a viewing window. It’s a lovely, manageable half-day, paired with other Santa Barbara attractions, and one of the local hotels makes for a great overnight stay.
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
The LA Zoo is a solid pick when you’re in Los Angeles with kids. It’s home to over 1,700 animals and more than 60 endangered species, plus the botanical gardens have around 7,000 plants and over 800 species, including some rare ones, making it as much a horticultural experience as a wildlife one. I loved going here as a kid.
The California Condor Rescue Zone is a must-see for learning how the zoo has helped bring this bird back from the brink. The exhibits replicate natural habitats across 15 different collections, and the whole place is shaded enough to be comfortable even on warm days. The zoo is included in the Go City Los Angeles Pass, which can save you on admission to multiple attractions. Check out these family-friendly LA hotels to round out your trip.
The Living Desert Zoo and Garden
Located near Palm Springs in Palm Desert, the Living Desert is one of the largest zoos in California at roughly 1,200 acres. It focuses exclusively on desert species from around the world, with an emphasis on California’s Sonoran and Mojave Desert ecosystems. It’s unlike any other zoo on this list.
The best times to visit are in the morning when animals are active before the heat, and in the evening when nocturnal creatures like owls and bats start stirring. Your admission includes access to the nature preserve and hiking trails through desert landscapes full of palo verde, smoke trees, and creosote bush. Gecko Gulch is a great interactive play area for kids who need a break from walking. It also makes a solid day trip from San Diego.
Aquarium of the Pacific
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is the largest aquarium in Southern California and one of the most visited in the country, drawing around 1.7 million guests a year. It’s home to over 11,000 animals across 500 species, and the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows into coral reef and lagoon ecosystems are stunning.
The Shark Lagoon is always a hit (kids can actually touch sharks in the touch pool), and the Ray Touch Pool and Penguin Habitat are family favorites too. Interactive exhibits are everywhere, and the aquarium is a leader in conservation and sustainability. Timed tickets are required, so book in advance.
Orange County Zoo
Whether you’re visiting Orange County, headed to Anaheim for Disneyland, or you just live nearby, the OC Zoo is a charming little gem inside Irvine Regional Park. The admission is a steal: $2 per person for ages three and older, and parking is $3-$5 per vehicle ($7-$10 on major holidays).
This 477-acre park focuses on animals and plants native to the Southwestern United States: coyotes, black bears, mountain lions, and turkey vultures. The barnyard area with goats, sheep, and doves is perfect for toddlers. It’s small enough to do in an hour or two, which makes it a great add-on to an Irvine Regional Park visit rather than a full-day destination.
SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND
If you’re heading to LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad, don’t overlook the SEA LIFE Aquarium right next door. It’s 20,000 square feet with over 5,000 sea creatures, a walk-through ocean tunnel, and plenty of interactive touchpools that are perfect for the LEGOLAND age range (2-12). It’s AZA accredited, too.
You can add it to a LEGOLAND day or visit it separately, and it’s included in the Go City San Diego pass. For families with younger kids, this is a really manageable, not-overwhelming aquarium experience compared to some of the bigger options on this list.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido is the San Diego Zoo’s sister park, and it’s where you go for up-close animal encounters. The free Africa Tram tour is a great 25-minute overview, and the Caravan Safari out to the rhinos and giraffes on the African Plains is the most popular upgrade. You can even see animals from above via the Flightline zip line or Balloon Safari.
The park is home to the only platypuses outside of Australia, and the Tull Family Tiger Trail is popular for viewing Sumatran tigers, including through underwater viewing windows. Don’t miss the daily Cheetah Run, where a cheetah demonstrates its speed alongside a companion dog. Walk-through habitats let you mingle with lorikeets, wallabies, and lemurs with no barriers. For planning details, read my Safari Park guide and my tips for Safari Park tickets.
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Birch Aquarium at Scripps
I think Birch Aquarium at Scripps is one of the best aquariums in California, even if it’s not the biggest. It’s the public outreach center for the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography, so every exhibit is rooted in real research. The new Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery (opened 2025) is a beautiful addition.
The Little Blue Penguins are the only ones on the West Coast and are absolutely worth the visit alone. The Preuss Tide Pool Plaza lets kids touch sea creatures, and the Growing Up Seahorse exhibit showcases their renowned breeding program. It’s a must for families in San Diego, and you’ll want at least two hours. Birch Aquarium is also included in the Go City San Diego pass.
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego is part theme park, part accredited zoo, and one of San Diego’s best theme parks. The live shows featuring dolphins, sea lions, and seals are still a draw, and the rides keep getting better. Arctic Rescue, a multi-launch coaster that replaced the old Wild Arctic ride, is a standout. I can see SeaWorld from my house!
The Penguin Encounter still has seven species of penguins (though the Emperor penguins moved to SeaWorld Orlando in 2025). The Dolphin Encounter and Sloth Up-Close experiences are popular paid upgrades. You’ll have your choice of SeaWorld San Diego tickets, and frequent promotions mean you should never pay gate price.
San Diego Zoo
Arguably the best zoo in the world, San Diego Zoo spans 100 acres near downtown San Diego with thousands of animals in beautifully designed, largely cageless habitats. It’s also an accredited botanical garden with over 6,500 types of plants. We are members, and I just love it.
Must-sees include the koalas in the Conrad Prebys Australian Outback (the largest colony outside Australia), the recently refreshed Conrad Prebys Polar Bear Plunge, and the hippo and elephant habitats. The Skyfari Aerial Tram gives you one of the best views in San Diego. Bring your camera for Balboa Park and planes landing at the airport. The Guided Bus Tour is included with admission and is the best way to get oriented. I have a lot of tips for exploring with kids, and you can save on San Diego Zoo tickets through my exclusive discount.
- Get My Exclusive Price on 1-Day Tickets (use promo code lajollamom for $8 off)
Katie Dillon
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