San Francisco Zoo
San Francisco Zoo
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Nestled against the Pacific Ocean, the San Francisco Zoo is an urban oasis. It is home to over 1,000 exotic, endangered and rescued animals representing more than 250 species and lovely peaceful gardens full of native and foreign plants.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Merced Manor
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
541 within 3 miles
Attractions
582 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- kathy4117Dinwiddie, Virginia36 contributionsZoo tripSome of the animals are not there. As at most zoos in the warm part of the day animals are in the shared areas and can't be seen. This is not a huge zoo, and doesn't have tons of signs. The only way to have a map is on your phone or print one before you visit. The no paper thing pays off, we saw no trash there. We spent a couple of nice hours, with lots of sitting and watching.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 10, 2024
- Naomi C1 contributionLovely little zooLovely little zoo, visited big cats first and saw all of them. Lots to do with small children but very enjoyable for adults as well. We spent about 2.5 - 3 hours there. Habitats are mostly beautiful and spacious. Easy to get to by transit (metro and L line - if you can find it, bus stops are not marked well). We went as part of a Go City San Francisco pass so great value for us. Across the street from a beautiful beach, wide open ocean.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 20, 2024
- barnloves2travelGatineau, Canada151 contributionsNot as expectedSmall zoo - not than many animals - lots of empty pens. A lot of areas looked overgrown - it felt like they were about to close for the season. There seems to be a newer area which looks better but still a work in progress. It was expensive to go in and then you have to pay additional parking which is expensive as well - maybe go in the middle of the summer ? Maybe it’s more busy.Visited September 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 20, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
946 reviews
Excellent
358
Very good
310
Average
164
Poor
75
Terrible
39
Erick Tseng
San Francisco, CA959 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
A true wildlife oasis in the middle of San Francisco. From penguins to giraffes to koala bears to Komodo dragons, the San Fransisco Zoo has it all. And it's just a short ride away from downtown SF on the Muni. The zoo has reopened since Covid shelter in place and they're doing a great job ensuring everyone's safety. Everyone needs to wear a mask and observe social distancing while inside the park. Purell hand sanitizer stations can be found everywhere throughout the grounds.
Only outdoor exhibits are open. All indoor experiences like the rainforest and insect zoo are closed due to the pandemic.
To visit, you need to book tickets online in attendance. Pro tip: SF residents get a discounted rate!
Only outdoor exhibits are open. All indoor experiences like the rainforest and insect zoo are closed due to the pandemic.
To visit, you need to book tickets online in attendance. Pro tip: SF residents get a discounted rate!
Written August 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eyemlucky
Los Angeles, CA233 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
The zoo is located in a park with lots of green trees right by the Pacific Ocean. On Sunday it was mostly full of families with their children, but not crowded.
The animals are in big enclosures so they can move around, not tight cages.
The animals are in big enclosures so they can move around, not tight cages.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Di J
Pittsburg, CA204 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Just an OK zoo. Can’t even compare with San Diego zoo. In Bay Area, Oakland Zoo is better.
Pros: good location in sf; close to the Pacific Ocean; weather is all year long cool there; has rhino and hippo which I don’t think Oakland zoo has.
Wolverine and anteater is also cool
Landscape is beautiful with big trees
Cons:
1. Old infrastructure;
2. animal living space isn’t big and lots of old style fake mountains etc. I understand the older infrastructure is difficult to upgrade and the zoo is putting lots of effort to enrich it;
Some monkeys seems have way too small of cages
3. Information sharing can be better about the animals, fun fact, conservation status etc to help people learn.
Pros: good location in sf; close to the Pacific Ocean; weather is all year long cool there; has rhino and hippo which I don’t think Oakland zoo has.
Wolverine and anteater is also cool
Landscape is beautiful with big trees
Cons:
1. Old infrastructure;
2. animal living space isn’t big and lots of old style fake mountains etc. I understand the older infrastructure is difficult to upgrade and the zoo is putting lots of effort to enrich it;
Some monkeys seems have way too small of cages
3. Information sharing can be better about the animals, fun fact, conservation status etc to help people learn.
Written July 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melody Flanagan
San Jose, CA1 contribution
Sep 2022 • Family
Lots of exhibits closed without telling us. Not worth ticket price. Plus restaurants make you pay with credit card so you are forced to give a gratuity for self serve cafe.
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary M
Santa Rosa, CA39 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Some really great animal habitats and some not so great - closed and/or under renovation. Missing key animals: tigers, elephants, polar bears. Awesome gorilla & giraffe/zebra habitats. We went to the Zoo website to buy tickets & were directed to a third party site that charged us a lot more. The person coming in behind us had the exact same complaint! Beware! Buy your tickets at the gate, NOT ONLINE!
Written January 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
perrx
Columbus, OH265 contributions
Jun 2023
We had a great time at this zoo, spent about 4 hours looking at the wildlife. Your travel app will have trouble finding the place and will send you in circles. There is construction nearby to add to the confusion. When you come down the highway that runs parallel to the ocean and take a right, the entrance and parking are right there- look for a small sign, and you can park onsite for $11, or park out on the street a few blocks away.
Written June 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven L
8 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
I'm vacationing from New Mexico, and we decided to experience the Zoo. What a wonderful experience. The scenery is amazing and we fell in love with the variety of plants and trees, it made the walk very peaceful. Not the biggest collection of animals, but their enclosures were really nice and gave a close up experience. I would recommend anyone who isn't from the area to experience this beautiful zoo.
Written July 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martha H
27 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
About a quarter of the exhibits were closed. Other things like the story keys and some drinking fountains were out of order.
The size of the enclosures was larger than many zoos. The animals had enrichment items to play with. The enclosures were clean and the animals looked healthy.
There was poor maintenance on other areas of the zoo, like the fountain filled with weeds and areas that needed to be trimmed. To be fair they have been kept busy with cleaning up trees and branches after recent storms.
The size of the enclosures was larger than many zoos. The animals had enrichment items to play with. The enclosures were clean and the animals looked healthy.
There was poor maintenance on other areas of the zoo, like the fountain filled with weeds and areas that needed to be trimmed. To be fair they have been kept busy with cleaning up trees and branches after recent storms.
Written March 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chloe j
1 contribution
Sep 2024 • Friends
Most anti-climactic zoo I have ever experienced. 90% of the enclosures were empty and we only saw around 7 animals and all of those were sleeping. The bear walk was closed but we weren’t informed of this on the way in.
The park in itself looked abandoned and could’ve with some major reconstruction, I feel sorry for the animals, most of them looked sad and lonely caged in solitude.
As a typical tourist attraction the food and drink prices were extortionate paying 7 dollars for a can of coke.
Would not recommend and we left the park within a hour.
The park in itself looked abandoned and could’ve with some major reconstruction, I feel sorry for the animals, most of them looked sad and lonely caged in solitude.
As a typical tourist attraction the food and drink prices were extortionate paying 7 dollars for a can of coke.
Would not recommend and we left the park within a hour.
Written September 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lowri Brickell
2 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
If I could put 0 stars I would. The grounds etc are beautiful however I came across an injured bird so I asked for help to move it / help it as it looked petrified with people almost stepping on it. The zoo keepers did not care one bit so I picked up the bird myself and moved it to a safe spot. I also noticed when walking around some of the animals had darts stuck in them which were clearly irritating them as they were trying to get them out. This zoo would’ve had 4 stars from me if these 2 things never happened but as I’m a massive animal lover this straight away made me think they couldn’t care less about the animals.
Sad to see.
Sad to see.
Written March 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Como llegar al zoo desde el centrde la ciudad?
Written April 29, 2024
How is parking? Is it best to prepay?
Written October 3, 2021
Hi do you accept British Uk student discount
Written February 15, 2020
So sorry I don't know. I was a German visitor and senior citizen. Enjoy your visit even if you have to pay the full amount without a discount.
Written February 17, 2020
Sonali B
55 contributions
Is there a beach near San Francisco Zoo? Also has anyone went to San Francisco Zoo from Hotel Nikko San Francisco in California USA?
Written April 10, 2019
San Francisco Zoo is across the street from the Pacific Ocean. I do not know if it is a swimming beach though
Written June 13, 2019
Sonali B
55 contributions
Is San Francisco Zoo on flat or hilly grounds?
Written January 7, 2019
Mostly flat. A few short up and downs
Written March 6, 2019
Hello, I'll be visiting in October. I'm guessing that would still be classed as 'summer' opening times of 10-5 pm, or is it classed as winter 10-4?
Written August 13, 2018
Can you see the sloth? Many times they are asleep.or can we interact with them
Written April 29, 2018
We saw the sloth, as he slooooowly crossed the cage on a branch
Written April 29, 2018
Sonali B
55 contributions
Does San Francisco Zoo have gravesite of Tatiana the Siberian tiger who died on 25 December 2007? If yes, can I visit her gravesite and how big is San Francisco Zoo compared to Australia Zoo in Beerwah of Queensland Australia? Do we need a whole day to see all animals at San Francisco Zoo in California USA?
Written February 4, 2018
Yes you need a whole day! Well worth it
Written August 18, 2018
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