Santa Ana Zoo
Santa Ana, CA
~$13 adult / $10 kid
By Simir Shah
Updated September 18, 2026
★★★★★4.1(4,693 Google reviews)
From our editor — we've been
Santa Ana Zoo is a nice, quaint neighborhood zoo with a lot of great animals — we've been to a few birthday parties there and it's always a good time. It's a great place for a stroller walk to get away from the hustle and bustle without the drive of going all the way down to the San Diego Zoo.
💡 Local tip: If you're planning a party there, the zoo rents out spaces (Rides Plaza, Exploration Outpost, Primate Forest) in 2-hour blocks starting around $450 for up to 25 guests, with a $250 deposit to hold your date — book ahead since slots fill up.
What parents say
AI summary of 4 Google reviews — not a first-hand visit. How we write these
A small zoo reviewers say suits young children: carousel, train ride, butterfly exhibit and a playground, seen comfortably in a couple of hours. The rides only run some days of the week by one account, so check. Admission is inexpensive and restrooms clean, but the range of animals is limited.
A compact, monkey-famous zoo founded in 1952 on land donated with one unusual condition — that the zoo always keep at least 50 monkeys, honored today by the "Fifty Monkeys" Ferris wheel at the entrance to the family farm. Kids can also ride the Zoofari Express train and a conservation-themed carousel featuring 33 endangered species, all sized for little legs in a single morning.
Good for
- Ages 0–2
Happening near here
- Pumpkin Palooza at Discovery Cube OCSanta Ana · 1 mi
- Bowers Museum — Free Sundays (Santa Ana residents)Santa Ana · 1 mi · 10am–4pmFree
- Anaheim Ducks Kids' Sock Sundays & Día de Muertos Night (Honda Center)Anaheim · 3 mi
- Halloween Time at the Disneyland ResortAnaheim · 5 mi
1801 E Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92701, USA
Hours via Google — confirm before a special trip.
Map
What visitors say
- reza akhavan★★★★★
This zoo is a fantastic destination for young children, featuring delightful attractions like a butterfly exhibit, cute carousel, and engaging train rides. Many visitors appreciate the affordable admission prices for todays prices. They also have a great deal for a yearly pass that gives you 50% discount to some other zoos across southern CA. The Zoo is well maintained facilities, and attentive staff, all of which enhance the experience. However, a few reviews do mention that the variety of animals could be limited, which may leave some animal enthusiasts wanting more. Overall, it's an excellent choice for a family outing!
4 months ago
- Cindy★★★★★
recently visited this small zoo and I have to say I was absolutely impressed!!!!! From the moment I arrived, it was clear how much care goes into maintaining the place. Everything was spotless I mean truly cleannnnn Even the bathrooms were immaculate, which is rare for a zoo! There was no unpleasant smell at all, even near the animals, which made the visit even more enjoyable. I loved the train ride it was such a charming way to see the whole zoo and added a fun touch to the experience. The attention to detail throughout was incredible. Maps were conveniently placed everywhere, making it easy to navigate and plan our visit without any stress. Overall, it’s obvious the staff puts a lot of effort into keeping this zoo clean and welcoming. I was amazed by the cleanliness and organization, and it made my experience all the more pleasant Highly recommend this gem for a relaxing and enjoyable day out!
5 months ago
Showing 2 of 5 Google reviews · Read them all on Google Maps
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