Santa Ana Zoo

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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!

  2 months ago

• Dawnne Kutz★★★★★

  We had a great time at the zoo today. There were many school groups there when we arrived for opening time but the groups were spread out so it wasnt too bad. The animals were nice and active when the zoo opened at 10. My niece enjoyed the playground as well. It isnt a huge zoo but we were there about 2 1/2 hours and were able to see all of the animals as well as having plenty of playtime. The only complaint we had was that the rides are only open Fri, Sat, Sun and there were several items that were not available from the snack bar.

  2 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!

  4 months ago

• Sa Sa su★★★★★

  The San Diego Zoo is HUGE—spanning 100 acres, which is about the same size as Disneyland in Anaheim (not including California Adventure). What does that mean? Be prepared for a lot of walking! Unlike Disneyland, the zoo is built on rolling hills, so it can be quite a workout. Map: Be sure to grab a map at the Guest Services booth near the entrance. The zoo is enormous, and the numbered locations on the map make it much easier to find your way around. There are also helpful staff members stationed throughout the park who are happy to answer questions and help with directions. Bus Tour: The guided bus tour (about 35 minutes) is a great way to get an overview of the zoo and see animals from different areas. They take your photo before boarding, and while the souvenir package is a bit pricey (around $35 plus tax), I ended up purchasing it because it included several fun animal-themed photo variations along with a nice keepsake portfolio. Wait times vary depending on the day and crowd levels. We visited on a weekend, and the line moved fairly quickly. The upper deck tends to have a longer wait than the lower deck. Our driver was entertaining, informative, and made the ride even more enjoyable. Skyfari Aerial Tram: The Skyfari is included with admission and is a great way to cross the zoo while giving your feet a break. It also offers beautiful views from above. Each gondola holds up to four people. We waited about 15 minutes on a weekend, which wasn’t bad at all. Rest Areas & Amenities: One thing I appreciated was the number of benches throughout the zoo. It’s nice to have plenty of places to sit and recharge. There are also water refill stations throughout the park, which are especially helpful during warmer months. Panda Exhibit: The giant pandas were one of the highlights of our visit. We arrived on a weekend afternoon and waited about 30 minutes. Later in the day, the line was noticeably shorter, so if you encounter a long wait, it may be worth coming back later. Seeing the pandas up close depends a bit on luck—they may be high up in the trees or right in front enjoying a snack. They also offer souvenir photos, which are surprisingly ready by the time you exit the exhibit. Entertainment: Near the Explorer’s Basecamp children’s area, we caught some trampoline performers practicing. The zoo also offers several live shows throughout the afternoon, adding an extra layer of fun to the experience. Food: Many reviews mention the high food prices, so we packed our own sandwiches and snacks. It was nice having the flexibility to eat whenever and wherever we wanted. Parking: Parking was $16 per vehicle, which felt very reasonable compared to attractions like SeaWorld, where parking can cost significantly more. Overall: The San Diego Zoo does an incredible job promoting conservation and education, and it’s clear that much of the money spent here supports those efforts. There’s even a miniature train ride outside the zoo for $4.50 per person, which is perfect for younger children. Overall, it was a fantastic experience for visitors of all ages. My only challenge was occasionally finding certain exhibits despite the map, but that’s probably just part of exploring such a massive zoo. Definitely worth a visit!

  a month ago

• Marc Sanchez★★★★★

  Nice local zoo to bring the kids for an hour or two. Some exhibits were empty but can't really complain for the price. The piggies were oinking and the monkeys were full on acrobats. The train ride was also a nice time.

  a month ago

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