San Francisco Zoo

Visit San Francisco Zoo

Large but not so expansive that it cannot be explored in a single day, the San Francisco Zoo has uniformed docents and interpretative ambassadors throughout the park who can help guide you. If you arrive early, you can watch the daily feeding of the park's grizzly bears at 10:30 a.m. To catch a glimpse of rare Mexican gray wolves, head over to the zoo's Wolf Canyon exhibit.

Live penguin feedings at the San Francisco Zoo occur every day at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. You can check out Magellanic penguins on Penguin Island all day or head over to Family Farm to watch them feast. Covering almost a full acre of land, the Jones Family Gorilla Preserve is the place to go when you want to see primates in action.

Feeding times for popular animals occur from the park's opening until its close. Just after noon, you'll start hearing the ravenous roars of hungry African lions in anticipation of their 2:30 p.m. feeding time at the Lion House. Meerkats feast at 12:30 p.m., and sea lions eat at 2 p.m.

If reptiles are more your speed, head over to the South American Tropical Rainforest & Aviary building. Here, you'll find sloths and anaconda. You'll also have the opportunity to spy gorgeous, exotic birds like the toucan and the macaw flying directly overhead.

Opened year-round, the Natural Trail at the San Francisco Zoo becomes an interactive, hands-on learning experience during the warmer months of the year. Visitors can walk this trail to spy native birds, insects, and animal species thriving in their natural habitats.

Ticket Information

The San Francisco Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tickets cost $25 for non-resident adults and $22 for San Francisco residents with proof of address. The price of admission for children (ages 2 through 11) is $18 for SF visitors and $15 for residents. Children under the age of 2 are admitted for free, and seniors pay just $20 or $24 for admission for SF residents and non-residents, respectively.

SF Zoo tickets for all guests can be purchased online or in-person by visiting the zoo's official website or the ticket window at the park's entry.

Family-Friendly Options

As if monkeys, anaconda, and pacing lions weren't enough to delight children of all ages, the San Francisco Zoo maintains a lengthy list of family-friendly and kids-specific activities. When visiting with youngsters in tow, be sure to catch a ride on the Little Puffer Miniature Steam Train. Tickets are $7 per person, but children under the age of 3 can ride free with an adult.

The recently restored 1921 Dentzel Carousel is a family-friendly attraction you won't want to miss. Kids can ride on colorful cats, rabbits, horses, and giraffes while listening to uplifting, old-timey tunes.

There's also the Fischer Family Children's Zoo located just near the carousel. It's a park within a park that spans over six full acres. It includes the Insect Zoo, the Koret Animal Resource Center, the Red Panda Exhibit, the Meerkat and Prairie Dog Exhibit, and more. There's a petting zoo and a training center where kids can learn how trained volunteers and zookeepers take care of the park's diverse range of animals.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit

If you plan on seeing all of the animals at the San Francisco Zoo, expect to spend between four and six hours on-site. If you intend to ride the rides, spend time at the petting zoo, traverse the Nature Trail, and relax in the gardens, start early. Open seven days a week, the zoo typically sees the least amount of traffic on Sundays. If you're hoping for a "less-crowded" experience, drop in on Sunday for shorter lines at the carousel, feeding exhibits, and miniature steam train.

Docents at the San Francisco Zoo are volunteers who love what they do. Don't be afraid to stop these uniformed professionals to ask for directions, get answers to questions about exhibits, or learn more about seasonal displays and on-site resources. Many docents carry around small cards that are loaded with bio-facts and hands-on activities. Kids can touch bones, teeth, and fur and take part in interactive lessons. When visiting the Family Zoo's petting zoo, be sure to have your camera ready to snap photos of your little ones connecting with nature.

You should get at least one keepsake SF Zoo key for your trip. This key can be inserted into talking storybooks throughout the park that deliver insightful information on animal habitats, life habits, and more. Non-English speaking or bilingual guests will be delighted to find that storybook presentations are available in multiple languages.

San Francisco Zoo Accommodations

Activities Near San Francisco Zoo

Weather, Safety & Accessibility

Weather & Packing

Given its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the San Francisco Zoo is frequently windy and overcast. Thick fog in the morning often gives way to bright sunshine and warmer temperatures in the afternoon, but it's always best to bring at least a light jacket. With weather that can turn at the drop of a hat, packing flexible ensembles will ensure the greatest amount of comfort.

For a trip to the SF Zoo in spring, you'll want a comfortable pair of walking shoes, a sweater or hoodie, durable jeans, and a T-shirt. In autumn and winter, bring sturdy boots, a warm jacket, and a pair of gloves. In summer, check the local forecast before heading out. You might find that the city is due for a bout of rain, preparing for an impossible heat wave, or cloudy and overcast with winds that are perfect for nearby hang gliders.

Safety & Accessibility

When it comes to safety at the San Francisco Zoo, there's much for prospective visitors to know. Although photography is allowed at the zoo, guests are advised to choose photo locations that are sufficiently far away from animal enclosures. Selfie sticks are also allowed but should never be extended over enclosure barriers.

Many of the rules and recommendations for visitors of the SF Zoo are designed to protect the animals. For instance, the zoo asks that guests not tease, feed, or shout at animals. Guests are not allowed to cross paths or exhibit barriers and should never bang or tap on enclosure glass.

All children under the age of 14 must be with an accompanying adult. Smoking, vaping, and solicitation are not permitted anywhere on zoo grounds.

Accessibility is also a top priority at the San Francisco Zoo. Wheelchair users can expect lower railings at many animal habitats for easy viewing. The tactile Sculpture Learning Garden at the SF Zoo also has resources available in braille for the sight-challenged. The zoo's on-site playground, the Elinor Friend Playground, was designed to accommodate guests of all abilities.