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Location
Visitor tip
Don't miss the bamboo area with red pandas and its scenic overlook - it's highlighted as a particularly lovely spot with excellent viewing opportunities
Visitor tip
Bring kids in lab coats to the veterinary hospital play area where they can learn hands-on animal care, and purchase conservation tokens at the gift shop to vote for animal welfare projects
Visitor tip
Rent a stroller or wagon ($6) if visiting with young children under 2 (free admission) - handicap parking and accessible facilities are available near the entrance
About Central Coast Zoo (formerly Charles Paddock Zoo)
Animals from around the world on 5 acres. Zoo on 5 wooded acres with many animals that are part of globally managed preservation programs.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Zoo
- Location
- Atascadero, California
- Accreditation
- Only AZA-accredited zoo on Central Coast
- Featured Animal
- Burrowing Owl pair (produced 8 chicks in 2018)
What visitors say
Visited early Sunday February 28, 2026 Small but worth visiting, they have animas like brown parrots, fossa, red pandas, Binturongs, tortoises tiny and giant ones, giant ant eaters, multiple monkeys and birds and unfortunately they…
The zoo is very cute and lovely with knowledgeable and kind employees. Many unique animals and pretty places to sit and watch the animals. There's a cool bamboo area with red pandas and an overlook over the enclosure. Definitely…
Small zoo but super cute. Walked around for like 2 hours. No actually food just snacks but nice Mexican restaurant across the street.
From 1,612 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- Central Coast Zoo features about 100 species of animals on just 5 wooded acres, making it a compact but diverse collection of globally managed preservation programs
- The zoo offers a unique visitor engagement program where guests can purchase tokens in the gift shop to vote for conservation projects they wish to support
- Central Coast Zoo participates in reciprocal zoo agreements, allowing visitors with tickets from partner zoos (such as LA Zoo) to receive 50% discounts on admission
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