Zoos

California Trail at Oakland Zoo

Name: California Trail at Oakland Zoo
Address: 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605, Oakland, CA, US
Telephone: (510) 632-9525
Rating: 4.8

★★★★☆ 4.8 (1148 reviews)

📍 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605

📞 (510) 632-9525

🌐 www.explore.oaklandzoo.org/californiatrail

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	10 AM–4 PM
Tuesday	10 AM–4 PM
Wednesday	10 AM–4 PM
Thursday	10 AM–4 PM
Friday	10 AM–4 PM
Saturday	9:30 AM–4 PM
Sunday	9:30 AM–4 PM

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About California Trail at Oakland Zoo

California Trail at Oakland Zoo is a zoo in Oakland, CA. California Trail features all-electric eight-passenger gondolas that transport guests up the hillside, making it an ADA-accessible way to experience the exhibit while reducing carbon footprint. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,148 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Zoo
Best For: All ages
Highlights: California Trail, African Savanna, California Wilds! Playground, live animal encounters, petting yard
Interactive Features: Touch experiences, play zones, Otter Den, fossil discoveries, live animal encounters
Special Access: ADA-accessible gondola to California Trail at 650 feet elevation

💡 Did You Know?

⭐California Trail features all-electric eight-passenger gondolas that transport guests up the hillside, making it an ADA-accessible way to experience the exhibit while reducing carbon footprint
⭐The zoo houses California condors, a critically endangered species with fewer than 500 individuals in existence, making the exhibit part of a significant conservation effort
⭐California Trail exhibits over 100 species across multiple ecological zones, with review data showing particularly popular exhibits featuring mountain lions, grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and bald eagles native to California
⭐The zoo features Teen Wild Guides who provide educational animal facts during live encounters, indicating a structured youth education and engagement program
⭐San Francisco Bay Overlook within California Trail offers panoramic views of the bay, integrating natural landscape education with animal habitat viewing

💬 What Visitors Say

💡Time your visit to catch animal feeding times and enrichment activities, particularly for the grizzly bears and mountain lions, which visitors frequently mention as highlight moments when animals are most active and engaging.
💡The gondola ride is the most frequently mentioned feature (52 mentions) and provides scenic views of the bison herds on the hillside—ride it early in your visit to orientate yourself and see animals from above, then explore the trail on foot for closer encounters.
💡Visit during special events like Glowfari when the California Trail is illuminated with lanterns for a uniquely beautiful experience, or attend live animal encounters and Teen Wild Guides presentations scheduled throughout the day for deeper educational insights.
💬The California Trail features spacious, natural habitats with plenty of hiding spots—allow 2-3 hours minimum to explore thoroughly and increase chances of spotting wildlife, and look for enrichment items (sensory objects) that indicate where animals are most likely to be observed.
💡Don't miss the San Francisco Bay Overlook for breathtaking views as a rewarding destination partway through your visit, and consider The Landing Café with panoramic bay views as a comfortable spot to rest with chef-inspired food options.