Zoos

Oakland Zoo

Name: Oakland Zoo
Address: 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605, Oakland, CA, US
Telephone: (510) 632-9525
Rating: 4.6

★★★★☆ 4.6 (13975 reviews)

📍 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605

📞 (510) 632-9525

🌐 www.oaklandzoo.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

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

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About Oakland Zoo

850+ native & exotic animals on display. Long-standing zoo features 850+ native & exotic animals, a wildlife theater & educational programs. The Oakland Zoo features a gondola ride included with admission that transports visitors up to the California Trail area, offering panoramic Bay Area views and serving as a major highlight mentioned in 901 visitor reviews. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 13,975 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Zoo
Best For: All ages
Highlights: California Trail species, live animal webcams, Veterinary Hospital tours
Membership: Yes, with special admissions benefits

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The Oakland Zoo features a gondola ride included with admission that transports visitors up to the California Trail area, offering panoramic Bay Area views and serving as a major highlight mentioned in 901 visitor reviews
⭐The zoo operates a state-of-the-art Veterinary Hospital with behind-the-scenes tours available on select Wednesdays and Saturdays, where visitors can interact with veterinarians and see animals receiving care
⭐Oakland Zoo houses 850+ native and exotic animals across multiple exhibits, including a California Trail focused on native California species such as grizzly bears, mountain lions, and California condors
⭐The zoo offers interactive live animal webcams (streaming bears, giraffes, and other animals) that visitors can watch before their visit, enhancing the educational experience
⭐Oakland Zoo hosts special events including Glowfari (an evening lantern-based safari experience), ZooCamp, ZooSchool, Wildlife Assemblies, and operates a ZooMobile outreach program

💬 What Visitors Say

🕐Arrive early in the day to experience both the gondola ride and explore the entire zoo. The gondola closes at 2:30 PM, and afternoon tickets won't allow enough time to complete the full experience before closure.
🕐Visit on weekdays or during light rain to avoid crowds. Reviews consistently mention surprisingly empty conditions even on holiday weekends, making for a more enjoyable animal viewing experience.
💡Prioritize the Veterinary Hospital behind-the-scenes tour ($25/person) for an exclusive educational experience with docents and veterinarians available to answer questions. This highly-rated experience pairs well with general zoo admission.
💡The gondola ride is a must-do highlight included in your admission ticket and offers panoramic Bay Area views. Plan to take this ride early before crowds build and before its 2:30 PM closing time.
💡Watch live animal webcams of bears, giraffes, and other species before your visit to familiarize yourself with the animals and plan which exhibits to prioritize, especially given the zoo's large size.