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Location
Best time
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.
Best time
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.
Visitor tip
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.
About Oakland Zoo
850+ native & exotic animals on display. Long-standing zoo features 850+ native & exotic animals, a wildlife theater & educational programs.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Zoo
- Highlights
- California Trail species, live animal webcams, Veterinary Hospital tours
- Membership
- Yes, with special admissions benefits
What visitors say
We started our day with an amazing tour of the veterinary hospital. It was well worth the $25/person for a behind-the-scenes look. The docents were very informative, the facilities were impressive, we got to see some animals, and we…
Visited Oakland Zoo and had a wonderful experience! The gondola ride is absolutely fantastic - it’s one of the highlights of the visit and offers beautiful views as you ride up to the California Trail area. The ride itself is smooth and…
My family and I visited the Oakland Zoo this past Sunday. The weather forecast predicted a light drizzle starting at 12 pm. Despite the slight drizzle, we arrived at the zoo at 11 am and found it surprisingly empty. The zoo was teeming…
From 13,975 Google reviews Read all reviews
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
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