Zoos

Orange County Zoo

Name: Orange County Zoo
Address: 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869, Orange, CA, US
Telephone: (714) 973-6840
Rating: 4.7

★★★★☆ 4.7 (3989 reviews)

📍 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869

📞 (714) 973-6840

🌐 www.ocparks.com/oczoo

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	10 AM–3:30 PM
Tuesday	10 AM–3:30 PM
Wednesday	10 AM–3:30 PM
Thursday	10 AM–3:30 PM
Friday	10 AM–3:30 PM
Saturday	10 AM–4:30 PM
Sunday	10 AM–4:30 PM

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

About Orange County Zoo

8 acres of native Southwestern animals. 8-acre city park zoo features native Southwestern animals & plants, plus regular programs & events. Orange County Zoo offers a free cell phone audio tour (dial 714-481-0355) featuring keeper and veterinarian commentary, allowing visitors to learn directly from animal care professionals. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,989 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Zoo
Location: Irvine Regional Park, Orange, CA (495-acre park)
Specialty: Southwestern US native animals; rescued, orphaned, and non-releasable wildlife
Interactive Features: Free cell phone audio tour with keeper commentary; educational programs for preschool and school-age children
Admission: $2 ages 3+, free ages 2 and under (plus $3-$10 park entry)

💡 Did You Know?

⭐Orange County Zoo offers a free cell phone audio tour (dial 714-481-0355) featuring keeper and veterinarian commentary, allowing visitors to learn directly from animal care professionals
⭐The zoo charges only $2 per person (ages 3+), making it one of the most affordable zoo experiences in Southern California
⭐The 8-acre zoo specializes exclusively in Southwestern United States native animals, including ocelots, kit foxes, mountain lions, and black bears, rather than a diverse global collection
⭐The zoo features an interactive petting zoo where visitors can feed and brush domestic goats and sheep, requiring quarters for animal feed
⭐The zoo operates a scavenger hunt program for visitors where children complete activity sheets and earn stickers upon completion, combining education with interactive engagement

💬 What Visitors Say

💡Use the free cell phone audio tour on speaker phone for family groups to learn about animal diets, backgrounds, and keeper insights while exploring exhibits
💡Pick up the scavenger hunt sheet at the ticket booth before exploring—kids who complete it earn stickers, adding interactive purpose to the visit
💡Bring quarters for the petting zoo goat feeding area, where visitors can brush and feed the goats for an interactive experience
💬Plan for 1.5-2 hours total visit time; the zoo is small and perfect for toddlers through age 6, but may feel quick for older children
💬Visit on weekdays to pay $3 for parking instead of $5 on weekends, keeping your total outing cost very affordable