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Location
Parking
Parking included with Irvine Regional Park vehicle entry fee ($3 weekdays, $5 weekends, $7-$10 major holidays)
Visitor tip
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
Visitor tip
Pick up the scavenger hunt sheet at the ticket booth before exploring—kids who complete it earn stickers, adding interactive purpose to the visit
About Orange County Zoo
8 acres of native Southwestern animals. 8-acre city park zoo features native Southwestern animals & plants, plus regular programs & events.
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)
What visitors say
This little zoo odd located in a big regional park! You pay to get into the park, and follow the signs to get to the zoo. When you find the lot closest to the zoo, you walk up to the ticket booth and pay another fee to get into the…
Orange County Zoo is a wonderful place to visit! The staff are extremely friendly and make the experience welcoming from the moment you arrive. The $2 ticket price is truly worth every penny — very affordable and great value for what…
Such a fun place to visit. It's a little quaint zoo perfect for toddlers up to age 6 to entertain for an hour and a half. They have a scavenger hunt and at the end you turn it in an the kids earn some stickers. Lots to see from mountain…
From 3,989 Google reviews Read all reviews
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
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