Zoos
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
📍 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260🕐 Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–5 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–5 PM |
About The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Native species & animals since 1970. Over 1,000 acres of desert ecosystem featuring a bighorn sheep enclosure & small animal exhibits. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens spans over 1,000 acres of native desert ecosystem and has been operating since 1970, making it a 54-year-old regional institution dedicated to desert conservation and education. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 11,294 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Zoo
- Location
- Palm Desert, California
- Best For
- All ages
- Highlights
- Giraffe feeding, African Safari, Australian Adventures, botanical gardens, hiking trails
- Admission
- $44.95 adults, $34.95 kids (3-17)
💡 Did You Know?
- The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens spans over 1,000 acres of native desert ecosystem and has been operating since 1970, making it a 54-year-old regional institution dedicated to desert conservation and education.
- The zoo features an interactive giraffe feeding experience that is consistently mentioned in reviews as a signature attraction, with 525 mentions of 'giraffe feeding' across visitor reviews.
- The facility maintains a diverse collection across multiple geographic regions including African Safari (giraffes, black rhinos, cheetahs, zebras), Australian Adventures (wallabies, budgies, kookaburras), and Wild Americas ecosystems with native desert species.
- The zoo operates on seasonal hours with significantly reduced summer hours (7:00am-1:30pm June-September) to accommodate the extreme desert heat, demonstrating adaptation to the Palm Desert climate.
- The Living Desert is described as a 'hidden gem' by visitors despite its high 4.7-star rating from over 11,000 reviews, suggesting it is an undermarketed attraction compared to its quality and size.
💬 What Visitors Say
- Plan for significantly more walking than expected and consider the giraffe feeding experience as a must-do highlight. Visitors consistently praise the interactive giraffe feeding as a memorable, lifetime-worthy experience despite the additional fee—arrive early to participate before afternoon crowds.
- Visit during October 1 - May 31 when the zoo operates full hours (8am-5pm). Summer hours (7am-1:30pm, June-September) are dramatically shortened due to desert heat, limiting your visit window significantly.
- The annual membership pays for itself quickly—it costs only slightly more than a single day visit and includes 2 additional free guest passes plus discounts on food and souvenirs. You can upgrade from a day pass to annual membership on-site.
- Bring a wagon or stroller for young children—the zoo is larger than expected with extensive walking, and reviews highlight it's very family-friendly with plenty of seating areas, a splash pad, and carousel. You're allowed to bring your own snacks and wagons.
- Attend the daily Keeper Connections programming and Wildlife Safari Connection presentations at Safari Stage to deepen your understanding of the animals and their desert habitats—these educational talks are included with admission and enhance the experience beyond casual viewing.
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