Oakland Zoo — Attraction in Oakland

We live two hours away from the Oakland Zoo, but I grew up in nearby Castro Valley, so we visited often when I was a kid. Here it is, nearly 50 years later, and I rediscovered the zoo when their rescue of two mountain lion cubs made our local news. So a trip back was necessary. How much has changed! For the better!! No more tiny concrete enclosures; spacious places to move around, and great consideration is given to the animals' well being. No longer is there shared space between keepers and animals, but the greatest respect is given, and necessary training done through a barrier. And they continue to plan more improvements for the betterment of those creatures in their charge. Many enclosures feature signage that shows what the animal enclosure was like in the past, how it is today, and what they plan for the future.

The zoo is clean, animals seem happy and well cared for, staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and so wonderful with kids. They have animal trading cards that kids (and some adults like me) can approach just about anyone in a zoo shirt to receive the latest cards. The interactions with staff have been wonderful, and we learn something new every time we go.

The gondola ride to the top section of the zoo is worth the price of admission alone. A nice quiet aerial ride with amazing views of the bay. (If no one is in line, you can ask to stay on the gondola and ride back down and up again.). Once on top, there is the "California Trail" section of the zoo which features native (former or current) California animals like wolves, brown bears, black bears, bison, mountain lions, condors, eagles, and jaguars. There is a "cafe" up top where you can order burgers, wraps, sandwiches, salads, etc. and they offer margaritas and various beer choices for the thirsty adult. (The giraffe themed, "Tongues Out IPA" is fabulous.). The cafe features an outdoor seating area with amazing views. Also a play area for kids, and keeper talks where you can learn about the various animals and receive trading cards after.

One of the amazing things about this zoo is that many of their animals were rescued from other situations. Their tigers were saved from horrible roadside zoo conditions where one of them had been declawed as a cub for the purpose of photo ops with guests. Their brown bears are cubs of nuisance bears that had been euthanized, and their black bears are a mother and her cubs who had also become nuisances. Oakland Zoo offered them a place so they wouldn't have to be euthanized. We were told the chimps had come from the Hollywood industry.

They routinely bring in orphaned mountain lion cubs for rehabilitation before finding them a permanent home if they are not able to be released back into the wild. And they have been instrumental in saving/protecting the dwindling population of California Condors by treating injured and poisoned birds before returning them to the wild. Their bison breeding program exists to help the Blackfeet Nation in rebuilding their bison herds in Montana.

Some review sites say 2 hours to see this zoo, but we ALWAYS come when they open and ALWAYS end up being there all day. They eventually have to kick us out. Our favorites are the giraffes, sun bears, chimps, and brown bears. We loved going so much, we purchased a membership, which allows the freedom to just up and go any time we want. (Advance tickets for specific dates and times are required for general public.). And with the membership, we received ZOO KEYS for those little talking boxes! How I wanted a zoo key when I was a kid, but my dad wouldn't buy one, because then he'd have to buy four. NOW, at the age of 57, I finally have a zoo key. So happy...

Our 7 yo daughter and 6 yo son had a wonderful time and I loved being able to take them here. The zoo itself has a nice feel with lots of natural foliage along the walk. I also liked being around people of diverse backgrounds, as SF zoo has a different atmosphere.

Many of the animals weren’t in view, but if it’s because they aren’t forced into small spaces in order to be seen, then ok. We liked the big grassy area in the children’s zoo area as well as the bug habitat. Metal ants and bees found along walk ways and on the sides of buildings are a nice detail that our kids noticed. The chimpanzees were showing out and as usual looked unreal, in a good way. The giraffe enclosure looked grand and the giraffes looked healthy. All the animals we got to see looked healthy. There were also a good amount of shade and benches for a tired Mama to rest, and for the kids to have a snack and water.

There was an East Asian? fellow in the cafe that almost ruined my good mood while I was minding my business, enjoying the time with my kids. He was standing around gossiping with his Latina? coworker and seemed to have an annoyed attitude when I picked up our food and when I asked for a to go container. I understand if they don’t have one, but he and the coworker acted like I was crazy for wanting to take the food to go in case the kids got really hungry later. The coworker eventually gave me an open container, which I figured was better than nothing. She asked if I wanted another and I was like, for sure, as we had ordered 2 chicken tender meals that were difficult to finish eating. The guy muttered, ‘why not 3,’ or something silly under his cowardly breath. People like that guy seem to hate life, and are a disappointing part of an expensive but otherwise fun family experience. I hope he is ok as it takes a lot of sadness in life to be rude to a random lady who did nothing to you, and to have nothing better to do than to gossip at work.

More importantly, the food was truly terrible. The chicken and fries were bland and cold, insultingly overpriced. The packaged cookie was ok. This was a last minute surprise trip and I didn’t realize that outside food is OK to bring in, saw another family with their Tupperware meals. I will definitely keep that in mind if we ever go back here.

The best part was the train. We waited for 2 trains before our turn, which felt like a good while. Yet, I was lucky that our kids were patient and having fun. The lady who stamped our hands before exiting to the rides area and the ladies operating the train seemed professional, upbeat, and kind. We saw a bunch of kangaroos, a turkey, and an emu who was just hanging out. Nice way to end the trip.

The overall experience was positive, though I am not sure if another visit will be worth it.

Update 7/30/25, adding back a star: After reaching out to the zoo customer service, I was contacted by the Food and Beverage Operations Manager for the Tuskers Cafe, which is managed separately from the zoo. He was professional and apologized on behalf of the rude and unprofessional employee. I received a refund for our meal and an invitation to return to the cafe for a better experience, the experience my kids and I deserved. Though not having that original experience during an otherwise lovely day with our kids would be preferable, this is a helpful and...

I love the Oakland Zoo. It’s smartly designed and laid out. It takes into consideration the magic of exploring an environment as a young child excited about seeing animals in awesome exhibits - there is such a good use of elevation and landscape design at this park. It is so beautiful and so well thought out. I love the “breakout” exhibits like the reptile room off of the upper lemur area where a very cool prehistoric alligator fossil replica rises out of the wall against the walkway. I love theming like this and it really elevates the whole experience throughout. I thought the very upper “California” adventure where we visit the bears, eagles, and wolves was superb - including the breakout room of birds and the fun playground up there, complete with a giant pulley swing and oversized vulture nest hidden away in some handmade evergreen trees… all right around the corner from the bison fields.

The Oakland Zoo also has a very well-designed and stocked souvenir shop I found some gorgeous memorabilia in - including the secret zoo exhibit “audio keys” you can buy for about $5 - these little keys aren’t advertised as clearly as they really should be, but I personally love stuff like this - you buy this key in the shop and you can use it to “activate” audio clips at various exhibits around the park which I find really exciting!

I especially loved flying high in the sky on the ski-lift style ride over the savannah and the gondola ride up to the California adventure and cafe in the upper valley only added to the mystery and the design of the zoo. On your way to the gondola, be sure to read a bit of the fascinating history of the zoo on the beautifully designed timeline wall skirting the camel exhibit!

I had so much fun here during this visit. I came alone and was fully engrossed the entire time… I want to share my excitement with my family and friends again sometime! I am really, really impressed with the Oakland Zoo - it deserves all of the awards it has received through the years. This was just a really fantastic nature experience through and...