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 about that!!!