Santa Barbara Zoo — Attraction in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara has a zoo! It's located in the downtown area near the beachfront. The parking is $11 and admission is $35 adults (yikes) , $25 child (2-12), and FREE for kids under 2. But if you buy online and not in person, that you'll save you $7 on each admission. Plus if you get there early enough, there may be free street parking immediately outside of the lot. The lot is smallish and can fill up quickly on the weekends. Public paid lots are about .3 miles down the street. They allow you to bring in food and non alcoholic drinks. That's good considering the admission prices.

My review is hecka long and mind numbing... read further for nighttime reading. You've been warned.

The zoo exhibits are in most part grouped by geographic area. The footprint is 30 acres in total. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with gorgeous plants, blooms, and trees. In the children's area, there was with outdoor art adding touches of whimsy. "Great art picks up where nature ends." Mash of nature meets Alice in Wonderland. For the adults, there is a coffee cart, concession stand, and a beverage stand selling beer, wine & cocktails. If you can't stay dry for zoo time, they got you covered.

The zoo has activities for the kids such as sing n dance with the puppets. I so happen to pass by that area which is next to the zoo train and gardens. I caught a performance, those tunes are catchy and yup got me swaying and just keep the good vibes flowing.

The zoo train is carnival type ride vs large passenger train. Perfect size for the kiddos to feel big, and big enough for adults to ride without feeling smushed (parents, you know what I mean). It goes around the perimeter of the zoo. It's a super cute train with the bells n whistle and fun living conductor. Memory maker for sure. $7 adult, $6.50 kids. Unlike the admission, there's no discount if you pay online vs in person.

Lions, Cheetah, Gorillas, Penguin, Alligator, Giraffes ... oh my. Follow the paths and visit ALL the animals.

The lion exhibit has a male and female. There was a glass viewing wall. I was able to see them both sleeping right in front of the glass. They were less than 24 inches away with just glass separating us.

The penguin colony was viewable from ground level and then they had an underwater viewing through glass. It was neat seeing them swim from that angle. They were a noisy bunch, they have a squeaky melodic voice. Who knew that they are a social bunch, party animals.

Giraffe- rest in peace to the famous Gemina, the crooked neck, giraffe. She passed in 2008 and there is a memorial plaque honoring her. She was an icon; a very popular pop culture referenced animal of her time. Anyways back to my visit, the viewing balcony to feed the giraffe will cost you $8. The regular balcony was set back about 8 feet and was close enough to see these lash fantastic beauties as they came up to the balcony to feed.

Goat interaction-free to get up close and personal to pet and brush the mini Nubian and dwarf Nigerian goats.

Outback Walkabout- it's an enclosed double gated area you walk through with free roaming kangaroos and wallabies. Folks have to stay on the path. Keep to the path or you may find yourself in a boxing match. Just kidding or am I. The animals stayed far back against the perimeter walls sitting together in the shade and just looking back at us humans. I suppose we may be their entertainment.

Bird walkthrough exhibit was insane. I walked in and I was right there with them. Yikes. They flew about and hollering. One big, plump, spectacular colorful bird (might I add with a noticeable beak) sat on a nest that was eye level. The branch was next to the only exit/ entrance. He/ she was giving everyone the side eyes. Then a bird did its business while flying about. Too much up close n personal nature for me, I left asap after that. Plump bird was still on that branch. Probably laughing inside at us all. (Fun fact: birds pee and poop...

Located in the beautiful coastal city of Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Zoo is a hidden gem that captivates visitors with its diverse array of wildlife and stunning ocean views. As an avid animal lover, I recently had the pleasure of exploring this charming zoo, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations in many ways.

One of the standout features of the Santa Barbara Zoo is its naturalistic habitats. The enclosures are thoughtfully designed to mimic the animals' native environments, providing them with ample space to roam and thrive. From the towering giraffes gracefully grazing in their expansive savannah-like enclosure to the mischievous monkeys swinging through lush trees, each exhibit exudes an authentic ambiance that truly immerses visitors in the world of these fascinating creatures.

One of my favorite experiences at the zoo was the opportunity to engage with the knowledgeable and passionate staff members. The zookeepers, educators, and volunteers were more than happy to share interesting facts about the animals and their conservation efforts. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and it was evident that the well-being and conservation of the animals were top priorities.

The Santa Barbara Zoo also offers a variety of educational programs and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. Whether it's attending a captivating animal presentation, participating in a behind-the-scenes tour, or feeding the gentle giants at the giraffe encounter, there's something for everyone to enjoy and learn from. These activities not only entertain but also foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for wildlife conservation.

Another aspect that impressed me was the zoo's dedication to conservation initiatives. The Santa Barbara Zoo actively participates in breeding programs for endangered species, contributing to the preservation of vulnerable animal populations. They also emphasize sustainability by implementing eco-friendly practices throughout the facility. It's refreshing to see an institution that recognizes the importance of conservation and takes concrete steps to make a positive impact on the environment.

The Santa Barbara Zoo's location is an added bonus. Situated along the picturesque coastline, the zoo offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The combination of the cool ocean breeze, lush greenery, and the sounds of exotic animals creates a serene and enchanting atmosphere. It's the perfect place to spend a leisurely day, exploring the exhibits and enjoying a picnic with loved ones.

While the Santa Barbara Zoo offers a memorable experience, there were a few minor areas that could be improved. Some parts of the zoo felt slightly outdated, and a few exhibits could benefit from expansion or renovation. However, these minor shortcomings did not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the visit.

In conclusion, the Santa Barbara Zoo is a delightful destination that provides an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages. With its breathtaking location, captivating animal exhibits, dedicated staff, and commitment to conservation, it's no wonder this zoo continues to be a beloved attraction. If you find yourself in Santa Barbara, I highly recommend setting aside a day to explore the wonders of...

I have been coming to the zoo since I was little. We decided to take my son and family visiting because of the wonderful experiences we've had before. For what we paid for admission, including the train ride, we were sadly disappointed. Many animals were off exhibit which made for a fairly quick walk through the zoo. Feeding the giraffes was an awesome experience. I recommend getting to the giraffe exhibit first as feeding times vary.

While looking at the animals, a little girl came up to us hysterically crying saying that she lost her zoo camp group and needed help. We we're over by the snow leopard exhibit and I took the girl all the way to the front before I could fina anyone that worked at the zoo to help her find her group. It was a bit unsettling as a parent to see that the zoo camp groups clearly didn't have a good head count to know that she was missing.

The food at the food court was outrageously priced and my husband had to give the guy our order three times and then he told my husband he was having a meltdown and needed someone else to take his order. Then when my husband asked for a receipt, the manager told them they don't provide receipts. My husband told him that was ridiculous and that even vending machines give receipts nowadays. After about fifteen minutes, the guy was able to provide my husband with a receipt. The only reason he wanted a receipt was because they guy had such a hard time with his order and he wanted to make sure we weren't overcharged. I would recommend bringing your own lunch because the food from the food court was awful and was over $50 for two adults.

The bathrooms throughout the zoo were absolutely filthy and looked like they hadn't been cleaned in a while. We were considering becoming zoo members but after this experience, we have decided against it for now. Hopefully they can start taking better care of the zoo and the exhibits so that it is a good experience for all...