Irvine Area’s Almost-Free Zoo 🦌🐢

Orange County Zoo is only about a 20-minute drive from Irvine! Parking is 5 on weekends and 3 on weekdays. Zoo admission is just $2 per person, and kids under 2 get in free 🆓. At the entrance, you can grab a fun activity booklet for kids. They can follow clues around the zoo, complete tasks, and return to the entrance to get a cute sticker as a reward 🎉📘. It’s a lovely, well-maintained zoo where the animals are clearly cared for with love. One of the highlights is the goat brushing area—the keeper keeps everything super clean, and there’s a handwashing station right next to it. The little ones absolutely loved it! 🧴🐐 Another star of the zoo is Sally, a 19-year-old desert tortoise 🐢. She’s been cared for here since she was 7 and loves eating roses! 🌹 You can gently touch her shell (but avoid her head!). Right next to the zoo, there’s also a horseback riding facility 🐎. Lessons are 80 for one hour, suitable for all skill levels. A 2-hour session costs 180. Reservations are required—we tried to book last-minute but it was sold out 😢. Next time! Definitely a sweet and affordable spot for a family day out. We’ll be back next time we’re in Irvine! 💛 #Zoo #OrangeCounty #AnimalEncounters #FamilyFriendly #IrvineKids #BudgetFun #OCAdventures #SoCalOutings