Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Road,Oakland,
California 94605
(510) 632–9525
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23 Reviewsfor Oakland Zoo
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20 families found this helpful
"Great Zoo for Toddlers!"
The Oakland Zoo is a great introduction to toddlers about animals, birds and wildlife. I took my two toddler boys to the zoo for the first time and they were amazed to see their stories about giraffes, elephants, camels, zebras, lions and alligators come to life. This is not a huge zoo but it has all of the main animals you can think of - it's just the right size for little ones who can get tired easily. It takes about 2 hours to go around the whole park. In addition to the zoo aspect of the park, there is a barnyard where kids can pet farm animals, feed them and even comb their hair. If you want to take a tour around the park you can either take a sky ride or a a train ride or both!
Prices are pretty reasonable with free admission for children under 2, 2-14 pay $8.50 and 15 and over pay $12.50. Parking is an additional $7/car. There are group discounts and if you plan to go often it's best to get a season pass for $95 for 2 adults and 4 kids.
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0 families found this helpful
"Lots to see."
This zoo has lots of exibits and they always seem to be adding something new. Our only complaint is that some exibits dont have much space for spectators and the animals are usually in the corner farthest from that space making them tough or impossible to see. A previous reviewer mentioned bringing binoculars, that may be a good idea!
Also make sure you get a map when you go in or you will get lost and miss some of the exibits. This zoo is that big!
0 families found this helpful
"How to Do the Oakland Zoo"
1. Bring binoculars - the other zoo goers were clearly envious and if I had been on my game, I might have even been able to make a trade for an iPhone...but then we would have missed the adorable faces of the lions slumbering atop the ridge and the grotesque baboon butts my husband tried to make me to see (um, no way, honey).
2. It's really not all that hilly. Or at least it didn't feel that way to me and I never exercise or even walk anywhere. Or if I do, it's at .05 mph since that's the rate of a toddler, preschooler, and elementary aged child trying to share a sidewalk. It seems like if you strategize your route, you can end up walking downhill more than not. My almost 3 year-old had no problems with the inclines that we did ascend.
3. Everyone was right about the food. It's decent and not as pricey as other places, but not worth paying for, especially when there are so many great picnic spots. If we had not spent the $30 on lunch for the five of us, we could have had money for the rides, which I actually wish weren't there because it sort of detracts from the zoo being about animals. And we went home with all three children crying. That would have probably happened anyway, though.
4. Everyone was also right about it being better than the SF Zoo. Sunny - check. Happy animals - check. Natural, spacious habitats - check. We really enjoyed the creative landscaping which was easily navigated by map. That and the smaller scope of the park lent itself to revisiting favorite animals or animals that had been hidden when we first passed by. In fact, we were able to see the tigers 4 times, and the last time, just as we were getting ready to leave, they came into full view, as close to us as they could possibly have come...one of them relieved himself (thankfully just pee, but it went on and on). I think this also happened because my husband prayed that it would, aloud (not the peeing part, the tigers coming into view).
5. We had kind of a special experience because we accidentally met up with one of the zookeepers (Lorraine) and she sort of us took us under her wing...for a few minutes, at least. First, she fed the meercats (sp?) which was very cool. Then she showed us the hyenas (who were sleeping) and said they were her favorite animals because they are actually very sweet (unlike the stereotype thrust on them by the Lion King--still like the film though). We also watched as she fed the green monkeys (whom I believe the term "zen monkey" originated from). My oldest was thrilled with the personal attention because she aspires to be a zookeeper one day (one day a week actually because she has other careers planned for the other days).
6. Something not to miss is the river otter feeding at 1:15. My middle child expressed her desire to be an otter while my oldest said she'd rather be human after my husband offered to feed her raw fish. Anyway, the otters diving for their food and chomping on it is like a 10 on the cuteness scale, right up their with the big cats rolling on their backs, the meer cats on their hind legs, the snoozing bobcat all curled up, the squirrel monkeys frollicking, and the green monkeys pawing at small objects.
7. I normally avoid petting zoos like I do large birds. I just send the kids in and hope for the best from the other side of the gate. But I actually ventured into this one because there was so much room--it was half out of doors, so that really helped (especially when one of the goats sneezed and passed gas at the same time). I liked the brushing rather than feeding approach, except that my son combed the goat and then his own hair. The pygmy goats were especially cute. I also liked that there was a roped off "retreat" area where the animals could go when they didn't feel like being petted.
8. I ran into an old friend from high school and college who it was a joy to reconnect with (it had been over a decade at least). She's in Livermore so I never would have seen her any other way. It was her daughter's first b-day so they were celebrating at the zoo.
9. Just go, already! But do hunt around online first, though, because I found a half off deal (actually a friend alerted me to it from a radio station).
0 families found this helpful
"Oakland Zoo"
We took our daughter to the Oakland Zoo for the first time. We've never been there before so we didn't know what to expect. Overall, I feel that this zoo is a good size to stroll around with the little ones. It's not as big as the San Francisco Zoo but it's a good size. The hills they have will get you a little tired. They have rides for the kids on the outside of the zoo. We have rode the train. We are going to go back and have our daughter ride the carousel. They have a nice cafe. We loved their burgers.
0 families found this helpful
"Animals and a workout!"
Our boys love this zoo, and I happen to love it as well. The children's area of this zoo is awesome. Usually really crowded on weekends, so we tend to go during the week. Its a great place to get in a workout as well ( be prepared for hills!), especially if your pushing a stroller and carrying lunches and a diaper bag. We love going on the train as well. The most of the "animals" that you see on the train ride are fake. But recently they have an area where there are real animals. All in all a great place to take the kids.
1 family found this helpful
"Oakland Zoo"
First off, this zoo is not actually in Oakland. It is perched on the hills just off the 580, in a lovely "countryfied" environment. The setting is beautiful, and for that reason alone, this is one of my favorite local zoos. But this also means that getting around the zoo itself constitutes a good work out, particularly is you are laden down with a double stroller and all the snacks, diapers and changes of clothes that are required for a day out with three under four.
This is not a zoo on the scale of San Diego, but it is an excellent value fun day out for the family, and especially great for preschool/younger age kids as many of the enclosures are very open and accessible (like the Elephants and Giraffes) which means that your kids are guaranteed to see some animals (as there is nothing worse than spending the day trying to get your three year old interested in a distant, unrecognizable, immobile bundle of fur..). I would say that you can spend at least half a day there, or perhaps a bit longer if your kids spot the rides section where they can be further entertained by the various carousels, rollercoasters, train etc
The cafe lunch has always been quite good value, but there are plenty of spots for a BYO picnic down near the children's zoo (which includes a section to pet the goats and sheep) or close to the entrance.
As a stay at home Mom I typically avoid going to thee places at the weekend so I don't know how busy it gets. But my experience has shown me that even during school break, Monday is a pretty good day to go to avoid the crowds.
0 families found this helpful
"Awsome for kids of all ages"
This was awsome. My family & I went with all the kids, all the adults had a great walk in the fresh air & the kids got to run around in the newly re-done kids zone. The play area there is not a good place for the little guys to play but the picnic area has picnic tables & lots of grass space. If your into it they even have a small amusement park area with rides along with a train ride around the park which I would only suggest for young ages. It's quite a breath of fresh air & the kids will be exhausted from the walking.
0 families found this helpful
"Oakland Zoo"
The Oakland Zoo is our local zoo. This is the zoo we go to for school field trips, playdates, Halloween events and Winter events.
The zoo is in the Oakland hills. The habitats for the animals are better suited for the animals than those at many other zoos we have visited. There is a children's play area the kids never want to leave.
During Halloween they have Boo at the Zoo. The kids come dressed in their costumes. The animals have Halloween treats all their own too! In the winter the zoo is covered in lights for ZooLights. There is a light show in the meadow set to music by one of the local radio stations.
If you are in the East Bay the Oakland Zoo is a must see. In fact, given the choice I would choose the Oakland Zoo over the San Francisco Zoo.
0 families found this helpful
"Peaceful"
Our family has a thing for zoos, so its no surpirse that a well-kept zoo makes our family happy. I love that the zoo is set among the east bay hills- a lovely panaroma to enjoy. We spend most of our time in the Children's Zoo- my daughters love the play area and adjacent rabbits.
One thing to know before you go: The zoo is sort of in a residential area, so there are no restaurants close by. Pack a big picnic lunch to enjoy in on of the numerous meadows. We love the meadow above the children's zoo because it has lovely climbing trees.
*Note: On a recent trip back to the zoo, I was sad to note that the low, beckoning branches of the climbing trees have been cut off and the trees are no longer climbable. Sad.
1 family found this helpful
"Fun time! Bring A stroller though..."
I brought my two boys ages 2 1/2 and 4 years old and they loved the african safari the best. They also really enjoyed the petting zoo, although when we went a lot of the animals needed to have their vet visits and were not able to partake in the petting zoo. The boys were a bit disappointed about this. The food variety in the cafe wasn't great. Typical amusement park food, so id suggest bringing your own along with a stroller if you don't feel like carrying kids around as there are a few steep hills.
0 families found this helpful
"All Day Adventure"
With its newly completed Children's Area, log time favorites such as the Elephants, and my favorite and Meercats, The Oakland Zoo keeps the family happy. Convenient stroller accessabilty makes getting around with children easy. However, wear your good walking shoes, because there are a couple steep hills to be trekked when getting around. The train is a must, and works as a perfect break duing the day, or as a great reward for good behavior.
0 families found this helpful
"Best zoo in the Bay Area"
After going to the SF zoo for a while, we decided to check out the Oakland Zoo. It was so great that in the midst of our first visit, we decided that we needed to become members. In the past 4 months, we've been out there 3 times and plan on going many times more.
It's the perfect size for a half-day outing with our 2.5 year old. He loves the elephants (especially seeing them poop, which is quite often), zebras, flamingos, river otters and bats. On one trip, one of the tortoises seemed to wave at our son who continues to talk about how the turtle waved goodbye to him.
For train lovers, there is a small train that you can ride just outside the zoo. On it, you can get a great view of the sun bear, which we tend to not be able to see very well when we're at the exhibit because the bear likes to hang out near the wall that is just out of view from the viewing area.
The cafe is a little expensive but not outrageous. But, the food is really good. I especially like the burrito in the snack area by the rides.
0 families found this helpful
"The little zoo that could"
We love the Oakland zoo and kept a membership for years.Now that my children are bigger, they have less interested in zoos but they younger, they definitely spent happy hours there. Do not start by their children zoo,it is so enjoyable that your children will not want to leave to explore the rest ofthe place. IT is small but it seems to be a very caring place for animals, they really seem to have much more space to roam than many zoos. They have rides just outside the zoo with a train ride that is a little bit cheesy, I have to say...
2 families found this helpful
"fun trip to the zoo"
If you are from San Jose Area and have a Happy Hollow membership, admission is free to the Oakland Zoo. We took our 2 yr. old girl (at the time) here and she was mesmerized by the elephants and giraffe's. So many gorgeous animals to admire. They also have rides, but check their website first to see the height requirements for rides and/or before you buy tickets for any of the rides. It wasn't too crowded the day we went and parking was pretty good in August. The train ride around the park is worth the trip.
2 families found this helpful
"Our favorite Bay Area zoo"
Small enough to get through in one day, but big enough to hold elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, and bears! We love the children's play area: navigate across a pond on stepping stones, pet a goat, enjoy a picnic, and explore! Hilly terrain makes for a nice, mellow workout for mom and dad! The rides outside are a bonus...a carousel, cars to drive, a train, and more. Admission is discounted if you have member ship to SF Zoo.
2 families found this helpful
"Fun Day at the zoo"
We heard reviews that Oakland zoo is more suitable for toddlers, hence we headed there. It turns out that my daughter was interested in the real animals than playing in the play structures they had. Padding the goats was fun for her too, as she eagerly brush the goats' hair gently. All in all, it was a great place for a toddler but it could be a little hilly for some.
1 family found this helpful
"Great zoo!"
A smaller zoo than some but it's clean, well kept up, and great for kids. We have a membership which is well worth the money as it comes with free passes, ride tickets, and other offers. My kids never get bored of going to the zoo so it's always are go to place when looking for something to do.
1 family found this helpful
"Outdoor fun, but bad food"
We have to pack a lunch here because their food offerings are pretty sad. The zoo itself is great. On warm days, the stretch of Oakland hills gets much warmer, especially in the zoo and most animals are just lounging -- not as much fun for the younger child who needs to see something move to be interested. There are some fabulous play areas where a child can crawl or climb on sculptures of tortoises or frogs. A large grassy area is near the lower entrance that makes a great picnic spot but it can get muddy or crowded depending on the weather.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
Well over 400 creatures in natural settings, from camels, lions, and elephants tomeerkats, giraffes, chimps, exotic birds, tigers, and many more. Check the Web site for film times and special events. Within the main zoo, the Children's Zoo is belovedby little kids who hang out on the play structures and the merry-go-round, and invetigate bugs, snakes, frogs, turtles, otters, and spiders. Also here are inexpensive rides, including a mini-train, the Sky Ride chair lift, and a merry-go-round. Where to Eat
1 family found this helpful
"Very nice zoo!"
The Oakland Zoo has a very nice setup (a lot of walking!), including some rides on the way into the zoo. They have a gorgeous lion exhibit up the hill, and if you go down the hill you can see the specialty exhibits and animal sculptures to play on. We love to go to the Oakland Zoo for all these things, not to mention the train that gives you a great view of the Bay and San Francisco!
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