The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park
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15 Reviews for The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park
1
00 families found this helpful
"Perfect for toddlers"
This zoo is pocket size and perfect for tuckering out the most energetic toddlers. I went here before I had become a mom and it wasn't much for me then. I have 2 toddlers now and bought an annual family pass which was likely one of the best purchases I've made for the kids. They love coming here! I love taking them. There is a playground for bigger kids but the little ones can hang out underneath the jungle gym (there's a small play setting where they pretend/play with sand). There is plenty of shade to have a picnic. The train & carousel are always a hit (when I have my husband w/ me to help). I can bring them on my own and we can hang out in the gazebo watching the waterfalls and the swans/ducks. There isn't much else other than monkeys and some birds. The farm animals are scarce but there are enough hungry goats to feed.
I've seen people have birthday parties here so there's that option. For me, it works perfectly for the tots. It actually gets a might crowded around the playground because the lunch area is there and that would be my only complaint. If you want a place to take the young ones to toddle around then this is a good place.
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"30 Types of Monkey!"
...and not much else. Noteworthy are the camel and the bald eagle. It is a very small zoo, but its just about perfect to get through the entire thing without any temper tantrums. What you really go for is the multi-trunk trees the little ones can climb and watch the camel, or get some cute pictures by the pond with en exotic bird, and maybe get some animal facts in.
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"Perfect for little ones!"
I have three boys 5,3 and 1. A big zoo like San Diego or Los Angeles is nice but really I think those are too big and take too long for most smaller kids. I want my kids to get naps and not have to be carried around! For that reason I enjoyed this zoo. We got to see mostly everything in two or three hours before my three and one year olds started crying and it wasn't too pricey so Mommy was happy and not broke. There were lots of monkeys and various other animals. I will take them back next year!
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"Small & Entertaining"
Even though this is no San Diego or Woodland Park Zoo (what is?!), the Santa Ana Zoo is entertaining enough to take a half day and be entertained. We have been twice with our 3 and 1 year old girls, and have had a good time. I would recommend this zoo to my friends and to others who are looking for a place to go that doesn't take ALL day to explore.
0 families found this helpful
"Booo on this Zoo!"
This Zoo is very cheap which is a good thing but once you have been to the San Diego Zoo you won't want to go here agian. It's just very very small. And both times we went we couldn't see any of the animals. The plus is they do have a petting zoo with goats and they are very nice and friendly.
0 families found this helpful
"Santa Ana ZOO"
This is a great place to let the kids run around, have fun and look at animals. There are plenty of monkeys and a few other animals. My kids 5, and 3 really enjoy spending the day here. Its inexpensive and an easy day. If you want to be a member its even cheaper and worth the money. There is also a park made of recycled material. This is a great little zoo.
1 family found this helpful
"Okay for locals, but not a must-see for tourists"
If you live locally and don't want to drive to San Diego or Los Angeles, the Santa Ana zoo is an average local zoo. Easy to maneuver with a stroller, too. Small, and quite a few animal habitats/exhibits were closed, but it was close, easy to get to, and my son enjoyed it (he was 3 at the time).
Kids had fun on the playground when they were finished checking out the animals. Be sure to take family pictures in the faux hatched eggs!
0 families found this helpful
"Zoo Party"
Had a birthday party for my son there by the train depot area. It was perfect. Two hours was enough time for the birthday celebration. The kids loved the carousel, train ride, elephant ride, and the play ground. The zoo was small enough for all the kids to enjoy without being tired of walking.
1 family found this helpful
"Monkey Fever"
FREE parking. CASH or Check only.
After 2 pm half off on Monday - Friday
FREE for Santa Ana residents on the 3rd Sunday of each month.
I have a LA Zoo Membership so I was able to get half off to this place.
We went today and and liked it. There is plenty of shade that even on a hot summer day it felt cool. If you have a toddler don't bother bringing your stroller in...the zoo is small enough that they can walk the whole place. The big excitement for my toddler was the monkeys. I would recommend this place for preschoolers and younger anything older than that would most likely be disappointed if they thought they were going to a zoo.
The farm disappointed me...such a big space, but not many animals. The train and carousel ride are $3 each...bought combined at $5.
I brought in snacks and had lunch in the grass area just outside the entrance.
We were done with the zoo in 3 hours including our lunch break.
'11, '12
1 family found this helpful
"Great for my preschoolers"
This has been a favorite zoo and playground for my preschool kids. One of our favorite areas is the farm land towards the west of the zoo. It's new and well designed with lots of cute farm animals. A red barn and train sets the stage for a fun area. Often docents are walking around with little creatures for kids to see and touch. The train ride feels like a money trap to me, so we usually pass up that short trip. But with a coupon, it can be a fun excursion.
Not to say that this zoo is not for older kids because there are plenty of animals to see, exhibits to learn from and activities for them to enjoy. We just have really enjoyed it with our preschoolers.
0 families found this helpful
"I hope you like Tamarins"
Well, at least we can say we've been.
It's an okay little zoo, and it has a great collection of monkeys, but all else is a bit underwhelming. The founding owner of the zoo charged that the zoo must always keep a minimum of 50 primates, and their enclosures are right along the walkways so the animals are close-up and easy to view. The monkeys are easily the best feature of the zoo, and there are dozens of varieties of tamarins (cute, fuzzy little guys with mustasches.)
There is a farm, a train, and some educational displays.
The negatives: it's cash-only, which we didn't know until we reached the ticket window on the-ATM's-out-of-order day. The attendant couldn't tell us where the nearest bank/market ATM was, we drove 10 mins away to find a Wells Fargo. Also, they don't permit outside food, which is a shame because there is a nice events/picnic lawn.
It was a good half-day visit, especially for our toddler, but older kids might burn through it quickly and get bored.
0 families found this helpful
"Monkeys, Trains, Carousel!"
This zoo has the largest amount of monkeys I've ever seen. It is very cute, small, easy to park at. They have a great little playground area, a carousel, and a train ride. There is also a really adorable farm.
The only downfall - the snack bar isn't the best, and they say no outside food. While I was there I did see a bunch of people with a picnic lunch though so I think you can probably sneak it in. The reasoning behind the no food is so that the animals won't get sick eating something you brought. They also don't have straws for this same reason.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
This charming zoo will calm your kids’ animal urges with its 250 species of primates, other mammals, and birds. Refreshments are available in the food court, and vendors around the grounds sell snacks and ice cream. A playground and Zoofari Express miniature train rides are available. Call for current programs and times.
0 families found this helpful
"Great zoo for the younger crowd"
I've been to this zoo for a 3rd birthday party and it was great for the little ones. It's not too big and very affordable. There's a little train that takes the kids around the park and a petting zoo. When I was there, my niece got to take a ride on an elephant. Overall, the young guests of the party seemed to really enjoy it.
0 families found this helpful
"For a short outing!"
This zoo is great for a short outing and the kids under 10 or those who love animals will have a blast. Tickets are cheap-7 dollars for adults and 4 for kids. Children under 3 are free. You can get through the zoo quickly so take a picnic lunch and you can eat outside of the zoo.
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