Oakland Zoo

What a great zoo, beautiful

Good place to spend time.

Great with kids because you can get up close to a lot of the animals. The California section and the gondola right up there are the best part.<br><br>There are a lot of steep hills though, which is the only reason for knocking one star off. It isn't overly accessible depending on your fitness level and mobility needs.

• Visited on: Weekend
• Wait time: No wait
• Reservation recommended: Yes
• Visit duration: 4–5 hr

Il aurait été bien de communiquer sur vos réseaux sociaux - ou au moins à l'entrée du zoo - sur le fait que les hyènes ne sont pas visibles actuellement pendant vos travaux. Je suis venue exprès pour les voir et au final, j'ai perdu mon temps et plus de 50 dollars pour deux entrées. Tout ça pour rien. Je suis dégoûtée !

• Visited on: Weekday
• Visit duration: 0–2 hr

Disappointing Experience, Especially for the Price<br><br>I was thoroughly unimpressed with the Oakland Zoo. I've visited many zoos over the years, including some significantly better ones, and this was easily one of the most disappointing experiences I've had.<br><br>Many of the exhibits appeared dirty, poorly maintained, or generally neglected. The biggest disappointment, however, was how few animals we actually saw compared to the number of exhibits. We managed to see a grizzly bear up close, several monkeys and apes, turtles, rabbits, giraffes, buffalo in the distance, lions that were only clearly visible using our phones' zoom, and a few bird species. The grizzly bear was probably the highlight of our visit. Frankly, I think we saw considerably more zoo employees than actual animals, which is a pretty impressive accomplishment for a place whose entire purpose is to exhibit wildlife.<br><br>I understand and appreciate that the zoo designs its habitats around the animals' needs and welfare. However, there needs to be a reasonable balance between animal welfare and the visitor experience. At some point, it starts to feel less like visiting a zoo and more like paying for an elaborate landscaping tour. When you're paying admission to visit a zoo, expecting to actually observe a reasonable variety of wildlife shouldn't be asking too much.<br><br>The atmosphere didn't help matters either. The zoo was absolutely teeming with children, mostly around 6 to 12 years old, who seemed to be running amok throughout the grounds. Between the crowds of unsupervised or poorly supervised kids and the lack of visible wildlife, it often felt more like wandering through a chaotic school playground than enjoying a day at the zoo.<br><br>The layout is another significant drawback. Although the pathways are paved, many are extremely steep, making this a questionable destination for families with young children, elderly visitors, or anyone with mobility limitations. Be prepared for considerable uphill and downhill walking, which can be exhausting, especially when the overall experience doesn't justify the effort.<br><br>Considering the admission price, I expected a much better experience. Between the questionable maintenance, limited animal viewing opportunities, chaotic atmosphere, and physically demanding terrain, I simply cannot recommend the Oakland Zoo. I've visited MUCH better zoos that successfully balance naturalistic habitats, animal welfare, and an enjoyable visitor experience.<br><br>If you're planning a family outing, especially with young children or anyone who has difficulty walking long distances or navigating steep hills, I'd recommend spending your money elsewhere.

• Visited on: Weekday
• Wait time: No wait
• Reservation recommended: Yes
• Visit duration: 4–5 hr

Exceptional day at Oakland Zoo! Located in the<br>Oakland hills, this zoo is amazing for families. The California Trail with native bears, wolves and mountain lions is incredible, plus the gondola ride with views of the Bay is a must. Animals look well cared for, enclosures are spacious and natural.<br>Staff is friendly and knowledgeable about conservation. I loved the Wayne and Gladys Valley<br>Children's Zoo area. Plan to spend at least 4 hours, wear comfortable shoes, lots of hills. Food options avallable inside. Highly recommend buying tickets in advance online, especially on weekends. One of the best zoos in the Bay Area!

• Visited on: Weekend
• Wait time: No wait
• Reservation recommended: Yes
• Visit duration: 2–3 hr

We came here for Glowfari and it was amazing and super well done. Couldn't really see any animals because it was dark, but we saw the silhouettes of some giraffes and heard some lions roaring while in the gondalas (could've been a recording). The only disappointing thing is we went to the Cafe near the entrance for some food before leaving and they weren't serving any chicken tenders! Other than that we had a great time.

• Visited on: Weekday
• Wait time: No wait
• Reservation recommended: Yes

An amazing experience! Clean, spacious, and very well maintained. The California Trail and gondola rides offer stunning views, and the animals are wonderfully cared for. Highly recommend for families and anyone visiting the area

You all have done a wonderful job..caring for Crimson! I have been following up on him via social media..he has crawled into my heart and I love his determination.<br>God bless you all for what you are doing for all the animals..and thanks again for sharing Crimson with the world and taking such good care of him.<br>" Author of Ms. Boom Boom."

Just smile and wave boys.

• Visited on: Weekend
• Wait time: No wait
• Reservation recommended: Yes
• Visit duration: 3–4 hr