Los Angeles Zoo
4.3(22K)google
3.3(2.1K)yelp
Wildlife WatchingFamilyKidsEducationalOutdoor
Overview
Nestled within the lush, rolling hills of Griffith Park, the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a premier 133-acre conservation institution. Home to more than 2,200 mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles representing over 270 diverse species, the zoo emphasizes naturalistic habitats and global wildlife protection. Visitors can wander through immersive exhibits like the Rainforest of the Americas, Elephants of Asia, and the LAIR, while appreciating a vast botanical collection of rare plants and mature trees from around the globe.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration3-4 hours
Best TimeArriving right at the 10:00 AM opening is highly recommended. The morning temperatures are comfortable for walking, and the animals are most active during feeding times. In the afternoon, many animals retreat to the shade to sleep due to the intense sun.
Getting ThereSituated in the northern section of Griffith Park. Driving is the easiest option: take Interstate 5 and exit at Zoo Drive to access the massive, completely free surface parking lots. Via public transit, ride Metro Bus Route 96 directly to the front gates.
Travel Tips
- Built on hilly terrain across 133 acres with steep inclines, walking is highly strenuous; single/double strollers are available for rent, but personal scooters, roller shoes, and trikes with push bars are banned. The zoo is strictly closed on Christmas Day (December 25).
- AVOIDANCE TIP: After 4:00 PM, most animals are moved indoors for feeding, leaving outdoor exhibits empty, and the LAIR reptile house locks early. Schedule your visit between the 10:00 AM opening and 2:00 PM for maximum animal activity and visibility.
- The venue features a massive, entirely free public parking lot, but it fills completely by 11:00 AM during Easter weekend, Halloween, and the annual LA Zoo Lights events; your only fallback is to utilize the overflow lot at the adjacent Autry Museum grounds.
Reviews
Positive
- Set inside expansive Griffith Park, the wildlife habitats are lush and lively; the gorilla complex and newer elephant reserve offer wide, natural spaces for the animals.
- The property operates as a combined zoo and botanical garden, filled with rare succulents and tropical flora that make strolling through the paths highly engaging.
- Restrooms, water fountains, and bins are everywhere and kept clean; smooth, accessible ramps cover every core animal pavilion, making it very family-friendly.
- Ticket prices are much more reasonable than other premium California attractions like the San Diego Zoo, and the massive outdoor lot offers free parking, yielding great value.
- The Elephants of Asia and rainforest exhibits are well-planned, offering close-up wildlife views that fully live up to their educational core value.
- Compared to the steep rates at San Diego Zoo, admission here is highly wallet-friendly, delivering incredible value for family day trips.
- The zoo grounds are lush and shaded, walking loops are smooth, accessible ramps and wheelchair rentals are solid, and clean restrooms are everywhere.
- Set within Griffith Park, driving here is highly convenient, featuring a massive, free open-air parking lot that wipes out LA's parking issues.
Heads up
- The zoo is built on a hillside, requiring continuous, strenuous uphill walking that serves as a grueling physical endurance test for seniors or less-active guests.
- Compared to elite, state-of-the-art zoos, the exhibit configurations feel traditional and dated; older caged enclosures offer lower visual impact and limited interaction.
- During blistering hot summer middays, walkways heavily lack shade canopies, and most animals hide from the sun to sleep, leaving you staring at empty enclosures.
- Onsite snack stands carry heavy concession markups for water and basic churros, and line queue management at food stalls gets sluggish during peak hours.
- The entire zoo sits on rolling hills, requiring massive walking and uphill climbing; the shuttle trams require an extra ticket surcharge, exhausting elderly guests.
- Internal concessions are expensive, serving basic American fast food; on hot California days, many animals hide away to escape the heat, leaving exhibits looking empty.
- Public transit links are thin; though buses service the area, frequencies are low and travel times long, causing long, inconvenient post-visit waits.
- Weekends and holidays see massive tourist densities, with long lines at interactive spots like feeding giraffes, turning the scene noisy and commercialized.