Oakland Zoo

4.6(14K)google

4.0(1.7K)yelp

Adult $24·Senior(65-75y) $20·Special(76+) Free·Child(2-14y) $20·Infant(under 1) FreeUSD(Admission prices do not include the standard $10 parking fee. Online advanced reservations are mandatory.)

FamilyHikingOutdoorWildlifeWildlife Watching

Overview

Acclaimed nationwide for its outstanding animal welfare standards and progressive habitat designs, this expansive zoo managed by the Conservation Society features over 850 native and exotic animals. The jewel of the zoo is the spectacular California Trail, reached via an aerial gondola ride providing sweeping panoramic views of the entire San Francisco Bay Area. This immersive zone allows visitors to look closely at gray wolves, grizzly bears, jaguars, and California condors while learning about critical regional conservation initiatives.

Practical Info

9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605

Suggested DurationAbout 3-5 hours

Best TimeHighly recommended at the 10:00 AM opening during spring or autumn when conditions are cooler and animals are active. Do not miss boarding the aerial gondola up to the award-winning California Trail exhibit, where you can view bison with panoramic Bay Area vistas.

Getting ThereLocated in East Oakland at 9777 Golf Links Road. Drive via I-580 and take the Golf Links Rd exit straight into the zoo's massive designated paid parking fields. For public transit, ride the BART to San Leandro Station and transfer to AC Transit Bus Route 73.

(510) 632-9525

oaklandzoo.org

Travel Tips

Standard zoo general admission excludes the California Trail gondola lift; secure a bundle ticket online in advance to bypass long mid-day queues at the booth.
Wear sturdy athletic footwear due to steep hillside grades across Knowland Park; single-use plastic straws and bags are legally prohibited inside to protect wildlife.

Photo Tips

Best LightExpect heavy afternoon crosswinds and drop in temperature at the upper ridge; complete gondola ascents by 11 AM for premium front-lit panoramic bay photography.

Reviews

Positive

The California Trail exhibit at the Oakland Zoo offers breathtaking landscape views, and the aerial gondola ride to the top provides an unmatched visual experience.
Facilities are highly modern, clean, and well-maintained, with restrooms and trash bins well-distributed, and excellent accessibility throughout the park.
The animal habitats are spacious and natural, emphasizing animal welfare over pure commercial viewing, delivering deep educational and core value.
Despite the large size, crowd flow and queues are managed in an orderly fashion, and the staff is incredibly friendly, making it well worth the ticket price.

Heads up

Ticket prices and in-park secondary spending on dining, souvenirs, and specific kids' rides are quite high, making a family day out very costly.
The zoo is located on a hillside, so public transit accessibility is relatively low with infrequent bus connections if you are not driving.
During weekends or holidays, car lines for entry can be terrible, the parking lot fills up fast, and crowd flow control feels chaotic at peak hours.
Because the habitats are vast and natural, animals often hide in the shade, making them hard to see or invisible, which some visitors with kids find disappointing.