Sacramento Zoo
Sacramento Zoo
4
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Children and adults alike delight in this zoo's almost 400 species of wildlife.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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241 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
631 reviews
Excellent
200
Very good
269
Average
133
Poor
20
Terrible
9
Michsel
1 contribution
Jan 2023 • Friends
Honestly the Sacramento zoo is embarrassing. By comparison the Oakland zoo has the same entrance fee but it’s so much nicer and bigger. The Sacramento zoo is probably 25% as big as the Oakland zoo. I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone especially not at an entrance price of $25 maybe if it was five dollars, and you’re bored.. save your money and go for a walk around one of many nice parks in Sacramento.
Written January 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
psychler1
Brooklin, ME36 contributions
Jan 2020
Small but interesting with animals in settings that allow easy photographing. We enjoyed the staff who gave an informative talk on the chimps. Parking is free and the cost for a ticket is reasonable - we paid the senior fee of $16.50 per ticket.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fungramma51
CA178 contributions
Jul 2023
This was a barely okay zoo. The price was high $25 for such a small zoo. Food prices were extremely high. A bottle of water was $6. Many of the animals were off exhibit including the orangutans and chimps, which are the more fun to watch. The reptile house was nice as was the cheetah exhibit. There was a small playground for young children. Parking is on-street parking in the park which is free. The zoo plans to relocate in Elk Park, Ca at some point so they aren’t making any improvements to the current zoo.
Written July 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dinfamily2009
smdds7983492 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Nice, little zoo with various animals. The zoo is clean and the overall animal habitats are nice. It was great that they had a few stations set up to see some animals (turtle and lizard) up close and pet them. Zoo keepers were friendly and shared nice details on the animals.
The park area that the zoo is inside could improve its signage and direction getting to the zoo. And parking your car is a little inconvenient since street parking seems to be the only option.
The park area that the zoo is inside could improve its signage and direction getting to the zoo. And parking your car is a little inconvenient since street parking seems to be the only option.
Written July 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
darylincda
Rathdrum, ID2 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
Entry fee very high. I think $23 for a senior. Disappointed. Many exhibits were empty. A small zoo anyway. Zoo did not appear well kept. What was plentiful were apparent ways for the zoo to collect more money, like stores and signs asking people to sign up for special tours. I will not go again or recommend. Daryl
Written February 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim K
Sacramento, CA1,359 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
Although it was in the triple digits, the zoo wss wonderful. They have made great improvements and the grounds are immaculate. Since it was hot the animals were hiding in the shade, which was understandable.
The alligator exhibit is new and the giraffe exhibit is one of my favorites. Also there has been many benches and picnic tables installed. Having a place to sit down is a Godsend.
The alligator exhibit is new and the giraffe exhibit is one of my favorites. Also there has been many benches and picnic tables installed. Having a place to sit down is a Godsend.
Written June 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael M
Lebanon, OR745 contributions
Aug 2020
We all love zoos and this one did not disappoint.
Being from Oregon we were happy to see some different varieties of animals that may not thrive in the Oregon weather (Red Pandas!)
Best part for us was being able to hand feed the giraffes! A great once in a life time experience.
Parking was hard to find since their are other venues in the area, but we have walked farther for sure.
Masks are required at all times, so it can get hot and stuffy but the reasons are understandable and they just want to stay open!
Being from Oregon we were happy to see some different varieties of animals that may not thrive in the Oregon weather (Red Pandas!)
Best part for us was being able to hand feed the giraffes! A great once in a life time experience.
Parking was hard to find since their are other venues in the area, but we have walked farther for sure.
Masks are required at all times, so it can get hot and stuffy but the reasons are understandable and they just want to stay open!
Written October 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jensfamily
Visalia, CA53 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Omg love this zoo! First time here and it is so beautiful! It’s green, it’s clean and you are so close to animals. My grandson loved looking through the glass. It’s smaller so you can do it easy, but there is so much to look at. Beautiful flowers and plants. Paths to walk through and lovely places to sit. There are dinosaurs all over the park too right now. It’s was worth the 3 1/2 hour drive. We are definitely coming back.
Written April 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ihaveatonofcats
Sacramento, CA304 contributions
I have been to the zoo many times, and for awhile i was a member of the zoological society, and donated money towards the wallaroos. That was back when the zoo was in its glory. They still had elephants! I loved to go there and see the elephants. Now...no elephants..and its just not the same. However, relizing that one of their prime exhibits left them, the zoo did do some good things. First off they built this nice feling exhibit. There is a window with the most perfect look into the tigers habitat. I believe they also did some remodeling. Not as large as the SF zoo..the Sacramento zoo is still fun. Dont buy the food or drink though it is overpriced. Sometimes they have "Ice cream safaris" Where they have all you can eat Ice cream flavors and you can walk around eating ice cream looking at animas...thats always great! If you have time, visist the zoo...oh by the way...they have an awesome reptile exhibit, for those who love amphibians.
Written January 14, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorraine777
El Dorado Hills, CA164 contributions
May 2013 • Family
I went to the zoo with my husband and 5-year-old. It was our fourth visit over a course of about two years. It's a nice little zoo and the zookeepers are very friendly and often interact with the children. It is just right for families with small children - you (and your kids age 2+) will see a variety of animals without getting tired of walking. Small children will most likely want to go on the train ride (no tracks) and carousel, which are reasonably priced. The giraffe interaction is a great thrill for children (and some adults) and is well worth the low price. There is a small play area for young children who need to run around and play a bit. The self-service restaurant, Kampala Cafe, is really awful. Most of the offerings are unhealthy, low quality, and expensive for what you get. Almost everything comes with a side of fries. It is sad to see so many children walking around the zoo with a huge, sugar-laden slushy. Worst of all, the restaurant is very dirty -- the tables are unclean and the floor is strewn with bits of garbage. One might think that management has no conscience when it comes to the health of its young visitors. The cafe, however, does serve milk, which is just about the only positive thing I have to say about it.
Written June 18, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaycuevas
Sacramento, CA24 contributions
i’m thinking about taking my toddler (who is learning his animals) to the sacramento zoo. does anyone know how it compares to the folsom zoo?
Stephanie M
Sacramento, California193 contributions
The Sacramento Zoo is larger and features a wider variety of animals than the Folsom Zoo. The Sacramento Zoo has lemurs, big cats, otters, a reptile house, an aviary area, orangutans, and giraffes. There are also play areas and picnic areas. Both have a train for young children, and the Sacramento Zoo has an excellent gift shop and there is a restaurant with kid-friendly as well. Plenty of parking at the Sacramento Zoo across the street adn around FairyTale town which is across the street.
Candice B
Bella Vista, CA8 contributions
are there wheelchairs we can use there?
Stephanie M
Sacramento, California193 contributions
Yes, you can rent a wheelchair for $7.00. They have fun strollers for rent as well.
lhdurham5
Modesto, CA
Are emotional service dogs allowed
SusanHawksworthy
Placerville, CA29 contributions
I saw two assistance dogs there when we last visited. Check with the zoo anyway.
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Claim your listingSacramento Zoo - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Sacramento Zoo
- Sacramento Zoo is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near Sacramento Zoo:
- (1.88 mi) Inn and Spa at Parkside
- (2.50 mi) Amber House Inn of Midtown
- (0.90 mi) The Westin Sacramento
- (2.56 mi) Residence Inn by Marriott Sacramento Downtown at Capitol Park
- (2.77 mi) Kimpton Sawyer Hotel
- Restaurants near Sacramento Zoo:
- (0.33 mi) Spinners
- (0.37 mi) La Bou Bakery & Cafe
- (1.76 mi) Gunther's Quality Ice Cream
- (0.58 mi) Vic's Ice Cream INC
- (1.50 mi) Tower Cafe
- Attractions near Sacramento Zoo:
- (0.23 mi) Fairytale Town
- (0.34 mi) Funderland Amusement Park
- (0.52 mi) William Land Park
- (0.43 mi) William Land Park Golf Course
- (2.57 mi) Local Roots Food Tours