Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park
Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park
Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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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
221 reviews
Excellent
74
Very good
83
Average
42
Poor
12
Terrible
10
RedPandaFiona
Surrey, UK5 contributions
Apr 2023
I visited this zoo with my husband and two children, aged 14 and 11. We decided to visit this attraction, as it looked like an attractive, inner-city zoo, with a varied selection of animals on offer, for which to pass a couple of hours. The charge for entry was $45.00 for all of us which seemed reasonable.
However on entering the park , our opinion changed drastically. A lot of the park seemed to be undergoing construction and some of the animal cages that we expected to see weren't there. We started off in the childrens zoo , where we saw a few pigs, a cow, a few terrapins and 2 rabbits. The duck pen seemed to contain a plastic duck? There were some rides available but these worked out about $6 dollars per person per ride on top so we didn't think it was worth it. We wandered around the cages , saw a few birds and a few monkeys, a camel and some llamas. On entering the butterfly house we were told that there were no butterflies. The monkeys were in tiny cages and didn't seem to be too happy. The ocelots were in hiding along with the anteater. My youngest son was desperate to do a ride so I relunctantly forked out $12 dollars to go on with him but felt this was a massive rip off. We left shortly after feeling disappointed , having seen under 20 animals. In the UK we would pay around £30 each and get a massive selection so it totally felt that we had wasted our money and been mislead. The only saving grace was that the zoo had free parking.
However on entering the park , our opinion changed drastically. A lot of the park seemed to be undergoing construction and some of the animal cages that we expected to see weren't there. We started off in the childrens zoo , where we saw a few pigs, a cow, a few terrapins and 2 rabbits. The duck pen seemed to contain a plastic duck? There were some rides available but these worked out about $6 dollars per person per ride on top so we didn't think it was worth it. We wandered around the cages , saw a few birds and a few monkeys, a camel and some llamas. On entering the butterfly house we were told that there were no butterflies. The monkeys were in tiny cages and didn't seem to be too happy. The ocelots were in hiding along with the anteater. My youngest son was desperate to do a ride so I relunctantly forked out $12 dollars to go on with him but felt this was a massive rip off. We left shortly after feeling disappointed , having seen under 20 animals. In the UK we would pay around £30 each and get a massive selection so it totally felt that we had wasted our money and been mislead. The only saving grace was that the zoo had free parking.
Written April 17, 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.
Stephanie N
3 contributions
May 2022 • Family
There are barely any animals, just monkeys and a camel. Tons of construction so we hope it gets better.. It is definitely a mellow walk and may be good for small children. Unfortunately, our toddler was more interested in the construction vehicles then the actual animals...
Written May 10, 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.
Chekeichan
12 contributions
Jun 2023
I went to this zoo on a whim as a primate fan and was not disappointed. It's a small place but well maintained and aiming to expand. The seasonal butterfly house draws a big crowd. The sole gift shop at the entrance has ice cream cups. Oh and the bald eagle is fine where she is. She is injured and cannot fly so that's why her enclosure has a lush ground level. In general enclosure sizes are just over the LA Zoo but smaller than in San Diego.
Written July 2, 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.
DougNBodie
Irvine, CA98 contributions
Jun 2022
I really wanted to like this zoo, but I was disappointed. They are in the middle of construction that will make the park about 40% larger but it was just lacking. It's summer here in CA. and I expected the animals to be lethargic, but it seemed that almost half the animals where gone during construction and just about everything was closed except the gift shop and snack bar. It should be pretty nice in about 3 or 4 months once everything is finished with the remodel
Written June 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.
HSPMDiva
San Jose, CA48 contributions
Mar 2022
My daughter and I visited the zoo one afternoon in March. I must say we were very disappointed. Half of the zoo were torn up for renovation/upgrade and hardly any animals to see. Monkeys after monkeys. That's about it.
I'd much rather visit OC zoo. We won't be going back.
I'd much rather visit OC zoo. We won't be going back.
Written April 7, 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.
Janet S
Portland, OR7 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
What a delightful visit, our aunt Bobbie Prentice took us to see the family zoo and what a delightful surprise. Kudos to the team, it was So well manicured, the variety of animals and loved the addition of the butterfly tent. The train & farm section was adorable. Thank you !
Written September 1, 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.
SeanThomasL
Catalina Island, CA16 contributions
Feb 2023
The Santa Ana Zoo is the perfect place for young families! They have lots of monkeys, a Ferris wheel, a carousel, a train, and a ton of other great animals to see. We have been several times with our one year old daughter, and she loves it.
Written March 5, 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.
Becstick
Chula Vista, CA25 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
We had a wonderful afternoon at this little zoo! We were meeting our cousin and her 1-year-old son for an afternoon and this was such a convenient , clean and not crowded location on a Saturday. The animal exhibits are great for toddlers to maybe 6-7 years old. The train, carousel and Ferris wheel are great for that age as well. There are some paved pathways and some dirt walkways which proved challenging for us because one of us was in a wheelchair. Parking was easy and free. There was plenty of shaded areas and nice picnic tables for a lunch. Bathrooms were clean. Great place to take the little ones!
Written June 4, 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.
Backpacker
San Luis Obispo, CA967 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
Where are the animals?!?!? I walked around for 10minutes and was done. $13 for 10 minutes. They had very few animals. They had a lot of images, but few animals. And worst of all, the animals they had were in way too small cages. It was very sad and should not be allowed! I felt so bad for the few animals they had. Too bad!
Written March 20, 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.
Mike
Glide, OR93 contributions
Jul 2012 • Solo
Fun place with lots of activities for kids. Big farm layout with typical farm animals, lots of monkeys, some giant anteaters, camels and guanacos. Good size jungle gym near snackbar to let them burn off some energy. Nothing dangerous or ferocious other than a couple of cranky peacocks. Has a beautiful carousel and toy train.
Toy train is great - EVERYBODY loves the train. Don't forget to scream and yell in the tunnel.
Toy train is great - EVERYBODY loves the train. Don't forget to scream and yell in the tunnel.
Written August 5, 2012
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.
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Claim your listingSanta Ana Zoo at Prentice Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park
- Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park:
- (0.24 mi) Motel 6 Santa Ana
- (0.28 mi) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Santa Ana - Orange County
- (0.37 mi) Sunland Motel
- (0.37 mi) Royal Grand Inn
- (0.43 mi) Modern Family home near Disney & Beach walk to zoo. Very central.
- Restaurants near Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park:
- (0.19 mi) Metro Bean Cafe
- (0.21 mi) Bari Pasta & Pizza
- (0.25 mi) Huskins Coffee Company
- (1.23 mi) Sushi Damu
- (0.33 mi) The Sandwich Society