The Oakland Zoo was established in 1922 and has been a leader in supporting animal welfare and conservation for animals of all kinds. Located in the Oakland hills, the Oakland Zoo offers a wild retreat in the middle of an urban community while feeling worlds away with staggering views of the San Francisco bay area and animal encounters spread alongside a hilly landscape. It is bigger than you think, with lots of animals, rides, hills, and even a gondola.
We love spending a day at the Oakland Zoo with our two kids under five. Read on to find eight tips for bringing your little ones to the zoo.
We acknowledge the Native Lisjan Ohlone people who have been stewarding Huchiun (the land in the East Bay) for thousands of years.
Before you go:
- Reserve your tickets
- Plan ahead by checking the animal feeding schedules.
What we packed:
- Standard diaper bag essentials
- Zoo key (see below)
- Bagged lunch or lunch money
- Sunscreen and hats
- Stroller
- Baby carrier
BASE COST-
- $18-24 for ages 15-64, $15-20 for kids 2-14 and Seniors, and FREE for kids under 2 (Annual memberships cost $174 for a family)
- $10 parking
ADD-ONS
- $3 zoo key
- $9 stroller
- $1 per ticket for the rides (some rides cost more than 1 ticket)
Tips & tricks to get the most out of your trip
1. Plan to arrive early. Parking is confusing and fills up fast.
There are two parking lots; one as you enter the park just past the kiosk (lower entrance) and one at the top of the hill near the main entrance.
Click here for a parking map.
2. Get a zoo key.
Kids love turning this key in the sound machines located at many of the animal encounters. Each one plays a different informational story about the animals nearby.
It is hard to insert the key in the box, and sometimes kids insert the key one after another without listening to the whole recording. When that happens, I seem to be the only one disappointed!
The key is also fun to carry around. Pick up the key at the gift shop right past the entrance.
3. Pack in your food - lunch and/or a ton of snacks
The Oakland Zoo has picnic tables and grassy knolls throughout the park. You can even reserve the picnic areas for a larger group gathering or party.
Is a picnic too much to plan? There are four cafes available to purchase food in the park. Although I prefer to bring our own food because it saves us money and will ensures that my kiddo will actually eat, the Landing Café has an amazing portobello caprese sandwich and mac and cheese for the kids.
Be wary – the restaurant is cafeteria style so you have to hunt for a table and highchair after ordering your food and may be competing with others trying to enjoy their picnic lunches at the same time.
And don’t forget snacks! In the end, the snacks are what keep kids moving when you’re trying to get home for nap…
4. Be prepared to walk, uphill, a lot.
The whole zoo is built along the side of a hill. Depending on where you park you may be walking up hill at the beginning of your day (south entrance) or at the end of the day (main entrance) with some tired kiddos.
Bring a stroller or baby carrier and lots of snacks to keep those little feet moving. See tip #3.
5. Check out the calendar for animal feeding times and shows.
The shows and feedings might be more exciting for older kids (7+) who can see over crowds of people to figure out what is going on.
For example, one show at the amphitheater asked for kids to come onto the stage by themselves to get a closer look at the animals.
My toddler was not about to walk on stage alone or sit through an hour long show. Each kid has their own temperament. You know your kids best! So go if you think it will be worthwhile.
6. Ride the gondola first (free with admission!)
The Oakland Zoo recently built the beautiful California Trail (CA Trail), including many local animals and beautiful exhibits. You can see wolves, brown bears, and even a California mountain lion!
Our toddler LOVES the gondola ride up to the top where you can take a leisurely stroll along the 3 mile CA trail to see the animals or play on the playground. The views are incredible.
The gondola line can be long but it moves fast. Everyone up top has to catch the gondola to get back down, so when it is time to leave the park remember to buffer in some waiting-in-line time to catch the gondola down the hill. The return line is long and somehow feels slower (maybe because everyone around you has little kids about to melt down too…).
7. Save some time for Zoo rides.
Did you notice the carousel near the main entrance?
Our toddler loves rides at the zoo, so much so that we’ve gone to the zoo with the intention of seeing animals but never made it off of the airplane ride.
Ride tickets cost $1. Most rides range from 1-3 tickets.
FYI- the rides are OUTSIDE of the park at the east entrance. Go to the rides before you go in if you can. Or, just keep in mind that you have to exit the park to access the rides.
Remember to get a hand stamp on the way out if you plan to reenter.
8. Follow the Oakland Zoo on IG or Youtube and share the stories with your kiddos before you go.
Knowing the animals more intimately allows for kids (and adults) to feel more connected to the animals and the staff before you arrive.
You can also find out about events, membership, and animal care on their social media accounts.
@Oaklandzoo
The Oakland Zoo is located on ancestral Ohlone land. They make the zoo more accessible to families by providing free access to kids in Title 1 schools. Also, bison roaming the hills below the gondola route are actually part of a project with the Blackfeet Nation. The Iinnii (Bison) Initiative is helping restore bison to the Blackfeet landscape.
The Oakland Zoo looked almost exactly the same as it did when I was a child until a few years ago when the California Trail first opened. I love walking around up there, amongst the bison, playing at the playground, and soaking in the view. There are a good mix of local and out of town families, and lots of BIPOC families and staff.
What are your family’s must-do activities at the Oakland Zoo? Leave a comment below.
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
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