Plan Your Visit
An average Zoo visit lasts 2.5 hours; but many guests spend a half day meandering the grounds, taking in the Pacific Ocean views, and enjoying a picnic lunch or dinner after visiting the animals. If you're short on time, our Zoo Map highlights the "Must-See" exhibits. Also, be sure to check out the Visitor Kiosk just inside the front entrance for keeper talks and other events. Also, check the event calendar before you visit, as sometimes the Zoo hosts after-hours events that require early closure.
Admission
Ticket Prices Adults 13-64: $15 Children 2-12: $10 Seniors 65+: $12 Children under 2: Free Buy tickets online. Parking: $6 (free with SB Zoo Membership) Local College (UCSB, SBCC, and Westmont) Student Discount: $2 off adult admission Monday-Thursday only. Blackout dates: Memorial Day through Labor Day, holidays, and Zoo Special events; please call ahead with discount inquiries.
Reservations
With its exotic gardens, majestic ocean view, and its diverse animal collection, the Santa Barbara Zoo is the ideal setting for any occasion and offers your guests an experience they'll never forget. We accommodate daytime and evening events, from elegant weddings or dinner parties to relaxed company picnics. Zoo Catering Services by Rincon will assist you with all of your catering and rental needs and offer a variety of options to suit the style of your event. The Santa Barbara Zoo is a private, nonprofit organization. Revenues from private events support the operation and development of the Zoo, help support conservation efforts, and enrich our education programs.
Accessibility
The Zoo is fully accessible to the disabled, and wheelchairs are available for rental ($6) at the Gift Shop. Limited parking for the disabled is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Attractions
Barnyard
The barnyard is home to domestic sheep, which you can feed with specially formulated pellets available for purchase at the Explore Store adjacent to the barnyard.
Food cost: $2/cup. Visiting the barnyard is free.
Climb for Condors
A soaring experience at the Zoo! Climb our 26’ rock wall, and learn what it takes to save an endangered species. Operation times may vary due to weather.
Cost: $5/climb for SB Zoo Members, $6/climb for Non-members.
"Dino Doc" Show
A family-friendly, 15-minute lively presentation with human hosts and three dinosaurs, including Duncan the T. Rex, Lily the parasaurolophus, and Tulip the baby triceratops. More info...
“Dino Doc” performances scheduled on weekends at 12:00 & 3:00 p.m.
Cost: free with Zoo admission.
Giraffe Feeding
Get up close and personal with the tallest residents of the Zoo! Hand feed Baringo giraffes and have the experience of a lifetime. Please call ahead to check on giraffe feeding schedule and times or check at the admissions upon your arrival; feeding schedule is flexible based on the animals' behavior and therefore not guaranteed. Giraffe deck will open late, at 12:00 p.m., on Saturday, May 24.
Cost: $5 per person/SB Zoo Members; $6 per person/Non-members.
Kallman Family Play Area
A place to let your little 'animals' run wild! The Kallman Family Play Area, located across from the Zoo Train station, is full of fun stuff for the little ones. Pretend you're a dinosaur and hide in one of the 'dinosaur eggs'; be a spider as you crawl across the giant rope web; or, slide or roll down the perennial favorite ant hill.
Zoo Train
Don't miss a ride on the Zoo Train! Two C.P Huntington trains that circle the perimeter of the Zoo delight visitors of all ages.
Cost:
SB Zoo Members: adults & seniors (13+) $4.50, children (2-12) $4.00.
Non-members: adults & seniors (13+) $5.00, children (2-12) $4.50.
Children under 2: free.
Dining
The Ridley-Tree House Restaurant serves delicious grilled items, sandwiches, salads, and other tasty delights. Relax in our garden courtyard while you eat. Hot food is served until 4:30 p.m. Enjoy an informal Mexican-inspired meal, light snack or ice cream, and sweeping ocean and mountain views at our hilltop cafe, the Wave. There are also several specialty food carts (seasonal) and vending machines throughout the Zoo.
Santa Barbara Zoo - 
