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California Sea Lion Pool — Zoos for Kids in New York

California Sea Lion Pool

4.2(30)4.2 out of 5 stars, 30 reviews New York, NY

About California Sea Lion Pool

This venue is highly praised for its engaging and 'spectacular show with stunts and dancing' featuring sea lions, noted as 'the best sea lions show at a small zoo.' Visitors appreciate the animals being in 'gorgeous condition' within a visually 'gorgeous pool' environment. The presence of strolling 'peacocks' adds to the overall ambiance.

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Families seeking an interactive and entertaining animal performance, rather than just passive viewing.Visitors to a 'small zoo' who prioritize a high-quality animal show.Children who enjoy dynamic shows with stunts and dancing.Those who appreciate aesthetically pleasing animal habitats (though with a caveat on enclosure size).Likely suitable for a broad age range, from preschoolers to early teens (e.g., 3-12 years old), given the 'spectacular show with stunts and dancing' and engaging feeding sessions. No specific mentions for toddlers or infants.

Why families love it

  • Features a 'full spectacular show with stunts and dancing' from the sea lions.
  • The sea lions are described as being in 'gorgeous condition,' with a 'new sea lion' recently added.
  • Sea lion 'feeding sessions' are considered 'super cool' and a highlight for visitors.
  • Recognized as having 'the best sea lions show' within the context of a 'small zoo'.
  • Additional animal viewing is available with 'peacocks' strolling the area.
  • The primary draw is the 'spectacular show with stunts and dancing' performed by the sea lions.

Insider tips

  • Do not expect to see sea lion training sessions, as they are no longer public.
  • Try to inquire about and time your visit with the sea lion feeding schedule for a 'super cool' experience.
  • Be aware that at least one reviewer felt the sea lion enclosure was too small, which might be a concern for some parents regarding animal welfare.

Good to know before you go

  • If your main interest is observing sea lion training, as these sessions are no longer public.
  • If you are concerned about animal welfare in smaller enclosures, as one review describes the pool as 'basically a city fountain' and 'not enough room' for the sea lions.
  • Sea lion 'training sessions aren't public anymore,' which might disappoint some visitors expecting to see them.
  • One review strongly criticizes the enclosure size, stating it's 'not enough room' for the animals and 'basically a city fountain' in scale.
Crowds
No specific crowd level information or peak times mentioned in the reviews. Being a 'small zoo' might suggest it's less overwhelming than larger parks.
Value
Not explicitly mentioned, but the phrase 'best sea lions show at a small zoo' suggests a potentially good value experience compared to larger, more expensive venues, without specific pricing details or hidden costs mentioned.
Food
No food or drink policies mentioned in the reviews.
Accessibility
No accommodations mentioned in the reviews.
Safety
No specific safety measures mentioned in the reviews.

What parents say

Amelia G
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"Gorgeous pool. They have a new sea lion, and always in gorgeous condition. The training sessions aren't public anymore, but it's still fun to see the beautiful creatures. The peacocks stroll around the area too."

3 years ago

Maya Wagoner
1.01.0 out of 5 stars
"Not enough room for this large, majestic, and intelligent animal! It’s basically a city fountain!"

a year ago

Max V
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"It's not jus sea lions laying on rocks - it is a full spectacular show with stunts and dancing!"

8 years ago

Reviews sourced from public Google data.