About Oakland Zoo
The Oakland Zoo offers a unique blend of engaging animal exhibits, interactive activities like trading card events, and stunning views from the gondola ride, making it a memorable experience for families.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Family outingsBirthday partiesEducational trips for kidsToddlers (2-4 years): Enjoyable for short visits, but may need nap breaksYoung children (5-7 years): Engaged by animal exhibits and interactive activities
Why families love it
- Trading Card Wednesday event
- Gondola ride with stunning views
- Well-maintained exhibits
- Friendly and accommodating staff
- Stroller-friendly hiking trails
- Annual pass with reciprocal discounts at other zoos
Insider tips
- Wear good walking shoes due to hilly terrain
- Reserve tickets in advance to save on costs
- Plan around nap times for younger children
Good to know before you go
- Visiting during peak hours on weekends when it gets busy
- Hilly terrain may be challenging for strollers and those with mobility issues
- Extra cost for the sky ride
- Crowds
- Can get busy on weekends; best to visit on weekdays for a quieter experience
- Value
- General admission is reasonable with an additional $5 for the sky ride; annual pass offers great value with discounts at other zoos.
- Food
- Food at the cafe is reasonably priced; specific menu items mentioned include chicken Caesar salad and impossible burger
- Accessibility
- Accommodations for mobility issues, including friendly staff assistance
- Safety
- Well-kept exhibits and friendly staff ensure a safe environment for children
What parents say
"We loved our experience at the Oakland Zoo! We had no intentions of visiting but had some time and decided to visit. We happened to go on trading card Wednesday and had so much fun finding cards and trading with others along with visiting the Habitarium. The gondola ride was so fun and the workers were very accommodating as I have to use a cane while walking due to a leg injury. We ate at the cafe as well and the food was reasonably priced and was hot and tasty. We got the chicken Caesar salad and the impossible burger with fries. Since the zoo is located at the top of a mountain, there are a "
a month ago
"Visited the Oakland zoo for the first time and really enjoyed it! The staff were super friendly and the zoo itself was kept super clean and well. All the animals were so cute and looked to be taken well cared of. I would recommend visiting! The sky ride was so cool but you do have to pay $5 extra to use it (the gondola is free though with admission)"
a month ago
"Oakland Zoo is a fantastic place to take kids! There’s so much to see and do, and the gondola ride is an absolute highlight—offering stunning views that both kids and adults will love. The zoo also has a nice little hike that’s stroller-friendly, making it perfect for families with young children. The annual pass is a great value, especially since it offers reciprocal discounts at other zoos, saving you money on entry fees when you travel. Pro tip: reserve your tickets ahead of time to save on costs. Overall, it’s a well-maintained, family-friendly zoo with a lot to offer. Highly recommend f"
3 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
More zoos for kids in San Ramon
Zoos for Kids Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo
4.7(1,413)4.7 out of 5 stars, 1413 reviews1451 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
Zoos for Kids Knowland Park Open Space
4.7(213)4.7 out of 5 stars, 213 reviewsWhitecliff Rd, Oakland
Zoos for Kids The Dingle Family Farm and Stables
4.9(55)4.9 out of 5 stars, 55 reviews3630 Brown Rd, Oakley
Zoos for Kids Hearst Grizzly Gulch
4.4(73)4.4 out of 5 stars, 73 reviewsSloat Blvd, San Francisco