
45th and Sloat Blvd.
(415) 753-7080
www.sfzoo.org
Northern California's largest zoological park next to
the Pacific Ocean boasts 65 acres of serene lakes,
ponds and all the animal attractions a major zoo has
to offer. For kids and adults, something's always
happening at the zoo.
Gorilla World is one of the world's largest naturalistic gorilla exhibits. It houses a family of
seven western lowland gorillas, including little Nneka (Ne-NE-ka), a female born in September 1998. Viewing
windows allow close encounters with these fascinating primates.
The Lion House is home to majestic African lions and
highly endangered Sumatran and Siberian tigers. The
feeding of the big cats takes place every day except
Monday at 2:00pm, and is a big hit with young and old
alike.
The Koala Crossing is fashioned after an Australian
outback station and is home to six koalas, the second
largest colony in North America. The San Francisco Zoo is one of only 11 American zoos currently exhibiting
this intriguing marsupial.
Penguin Island, a naturalistic exhibit mimicking the
Patagonian coast of South America, is home to 40
Magellanic penguins, the largest colony in the zoo
world. The exhibit consists of a 200-foot pool and an
island with burrows shared by these monogamous birds. Visitors can watch keepers hand-feed the penguins
Friday-Wednesday at 3:00pm, and 2:30pm on Thursdays.
One of San Francisco's hidden treasures, the
Children's Zoo, provides children and adults the
unique opportunity to learn first-hand about domestic
and exotic animals. Special exhibits in the Children's
Zoo include: The Barnyard, which houses such animals as goats, sheep and donkeys, that children can touch
and feed; the Insect Zoo, where visitors can get eye-to-eye with over 30 species of fascinating
arthropods, including giant millipedes, scorpions and
tarantulas; and the Nature Trail, a wooded path along
which youth volunteers introduce visitors to a variety
of small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians
(open during the summer through Labor Day.)
The San Francisco Zoo is an excellent place to host a
picnic, catered theme party, reception or family
get-together of groups from 25 to 1,500. Call the
Special Events Department at (415) 753-7171.
Hours:
Main Zoo - 10am to 5pm daily
Children's Zoo - 11am to 4pm
Admission/fees:
Adults (18-64): $9
Youths (12-17): $6
Children (3-11): $3
Seniors (65+): $6
Member: Free
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