Santa Barbara Zoo 500 Niños Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93103 Main Phone: (805) 962-5339 Info Line: (805) 962-6310 Admissions Office: (805) 963-5695 Open 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. every day except Christmas, and 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

"Such a charming place that [it is] worth a visit whether you have the kids in tow or not." - Insider's Guide to Santa Barbara

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.

Ticket Prices
Adults 13-59: $12
Children 2-12/Seniors 60+: $10
Children under 2: Free
Parking: $5 (free with SB Zoo Membership)

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.

Carousel
Our youngest visitors will find the carousel a treat. A Dentzel original, the carousel features hand-carved exotic animals.
Cost: Children (up to 48" tall) $1.

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.
Cost: $4 per person.

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: Adults & Seniors (13+): SB Zoo Members, $3.00, Non-members, $4.00. Children (2-12): SB Zoo Members, $2.50, Non-members $3.50. Children under 2: free.

Keeper for a Day
Experience a full day working with your favorite animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo as an honorary zookeeper. You will have the unique opportunity to participate in behind-the-scenes activities and assist zookeepers in their daily tasks of caring for the animals which include preparing food and enrichment, training animals, and cleaning...more

Backstage Pass
Meet some of our animals up close and personal. Backstage Passes allow you to work alongside a zookeeper, and enjoy interactive encounters with your favorite animals, most of which can only be seen up close by Backstage Pass holders like you!...more

Behind-the-Scenes Tours
This is your opportunity to go on a guided tour of the Zoo and learn about how zookeepers care for the animals that reside here, conservation issues, and get a close-up view of some of our animals and exhibits along the way...more

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.

Visit our brand-new restaurant, The Wave, at the Zoo's hilltop! Enjoy beautiful ocean views while eating South American-style meals with choices of chicken, beef, or sustainable salmon & shrimp.

There are also several specialty food carts (seasonal) and vending machines throughout the Zoo.

The Zoo is located in Santa Barbara, CA, approximately 90 miles north of Los Angeles, 25 minutes north of Ventura, and 40 miles south of Solvang.

From the South on U.S. 101: Note: the Cabrillo exit northbound will be closed from early February until late April. Please use the detour below.

Detour: use the Milpas Street exit and follow the directions below after going left on Milpas Street (go around the roundabout).

From the North on U.S. 101: Take the Milpas Street exit. Turn right on Milpas Street and turn left on Cabrillo Boulevard. Turn left at the first light, which is Niños Drive. The entrance is on the right side across from the playing fields.

View Map on Yahoo.

The Zoo does provide parking for $5 per vehicle: however, on summer days and weekends the lot fills early. Auxiliary parking may be found outside the Zoo.

For information on local transportation, check out the Amtrak info page, visit Amtrak’s website, or Santa Barbara's MTD site.

We do not allow barbeques, skateboards, roller skates, bicycles, or pets in the Zoo. Barbeques, RV's, and pets are not allowed in the Zoo parking lot.

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.

Check our Event Calendar to see what's happening the day of your visit. Occasionally, the Zoo closes early to prepare for special events; this information will be noted on the event calendar.

There are plenty of places for you to take a little bit of the Zoo home with you. The Zoo’s main gift shop is located near the entrance and is an exotic emporium of toys, books, and unique souvenirs. Stroller, wagon, and wheelchair rentals available here.

The new Explore Store, our eco-friendly shop, is located by the barnyard in the new California Trails area of the Zoo. Find gifts, make your own “wild” animals from Animaland, or buy food for the barnyard animals here.

We also offer themed merchandise at the train station and gift carts around the Zoo.

We encourage you to take photos and video for your own personal use. Commercial photography is allowed, but only with prior written permission. Please contact the marketing department for more information, or review our location filming policy.We may photograph visitors from time to time for promotional and educational purposes: entry to the Zoo grants permission for us to use these images.

The Zoo maintains a smoke-free environment.

Strollers are welcome throughout the Zoo, but please be considerate to others when navigating in crowded viewing areas. Strollers and wagons are available for rent at the Gift Shop:

Single stroller $6
Double stroller $8
Wagon $7

View our Zoo Map in pdf format.