10 Reasons Why You Will Love The Sacramento Zoo

*The Sacramento Zoo is currently closed due to COVID-19 measures. Visit their website for updates.

The Sacramento Zoo is a great place for kids to learn and appreciate animals from all over the world.

We have visited the Sacramento Zoo several times since we moved to California and it is one of those places in the area I would recommend visiting if you are ever in this area. Why?  Here are my top 10 reasons!

1. You Can See it in One Day

Even though I like the San Diego Zoo and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, let’s face it, it’s almost impossible to see it all in one day. The Sacramento Zoo is not that huge, but its 14 acres of fun is the perfect size to enjoy all the animals and other attractions.

2. Variety of Animals

The Sacramento Zoo is small, but it has a wide variety of animals that are fun to see and learn more about. It is home to nearly 500 animals representing species around the world. From Australian kangaroos to African giraffes and chimpanzees. Mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fishes… you name it, and you will probably find it here.

My favorites were the flamingos and the giraffes. The girls loved the tiger, the lion, and the turtles. My husband liked the reptiles the most. The zebras and kangaroos were also fun to watch. 5.            

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3. Conservation Efforts

At the Sacramento Zoo, they implement recycling and conservation efforts in their facilities, but they do so much more! They partner with other organizations for animal and environmental conservation and are active players locally and globally.

By visiting the zoo, you help with those efforts. 25 cents of each admission ticket support Quarters for Conservation, a community effort to help local and global conservation projects. During your visit you will receive a “quarter” token that enables you to vote for the conservation project of your choice- this helps them determine how much funding each project receives. Just go to the Entry Plaza, learn more about the projects, and cast your vote. Nice and easy.

4. Close Encounters

For an extra $5 payment you will have the chance to get close to the giraffes and feed them! They will provide you with the food, a small tree branch called “browse”. The good thing about a small zoo, the line is not long! You can get the tickets 5 minutes before the time of encounter at the giraffes’ deck.           

They also offer several behind-the-scenes tours. Find more information here.

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5. Other Attractions

In addition to the different animal areas, there are also fun rides you can take, like the Conservation Carousel for $3 and the Zoo Train for $4. Note that $.25 of each ride ticket goes toward global conservation efforts too.

Their newest addition is the Kilimanjaro climb for an extra $3. If your kids like rock climbing this should be fun! Climbers must be between 45 lbs. and 250 lbs.

6. Convenience

They are open from 9am to 4pm. The ticket price is $17.50, which I think is a fair price for the experience.

The zoo doesn’t have a parking lot, but you can easily find spaces outside for free. They do have a restaurant inside (we tried the hamburger and fries – yummy!) and a shop where you can get souvenirs.  

7. Family-Friendly

They do have a discounted price for seniors and kids.  Children one-year-old or younger get in for free. Diaper changing tables are available in the restrooms and they have a Mother’s Room for nursing moms. The zoo is stroller and wheelchair accessible. Wagons and wheelchairs are available for rent.

8. Schools Welcome

They host school field trips at a special rate. For those, they have a special presentation where they provide information about the animals, touch table for little kids to feel the different textures and they also explain the rules for kids to learn to respect the animals.

9. Open for Private Events

Something I learned recently is that you can rent a special place at the zoo to host your private event. Birthday parties for kids must be wonderful there!  You can also rent spaces for weddings and corporate events. Proceeds will help conservation efforts as well.

10. Special Events

The zoo hosts special events for Mother’s Day, Halloween, Christmas, and other holidays. Check their calendar and enjoy the zoo in a different way!

Special Mom Tips:

• Wear conformable shoes.  You will walk a lot.
• Bring water and snacks. For meals go to the restaurant.
• Be mindful of the weather and wear appropriate clothes.
• Do not feed the animals as they have a special diet.
• Smoking and vaping are not allowed at the zoo.
• The best times to visit and avoid the crowds are non-holidays, Saturday, and Sundays in the morning and weekdays in the afternoon.

Here is the map that will give you an idea of what you will see at the Sacramento Zoo.

We have always had a great experience here. My girls have learned a lot about the different animals, their behavior, what they eat, how they sound, and how they look like. Seriously, there is no book or TV show that teaches them better than having the real zoo experience.

We hope this post has inspired you to visit the Sacramento Zoo as soon as quarantine is over. Let us know as soon as you cross it out from your bucket list! We would love to see a comment about your experience!

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