Things to do / Travel Guide
Zoo-lovers rejoice! The central California coast region has every size and type of zoo you could possibly want to visit. Most are in close proximity to one another, so you can easily pick and choose which to see, or visit them all if you've got the time! Here are nine excellent choices, with each offering something unique and different.
Zoos and Aquariums in San Francisco, California
The San Francisco Zoological Gardens is the central California coast's largest zoological park and conservation center. Live “show and tell” events on the weekends may bring you and your kids up close to live tarantulas and millipedes!
Land animals not your thing? The Aquarium by the Bay will take you right into San Francisco Bay via moving footpaths through enclosed glass tunnels, through which you can enjoy the diverse aquatic life just offshore.
Want something larger scale? There's always Six Flags Marine World, in Vallejo, north of San Francisco, a combination wildlife park, oceanarium, and theme park with enough attractions and activities to keep everyone in the family entertained for days on end.
Looking for something more “natural” or “authentic”? Go trekking in real safari vehicles at Safari West, in Santa Rosa, northwest of San Francisco. You'll find yourself surrounded by giraffes, gazelles, scimitar-horned oryx, ostriches and more. It's the next-best thing to being on a real African safari!
Zoos in Oakland, California
Right across the bay is the Oakland Zoo, with some 440 animals living in lush, naturalistic settings. Kids will especially love the petting zoo, train rides, and playground.
Zoos in San Jose, California
A little further south in the region, in San Jose, is the Happy Hollow Zoo. The zoo is particularly fun for kids with its creative play areas, rides, and puppet shows.
The Coyote Point Museum, in San Mateo, is dedicated to teaching adults and children alike to enjoy and appreciate nature. They even have an aviary and a giant honeycomb for visitors to walk through.
Zoos and Aquariums in Monterey Bay, California
If you're traveling south, be sure to check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where a 54-foot-long, 15-foot-high glass wall might just be the largest window on earth. Oh, and what amazing sea creatures you'll see on the other side! The aquarium has nearly 200 galleries and exhibits on display, and if you happen to be visiting at the right time, you might catch sight of some dolphins and whales. Harbor seals and sea lions can be seen daily from the aquarium's decks as well. The aquarium itself doesn't host any of these larger marine animals, but from time to time, dolphins and orcas (killer whales) can be seen from the decks of the aquarium. Gray whales pass by Monterey Bay from mid-November-March, humpbacks from spring-fall, and blue whales from August-October.
Further south is the Charles Paddock Zoo, a small zoo displaying animals not usually seen in the central California coast region, like Bengal tigers, flamingos, and alligators.
Zoos and Aquariums in San Francisco Bay Area, Carmel, Napa Valley, Central California Coast
Zoos-Aquariums
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