Open 365 days a year. The last admission is sold one hour before closing time; the last Member entry is 30 minutes before closing. Please refer to the Tickets & Hours page of the website for current operating hours. Children ages 14 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult while on Zoo grounds.

Our historic, restored 1921 Dentzel Carousel is located near the Fisher Family Children's Zoo. This unique, “menagerie” style merry-go-round delights kids of all ages as they choose to ride a horse, a cat, a rabbit, or even a giraffe. Adults may ride free when standing by a paid child.

Add a ride on the historic Little Puffer miniature steam train to your visit to the San Francisco Zoo. It is one of only three remaining 22-inch gauge engines left in the world. Like generations before you, you'll make wonderful memories for both you and your kids.

Enjoy an entire day of unlimited rides on our historic Little Puffer miniature steam train and 1921 Dentzel menagerie-style Carousel. These unique attractions delight children and adults alike, and will enhance both your zoo experience and the memories you take home with you.

Enhance your Zoo experience with a one hour guided adventure that’s fantastic for audiences of all ages! Your knowledgeable guide will entertain you with fun facts and anecdotes that will make you feel like a real Zoo insider. Routes and features frequently change, so no matter how many times you join us you can be certain you’ll learn something new!

Enjoy a 45-minute guided tour of a behind the scenes animal habitat. The tour will be conducted by one of the Zoo's Interpretive Ambassadors and will include up to six different animal species, some of which may not have been previously viewable here at the San Francisco Zoo. Children must be 8 years of age and older.

Bring your bicycle to the Zoo for this 1-1/2 hour riding tour. Our knowledgeable staff will guide you as you see the animals start their day. You may find a tiger yawning and stretching, a bear bathing, or monkeys bounding through the branches for their morning exercise. For our special Mother's and Father's Day tours, you'll be treated to a continental breakfast following your ride. It’s great to be in the Zoo ahead of the crowds!

Did you know that our parking lot used to be the largest swimming pool in the country? Or that many historic buildings from the 1930s are still housing animal exhibits today? Join us for a one hour guided tour conducted by one or our knowledgeable Interpretive Ambassadors and learn more about the 90 year history of The San Francisco Zoo and Gardens.

Enjoy a guided walking tour with almost the whole Zoo to yourself. Watch the animals that are active early in the day, with a docent guide to answer your questions and offer fascinating insights into animal behavior. Senior Stroll is held quarterly, on the 2nd Thursday of the third month, from 9:00 to 11:00 am. For guests ages 65 years and older.

 

Come and get all the "dirt" on the beautiful and rare plants at The San Francisco Zoo and Gardens. In this one hour guided walking tour, you’ll see exotic plants native to Africa, South America, Australia, and California that are thriving under the expert care of our Horticulture Department. You’ll view some of our historic trees, learn about Green Gardening techniques and see some of the animals' favorite "browse" food growing right here at the Zoo. With all the beautiful scenery, you're guaranteed some fantastic photo ops along the way!

Walt Disney’s True-Life Adventures (1948–60) documentary series, as featured in Gallery 8, educated a generation of viewers on the unique mannerisms of different animals and the wonders of our natural world. In the spirit of the True-Life Adventures—and in celebration of both the museum’s 10th Anniversary and the 90th Anniversary of the San Francisco Zoo—our two institutions have partnered for a unique experience. In this workshop, learn about the natural world and its inhabitants as you practice drawing zoo animals from live reference. Study the proportion, movement, texture, and gesture-drawing techniques used to gain a sense of an animal’s anatomy while breathing life into your sketches.