12 Must-See Zoos and Aquariums

Like a journey to Africa, a day at this spectacular park lets you see some of the world’s most magnificent—and endangered—animals at close range and in expansive naturalized enclosures. A tram ride leads you past roaming groups of rhinos, gazelles, giraffes, and other species ranging freely through savannah-like expanses. African lions wrestle with their cubs in specially designed enclosures that look like part of the whole, but are safely contained from other animals. There’s plenty to see on foot too: the amazing Tiger Trail exhibit lets you get remarkable underwater views of Sumatran tigers swimming in the Tiger Trail exhibit.

"Static-line hot-air balloon rides and a long, long zip line ride offer great views of the park and surrounding region."

For even more up-close looks at the park’s animals, including premium behind-the-scenes tours, plus unique experiences such as the Cheetah Safari, where you can watch as these amazing cats reach speeds up to 70 mph/113 kph. Special Jungle Ropes Safaris are a great way for your little monkeys to burn off some steam. Static-line hot-air balloon rides and a long, long zip line ride offer great views of the park and surrounding region. And for a California-style hint of what sleeping in the African bush might be like, Roar & Snore Safaris let you spend the night in large tents (some even have beds and electricity) at a campground overlooking the African Plains exhibit.

Come for the animals; then take time to see the plants. The park has extraordinary landscaped areas, all worth strolling. Especially beautiful in spring is the Nativescapes Gardens, focusing on drought-tolerant species adapted to the region’s sunny, dry climate. Free, guided tours are offered at 10 a.m. the second Saturday in April and May.

A secret gem along the Los Angeles County Coast, this expansive complex along the Long Beach waterfront showcases marine life from around the world. Banish the thought of little square tanks with plastic labels identifying puny schools fish. This aquarium joins the ranks of the world’s best, with enormous floor-to-ceiling windows letting you peer into entire underwater ecosystems. Step inside to walk beneath life-size whale models hung from the ceiling, or to peer into the room-size, neon-bright coral reef exhibit, swirling with colourful fish. Exhibits continue outside, including a Magellanic penguin enclosure, where you can watch the comical birds swim underwater as well as waddle on land. Touch pools filled with tidal creatures let children get a closer look at native creatures living along the Southern California coast.

Special events include guest lectures on everything from global warming to saving sea turtles. Check ahead for free, open to all ages Friday evening events around the Shark Lagoon, where you will be able to touch harmless bamboo sharks and bigger species as well as rays in the aquarium’s Shark Lagoon. Night-life in the Long Beach area gets a boost from the aquarium’s monthly Night Dive event, open to ages 18 and over, with live bands, DJs, and other activities. 

The only way to get closer to swirling sea life is to tug on a wetsuit and dive in. This unparalleled facility, with soaring, glass-walled tanks letting you feel as if you’re truly under the sea, defines the standard for aquariums. It’s also one of the best makeovers on the planet: in the early 1900s, the main building was a bustling canning facility for sardines, all chronicled in fascinating historical exhibits near the entrance. (Excellent behind-the-scenes tours shed more light on the aquarium’s history, as well as its remarkable inner workings.)

Intriguing history or not, this is one big wow of a place. Mesmerizing tanks and exhibits showcase more than 35,000 animals and plants representing over 550 species—a large number of them California natives. Watch a giant Pacific octopus unfurl its tentacles, stand in the center of a swirling school of sardines, have hammerhead sharks swim inches away from your face, and see how trainers do daily health checks of the aquarium’s cutest inhabitants, California sea otters. A host of special activities, including junior diving programs, sleepovers, and custom romance tours (nothing like a little undersea light to make things dreamy) are also available. Insider tip: Get tickets online in advance to skip long lines.

Watch tigers wrestle in a naturalized enclosure and elephants chill out in their own splashing pond at the Oakland Zoo, home to more than 700 animals. Creatures are grouped in unique habitats, so you see giraffes and zebras roaming together in the African savannah enclosure, or wander through a simulated tropical rainforest filled with acrobatic white-handed gibbons.

Not all the zoo’s inhabitants are from such far-flung places, however—in the California Trailexhibit, visitors can see wildlife native to the Bay Area, but most of which have long since been pushed out. The experience begins with an open-air gondola Skyride (and a sweeping view of six Bay Area counties) to the Kaiser Permanente Visitor Centre. Then, from a raised, protected trail, visitors can view sections of the exhibit that are dedicated to grizzlies, black bears, jaguars, bison, grey wolves, mountain lions, and eagles.

At the Wayne and Gladys Valley Children’s Zoo, there are more fun ways for kids to learn and explore. A wooden rope bridge provides the perfect perch for watching river otters swimming and playing below. Tiger Trek kiddie coaster amps up the excitement, and the Clorox Wildlife Theatre hosts family overnights, as well as concerts and Animal Encounters, where an animal is presented for an up-close experience.

But it’s not all fun and games at the zoo—in fact, there’s serious science going on here too. A special focus is the zoo’s efforts to help save the mountain yellow-legged frog, an endangered Sierra Nevada species that has experienced a 90 percent decline in recent years.

Whether you’ve got children in tow or you’re on a grown-up getaway, San Francisco Zoo, located on the city’s south-west side, is a fun way to spend a day, especially when combined with playtime on or a wander along nearby Ocean Beach. The urban oasis originally opened in 1929, back when the animal enclosures were mostly cages or concrete pens, and it has come a very long way since. Today, the conservation-minded zoo’s spacious enclosures recreate a range of global ecosystems, populated by over 1,000 animals representing more than 250 species. Spectacular plantings also feature rare, indigenous plants from around the world. 

Must-see sites abound. At the Jones Family Gorilla Preserve, you can watch the startlingly human-like interactions of a family group of Western lowland gorillas. The Australian WalkAbout lets you spot kangaroos and wallaroos—look closely for joeys peeking out of their pouches. Penguin Island features highly social and highly entertaining Magellanic penguins—squawking, flapping, preening, swimming and even breeding. The Fisher Family Children’s Zoo, a mini-zoo-within-a-zoo, is ultra popular and children can enjoy stroking goats and ponies in the Family Farm area. Twice a day, you can go behind the scenes on a 45-minute guided  Secret Safari tour, which includes the chance to see up to six different animal species. There is also a special exhibit that offers close-up views of prairie dogs and meerkats, plus the historic 1927 Dentzel Carousel, a miniature steam-engine train ride and a child-friendly nature trail.

Check the San Francisco Zoo website for a map and a daily schedule of special events and animal interactions, ranging from grizzly bear feeding time to talks by the big-cat keepers. The zoo is open 365 days a year, from 10 am until 5 pm.

Insider tips: ticket prices are $23 a day for adults, with discounts for senior citizens and children under 14. Children 3 and under are free. There is plentiful parking for a nominal daily fee.