Santa Barbara Zoo

Activity Overview

The Santa Barbara Zoo is a popular 30-acre animal attraction in Santa Barbara, California. It features over 500 animals living in naturalistic habitats that represent over 140 species, including Asian elephants, Humboldt penguins, giant anteaters, and gorillas. It has often been ranked one of the best small zoos in the United States, and was also known for being home to a famous giraffe with a crooked neck in the past.

In addition to its animal exhibits, the zoo also has attractions that include a train, a play area, a climbing wall, a dinosaur show, a barnyard, art exhibits, and the opportunity to feed a giraffe or be an honorary zookeeper for a day.

Things to Do

• Explore the zoo and learn all about its fascinating animals! You won't want to miss the giraffe, lion, and penguin exhibits.
• Hitch a ride on the Zoo Train! The zoo has two different C.P. Huntington trains that provide fun-filled rides around the entire zoo.
• Take your little one to the Kallman Family Play Area, where they can pretend to be a spider while climbing across the huge rope web, hide in a dinosaur egg, or slide down the ant hill!
• Visit the barnyard, the home of the zoo's domestic sheep, which you can meet and feed for just $3 per cup of food.

Santa Barbara Zoo Insider Tips

• Don't miss your chance to hand feed the majestic Masai giraffes! It costs just $6 per person.
• If your child loves animals, give them a birthday to remember with the zoo's party package! It includes zoo admission, an up-close encounter with an education animal like a rabbit, tortoise, or chuckwalla, train tickets, and other fun-filled activities.
• Check out the zoo's event calendar to learn about upcoming family programs and zoo camps for children.