I do love this zoo and am a member. Having visited...

I do love this zoo and am a member. Having visited zoos all over California, I can say there are some that I just find down right depressing. This is NOT one of them.
The chaffee zoo is both part of the conservation and repopulation programs, so you will often see babies at this zoo. They staff is amazing and willing to answer any question your overly exuberant child might ask. The zoo is also working hard to continually improve the animal habits, making them appear and feel more like natural habitats.
The African safari habitat is amazing and one of my favorite parts of the zoo.

Be prepared for the $5 parking fee. Buy your tickets online so you can skip the line at the gate. It will cost you $3 to feed the giraffes, and $2 to visit the stingrays and a dollar more feed them. The current dinosaur exhibition has an additional entrance fee.