Good collection of animals but poor execution as a zoo. Inadequate signage compounded by no prior warning that key exhibits (elephants and lions) not on show due to works. Add that several refreshment outlets closed. And charging $20 entry for a 2 year old and this grandad says next time we're going elsewhere.
Take the gondola up. An amazing walk and kids park!
I haven't been to a lot of zoos and wasn't expecting much, except a chance to see some young cousins. (Humans I was spending time with there, not monkeys.) I was pleasantly surprised by the zoo, though. Particularly fascinating watching the social dynamics between the different kinds of primates -- although maybe I just got lucky. Certainly a lot of animals were just lying around in the hot sun. Also, it's nice to give kids a visceral sense that this diversity of animals is real.
Just wasnt what i thought it would be. Not impressed. And parking was a nightmare. People had to hike up a steep hill with children, strollers etc. In the heat. Def didnt plan for that.
Beautiful zoo. Great layout. Lots of variety. Easy to get around. The gondola ride was fantastic and the views from the top of the zoo were excellent! Staff was friendly and knowledgeable.
I would highly recommend the Oakland Zoo. We have been members for several years now. The membership pays for itself with a few visits.
They have a nice selection of animals from around the world, several kids play areas, and several restaurants.
The new gondola is worth riding, just for the view, and they did an excellent job on the new California exhibit up top.
Loved the new gondola. The habitats were very animal friendly.
Enjoyed the gondola and lights. A great zoo in the heart of Oakland. Surprised and impressed
Fantastic zoo, a highish price to get in, but what an attraction.Well laid out with plenty of non-animal attractions to hold both children and adult interests.Good selection of animals, although some did not venture into view.Of the train and lifts and other non-animal attractions, the Gondola was fantastic and included in the price. It takes you up to the upper level of the zoo and the view from the Gondola lift,and the viewing platform at the top, of the bay, San Francisco city and the surrounds are just outstanding.You have just got to go.
A great place to bring a five year old. Become a member, so you can enter a half hour before there crowds.
Decent sized zoo with lots of animals to look at. Very hilly so a good workout for the legs while with the family. I had to dock a point for the gondola ride to access the newest part of the zoo. Not a fan of heights. Also has a mini amusement park with rides for the kids. Food is expensive so bring your own.
Not only is the zoo an amazing place to wander through and see how well the animals are cared for in the most natural habitat they can provide. The zoo also does a lot of amazing work for Animals off site and in other countries. It's so worth being a member.
Love this place! Just the perfect size to get through with smaller kids and then you can do the rides outside of you like. Opening a new area or exhibits in summer 2018.
Great experience. Clean and accessible. Gondola is fantastic! Bring your own food.
Fun day with the grandkids. A good place to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon
One of the best zoos I've ever been to. The new exhibit is incredible and it's worth going back even just to see this.
Light show was disappointing, only nice thing was gondola ride up to top of hill but not worth $10 per person. Nothing else too see.
One of the best zoo in the world. Shame that there isn't a lion.
--9/1/2020 add--
My mistake. there are lions. This Zoo is surely the best in the world.
It's really nice the price is right for the zoo with all of the upgrade. Well worth, I spent 3 hours there and could've spent more time. My 4 year old lived it.
This is a nice Zoo. Not the best I've been to. Very hilly... We brought a wagon...I won't be bringing that again! Some of the animal enclosures are small. Excited to ride the new gondola.
Really enjoyed our visit to the Oakland Zoo. Tickets are priced pretty reasonably and you can find even better pricing on Groupon. Loads of animals to see. Parking at the lower entrance might be easier if you can find a spot. Spots near the main entrance are taken quickly. Also, be warned that the road you take up to the main entrance sometimes becomes a one way street so you might have to take a different route down.
Felt safe with covid precautions but didn't go up the gondola because I heard it gets more crowded up there. It was really nice getting to see all the animals again and do something fun with the kids
Nice place for a day out. Entry price is a bit expensive but worth the visit. The gondola ride is fun. There are a lot of animals for kids to learn about. Parking is a always full in the weekends but they organize it well.
This is our second time at the zoo after a few years. Our first experience was not so great but this time around we had a great time. Getting there early was the key as the animals were more out and about rather than hiding in the shade.
Also the gondola ride to California trail was pretty cool with bears and bison on display. In addition a nice little play area for the kids. Kids and us had a great time, signed up for the annual membership!!!
4 years after our last visit, the Oakland zoo has improved quite a bit with a new area that you access by gondolas. Amazing views, fun ride for the kids, we'll make the trip to Oakland more regularly now as we became members of the Oakland zoo
The best zoo i have been too. Very knowledgable staff
Pretty underwhelming as far as zoos go. Long lines, strange things way of parking, not a lot of animals. We needed to kill some time before a flight, so it worked out for us, but I wouldn't make a special trip.
Clean, wasn't too crowded. Expensive but zoos usually are. A lot of the animals were not out. Couldn't find any place to buy a water or drink. Vending machines would be nice. Overall a good time! Happy, clean animals.
Really great zoo. Decent selection of animals. Very clean and well priced.
Beautiful, cares for animals, partner in conservation and animal welfare.
My favorite zoo in the bay area, even better than San Francisco in my opinion.
Great place to see animals. They always seem to be out and about too. Wish they served alcohol.
Terrific zoo particularly the upper level with large animal enclosures.
First time back during Covid. We had a great morning. All staff was very friendly. Felt very comfortable. Everyone had masks on and gave great social distance. Gondola cars are sanitized as one group gets out and before the next group gets in. We see something different everytime we go. Today we saw the jaguar eating breakfast, 2 camels laying on their sides right next to the veiwing area and the lions talking to each other. Saw lots of other animals as well and had a great walk. Thank you Oakland Zoo.
Small but well organized. Don't miss the cable car and upper part of zoo. Nicer and better environment for animals and the Bay view is very nice.
Great for nice chill day with your kids ..a good of a walk
Great zoo with lots to do! With the addition of the rides the Oakland Zoo has quickly become a favorite spot for my Family! Bring a stroller and walking shoes!
Awesome zoo, we're long time members. Very wearable and fun rides area. Don't miss the wolverines, the bats and the gibbons!
Too many exhibits were down but still had an alright time with the kids.
The enclosures are relatively large, and they have a nice selection of animals on exhibit, however many of the areas are unkempt, and there seems to be little attention paid towards research. Considering how much money they are spending on their new area and the very expensive sky elevator, I find that concerning.
We are family members and my grandson (now 5 years old) is very comfortable in all parts of the zoo! He loves visiting the animals, riding the train and piloting a plane. The hot dogs are great! This zoo is very walkable and the animals are well-cared for in their environment.
Best time at a zoo in northern California! I prefer this zoo over SF or San Jose... Love the gondola and the new bear structure and kid play area!
It's a nice big zoo in Oakland. There are many wild animals at this zoo in big enclosures. It was great to see none of the large wild animals confined to large cages. Those with kids should definitely visit this zoo.
Enjoyed the new gondola and free roaming animal area. Love the Oakland Zoo.
Love the new animals there. Had a great day with my son and his girlfriend and my great granddaughters.
Never have a bad time, or finish seeing it all in one visit. My favorite is the bats - which SF zoo doesn't have - and I love the little play area for kiddos plus huge grass area for picnics.
Zoolights was fantastic. Great place to enjoy walking around in a lighted wonderland.
So much fun. Lots of things to do. The animals have much better enclosures than the SF zoo and seem happier.
Best time to visit is in the morning when all animals are out and about
Super Fun!!! Had a Great time being our 1st time here...
Many animals inside the zoo,, nice place for kids though
Great zoo. Some animals are allowed more privacy than others, you will need binoculars to spot the lions when they are not napping behind trees/ bushes. Expect to miss a certain number of animals just because. The new gondolas are nice and smooth. The view from the new restaurant is worth the trip, not the food. Absolutely unacceptable menu with a very limited options. With such amazing views one would expect an equally attractive menu, no so fast. More healthy options are needed.
Loved it! One of the best Zoo's in Northern California. My daughter played in the water, seen bears fighting, "flew" on the team, awesome, awesome day. Side note for Groupon users, they have a groupon/online purchase entry gate to the right of the main gates which was WAY faster
Love the zoo, lots of animals but pretty packed so good for family with small kids, coz you don t need to walk a lot. My favorite zoo in the Bay Area.
A few weeks ago I might have given this zoo only 3 stars because the lower part of the zoo is not extraordinary and it is quite crowded with loud young children. As you can imagine, this doesn't make me or the animals particularly happy. What redeemed all of those things for me was the new zoo expansion, known as the California trail. The area is accessible by a short gondola ride with the greatest view of the entire Bay. The gondola line was somewhat long when we rode up but was fast moving, and it was practically nonexistant when we rode down. The animals in this upper level were all CA animals, either historically (like the wolf and jaguar) or currently. The exhibits for all these animals were new and spacious, expanding the zoo's land area to nearly that of the great San Diego Zoo. I will say this zoo still pales in comparison to the one in San Diego, but is certainly the now best in the whole Bay area, and certainly more than worth the $20 entry fee. If you discounted this zoo before the expansion, I'd recommend giving it a second chance because the view on the California trail is more than worth the entry fee.
Annual ZOOLIGHTS for Xmas was amazing beautiful fun. Strolling along paths lit up with pink flamingos alligators giraffes elephants. Animated light displays. Even falling snow in places. The soaring gondolas lit up in the night sky takes you to the roof top eatery with views of glittering city below AMAZING
Nice family friendly environment. Lots of fun for kids and adults alike. Think about going later in the day when the crowds thin out a bit.
Phenomenal Zoo - best one in the Bay Area (or so I've heard). Seeing the Giraffes is amazing - closest you'll ever get in a zoo in the US. They have lions, tigers and bears (okay maybe not bears - I forget) oh my.
Good variety of animals - also have some nice kid play areas and structures. There's a good little creek/pond and hill area where you can walk through. Their restaurant and food options are meh - so be prepared.
You can get discounts on tickets if you're a member of other parks such as Happy Hollow Children's Park and Zoo of San Jose.
Great zoo with large enclosures. Nice to see it open again
Good place to visit with kids for a day out. Wish parking was easier to coordinate with larger parties.
