best safari in california

23 Exciting Safaris in CALIFORNIA (Most Fun)

Welcome to California’s wild areas, where breathtaking vistas and fascinating wildlife coexist harmoniously. 

If you thought safaris could only be taken in the African plains, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. 

California offers a fantastic safari experience right here in the middle of the Golden State, all due to the variety of habitats and abundance of species. 

Now, Take a moment to picture yourself setting off on an exhilarating journey across rocky mountains, deep woods, and expansive deserts while coming face to face with gorgeous creatures that call this land home. 

Whether you enjoy the outdoors , are an avid wildlife photographer, or are just looking for a memorable break from your routine,

Get ready to get your senses enthralled with lifelong memories.

And by the way, you may also want to check out the best Zoos in California .

Safari in San Diego, California

1. balloon safari (aerial animal views).

Take a hot air balloon safari to see San Diego’s stunning scenery and landscapes. 

You can see the creatures up close by flying above the park’s 1,800 acres. 

The balloon safari departs from the park’s North American Plains region and soars over the Australian Outback, the California Trail , and the African Plains. 

Your guide will point out Various animals and plants , which will also impart exciting facts about them. 

Balloon safaris are accessible in the morning and afternoon and last 10-12 minutes.

Additionally, checking the forecast before making plans is essential because balloon safaris depend on the weather. 

Entry is $69 for adults aged 12+ and $59 for children aged 3-11.

Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to experience the magic of a safari up close.

Address: San Diego Zoo Safari Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027

2. Northern Frontier (Arctic Wildlife Habitat)

Northern Frontier of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a 1,000-acre habitat for species from the Arctic, sub-Arctic, and northern temperate regions. 

The Boreal Forest, the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains, and the Arctic Tundra are its four zones with distinct traits and species.

In other words, visitors can see polar bears, grizzly bears, timber wolves, and other species in their native habitats. 

The interactive displays at The Northern Frontier include a climbing wall and a touch pool. 

Adult admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park costs $29.95, while kid admission is $22.95 per person.

Get ready to be captivated by the Northern Frontier’s wild splendor and unmatched natural beauty. 

It is also a fantastic place to discover the animals and spend time with them.

Address: 2929 Zoo Drive, San Diego, 921021, CA.

3. Nairobi Village (African Culture Display)

A replica of an African town can be found in this area of the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park. 

Here, you can learn about African culture, traditional crafts, and artifacts while viewing African creatures, from lions to elephants. 

Nairobi Village also has a few restaurants and shops to check out. 

It opens every day from 9 am to 5 pm all year.

Visitors can also eat a typical African meal and purchase antiques to take home as a memento of their journey . 

For $29.95 for adults and $22.95 for children, be ready to enter Nairobi Village for an immersive experience that will transport you to the heart of Africa. 

Remember to engage with Maasai warriors, visit interactive displays, and learn about the area’s rich history. 

Address: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, California  92027

4. Flightline Safari (Zipline Park Tour)

Flightline Safari is a zipline tour that takes you through the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and provides an exciting perspective of the park and surroundings.

This tour lasts around an hour and features ten zip lines and a suspension bridge. 

Visitors can also see various animals from the ziplines, including giraffes, zebras, and lions. 

Despite being open all year, the best course of action is to make reservations in advance, especially in the summer.

Every day from 9 am to 4 pm, it is available for $129 per person. 

As you soar into the air on the Flightline Safari, get ready for an incredible journey and enjoy the freedom, fun, and exhilaration of this unique safari experience. 

So, if you crave an extraordinary adventure , contact them soon.

Address: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027

5. Africa Tram (Habitat Tram Ride)

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has a tram trip called the Africa Tram.

It lasts for twenty-five minutes and makes multiple stops at various animal exhibitions. 

The tram tour includes stops in the Australian Outback, the Northern Frontier, the California Trail, and the African Plains. 

On the tram tour, visitors can observe various animals, such as giraffes, zebras, lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, and tigers. 

If you want to experience an incredible journey into the heart of San Diego’s safari, be aware that the Africa Tram operates daily from 9 am to 5 pm. 

With the Africa Tram, you may explore expansive environments, observe various African species, and learn about the protection of the creatures.

Get your harness on for a wild journey on the tram.

Address: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd. Escondido, California 92027

6. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (Global Wildlife Conservation)

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a non-profit dedicated to wildlife protection. 

It runs other wildlife conservation initiatives all over the world in addition to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, 

Furthermore, because it is dedicated to conserving animals and wild areas, 

It seeks to safeguard endangered species, preserve habitats, and educate the public about conservation. 

As a result, it is a great site to learn about conservation, with its various educational activities, including displays, seminars, and workshops.

To discover new animals worldwide, take a safari tour around the zoo’s vast grounds . 

With iconic pandas and extraordinary animals among its highlights, the zoo offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy wildlife and support conservation efforts.

You would always want to have a second time.

  Address: 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

Also see our article on Kayaking in California .

Safari in Los Angeles, California

1. infinite safari adventures (diverse california safaris).

A tour firm called Infinite Safari Adventures provides a selection of safaris in and near Los Angeles. 

Their most popular safari is called the African Adventure, and it features a two-hour drive through the Simi Hills, where you may witness African wildlife like lions, zebras, etc.

Visitors are allowed to feed and pet a handful of the animals. 

The California Adventure takes visitors on a scenic drive through some of California’s most beautiful locations . 

However, Infinite Safari Adventures, on the other hand, is an incredible choice for individuals who wish to witness various animals in their natural habitat. 

With the company’s skilled and enthusiastic tour guides, learning about animals will be made fun for you. 

Prepare to take in more of nature’s splendor and create unforgettable memories.

Address: 11271 Ventura Blvd #127, Studio City, CA 91604

2. Elephants of Asia (Asian Elephant Sanctuary)

Elephants of Asia, a non-profit organization, offers a variety of programs for tourists, including guided tours, educational workshops, and volunteer opportunities.

Additionally, it provides a home for retired and saved elephants. 

As a result, this place is home to a herd of Asian elephants, and visitors on tour can learn more about the elephants’ history, biology, care, and protection. 

This exciting tour includes the opportunity to feed, bathe, paint, and pet the elephants and a Q&A session with the sanctuary’s employees. 

In other words, Elephants of Asia is an excellent resource for learning about these beautiful animals and advocating for their conservation and well-being. 

Here is an opportunity to learn about the intriguing lives of these gentle giants through up-close experiences and various educational exhibitions. 

Address: 8573311, District of Freedom, Los Angeles, CA 90027

3. Los Angeles Zoo (Griffith Park Menagerie)

The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park, near Los Angeles. 

It houses almost 1,200 animals of different species.

Various educational programs, workshops, and exhibits are available at the zoo.

As a result, it’s an excellent alternative for those who want to view and learn about a wide range of animals in a more traditional zoo atmosphere. 

The zoo is divided into several sections, each focusing on a different continent. 

Additionally, there are various educational exhibits there, including a petting zoo, a butterfly pavilion, and a rainforest exhibition. 

All year long, the zoo offers free admission to children under two. 

Children under two are admitted free to the zoo all year.

Every activity at the Loa Angeles Zoo promises a lot of fun for its visitors.

  Address: 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Also see our article on Fun things to do in California .

Safari in San Francisco, California

1. guided safaris inc. (varied san francisco safaris).

Guided Safaris Inc. is an excellent opportunity to visit some of San Francisco’s most well-known attractions while learning about the local animals. 

Pick one that suits your interests and budget from the range of safaris the company offers.

Children and elders are also eligible for discounts. 

Guided Safaris Inc. offers a variety of safaris in San Francisco, including African safaris, Asian safaris, Golden Gate Park safaris, Muir Woods safaris, and Sausalito safaris. 

All of the safaris offered by Guided Safaris Inc. are guided by professional guides who can answer your questions, address your concerns and help you make the most of your experience. 

With the meals, housing, and transportation, this safari has no shortage of fun and excitement from the moment you step in till you leave.

 Address: 1 Sansome St, San Francisco, CA 94104

2. South American Tropical Forest (Amazon Jungle Encounter)

The South American Tropical Forest is a tourist attraction in the San Francisco Bay Area that allows tourists to experience the sights and sounds of the Amazon jungle.

More than a thousand creatures are housed in the facility, including monkeys, snakes, jaguars, and birds. 

Visitors can therefore discover more about these creatures, take part in feedings and interactions, and take guided forest walks. 

It is usually open all year, 

Although summer is the busiest season, the facility offers a range of educational programs for both children and adults. 

Trust the immersive atmosphere and intriguing exhibits to transport you to the heart of the Amazon jungle, providing a fantastic safari experience. 

The South American Tropical Forest safari is an experience that can be both fun and eventful for its visitors.

Address: Zoo Rd, San Francisco, CA 94132

3. Pet Camp Cat Safari (Feline Fun Exploration)

Visit Pet Camp Cat Safari in San Francisco to see wild cats up close and in all their elegance and beauty.

At Pet Camp Cat Safari, cats can access a large indoor and outdoor environment without being confined. 

The space has climbing trees, scratching posts, and toys for the cats’ amusement. 

Additionally, they offer many other services for cats, including grooming, training, and daycare. 

The Pet Camp, Cat Safari crew, is informed and skilled in cats, and they are committed to providing the most excellent care for their animal guests. 

It is open seven days a week and offers a variety of boarding choices. 

So you can choose the ideal one to help you learn about cats while still having fun. 

Get familiar with many furry friends at the camp.

Address: 3233 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94115

4. San Francisco Zoo (Diverse Animal Exhibits)

The San Francisco Zoo has more than 2,000 species, including lions, tigers, bears, elephants, and giraffes. 

Visitors can enjoy guided zoo tours, engage in animal feedings and interactions, and discover more about the animals. 

Numerous exhibits are available in the San Francisco Zoo, including California Coast, Asian Forest, and African Plains. 

Because it offers a range of educational activities, including animal interactions, presentations, and tours, it has been a popular tourist site for years. 

As a result, the San Francisco Zoo is a well-known destination where visitors may explore varied habitats while learning about conservation. 

Meet exciting animals worldwide while participating in interactive displays, observing animal feedings, and learning about conservation efforts.

Embrace the scenic views , let the exciting moment take over, and create lasting, beautiful memories.

Address: Sloat Blvd & Upper Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94132

Also see our article on Outdoor activities in California .

Safari in Fresno, California

1. african spur thighed tortoise (giant tortoise encounter).

The African Spur Thighed turtle is a giant turtle that can reach 2 feet long and weigh 100 pounds. 

Tortoises are a group of herbivorous animals renowned for their long lifespans, intellect, and curiosity. 

The African Spur Thighed Tortoise Safari offers a one-of-a-kind chance to get up close and personal with these beautiful animals. 

Learn about the biology, history, and current state of conservation of the tortoises by taking part in this tour at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. 

Although the trip is brief, it is filled with fun, knowledge, and the opportunity to hold a tortoise.

Don’t miss the chance to discover their habitat, learn about their specific behaviors, and watch as they move sluggishly but deliberately through their surroundings. 

You will definitely love it here.

Address: Fresno, CA 93728

2. Fresno Chaffee Zoo (Global Animal Collection)

California’s Fresno is home to the 29-acre Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

The zoo’s facility is home to more than 1,000 species from all over the globe and features several exhibits, such as the African Plains, Asian Forest, and California Trail. 

You may have an exciting safari journey at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo and get up close and personal with various international animals, including fun primates and majestic big cats. 

And you can also enjoy educational talks and witness fascinating animal feedings.

Every part of your visit will reflect the zoo’s dedication to conservation and animal care. 

In other words, it is an excellent place to learn about animals and appreciate the natural environment.

Additionally, it is a lot of fun, and visitors will undoubtedly enjoy themselves.

Address: 894 W Belmont Ave, Fresno, CA 93728

3. Giraffe Feeding (Interactive Giraffe Experience)

Giraffe feeding is a common zoo pastime, including at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. 

Visitors can participate in giraffe feeding by purchasing a bucket of food and feeding them through the fence . 

In other words, people of all ages will undoubtedly find the giraffe feeding experience entertaining and enlightening.

Up close and personal encounters with these gentle giants are possible during the Fresno Giraffe Feeding event. 

As you hand-feed these gorgeous animals their favorite treats, you can interact with them, giving a sense of satisfaction and joy.

Discover their unique adaptations, behaviors, and conservation efforts to safeguard their habitat.

Giraffe Feeding is an excellent opportunity to connect with nature and make lifelong memories. 

Escape for some wild adventures, catch sight of beautiful nature, and create memories you would love.

4. Nndeeafrika (Private African Safaris)

Nndeeafrika is a safari company that provides a range of African safaris, such as game drives, walking safaris, and hot air balloon safaris.  

In its simplest form, Nndeeafrika is a private wildlife reserve that provides a range of safari experiences and is home to several African creatures, including lions, elephants, giraffes, and zebras. 

If you’re looking for a dependable and reasonable alternative for your safari lifestyle, Nndeeafrika is an excellent organization to book a safari with.

You can explore colorful displays and learn about the wonders of Nndeeafrika thanks to its staff of knowledgeable guides who will ensure that you have a safe and pleasurable safari. 

Also, you can see several African animals in realistic habitats, such as giant elephants and dainty antelopes, which are delightful to watch.

Address: 7516 N Monte Ave, Fresno, CA 93711

Also see our article on Date ideas in California .

Safari in Oakland, California

1. paramount safaris (open-air wildlife tours).

One of the distinctive and thrilling methods to see animals from around the world is through Paramount Safaris.

A comfortable open-air vehicle transports visitors through a beautiful, natural habitat where they can get up close and personal with giraffes, zebras, lions, tigers, and many more species. 

With expert guides and dedication to conservation, 

Paramount Safaris provides a unique opportunity to connect with nature and make priceless memories.

They also provide a range of packages, from affordable choices to rich experiences, and they operate from 9 am to 5:30 pm, charging $25 for adults and $20 for kids.

Also, the guides are excellent at engaging kids and keeping them entertained, and the open-air trucks make it simple for kids to see the animals – a bunch of fun.

Address: 1111 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607

2. California Trail at Oakland Zoo (California Habitat Showcase)

The 10-acre California Trail exhibit at Oakland Zoo takes visitors on a tour of the state’s various habitats.

Visitors can observe bears, wolves, coyotes, deer, and other species along the journey and wildlife from California’s mountains , deserts, and woods through the Gondola. 

Additionally, the exhibit offers engaging displays and educational activities that educate visitors about the beautiful and wild animals of California. 

Suppose you want to learn about California’s natural history. In that case, this is a terrific place to start with its interactive exhibits that teach visitors about the various creatures and plants in the state. 

Entry is available every day from 11 am to 5 pm.

The California Trail is a must-visit location, thanks to its exciting displays, informative presentations, and interactive activities.

Address: 9777 Golf Links Road Oakland, CA 94605

Also see our article on Hidden Gems in California .

Safari in Anaheim, California

1. oak canyon nature center (nature center exploration).

The Oak Canyon Wildlife Center, located near Anaheim, California, is a 58-acre wildlife park. 

This park features a native plant nursery, a live animal exhibit, a butterfly garden, and a variety of native flora and other interesting facilities. 

In addition, the nature center provides various educational programs for both children and adults.

They also provide a range of guided tours, such as a tram trip, a nature walk, and a trek for birdwatching.

The nature center is a terrific place to learn about the natural history of Southern California, and admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids aged 3 to 12, and free for kids under 3.

In other words, people can escape the busy city to explore the tranquil pathways and rediscover the outdoor beauty.

Address:  6700 E Walnut Canyon Rd, Anaheim, CA 92802

2. Best Safaris (Africa-Themed Safaris)

Experience a once-in-a-lifetime journey with Anaheim’s Best Safaris to Africa.

Here, you can explore the grand views of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro,

Enjoy game drives through Amboseli National Park . 

You can also go through the Rift Valley lakes of Elmentaita and Nakuru, which offer many wildlife and birdlife.

The best safaris allow you to enjoy the thrill of discovering breathtaking scenery and unique wildlife.

Their knowledgeable guide will guarantee that you enjoy an engaging and educational experience. 

Make sure to participate in the Best Safaris to make lasting memories and learn about the wildness of California’s hidden gems .

Also, remember to explore the Masai Mara grassland, Kenya’s famous game reserve and a place of wildlife yearly migration.

Unveil the world of boundless possibilities away from home.

Address: 2700 E Imperial Hwy suite n, Brea, CA 92821

Also see our article on Hiking Trails in California .

Safari in Palm Desert, California

1. the living desert zoo and gardens (diverse zoo experience).

Palm Desert, California, has a 1,000-acre zoo and botanical garden called The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. 

More than 3,500 species of animals and plants, including those from North America, South America, Africa, and Australia’s deserts, call it home. 

The zoo has many exhibits, such as a petting zoo, a walk-through aviary, and a desert canyon. 

A tram tour of the zoo is another option for visitors participating in educational activities.

The zoo is further separated into four themed distinct regions: the Australian Outback, the Sonoran Desert, the California Desert, and the African Plains. 

Although it is always open, the hours change periodically, and admission is $34.95 for adults, $24.19 for ages 3 to 17, and free for kids under 3.

Get ready for exclusive fun.

Address: 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260

2. African Village (Private African Safari)

African Village, located in Palm Desert, California, is a privately owned safari park.

More than 100 animals, including over 20 African species, call this beautiful place home. 

The African Plains and the African Savannah are the park’s two sections. 

Lions, giraffes, zebras, elephants, and other wildlife can be found in the African Plains area. 

Cheetahs, leopards, and rhinos can be found in the African Savannah region.

African Village opens for $34.95 for adults, $24.19 for ages 3-17, and free for kids under 3.

Enter the captivating African Village in Palm Desert to experience the region’s rich cultural history thoroughly.

African Village gives you an opportunity to learn more about the diverse cultures of Africa.

Take a trip to Africa for an exciting experience without leaving California.

Address: Indian Wells, CA 92210

If you liked this article, you may also like to read about the best zoos , Alpaca Farms , and hiking trails in California.

Looking beyond California? Check out our article on the best Safari in Florida and Illinois .

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6 Exciting West Coast Safaris and Animal Parks for Families

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Take your next exciting adventure with kids to one of these West Coast safaris for families! For animal lovers , it doesn’t get much better than getting up-close and personal with a variety of exotic wildlife. Luckily, families living in the United States won’t have to travel very far to do so! If you have ever dreamed of feeding giraffes on a safari or driving through untouched wilderness in your own vehicle, then this list is for you! We’ve compiled this great list of the 6 U.S. West Coast Safaris and Animal Parks For Families! All of these parks also stress education and conservation, a particularly effective way to teach kids about animals and their respective habitats. Start planning a trip to one of these West Coast safaris for families to give kids the experience of a lifetime!

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San diego, california.

If the San Diego Zoo is a must-see attraction in California, then its Safari Park is a big bonus. Not to mention, it is one of the best safari zoos in the United States! Here, families can immerse themselves in a hands-on safari experience via caravan truck, cart, or zip-line. Through these different vehicles, Safari Park offers experiences tailored to specific animals or habitats within one of the best safaris in California . In fact, there’s a specific caravan to educate kids on wildlife preservation! Consider booking the Cheetah Safari or the Jungle Safari. Families can also choose several different safari experiences , in admission to basic admission. Get an up-close view of Asian and African animals including giraffes, rhinos, and tigers. Or, travel to keepers-only areas in the Behind-the-Scenes safari to see how animals are cared for! This leading-edge park provides countless opportunities to further everyone’s knowledge of exotic animals.

Other Experiences in the Park

The San Diego Zoo is definitely a must-visit after touring the Safari Park . In addition to housing some of the most diverse animals worldwide, it’s also the most famous zoo in the United States! While you’re visiting the San Diego Zoo , consider checking out other family-friendly experiences in the park. Start by soaring the skies in a hot air balloon. Or, watching a coordinated animal show. Finally, kids can also ride the Africa Tram, or take a swing on the special Conversation Carousel to end their day of exploration at this wild safari park!

Safari West

Santa rosa, california.

Discover African wilderness mere miles from the heart of wine country at Safari West ! Families can traverse over 400 acres here to meet friendly rhinos, lemurs, and so many more beautiful creatures. Then, book a ride on the designated safari caravan to surround yourself with nearly 90 species, all inhabiting the Sonoma Serengeti area. Suitable for ages four and up, an expert guide will make the experience fun and educational. Safari West also aims to inspire wildlife advocates by helping protect and preserve these beautiful and often endangered creatures. Throughout your safari, you’ll notice how the park promotes conservation by encouraging kids to feel joy in witnessing nature up-close. Sit on the upper level of the truck for an even more daring experience at one of the best safari parks in California !

Safari West also offers more family-friendly opportunities to encounter animals throughout the safari animal park grounds. Additionally, you can extend your visit longer by staying overnight in a luxurious glamping tent, the ultimate getaway with kids! To get even closer to the animals, the park also offers a Behind the Scenes Wild Walk . During this experience, a guide will educate you similar to one of the caravan trips. Opportunities to “Meet a Creature,” be a “Keeper for a Day”, and take a private safari adventure are also available!

Out of Africa Wildlife Park

Camp verde, arizona.

Out Of Africa’s Bush Safari offers a 30-minute narrated tour reminiscent of an authentic African safari! You’ll be shocked no passport is required to visit this tranquil Arizona oasis, nestled amongst a vast green valley. Overlooking the dramatic Mingus Mountains, the park’s mission is to create the ultimate animal adventure for all ages, where kids can actively learn and have fun doing so. As a plus, you’ll be surrounded and inspired by over 100 acres of rolling hills and exotic wildlife, some from across the world! Watch in amazement as kids spot giraffes, zebras, sable antelope, gemsbok, and so many more inhabitants of their spacious Serengeti preserve. Then, you can get even closer to the giraffes by feeding them provided treats! Protecting the animals is a priority for Out Of Africa Wildlife Park , especially those bordering on extinction.

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Out Of Africa Wildlife Park is also jam-packed with other family-friendly animal encounters! Check out the Tiger Splash show to watch two magnificent tigers play off each other in an aquatic performance. Or, have a more laid-back experience at their Sloth Encounter. Older children can also Feed A Tiger if they feel brave enough, or watch a Giant Snake Show! A Wonders of Wildlife Show is also another perfect afternoon activity for the entire family! Other excursions at this safari animal park include a VIP Behind the Scenes Tour or a Zip Line Tour.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Eatonville, washington.

Discover over 40 species of native Northwest animals at the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park ! Situated on over 400 acres of land, this wild animal park offers families a special W i ld Drive opportunity. There, you’ll be able to tour its expansive free-roaming area from the comfort of your own vehicle (just be sure to secure a timed ticket!). Encounter everything from bison, elk, and moose to bears, otters, and wolves here. Not only is it a wonderful way to introduce children to animals in their own backyard; you’ll also have a fantastic time doing it! Northwest Trek Wildlife Park also offers a Discovery Tram Tour, a unique way to explore stunning meadows or forests alongside a guide. Watch herds of Roosevelt elk, moose, bighorn sheep, caribou, and more during your 40-minute narrated tour! Finally, everything here is included with the price of admission (a great perk for large families!).

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park has plenty more opportunities to hang out with wildlife! To explore its beautiful landscapes via foot, consider taking a more specialized Animal Walking Tour. A Keeper’s Adventure Tour combines these two experiences on land and foot, definitely more ideal for active older kids. Whether toddlers or teens, however, all ages will love the chance to run about and play at the dynamic Kids’ Trek Playground , featuring jumping bridges, rope climbing, and more!

Bearizona Wildlife Park

Williams, arizona.

Make Bearizona Wildlife Park your next family-friendly animal adventure! Encompassing a gorgeous property within Arizona’s Ponderosa Pine Forest, visitors can explore 160 acres of lush habitats belonging to North American animals. You can even do it directly from your own car! Drive through the Arizona wilderness at your own pace. During this 3-mile-drive, you can see black bears, white wolves, and more unique animals along the way! Deer, bison, and caribou are also often spotted, alongside the occasional hunting jaguar! Feeling ambitious? You can climb aboard the Wild Ride Bus Tour , available four times a day on a first-come, first-serve basis. Whether you choose to venture solo or with a guide, kids will love Bearizona for its playful inhabitants, always ready to put on a smile on your face. Finally, be sure to stop by the gift shop after to purchase a memento to remember your visit!

Bearizona Wildlife Park also provides families with additional opportunities to immerse themselves in nature within the boundaries of this wild animal park. Take a walking tour to venture off-the-beaten-path and spot even more animals! Then, head to the Barnyard Petting Zoo, and little ones can feed favorite animals! If you’d prefer to come face-to-face with hawks, eagles, and other awe-inspiring birds, Bearizona Wildlife Park also offers seasonal birds of prey shows for kids of all ages!

Wildlife Safari

Winston, oregon.

Open daily, the Wildlife Safari is a non-profit organization committed to conservation, education, and animals in wide-open spaces. Featuring over 600 animals, it is also the only drive-through animal park in Oregon . Located in southern Oregon (just under three hours from Portland), your kids will adore this opportunity to see some of their favorite animals. Explore regions dedicated to Africa and North America. Animals are able to roam the 600-acre park, while your family cruises the easy-to-follow paths. While exploring the dedicated African region, search for cheetahs, ostrich, Watusi cattle, lions, zebras, and more captivating creatures. Then, in the North American-inspired area, keep an eye out for bison, elks, and bears! Kids will adore spotting their favorite creatures from the comfort of your vehicle. While searching for animals, engage them in conversations about these special creatures and the importance of the park’s conservation efforts .

While visiting this wild animal park, you can also learn about the on-site cheetah breeding facility and get up close and personal with some of the locals. For an additional fee, feed red pandas, encounter hippos, and feed giraffes, or engage in other animal encounters. After driving around the property, treat kids to a village train tour, starting at on-site the train station (available in spring and summer months only). Then, be sure to pack a few quarters so kids can feed the koi fish too! Afterward, head to the Wells Fargo Australian Walkabout. Here, you can meander an aviary in search of the resident kookaburra. Finally, there is a petting zoo, on-site cafe, and gift shop available.

Thank You to Our Community!

No matter where you choose to visit in the United States, we know many families love adding animal adventures to their itineraries. No matter what you’re looking for, from caravan to walking tours, you are sure to find the perfect match among these West Coast Safaris and Animal Parks for families !

As always, this article featuring  6 Exciting West Coast Safaris and Animal Parks in for Families  would not have been as helpful, informed, or family-friendly without the contributions and input from the amazing members of our Facebook group,  Families Who Love To Travel ! For more travel recommendations on wild safari parks and other types of animal encounters, join us on Facebook at  Families Who Love To Travel . It’s a community of dynamic families who love to adventure and explore through travel. Plus, follow us on Instagram ( @families.love.travel ) to connect with other families who love the unique experiences travel has to offer – and to get sneak peeks of upcoming articles!

*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the locations in this article featuring the best West Coast safaris for families may be temporarily closed or may have reduced services. Please ensure availability before making your decision.

*This post may contain affiliate links that may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links in no way inform the hotels, sights, products, or other recommendations included in our articles. All opinions and recommendations expressed here are compiled from submissions submitted by the generous members of our Families Who Love To Travel community. 

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• Help Center
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Let us answer your questions and help create your day at the Safari Park!  Search our extensive FAQ, or chat with our 24-hour virtual assistant.  

Safari Park Hours

Directions & Parking

15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, California 92027-7017

From Interstate 5 (Orange County, Los Angeles), take the State Route 78 East exit at Oceanside, proceed east to Interstate 15 South, exit at Via Rancho Parkway (Exit 27) and follow the signs to the Park. From Interstate 15 (Riverside), exit at Via Rancho Parkway (Exit 27) and follow the signs east to the Park.

From State Route 163 (downtown San Diego, Mission Valley) proceed to Interstate 15 North to the Via Rancho Parkway exit (Exit 27). Go east and follow signs to the Park. From Interstate 5 or 805 (Mexico), proceed to State Route 163, then to Interstate 15 North, and then exit at Via Rancho Parkway (Exit 27). Follow signs east.

From Interstate 8 (Imperial County, Arizona) take Interstate 15 North to the Via Rancho Parkway exit (Exit 27). Follow the signs east to the Park.

General parking (automobiles and motorcycles): $20 per vehicle. RV parking: starting at $38. Preferred parking: starting at $38. First come, first served; there are no in and out privileges.

For more information about bus and train schedules, please call 511 (San Diego's traffic and transit information service) or visit gonctd.com.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park App

Apple iOS download here. Android download here.

Visiting the Park has never been easier, with the San Diego Zoo Safari Park app! Discover dining, activities, and more with the GPS-enabled map. Get ready for your visit by importing tickets and memberships to the digital wallet, adding your must-see wildlife to the day planner, viewing today's schedule, and much more.

Safari Park Map

View the San Diego Zoo Safari Park's classic illustrated map on your mobile or desktop browser. Find your favorite wildlife, plan your visit, and check out all the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has to offer.

Download the PDF here

Guest Services

Our Guest Services office is located at Park Base.

Open daily to closing.

For information on the services and assistance we provide our guests on Safari Park grounds, click here.

Guests with Disabilities

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park welcomes all guests. We have several services to help guests with disabilities enjoy their visit. The Safari Park provides special parking, restrooms, and access to shows, tour buses, and exhibits for guests with disabilities. Please note there are steep grades in parts of the Safari Park. A complimentary ADA shuttle service operates inside the Safari Park for guests with mobility-related disabilities. Guests who use mobility assistive devices may also refer to the  map for ADA pathways and elevators. 

For full guest disability services and policies,  click here.

Click here to download our Accessibility Map (PDF)

San Diego Zoo

2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

The San Diego Zoo is the Safari Park's sister park to the southwest in San Diego. Distance between the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is 35 miles. Please allow 45 minutes to 1 hour travel time.

Purchase a two-park pass here

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San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Jambo a safari adventure in san diego.

 Welcome to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where life-changing moments happen daily. Set out on safari and discover 1,800 acres of sprawling savannas teeming with wildlife as well as world-class botanical gardens—there’s no place like it on Earth. Encounter rhinos, giraffes, wildebeest, and large herds of wildlife roaming together. Journey through bamboo forests and come face-to-face with Sumatran tigers. Hop alongside kangaroos and dive underwater to meet the only two platypuses outside of Australia. And experience the awe-inspiring giants of Elephant valley. When you’re here, you’ll discover adventure is in every moment. And a moment can change a lifetime. 

Neighborhood: North Inland

15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd Escondido, CA 92027-9614

Contact Info

(619) 718-3000 Toll-Free: (800) 407-9534

Please check our website for current hours.

Spring Safari Featuring Butterfly Jungle

Spring brings the perfect chance to get outdoors, spend time with family, and experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of the season! From special entertainment and culinary creations to amazing...

More To Know:

• Located 30 miles north of downtown San Diego - and well worth the trip!
• The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is open 365 days a year
• Plan a full day & bring walking shoes, sunscreen and water for your adventures
• Safaris do fill up; book online ahead of time to ensure your spot
• Lovely facilities for catered weddings, parties and other group events!

Special Events:

• Marvel at eagles, owls and an Andean condor at Frequent Flyers
• Visit the World Gardens to see amazing and rare plants
• Autumn Festival On The Weekends From 10/7 -10/29
• Kids Free month with free admission for kids 11 and younger during October

More Information

• Destination Weddings
• Historic Landmark
• General Admission - Adult
• General Admission - Child
• Parking (RV)

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The Family Vacation Guide

10 of the Best Zoos in California

posted by James Brockbank on March 18, 2022 // last updated on April 12, 2022

California is home to a lot of different attractions, but zoos have become a major part of the experience. Not only do they offer an easy way to see animals that you might never have come across on your own, but they are a perfect family outing – something that everybody can enjoy.

Of course, finding the right zoo is the hard part. With so many to choose from, it can be tough to decide which California zoo you might want to visit most. Many of them offer something unique or special that others do not, but some are much more suited to general, all-season visits.

Whatever you are in the mood for, you can find a zoo in California that matches it. Whether it becomes a core part of your trip or just another stop on your vacation is up to you.

Looking for some more family fun days out for your vacation? Our guide gives you the rundown on the best places for families to visit in California to help you plan your trip.

San Diego Zoo

Los angeles zoo and botanical gardens, the living desert, oakland zoo, safari west, san francisco zoo, california academy of sciences: nightlife, the aquarium of the pacific, monterey bay aquarium, birch aquarium, other fantastic zoos to consider.

San Diego Zoo is a very large and in-depth zoo in the middle of Balboa Park, offering far more than a simple set of pens containing animals. Not only is it ideal for getting educated about endangered species, but it boasts 3,700 individual animals from 650 species, all in their own environment.

Whether you are going there for the popular animals like giant pandas or looking for something niche and fascinating like mole rats, you can get up close and personal with them incredibly easily. The facilities themselves are also incredibly well-made, keeping everything safe and consistent throughout the year.

If you are visiting, then you will be doing a lot of walking, since the zoo’s grounds are very extensive. Even if you have to leave early or stop to take a break, though, you can flick on one of the zoo’s many animal cameras to get a live feed of various animal habitats without even having to walk there.

These animal cameras are also ideal for getting a taste of what is there before you arrive. You can hop onto the cams and watch koalas and pandas enjoying their day, get a good view of some condors at rest, or even enjoy live footage of polar bears and Sumatran tigers in their own specialized habitats.

If you want a near-authentic safari experience without having to book, pay for, and travel to a real safari zone, then you can get the same thing at Los Angeles Zoo. With over 1,100 animals (as well as 29 endangered species), you can get really close to some fantastic creatures.

Not only is the zoo incredibly varied in terms of what it offers, but it has a wide variety of near-natural habitats to explore. 

From rock formations like those at the Mahale Mountains to artificially-maintained tropical habitats, you can get a small slice of how the animals would live if they were back home. All of these habitats are also a great example of horticulture, with 7,500 individual plants being grown for the animals too.

There are also a lot of educational or informative options here, far more than you would expect to see in a typical zoo space. The kid-friendly California Condor Rescue Zone also goes into great detail about how the zoo managed to bring the Califonia Condor back from near-extinction.

This is not even mentioning all of the interesting seasonal events that the park can host, such as the winter Zoo Lights show.

The Living Desert is a unique part of California that really opens up compared to most other zoos. The otherwise-harsh conditions of the desert are turned into an educational exercise in this excellent park, which features creatures from all parts of the Mojave desert, the Sonoran desert, and beyond.

Not only can you learn about all of the desert creatures that stay far away from bigger cities or cooler areas, but you can get some interesting insight into the way that the desert itself works. There is a lot to discover there, and it does not take much to get invested in the zoo itself.

For people who want a more hands-on approach to the desert, then you can always take the train network into the Santa Rosa Mountains. While safe, they give you an excellent opportunity to see all kinds of desert creatures roaming around in their natural environment, with much more room to roam.

You also get a very different experience depending on the time of day. If you arrive early in the day, then you can see all of the animals in action when the morning is still at its coolest. Later on, though, you get to see a lot of the cold-blooded creatures waking up.

If you are arriving late in the afternoon, expect a very nocturnal experience, with bats and owls exploring the park’s open air. This kind of variety makes it great for repeat visits, either alone or with family.

Oakland Zoo has all kinds of naturalized enclosures and safe spaces to watch various interesting animals living their lives, with the zoo boasting over 700 animals in various different species. Unlike most zoos, they are all grouped into habitats, meaning that you get the rare chance to see them interacting directly.

This simulated, well-maintained tropical space opens up all kinds of possibilities, both in terms of spectacle and education. You can watch zebras and giraffes roaming past one another or get an in-depth look at the ecosystems that you would expect in far-off countries.

However, there is also the California Trail exhibit, which documents and displays the former native wildlife to the Bay Area before they were pushed out by humans. The open gondola Skyride to the Kaiser Permanente Visitor Center is only the binning, giving you a view of six counties at once.

The protected trail that follows lets you view unique exhibits all about the former inhabitants of the area: black bears, bison, grey wolves, mountain lions, grizzlies, jaguars, and even eagles.

The zoo also has a smaller section called the Wayne and Gladys Valley Children’s Zoo, an ideal place to take kids who want to learn more about the animal world. They can cross rope bridges above otter habitats, take a coaster to ramp up their excitement, or just enjoy the overnight family theatre.

Animal Encounters is a great way to introduce city kids to animals that they have never seen before, letting them get very up-close and personal. It is a simple idea, but it can be a great learning experience and a fun way to spend some time with your entire family on a vacation outing.

Finally, there is the fact that the zoo has some serious uses behind it. All of its research efforts go towards saving the mountain yellow-legged frogs, an endangered species in need of help. By supporting the zoo, you are supporting their attempts to prevent that decline.

Safari West hosts a massive amount of African wildlife, surpassing even some dedicated safari zones. While simple in concept, the park itself means that you can get fairly close to all kinds of interesting animals, most of which can roam free across the park’s woodlands or hilly plains.

With such an expansive park, you can stumble across almost anything, making every trip completely unique. There are no ‘scripted’ animal appearances and very few dedicated pens – everything feels open, natural, and completely different with each visit.

You can always try to ramp things up by spending a night in a safari-style tent, outfitted with all kinds of amenities and comfortable furniture to make sure that you can still get a good night’s sleep. If you want something unique, then this is the best way to experience it.

There are countless different animals to enjoy during your visit and dozens of birds to enjoy that you might otherwise never see in your lifetime. As a family destination, there really is not much like it, making it a one-of-a-kind experience within California itself.

San Francisco Zoo is an excellent place to visit, with low prices and a very accessible layout that lets you get very close to a massive variety of creatures.

Every week, on a Thursday, the California Academy of Sciences takes a trip to the weird side. This excellent science museum turns itself into a nightlife-themed space, a popular location to enjoy some drinks and spend time with friends while also talking with scientists or meeting real animals face to face.

Live music and designer drinks seem like a completely different ballpark from animal migration, but the two can somehow mix perfectly. Even if you are going alone, you get an experience like no other, and each week brings a completely new spin on the event’s theme and tone – making it endlessly enjoyable.

While you can easily enjoy the idea of pushing a museum to its limit and turning it into a museum-slash nightclub, there is also Claude, the albino morph alligator that lives in their swamp exhibit. He is not only unique but a rarity – and he is far from the only animal that they have available.

This is probably one of the better options for somebody who simply wants to witness something weird . It is a very bizarre experience with a lot of unusual things going on, but once you enjoy it, you can never turn back.

While it is not a zoo in the typical sense, an aquarium still counts for all kinds of interesting animal-related experiences. This hidden diamond on the Los Angeles County Coast is a very large complex that has its own unique atmosphere and exhibits. In fact, it’s widely regarded as one of the best aquariums in the US .

Rather than just being a big building full of small and lifeless tanks, this aquarium goes as far as it can. Floor-to-ceiling viewing windows let you peer into entire ecosystems, and you can walk beneath life-size models of real, room-sized sea creatures that actually exist on our planet.

Some attractions can always gather a crowd, like the Magellanic penguins enclosure, but there are also touch pools to let children get a physical feel of some real-life sea creatures. The aquarium even has its own massive coral reef structure.

If you want something more, then you can enjoy the many special guest lectures, covering everything from saving endangered animals to fighting global warming and climate change. The Night Dive goes in the opposite direction, effectively opening up an aquarium-turned-bar for over-18+ to enjoy.

The all-ages Friday events can keep you on your toes, such as the Shark Lagoon: a way for people to touch harmless bamboo sharks and get a closer look at some bigger, more unusual types of shark. Whether you are planning on taking part or not, you can always check ahead to see what is on.

Monterey Bay Aquarium is a massive aquarium facility, giving you multiple spaces where it feels like you are actually standing underneath the ocean. A range of historical exhibits, combined with real-life fish and other underwater creatures, can really entice anybody who loves learning about the history of life under our oceans.

Even if you are just there for the spectacle, though, this certainly has that to offer as well. You can enjoy massive tanks and impressive exhibits that seem to get larger with each corner you turn, to the point that you are watching a giant 600-pound octopus or standing in the middle of circling sharks.

Even if you are not confident that you could handle standing inches from a school of sardines, you have plenty of other activities, from junior diving for the kids to custom-prepared romance tours for your special somebody.

While the aquarium used to be a cannery, it has been repurposed in the best possible way, preserving the fish that it was previously meant to sell. Now, it even has spaces for you to stay overnight, which can be a very unique experience in itself.

Finally, if you want to see more about the aquarium and how it works, then there are behind-the-scenes tours that go into every inch of the site’s history and inner workings. It might not be a zoo, but it is a fascinating subject all the same.

Birch Aquarium is home to over 5,000 fish spread across more than 60 massive habitats, giving you a massive variety of marine life to enjoy. Whether it is huge whales or small seahorse varieties, you can get an authentic view of real-life underwater creatures in a real-life underwater environment.

Whether you are there for the familiar or the bizarre, there are exhibits that can satisfy your curiosity, with a major range of different places to visit and sights to see. Even better, the multi-animal habitats allow for a lot of natural interactions between fish, something you can’t get in smaller zoos.

The Seadragon & Seahorses exhibition contains one of the largest seadragon habitats in the world. This scientific marvel contains all kinds of beautiful, weird, and wonderful seadragons, as well as seahorses, pipefish, and other variants. You can even see some of the tiny little babies.

Many of the attractions at the aquarium are backed up by major scientific research, and all of them have a purpose. If you want to learn more about the sea and the creatures in it, or just find a deep appreciation for the similarly-deep ocean, then this is an excellent choice for both individuals and families.

Which one should you choose?

There is not a single best option when it comes to zoos, aquariums, and safari parks. All of them offer something unique, whether it is one specific exhibit or a huge range of different elements that all work together. What does matter is that you find one you like and that you experience something you enjoy.

Always research the destinations ahead of time before you visit, just to be sure that you are not missing anything. There is a lot to love about the wildlife, whether that is at a zoo or within an aquarium, and the option you choose depends on what you are looking for most.

Want to learn something and bring the take on an educational trip? Take a look at some of the educational options and see if there is anything that might take their fancy, or try to find a zoo that can boast a nice balance of learning and fun with their play areas.

Interested in something more serious? There are plenty of zoos out there that are devoted to science, hosting all kinds of research projects that have only fuelled more and more interesting improvements to the zoos themselves.

Looking for something you can do alone or just with your partner? Then there is a whole host of different options to try and plenty of spots you can visit that will make for some memorable moments. Do not forget to bring your phone, or a camera, so that you can snap pictures.

Whatever you are trying to find, there will be a zoo that can satisfy it, especially if you already have a deep interest in animals and the natural world as a whole. Sometimes it only takes one short visit to unlock something deeper, and once that is out, who knows what you will end up trying to find out next?

If you’re hoping to find more fantastic zoos that the whole family will enjoy, take a look at our roundup of zoos in other locations!

• 9 of the Best Zoos in New England
• 16 of the Best Zoos in the Midwest
• 7 of the Best Zoos in Ohio
• 8 of the Best Zoos in Florida
• 27 of the Best Zoos & Aquariums in Texas

More about our TFVG Author

James Brockbank

A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.

Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

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Safari West Animal Park: Africa in Napa Valley

If you've ever wanted to rest in the lap of luxury while surrounded by nature in Napa Valley , Safari West Animal Park may be just the right place for you. Safari West is home to more than 800 wild animals, but it's not a zoo. Instead, the 400-acre wildlife preserve in Sonoma County is part bed and breakfast and part safari adventure. It's closer to home (for most of us) than Africa, located between Santa Rosa and Calistoga, just north of Napa Valley.

You can stay overnight in their luxury tent cabins or take one of their guided tours. It's a fun experience for families and for anyone who loves to see wild animals. You even can sip champagne with giraffes and go on safari under the warm California sun.

Wildlife Tours

Safari West's jeep tours are open to the public, even if you aren't staying overnight. If you're visiting Napa Valley for a weekend, think about taking a break from the wineries to tour, as Safari West puts it, "the spirit of Africa in the heart of wine country." 

You can take a three-hour Safari Adventure. You may see zebras, blue wildebeest, cape buffalo, watusi cattle, and kudu. These are only a few of the more than 800 animals that live on the Sonoma Serengeti at Safari West. In addition to their standard tours, Safari West also offers private tours and themed tours, including a Valentine's Day tour that focuses on the mating habits of the animals, as well as more traditional photo safaris and sunset safaris.

For the classic adventure tour, children must be at least 4 years old. Toddlers under the age of 4 can join their party on the walking portion of the tour only.

Staying Overnight

Safari West is open for overnight stays March through December. They offer a few styles of luxury tents and serve breakfast. A night at Safari West will cost about as much as a luxury hotel in nearby Calistoga, but on selected dates, they offer discounted rates, which are listed on their website .

The accommodations are "glamping" (glamorous camping) at its best, with plush beds, hot showers, polished wood floors, copper basins in the private bathrooms, and one-of-a kind hand hewn furniture. It's the perfect destination for families looking for a bit of adventure and luxury, and friends who want to escape into the wilderness, but want to have a porcelain throne nearby. 

Children of all ages are welcome. If they're less than two years old, there's no additional charge for them to stay. Visit Safari West for a memorable birthday celebration or just to treat your family to the real inspiration behind the neighborhood jungle gym.

Necessary Information

Tours are given daily. Reservations are required for both overnight stays and safari tours. Visit the Safari West website for more information.

For both your pet's safety and that of the animals, no pets are allowed at Safari West at any time. Service animals aren't allowed on the Safari Tour and they can't stay behind in your private vehicle while you go without them, but there is a crate available to kennel your service animal while you're on tour. Contact Safari West ahead of time to make arrangements.

Travel Tips

Location:  Even though Safari West's address says Santa Rosa, they're actually closer to Calistoga. You can get there from either town. 

Napa With Kids:  Napa Valley can be kid-friendly, especially with places like Safari West and  kid-friendly wineries . Although your little ones shouldn't have any trouble staying interested while at the park, it may be fun to create a scavenger hunt for them to play with during the wildlife tours. Enjoy your trip to the park and surrounding areas with this  guide to a family vacation in Napa Valley .

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Safari West: An African Safari Experience in Sonoma California

Last updated: June 11, 2019 - Written by Jessica Norah 17 Comments

I was really surprised to learn that there was an African wildlife preserve called Safari West located only 75 miles north of San Francisco. Safari West is a 400-acre wildlife preserve containing over 100 species and over 700 individual animals, including giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, flamingoes, rhinos, cape buffalo, lemurs, and wildebeest.

Opened in 1993 by Peter and Nancy Lang, Safari West strives to promote wildlife advocacy and conservation through breeding, education, research and public interaction. The preserve shares similar environmental features to an African savanna and guests can take open-air guided wildlife safari drives to see many of the animals roaming the expansive property. 

The smaller animals are kept in enclosures that are reachable by a walkway and you can also visit the open-air aviary containing all sorts of exotic birds. Guests can even stay overnight here and see and hear many of the animals in the evening once the daytime crowds leave.

After hearing about Safari West, I had to visit and so I took Ethan here as a surprise birthday trip back in October. We had just recently returned from East Africa and wanted to see how it compared to our time in Tanzania and Kenya over the summer. We’ll share all the details you need to plan your own trip to Safari West as well as share our experience doing the safari drive and staying overnight!

Table of Contents:

Basic Information on Safari West

Getting there.

Safari West is located in Santa Rosa, CA  within Sonoma County about 75 miles north of San Francisco.

There is a local small airport called the Sonoma County Airport, which is about a 10 minute drive from Safari West. The closest major airports are San Francisco International Airport (86 miles, approximately 1 hour and 35 minute drive) and Oakland International Airport (80 miles, approximately 1 hours, 30 minute drive).

The best way to reach Safari West is by car or taxi.

The official address is 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. However, you should note that the actual guest entrance is on Franz Valley Road.

You should be able to follow signs to the entrance once you are close. GPS systems can get confused here so ignore your GPS if it wants you to make a turn onto Loch Haven Road. 

Phone Number?

You can call Safari West at +1 (707) 579-2551 -or-  1 (800) 616-2695

Safari Tour Options & Prices?

The regular safari group tours are about 3 hours in length and include both a walking portion (30 to 45 minutes) and an open-air drive portion (up to 2.5 hours long).

They range in price depending on the time of year but as of June 2019, the Adult tickets (age 18 to 61) range from $83.00 to $115.00, Seniors (age 62+) from $80 to $100, Teens (13 to 17) $80 to $100 and children (3-12 years of age) are $45 to $50. Groups of 20 persons or more can receive a discounted group rate, and children under 4 years of age CANNOT be taken on this tour. 

In addition to the regular group safari tours, Safari West also offers private and custom safari tours, tours that are more scientific and focused on biology and evolution, and private animal encounters. Speciality custom private tours can also include beer or wine tasting during the tour.

The private behind the scenes encounters include things like feeding the animals, having a private animal presentation of smaller animals, getting to visit the cheetah barn, and playing zookeeper for a day. 

Reservations are necessary to visit Safari West and reservations for tours, lodging, and other options can be made by phone (1-800-616-2695) or online through the Safari West website . Booking for the safari tours can also be made online via Viator here .

Food options at Safari West?

There are a couple of food options at Safari West so you won’t go hungry or thirsty during your visit. Delilah’s Snack Shop is open during the summer and on select winter days in case you need a quick pick-me-up of pre-made sandwiches, granola bars, muffins, chips, ice cream, and other snacks, as well as a variety of beverage options, including soft drinks, coffee, wine, and beer.

For those wanting a full hot meal, Safari West’s Savannah Café provides ranch style BBQ lunches and dinners that are inspired by the South African Braai. Guests can dine indoors in the café area or Elephant Room where you’ll dine surrounded by African murals and artifacts, or outdoors on tables or benches near the fire pit. There is a small bar area selling wine, beer, and port.

If you spend the night at Safari West, a complimentary breakfast is served at the Savannah Café.

NOTE: Meals at the Savannah Café are by reservation only so please be sure to reserve prior to your visit if you would like to eat lunch or dinner here during your visit. 

Staying Overnight at Safari West?

You can also extend your safari experience by spending the night in one of Safari West’s 30 luxury tents. These tents were imported from Africa and sit on wooden platforms with decks and include a regular bed and private bathrooms.

T ent cabins are set up with a King bed, Double bed, or Family style with bunks and futons available for children. Rates are based on double occupancy and are seasonal and range from $300 to $400 per night, depending on season and location. Each additional guest is $25 plus tax. There is also a cottage available for up to 6 guests for $350 to $400 per night.  

A continental breakfast  at Savannah Café is included for those guests staying overnight.

All overnight lodging and meals must be booked in advance of your visit.

Lodging Options near Safari West?

If you are not lodging overnight at Safari West, we recommend considering spending the night in nearby Santa Rosa which is about a 20 minute drive from Safari West.

Santa Rosa offers a number of lodging options from budget motels to luxury hotels.  A few options to consider in Santa Rosa:

• Hotel La Rose – A 3-star hotel located in a historical building on Historic Railroad Square in downtown Santa Rosa that offers comfortable rooms, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Good location for those wanting to explore Santa Rosa downtown area on foot.
• My Big Art Project – If you are looking for a quirky but cozy bed-and-breakfast option, you might give this one a try. It offers comfortable rooms in the house of a local artist with lots of art displayed in the rooms and includes a vegetarian continental breakfast. Within walking distance of downtown area.
• Vintners Inn – A 4-star luxury hotel which offers lots of amenities, including free bottle of wine upon arrival, a private balcony or patio in every room, on-site spa, and an on-site restaurant and bar. Great spot for couples looking for a romantic stay.
• America’s Best Value Inn – A basic budget option in Santa Rosa offering free parking, a 24 hour desk, and continental breakfast. Good option for those traveling on a budget.

Accessibility at Safari West?

Safari West strives to make the experience as accessible as possible. If you or a member of your travel group have special needs due to mobility or sensory issues, contact Safari West in advance to see if they can accommodate you.

The classic safari vehicles are not ADA accessible and unfortunately are not equipped to handle wheelchairs or other mobility assisting devices. However, if scooter or wheelchair users can safely transfer themselves unaided or with the assistance of a travel companion, the Classic Safari Tour is an option.

The vehicle that was previously used for wheelchair users on the safari tours was destroyed in the California wildfires in October 2017, but Safari West is looking to get a replacement. Two of the overnight tents are wheelchair accessible.

Need more Information about Safari West or Sonoma County?

If you have further questions about the Safari West Wildlife Preserve and African Tent Camp, you can visit the Safari West official website . You can also call them or email them: [email protected] (general inquiries) or [email protected] (reservation inquiries).

It should also be noted that Safari West has full accreditation in the American Zoo and Aquarium Association .

You can also find more information about planning your stay in Santa Rosa through the Santa Rosa Convention & Visitors Bureau official tourism website and the larger Sonoma area through the Sonoma County Tourism bureau website .

If you are traveling elsewhere in northern California, you might want to check out our planning guide to the Pacific Coast Highway , things to do in Napa Valley , and things to do in Redding California .

Our Visit to Safari West Wildlife Preserve and African Tent Camp 

We drove up to Safari West on a weekday afternoon from our home in the San Francisco Bay area to be on time for an afternoon classic safari tour. Ethan was driving but didn’t know where we were heading as the booking was a birthday surprise. Safari West is located near a lot of vineyards and farms, so once we got near Santa Rosa, Ethan was convinced we were going wine tasting and to stay in some sort of bed-and-breakfast.

When we pulled up at Safari West, he was really surprised that it was a wildlife preserve. He was even more shocked once he learned about how large the property was and that we were actually going to go out on a drive and stay overnight as his first impression was that it was a petting zoo.

I was quite delighted to see a large cage of Traveta weavers near the entrance to the main office. These East African birds are notable for their golden color, loud noises, and intricately weaved nests and I kept missing the opportunities to see these birds and their nests while in Africa.

If you’ve been following the blog, you know that Ethan and I were in East Africa for almost a month this summer, with most of that time spent in Tanzania . It was pretty amazing to have missed these little birds in Tanzania, but we got the chance to see them up close in California! A good start to our stay.

The Safari Tour at Safari West

Most visitors take the Classic Safari group tour, which is what we took and it includes a walking portion and then a longer open-air drive part. The total time of the tour is 2.5 to 3 hours. We met our guide and were part of a group of about 10 people. The guide was very amiable and provided information on the primary animals and also about some of the staff’s caretaking duties as well as some of the conservation efforts.

Some of the highlights were the cats (cheetah, serval, and caracal), the primates (especially as there was one very rambunctious baby Patas monkey bouncing around), the lumbering porcupine, and the bird aviary. It was interesting to see black-and-white colobus monkeys here as we had seen them high up in the treetops at the very beginning of our Mt. Kilimanjaro trek in Tanzania. 

You’ll see a lot of different bird species, some are just roaming freely like the guinea fowl, cranes, swans, ducks, and flamingoes and some are in the aviary and other enclosures.

Within the aviary, we were greeted by a very social demoiselle crane who apparently often acts as a guide to groups entering her aviary. While in the aviary, be sure to also look for other non-feathered critters such as the tortoises and blue duikers (cute little deer-like animals).

We did not go past the lemurs or some of the other birds closer to the entrance during the walking tour, so be sure to go check them out before or after your tour. The lemurs are very fun to watch.

After the walking tour, we took a 10-minute break and then got into a waiting safari jeep vehicle. Most of the other members of our group were older and no one else wanted to climb into the upper level seat so Ethan and I got to spend the entire ride here. Sitting on the top is obviously a better viewing spot, especially for the giraffes, but it is bumpier up here. Normally the driver will stop and have people switch spots during the tour so everyone can sit on the top if they wish.

The first stops were to see some of the antelopes and the crowd-pleasing giraffes. The giraffes tend to be very curious and you’re likely to get very close, which made Ethan happy as these are his favorite animals.

My favorite stop was to see the southern white rhinos as we had not gotten an opportunity to see a rhino up close on our trip to Africa (the black rhino found in eastern and central Africa are sadly critically endangered) and it was great to see these amazing prehistoric-animals. I was pleased the guide took a few minutes to explain the plight of all rhinos in Africa due to poaching for their horns.

We covered a lot of ground, stopping whenever we saw some new animals, with some of the remaining highlights including the zebra, cape buffalo, kudu, sables, and wildebeest.

Our guide/driver was very willing to answer questions from us and the other guests and it was interesting to see some of the same animals we had seen on safari in Africa as well as getting to see some new species. It was not exactly like our safari experience in Africa, but it was a good experience and definitely gives visitors a taste of what it would be like to be on safari in Africa.

So while you will see the smaller animals on the first part of the walking tour with the guide, the great part is that if you book a tour you can also return to see the animals after your tour at your own pace. This includes the cheetahs, monkeys, lemurs, porcupines, birds, etc.

One of my favorite animal experiences was getting a cup of tea and taking a quiet walk after dinner along the path and watching the animals. Many of the animals were busy playing, feeding, and jumping around their enclosure now that the heat and crowds had gone. We had the path mainly to ourselves and it was really magical to walk around and hear the animals at night.

One benefit of spending the night is being able to have more time with the smaller animals. We also walked around a bit in the morning after breakfast and this is also a great time to see the animals being active with few people around. 

Our Dining Experience at Safari West

During our visit, we had both dinner and the complimentary breakfast at the Savannah Café. The first part of the dinner was self-service hot and cold appetizers which included chicken wings, tomatoes and cheese, fruit, and olives which was served inside the Savannah Café. This gave guests some time to mingle while the staff was setting up the dinner buffet outside and grilling the meats over the fire pit.  

Several of the guests purchased local Napa or Sonoma wines that are available by the glass or bottle along with South African wines, port, and beer. So lots of folks were sharing bottles and having pre-dinner drinks together.

The main part of the meal was served buffet style outside with soup, your choice of grilled meat, grilled vegetables, beans, and mashed potatoes. All the food was good and hearty, but it is pretty casual grilled food so if you are looking for more gourmet dining, I would eat elsewhere in Sonoma.

We were also given dessert after our meals, which happened to be cake which was a perfect treat to celebrate Ethan’s birthday! But perhaps the best part was that later in the evening the staff brought out marshmallows that could be roasted over the fire pit! I love toasted marshmallows so I ate these until I started to feel a little sick. 

The next morning, the breakfast was a self-service continental buffet that contained the regular staples of pastries, breads, fruit, cereals, and drinks (coffee, tea, cocoa).

Sleeping Overnight at Safari West

We stayed in a Hillside King tent overlooking the lake. The luxury tents have walls made of pale green canvas and are built on high wooden platforms with wooden decks attached. When we walked inside the tent, we could see we would not be roughing it like in regular camping but this was clearly glamping.

Our tent had a plush king-sized bed, polished wood floor, lamps, desk and chair, floor heater, and several decorations from Africa. The bathroom had a flush toilet, hot shower, toiletries, and gleaming copper sinks. The wooden deck was spacious with a table and chairs that overlooked the lake and a cooler to store drinks and snacks. We were very comfortable here and slept well; it did remind of some of the luxury tents we had stayed in while on safari in Africa.

Note that the tents do not have wireless Internet and many people do not have cellular phone service in parts of Safari West, depending on your carrier. A good reason to plan to take a technological break for a day.

Please also keep in mind that Safari West is a wildlife preserve and like in African camps, you can hear the animals at night. We barely heard the animals from our particular tent, but the tents close to the flamingos and cranes can get a lot of noise from the birds. I never knew flamingoes were so loud, but the flamingos and the cranes were pretty vocal at night during our stay so you might want to be closer or further away from these critters depending on your sleeping preferences.

If you can sleep with a bit of noise, it can be a unique experience to fall asleep to the sounds of birds, monkeys, antelopes, and other wildlife.

Our Overall Thoughts on Safari West

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Safari West and it made for a great overnight stay from the San Francisco Bay area. I think that staying overnight made the visit particularly memorable as we got to spend a lot more time wandering around and seeing and hearing the animals. Having the opportunity to see the animals early in the morning and late at night was really great.

I think a visit to Safari West would make a nice break in a Sonoma wine tasting trip, especially for families. A safari tour here allows visitors to get a taste of what it would be like to take an African safari, or in our case it was a great way to relive some of the great memories of our trip to East Africa.

We experienced great service throughout our stay, and would definitely recommend Safari West for visitors wanting to get a little wild while visiting Sonoma Wine Country!

Would you visit Safari West if you were in the area? Have questions for us about our time at Safari West, or comments from your own visit? As always we welcome any comments or questions! 

**Disclosure: We were offered a complimentary safari tour and stay in order to review Safari West and its services; however, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. We paid for our own food during our visit.**

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Joan Barker Post author

February 15, 2016 at 10:59 pm

I am attempting to make a wall quilt. I wanted to use one of my images from my trip to Safari West. However, I have lost all of my photos. Would you mind if I used one of your giraffe photos?

Joan Barker

travelcats Post author

February 16, 2016 at 4:03 am

Hi Joan, I am sorry to hear that you lost your photos from Safari West! Sure, I am happy to send you one of your photos for your wall quilt. Just email me at [email protected] and let me know if you have a specific giraffe photo in mind and I’ll send it via email. ~ Jessica

Kelley Post author

May 9, 2015 at 9:53 am

We are planning to book a safari and overnight in June for my son’s birthday because he is a huge animal lover. Is there a tour time you would recommend to see the most animal activity? Any recommendations of which area to stay in…we have our choice of hillside or base camp? We are looking for the area where we can see the most animals from our tent. Thanks!!

May 10, 2015 at 12:25 am

I would probably just book the regular safari group tour at Safari West as the walking part takes you along all the smaller animals in the pens/enclosures and then the drive takes you around all the main fenced areas where the larger animals roam. Then your family can stroll and see all the animals outside the enclosures at any time if you are staying overnight. If once you are there, you are still wanting more, you can inquire about booking a private animal encounter and see what is available but these are pretty expensive. I would recommend a tent near the antelope & giraffe enclosures and bird ponds (I think this is called Antelope Alley) if you want to be more likely to hear and see some of the animals. I would specifically note that you have a preference for a tent near the animals when booking. Mainly the birds are active at night, but you can see the antelopes, birds, and giraffes during the day from this area. Good luck and I am sure your son will enjoy his birthday at Safari West! ~ Jessica

AwesomelyOZ Post author

April 10, 2015 at 7:46 pm

A true Safari in Califrornia!? No way!? That’s so awesome! I want to go to California hopefully next year so this is a great thing to keep in mind. 🙂 I love how you and Ethan are wearing Independent Cat Travel shirts – that’s just precious! 🙂 Great photos, love seeing all the animals and it’s good to know they have an overnight option for the full experience. Have a great weekend Jessica and thanks for sharing!! Take Care -Iva

April 23, 2015 at 9:05 pm

I hope you make it to California next year – there are sooo many great places that you could put on your itinerary! Yes, aren’t those t-shirts cool:)

casacaudill Post author

April 9, 2015 at 9:19 pm

We spent the day at Safari West last month but because it was a last minute trip, we didn’t get a chance to stay overnight. How loud were the animals in the morning? 🙂

April 10, 2015 at 9:40 am

Hi there, we barely heard the animals from our tent (a Hillside King) up above the lake. We did hear a little noise from the ducks and geese on the lake in the morning. But the people right across from the flamingo ponds and giraffe/antelope enclosures could really hear the animals (particularly the birds) in the evening. I never knew that flamingoes and cranes could make so much noise! The sounds are muffled by the canvas but you’ll definitely hear them. So if you want to avoid much of the noise, I would specifically ask for a tent away from the birds and let them know that you are sensitive to noise. If you want to be lulled to sleep by the animal noises ask for a tent near the birds and giraffes:)

Enjoy! Jessica

April 10, 2015 at 10:05 am

Those flamingoes were surprisingly chatty when we arrived first thing in the morning!

Megan | Traveling Nine to Fiver Post author

April 8, 2015 at 6:36 pm

Thank you for sharing. I live just over in Sacramento and have been hearing a lot about Safari West and have been curious if the overnight stay is worth a trip. Sounds like you had a great time. I’m curious, have you been down to the San Diego Wild Animal park, does it compare? That is my judge for any wildlife trip.

April 10, 2015 at 9:33 am

Hi Megan, I have not been to the San Diego Safari Park but it does look similar to the African portion of that park as it specializes in African species primarily. It also does not have some of species that San Diego does, such as the lions and elephants. So I think if you have been to that park, this one would probably not be worth the trip up north unless you were in the area. It is amazing that California has more than one of these safari type parks!

Meredith Post author

April 8, 2015 at 1:03 pm

Wow what a great find! It seems especially rare to find a wildlife preserve of this size in the U.S., but especially with such variety and amenities. I think staying overnight would be particularly fun!

April 23, 2015 at 9:04 pm

Hi Meredith, yes, I think staying overnight definitely enhanced our experience here!

Seana Turner Post author

April 8, 2015 at 6:09 am

I would definitely visit this place. I need to remember this post because I’d love to do another wine country trip. I’ve never been to Africa, and since I”m not terribly adventuresome, I think this might be just the right amount of “roughing it” for me:) I had no idea this existed!!

Yes, I think a place like Safari West is great for those who would love to experience an African safari closer to home. It is amazing how many people keep saying how they never heard about this place in Sonoma County even though they’ve been or lived there!

Eden Post author

April 7, 2015 at 12:06 pm

Wow, I had no idea this existed in California, definitely need to go back and visit here someday. Your photos are beautiful by the way 🙂

April 23, 2015 at 9:00 pm

Thanks Eden! Yes, we are lucky to have so many attractions that keep up so busy exploring!

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What’s the Best San Diego Safari Park Tour? Chart & Reviews

With 18 choices, how do you pick the best San Diego Safari Park Tour/Safari? After the quick summary below, check the comparison chart for prices, tour duration & age limits. Then read the individual tour reviews and about their refund policy if you have to cancel.

Africa Tram’s the best free San Diego Safari Park tour. The 1-hour Wildlife Safari truck trip into the African fields is the most popular paid one. But a 90-minute Twilight Wildlife Safari with lunch is a better deal. Roar & Snore Safari overnight stays are family favorites. All require separate admission.

If you make purchases through the links in this post, I may be compensated. Read my Advertising Disclosure for more info. Thanks! ~ Nancy

* Save with a secret promo code on each San Diego Zoo or Safari Park 1-Day Pass. Go any day. Go directly to the gate. Click  HERE  to get your code, instructions & discounted tickets by email. By clicking the link above you agree to receive an automated email message. Valid only at aRes Travel , San Diego’s local authorized ticket seller. Read my full privacy policy .

Prices are given as a range because Safari Park charges extra for tours on peak days. Prices and availability can change without notice.

• Least Expensive: non-holiday Mondays and Tuesdays thru Thursdays
• Mid-priced: most Fridays
• Peak prices: Some Fridays. Usually Saturdays, Sundays, and 3-day holidays (best time for aRes discount tour deals )

You’ll need to buy a Safari Park admission in addition to your tour ticket. Why not take advantage of the best admission discount from aRes Travel , the San Diego-based authorized ticket seller? Click on the koala’s furry face below!

And finally, here’s what else you can do at Safari Park . That’s a page that I wrote that covers the animal exhibits, shows, and keeper talks. And if you’re wondering where to eat I’ve also written an article on where’s the best food ?

Wildlife Safari Tour

The 1-hour Wildlife Safari is the most popular tour at San Diego Safari Park followed by the 90-minute Twilight Wildlife Safari. You go inside the African animal enclosure in an open-air covered truck. Twilight tours add a light meal. Deluxe Safari is 90 minutes long and also tours the Asian enclosures .

The worst thing about these Safaris is that there are sometimes so many opportunities for close-up photos of animals that you won’t know where to point your camera first.  The best part of them is that you have the opportunity to feed giraffes if the animals are feeling hungry. Don’t worry, they’re ALWAYS hungry.

There are 3 different variations of this Safari plus an alternative for those with teenagers:

Wildlife Safari

• Duration: 1 hour
• Price: $89 – 105 per person. Admission is separate for each person and required.
• Age restrictions: Ages 3+. Children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult
• What’s Special: The overwhelming SIZE of a 4-foot long giraffe head next to yours. And how daintily they take the acacia leaves from your fingers.
• Deals : Check HERE for discounted tours for SanDiegoing readers from aRes Travel — San Diego’s local authorized ticket source.

Twilight Wildlife Safari

• Duration: 90 minutes
• Price: $109 – 129 per person. Admission is separate for each person and required.
• Age restrictions: Ages 3+. Children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult 
• You’ll also enjoy a glass of wine or a non-alcoholic drink with some tasty nibbles at a stunning overlook.

Deluxe Safari

• What’s Special: The Deluxe Safari provides you with your best chance to pet a rhino. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s more likely than on either of the other truck safaris. Why? Maybe because the One-Horn rhinos in the Asian fields are a bit smaller than the White rhinos in the other safaris? Still, stroking the soft snout of a 3,500-pound animal instead of a 5,000-pound one is ok with me. And there are always hungry giraffes!

Combine A Truck Safari with a Zipline Experience

If you’ve got teenagers or other adrenalin junkies in your group, try the Deluxe Flightline Safari (further down this page). It combines a shorter truck caravan safari with a 3,520-foot zipline ride. Same cost, but more experiences!

Wildlife Safari Tips

Feed giraffes, but don’t touch them . Keep your hands low during feeding. Raise your hand just a bit so that they can see the acacia leaves. Then let them reach down for the leaves.

Why? They use their heads as battering rams in dominance contests. Your friendly hand reaching towards their head can be viewed as an aggressive gesture. So no high-fives with giraffe horns. That avoids misunderstandings with a creature 10 times your size and makes for better photos as well.

THIRSTY? Bring drinking water in a container with a closed lid. Sip, don’t guzzle unless you’ve got an iron bladder.

MOBILITY ISSUES : If anyone in your party has mobility issues or needs to use a wheelchair call 619-718-3000 after you purchase your ticket. They will make arrangements for you.

RESTRICTIONS

• Selfie sticks must be stowed away. They can scare animals.
• No outside food, beverages, or bulky camera equipment (small tripods are ok if they’re used as monopods)
• Admission is separate and required.
• 5 or more days before reservation – changes allowed but $15 Administrative Change Fee will be charged.
• Less than 5 days before reservation – changes not permitted

CANCELLATIONS

• 5 or more days before reservation – changes allowed but $25 Cancellation Fee will be charged.
• Less than 5 days before reservation – payment not refundable.

Sun-Up Cheetah Safari Tour

Do you love cheetahs? Then this is San Diego Safari Park’s best tour for you. It’s the very best way to get amazing cheetah photos like the one above.

• Duration : 1 hour
• Start Time: 8:00 AM on most Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
• Price: $99 – 105. Admission is separate and required for each guest.
• Age restrictions: All ages ok. There must be a responsible paid adult present for every 3 children. Children aged 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Proof of age of children may be required.

You’ll get into the park early and meet your experienced guide for a walk down to Shiley’s Cheetah Run . There you’ll see a cheetah fly by at nearly 70 miles per hour from a prime viewing location.

After the cheetah chases the mechanical lure down the track you’ll head down to the Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook . There you’ll get to see another speedster, this one flying through the air. After all that rushing around, relax with a savory brunch. Enjoy coffee, tea, mimosas, and the only San Diego restaurant view that includes giraffes, rhinos, and antelope.

• Purchase your admission ticket(s) in advance online. You will be arriving before the ticket sale booths are open. Have your admission ticket printed or ready to be scanned on your cell phone.
• To get the best viewing locations for all of these tour events, arrive about 30 minutes before check-in so you get the first pick. But don’t worry if you can’t be early. There aren’t any “bad” locations.

Cart Safari Tour

A Cart Safari is the best tour at San Diego Safari park if you’ve got small children or babies. The cart is much lower to the ground than the truck used in the Wildlife Safari. It’s much easier to get in and out to view animals while carrying infants or toddlers. The ride is also much smoother since Cart Safaris only go on paved roads.

You’ll have a private tour driver/guide. They’ll be masked and the cart has special screens to social distance your guide from your household group. But they’ll still be able to hear and see you to answer just about any question and direct you to wildlife feeding opportunities and photo stops.

• Price: $55+ per person. Admission is separate and required for each guest.
• Age restrictions: None. Infants and children under the age of 2 are welcome as long as they sit on an adults’ lap. There’s a limit of two lap children per group. Children 15 years old and younger must be with a paid adult.
• Two Options: Asian Cart Safari or African Cart Safari

There Are 2 Flightline Safari Zipline Rides and Tours at Safari Park

Flightline safari.

• Duration : 1 hour. Includes orientation session and Fledgling flight
• Price: $77 – 85
• Age restrictions: 8+ years old. There must be one paid parent or guardian accompanying up to 3 children aged 8 to 15 at all times. If you’re 16 or 17 you may ride the flightline alone, but you must have a parent or guardian sign a liability waiver at check-in. 
• Deals : Check HERE for daily discounts for SanDiegoing readers from aRes Travel — San Diego’s local authorized ticket source. TIP : The deals are best when you need them most, on weekends and holidays.

Take an exhilarating flight down a zip line 2/3rds of a mile long. Soar up to 130 feet above herds of wild antelope, giraffes, and rhinos. 

You’ll take a training course on the Fledgling run. There you’ll become familiar with the procedures and safety equipment. Once you’re comfortable with the short Fledgling flight, you’ll be transported to the launch platform for the Flightline Safari. You land near the campground at Kilima Point.

Deluxe Flightline Safari

This tour is a very good deal for groups that include restless teenagers looking for a bit more action. It adds a truck caravan tour into the African plains exhibits before your orientation session and zipline flight. You can get up close with the animals, take great photos, and ride the zip line for the price of just the Wildlife Safari truck tour.

• Duration : 90 minutes.
• Price: $89 – 105

Safety Restrictions: You will be asked to sign a liability waiver. You must be able to understand the waiver and be able to follow instructions in English. There’s a weight limit of between 60 and 300 pounds (your weight may be checked). 

The safety harness must fit comfortably. Wear snug-fitting closed-toe shoes. Do not drink alcohol before the Flightline Safari. If the trainers or those assisting you think that you’ve been imbibing you will not be allowed on the zip line. 

If you don’t meet all of these qualifications you will be denied access to the zip line and there will be no refunds.

Behind the Scenes Safari Tour

If you’re looking for an insider’s view, these will be San Diego Safari Park’s best safaris for you. There are 3 different safari options available, each focusing on one animal or exhibit area. But no two Behind the Scenes Safari Tours are exactly the same. All of them provide an intimate look at off-exhibit areas that are inaccessible to the general population of Safari Park guests.

You’ll take a ride on a small electric cart and then explore on foot with a guide who’ll fill you in on the park’s animals and conservation initiatives. 

There are three Behind the Scenes Safari Tour s:

Elephants & Friends

Have a close encounter of the pachyderm kind! See the Safari Park elephant herd from a private viewing area. Discover how they’re cared for and what’s being done to protect their wild relatives. Selfie sticks are not permitted on this tour.

• Price: $89 – 105 per person. Admission is separate and required for each guest.
• Age restrictions: Children 3-15 must be accompanied by a paid adult. A maximum of 2 children per group.

Rhinos & Friends

Get close to rhinos. Explore behind the scenes at Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Center. Here the Safari Park staff is developing assisted reproductive techniques that may bring back the Northern White Rhino from functional extinction.

You’ll also take a trip around the park’s large field exhibits and view many other species there. You have to be able to stand or walk for at least 60 minutes to take this tour.  Selfie sticks are not permitted here.

• Age restrictions: Children 3-15 must be accompanied by a paid adult. A maximum of 2 children per group. A maximum of 2 children per group.

Roar & Snore Safari Tour

In my ever so humble opinion, and that of many others, this is the BEST safari at San Diego Safari Park. You can experience the sights and sounds of sleeping on safari in Africa without traveling there (no extra vaccinations needed!).

Fall asleep to elephants’ rumblings. Wake to the sound of lions roaring. But don’t worry about it being too noisy to sleep. Most of the time it’s so quiet that you can hear the footsteps of giraffes passing by. 

What happens at Roar & Snore? Close-up animal encounters, night-time guided walking tours, and a backstage look at some of the animal accommodations. You’ll also enjoy good food, and relaxing around a campfire.

The last time Bob and I went, we saw the inner workings of Lion Camp at night. Did you know that they sometimes put different colored glitter in each lion’s food? Me neither! The colored particles let keepers know which scat belongs to which cat. Examining their feces is just one way that keepers monitor lions’ health.

The sleepovers include a catered hot dinner and breakfast. They’ve got something for everyone with many gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan selections. For adults, there’s a cash bar. And everyone will enjoy sitting around the campfire eating s’mores and listening to the guides and campers trading stories of their wildlife experiences.

Most Roar & Snore Safaris include an evening or early morning Africa Tram ride. It’s magical. The animals in the African multi-species enclosures are at their frisky best. It seems as if they’re trying to get all of their sparring, running, and chasing done in the cooler weather. 

The campsite overlooks the African Plains multi-species enclosure loaded with antelope, giraffes, rhinos, gazelles, wildebeests, and many other animals. Clean restrooms and a limited number of showers are available. The tents are clean and spacious.

If you cringe at the thought of sleeping on a cot or the floor of a tent you’ll probably be happier spending the night at a nearby hotel. I’ve written a guide to the best local lodging close to Safari Park .

There are 3 different tent options:

Classic tent.

• $149 (Ages 3+)
• $30 (Ages 0 – 2)
• Price is per person. Single campers pay 2-person tent price. Maximum 5 people per tent. Admission is separate and required. 
• Size: 9 ft x 14 ft interior
• Tent Type: Canvas roof, vinyl-covered tent floor
• Furnishings: Sleeping bag pads. Bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, etc.
• $189 (Ages 3+)
• Price is per person. Single campers pay 2-person tent price. Maximum 6 people per tent. Admission is separate and required. 
• Tent type: Canvas roof, vinyl-covered tent floor. 
• Furnishings: 2 single cots, 2 chairs. Bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, etc.

Premium Tent

• $229 (Ages 3+)
• Price is per person. Single campers pay 2-person tent price. Maximum 4 people per tent. Admission is separate and required. 
• Great for couples looking for a special evening or families of 4.
• Size: 12 ft x 16 ft interior
• Tent type: Canvas roof. Wood floors with rug. Electrical outlets (charge your mobile devices!), storage/night-stand
• Furnishings: Queen bed with linens & pillows., 2 cots with sleeping bags, a fan and a space heater 

There are 5 different Roar & Snore Safari options:

All-Ages Roar and Snore

• Best sleep-over option for families with young children . 
• Age restrictions: For ages 3 and up
• What’s Special: There’s an evening, after-hours Africa Tram ride just for All-Ages Roar & Snore campers and an easy guided walk. Full cash bar for adults.

Adults-Only Roar and Snore

• Best option for couples . 
• Age restrictions: Ages 21+
• What’s Special: Adult topics like animal reproduction are presented by keepers. There are more animal experiences than during the All-Ages offering. The guided hikes are more strenuous. We went backstage at Lion Camp to see the big cats’ bedrooms and care areas.  It was dark in spots and the footing was a bit challenging. There was a cash bar for adults during dinner and the campfire experience.

Girl Scouts Roar and Snore

• Age restrictions: Ages 5+ with adults
• Pricing: $139+
• What’s Special: This is a troop oriented event. There are group guided walks, conservation related activities and animal-oriented crafts.

School Nights Roar and Snore

• Age restrictions: Ages 3-12 with adults
• What’s Special: This is a great field trip. The kids will get hands-on educational conservation & animal care experiences 

Supreme Roar and Snore

• Age restrictions: Aged 8 – 15 with adults.
• Pricing: $303+
• What’s Special: This is a great bundle of activities. Soar into the Roar & Snore camp on a zipline Flightline Safari. Spy on animals in the Night Vision Safari with vision-enhancing goggles. See the Sun Up Cheetah Safari with an exclusive viewing spot. And finally ride into the herds of giraffes, rhinos and antelopes on a morning Wildlife Safari.

For more detailed information on what to bring, how to prepare, and a menu, check out the Safari Park Roar & Snore Safari page on their website.

Ultimate Safari Tour

Assemble a Safari Park tour that is customized to your interests and desired activities. Full disclosure, we haven’t been on this safari, but we’re saving up for it! Because of that, I’ve asked a LOT of questions on the phone to the booking team. I hope that you’ll benefit from my research. And if you go before I do, send me pictures!

When you book your Ultimate Safari know the answers to the following questions before you call:

• What are your favorite animals?
• Are you interested in feeding any of these animals?
• Which animal exhibits would you like to see behind the scenes and find out more about how they’re cared for? 
• Do you have any dietary restrictions? They serve you lunch on this safari. You don’t want this experience spoiled by food that you can’t eat!

Duration: 5 hours. It’s easy to add too many activities and animal experiences to this safari. You’ll have to be selective so you don’t feel rushed. Your planner will help you decide how much to see in the time that you have.

Price: Varies depending upon day and seasonality

• $675+ for a 5-hour tour. Priced per person.
• $50 – children aged 2 and under
• Children aged 15 and under must be with a paid adult

Age and other restrictions: Depends upon the activities you choose.

You must book/reserve your tour at least 72 hours in advance . San Diego Safari Park usually only schedules one Ultimate Safari per day. The animals need to be fed and cared for daily and their keepers need to be notified so they can make special accommodations for Ultimate Safari visitors. 

Balloon Safari

Soar 400 feet up in a helium balloon. You’ll have great views of San Diego Safari Park and the San Pasqual Valley agricultural area that surrounds the park. 

Duration: About 30 minutes. You’ll spend 10 to 12 minutes at the highest viewing point.

Price: Varies depending upon peak hours and days. Plan on spending $20 or less. Reservations are NOT available online. Pay at the gate.

Ages restrictions:   All ages. 

Tips: The best times to fly are between 9:00 AM and noon, but it’s open until sunset. The ride may shut down due to windy or rainy conditions. Afternoons in Escondido can be windy. The balloon is grounded shortly before Cheetah Run at about 3:00 PM and afterward while any cheetahs remain near the Shiley’s Cheetah Run track. 

Africa Tram Tour

Africa Tram is San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s best tour if you’re on a budget . It’s one of the highlights of the park. And it’s free with your park entrance ticket! We’ve ridden this attraction hundreds of times and plan to do it many more.

You get to see dozens of species at once, and they’re always doing something new. The many thousands of rare plants surrounding you and the over 900 acres of open California Sage Scrub habitat make it even more appealing.

Duration: 25 – 30 minutes.

Price: FREE with your paid admission to Safari Park, except for children in school groups. Ride as many times as you want to.

Ages restrictions:   All ages. Children under 2 years of age must remain in their parent’s lap.

• Skip this one if you have booked a Caravan or Cart Safari, and you are feeling like you don’t have time to see everything on your list.
• In a rush? You can purchase priority boarding. Check the kiosk at the entrance to the Africa Tram queue. 
• When’s the best time to ride the Africa Tram? The peak hours are from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. So anytime before or after will be good. The animals are most active when the weather is cool. Many people try to take the first Africa Tram trip or one of the last ones for that reason. But there’s really not that much difference. You’re going to see spectacular creatures whenever you go. 
• Where’s the best place to sit? We like sitting in the 2nd or 3rd car. The first car can be a bit noisy. However, that car is the only one with accessible seating for those with mobility issues. So it may be best for you. 
• Which side of the tram is best? You’ll see animals on both sides. And you are encouraged to stand up if the vehicle is not moving. So you’ll be able to take great photos no matter where you sit. However, the cheetahs, zebras, and most giraffes and rhinos are on the right side.
• Expect long lines on weekends & holidays. There are signs that tell you approximately how long the wait times are. They are fairly accurate. The longest times are from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.The wait times are shorter during Cheetah Run (around 3:30 PM). We also like late afternoon trips because it’s getting cooler and they’re less crowded. The last trip of the day starts 45 minutes before the park closes. 
• Request an “Easy Access Pass” if you have difficulty standing for long periods or are of limited mobility. With this pass, any guest with a disability and 3 additional members of your group, can be directed to a separate boarding area. Park employees are glad to provide extra boarding and disembarking assistance (if requested), to those boarding from the Easy Access areas.

7 Tips for Better Safari Tours

• Save money by reserving in advance versus purchasing the same day in the park. Plus you’ll be more likely to be able to choose a convenient time. 
• Get the best deal by booking on non-peak days . Safari Tour tickets generally cost less on weekdays. Non-holiday Mondays and Tuesdays are the cheapest. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are a bit more expensive. You’ll pay the most on weekends and holidays.
• Include parking fees in your budget. Parking is not included and must be paid upon arrival at the parking entrance to Safari Park. Parking costs $15 for passenger vehicles and $20 for RVs. You can have preferred parking by adding $18 to either of the parking fees. “Preferred parking” means that you get a spot close to the entry/exit and you don’t have to walk uphill to get to the Park entrance.
• Arrive a minimum of 45 minutes before your tour or safari . This will allow time for you to travel from your parking or drop-off point to your safari check-in location. Leave earlier during holidays and on Friday afternoons when the traffic is usually heavier.
• Check in 10 minutes before the beginning of your safari.
• Know where your safari check-in location is. Check their map from the San Diego Safari Park website before you arrive.
• Download their map app. It’s available for both Apple and Android. Apple iOS download here.
• Android download here.

About Refunds or Cancellations of San Diego Safari Park Tours or Safaris

• There are no refunds if you arrive late or are a no-show.
• Make changes or cancellations early! There are no changes or cancellations less than 5 days before the date of your safari.
• What if you get sick? Call them at 619-718-3000 as soon as you know that you can’t go. Their Reservations Sales Department is open every day at 8:30 AM. They will need your Order Number, so have it with you when you call.
• Pay attention to the age limits and other restrictions for certain safaris. You won’t be given a refund at the last minute because you didn’t read the tour descriptions.
• The park reserves the right to cancel any safari or tour because of bad weather, animal welfare concerns or concerns for your safety. If they have to cancel your safari they try to do it as soon as possible and do their best to reschedule your safari at your convenience. If you cannot reschedule, your money will be refunded.  However, if it’s raining and they don’t call to cancel, enjoy! The park can be wonderful when it’s wet. Check out my article on how to enjoy San Diego Safari Park if it rains.

Closing Thoughts

Take the Caravan Safari Deluxe or the Ultimate Safari if you’re visiting for the first time and may not be returning for a long while. Splurge a bit. If you’re feeling guilty about the extra expense, tell yourself that you’re spending the extra cash to help end wildlife extinction.

If one of the paid safari experiences is not in your budget, then take the Africa Tram. Maybe twice. Once in the morning and again right before closing time.

Maybe you’ve read all the way down this page and still aren’t sure whether the Zoo or Safari Park is a better fit for you? In that case, go to my page where I compare the differences between the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park and the pros and cons of each.

I hope that this has been a help for you to decide which San Diego Safari Park tour or safari will be best for you and your family.

Nancy Ulrich

I'm nuts...about animals, polymer clay, mixed media art & husband Bob. Happily planted in San Diego among good friends, family that I would have chosen if given the choice and optimism for a bountiful future for us all.

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California Zoos, Aquariums, and Safari Parks

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California Zoos and aquariums make an excellent destination for a day trip. Included on our list are large and small zoos & aquariums. California has some great places to view animals and sea creatures. If you have visited zoos or Aquariums, let us know in the comment section. And if we have left out any places, please tell us. Have fun visiting these fantastic California attractions.

California Zoos

San francisco zoo.

From the moment visitors arrive, their experience begins, as a view into the African Savanna from the parking lot greets them before entering the zoo through a modern interpretation of a California craftsman bungalow-style building with ticket booths, restrooms, and a gift shop. Inside, the zoo is divided into regions, and exhibit highlights include a world-renowned lemur forest for five endangered species of lemurs from Madagascar, a soothing setting for a family group of western lowland gorillas, an Australian exhibit with its kangaroos and wallaroos.

Los Angeles Zoo

The Los Angeles Zoo played a crucial role in the successful conservation efforts of bringing back the California condor from the brink of extinction. Although the Condors are not currently displayed, visitors can learn about this native Californian bird near the front entrance of the Condor Education Center. The center offers a range of interactive activities for visitors to enjoy.

San Diego Zoo

Nearly 4,000 animals and a botanical collection of over 700,000 plants call the San Diego Zoo their home. For a one-of-a-kind zoo experience, you can opt for a Backstage Pass, which includes a private tour and reserved seating at shows. Keep in mind that visiting all the exhibits at the zoo requires several miles of walking. If you prefer a more relaxed approach, a 40-minute guided tour bus will take you through most of the park while you sit back and enjoy the sights.

Oakland Zoo

First opened in 1922, the Bay Area’s award-winning Oakland Zoo is a beautiful blend of animals, play areas, and rides for kids. It is nestled in the Oakland Hills, in 500-acre Knowland Park. Before arriving at the zoo, a plan is critical to making the most of the Oakland Zoo experience. The zoo is relatively large and has several exhibits, including its elephant exhibit, which has garnered worldwide recognition for allowing elephants to roam freely.

Sacramento Zoo

The zoo specializes in preserving exotic and endangered species and actively participates in numerous global conservation projects. It conducts various educational programs on its 14.5-acre property located in William Land Park, Sacramento, California, that are suitable for visitors of all ages. The zoo boasts an impressive collection of animals, including lemurs, zebras, red pandas, snow leopards, and many more.

Folsom City Zoo

The Folsom Zoo Sanctuary is run by the City of Folsom and was established in 1963. The main focus is ” promoting responsible and appropriate behavior toward all animals.” Even though the zoo is a sanctuary, it’s still an excellent place for a family day trip destination within an easy distance from Sacramento. And if checking out all the animals is not enough incentive to get your kids off the couch and into the car, there is always the train ride to seal the deal.

California Living Museum Bakersfield

The objective here is to care for injured animals and prepare them to be released into the wild. One of the best things about the zoo is that all the animal’s houses require permanent protection and cannot be safely released into the wild. All animals and plants are native California species, and the museum has been set up to educate the public. As well as the zoo, a wildlife rehabilitation center cares for between 300 and 500 animals annually.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

The zoo’s mission is to provide a fun, unique, and up-close experience that strengthens the bond between people and wildlife, and there is no better way to see that than by visiting the Doris and Karl Falk Wildlife Education Center at the zoo. A trip to the Fresno Zoo is like taking a little mini exotic vacation right in the center of California. The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is open year-round, making any time a good visit.

Charles Paddock Atascadero

One of the popular attractions in central California is the Lake Park Complex in Atascadero. The complex comprises the Charles Paddock Zoo and the Veterans Memorial Tribute. Founded in 1955 by Charles Paddock, a park ranger who helped injured wildlife, the zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the summer. The reasonable entry fees make for an excellent side trip to Atascadero.

Santa Barbara Zoo

Visitors to the Santa Barbara Zoo can enjoy a variety of activities. The Barnyard is home to domestic sheep that visitors can feed with specially formulated food. The Santa Barbara Zoo Carousel features hand-carved exotic animals. Giraffe feeding allows visitors to interact with the tallest residents of the Zoo. The Kallman Family Play Area is an excellent place for kids to run wild, and the Zoo Train circles the perimeter of the Zoo.

Santa Ana Zoo

There are many fun activities at the Crean Family Farm, including a miniature train ride. Children can pet various animals and learn about life on a farm. The Zoo at Prentice Park spans 20 acres and is the perfect size for younger children. We recommend allowing three hours for your zoo visit, giving you ample time to see all the animals and enjoy a train ride.

Living Desert Zoo

The Living Desert Zoo is 15 miles southeast of Palm Springs, California. This 1,200-acre exotic learning center provides the perfect environment for adults and kids to experience the majesty of wild animals and exquisite desert gardens in a stunning natural setting. One of the park’s more unique features is an authentic replica of a village in northeast Africa known as the WaTuTu—mud-walled huts with grass-thatched roofs. The Living Desert is one of our list’s most interesting California Zoos.

California Aquariums

Aquarium of the Pacific Long Beach

The Aquarium of the Pacific is a highly sought-after tourist destination in Southern California. Its indoor and outdoor exhibits include galleries featuring aquariums, a giant kelp forest tank, the Lorikeet Forest, the Shark Lagoon, and the Seals & Sea Lions area. The Long Beach Aquarium proudly displays over 12,000 sea creatures.

Birch Aquarium La Jolla

The Birch Aquarium is located on a hilltop site that provides a panoramic view of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus just off the Pacific Ocean. Popular attractions include a 70,000-gallon kelp tank forest and Tide Pool Plaza, an exhibit about living tide pools. The Birch Aquarium was established in 1903 to conduct marine research in the local waters. The researchers found so much information that they outgrew the laboratory in a boathouse at the famous Hotel Del Coronado.

Sea Life Aquarium Carlsbad

The Sea Life experience is a family voyage to the depths of the oceans, presenting the wonders of the underwater world to them in a fun and educational way. The two-story aquarium has over 36,000 square feet filled with ocean displays. The main attractions at Sea Life Aquarium are the Lost City of Atlantis, a 200,000-gallon ocean display featuring sharks, rays, and tropical creatures swimming through a LEGO® excavation, as well as a 35-foot-long acrylic tunnel allowing guests to view all the sea creatures up close.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is primarily dedicated to showcasing its extensive collection of sea creatures. With over 35,000 individuals belonging to more than 550 species, the aquarium offers nearly 200 exhibits and galleries for visitors to explore. Some must-see attractions include the stingray touch tank, the open sea exhibit, and the crowd-favorite sea otter playground.

Aquarium of the Bay San Francisco

The Aquarium of the Bay collection boasts an impressive variety of nearly 200 aquatic creatures, including sharks, skates, sea rays, octopuses, jellyfish, rockfish, flatfish, eels, and sea stars. Located in the Fisherman’s Wharf area of San Francisco, the aquarium is a popular attraction among visitors.

Steinhart Aquarium San Francisco

The Steinhart Aquarium is a captivating attraction within the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. It offers a visual treat to visitors with its fantastic collection of aquatic animals, ranging from penguins sharks, and stingrays. The aquarium boasts a magnificent 200,000-gallon coral reef gallery, a 100,000-gallon tank showcasing the Northern California coast, and dozens of other tanks displaying diverse aquatic creatures.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium San Pedro

Cabrillo Aquarium has a good selection of exhibits and fish tanks that exclusively display Southern California marine life. The aquarium started in an abandoned Cabrillo Beach bathhouse in 1935. Lifeguard Bob Foster would display his collection of ocean artifacts to the delight of visitors to the beach. Cabrillo Aquarium is never crowded, and the staff is always helpful and friendly.  Admission is free.

Roundhouse Aquarium Manhattan Beach

The Roundhouse is open every day, and there is no admission fee. You can find touch tanks and aquariums with starfish, octopuses, and other sea creatures. Additionally, they have some fascinating displays showcasing Southern California’s marine life. While there may not be much to see here, if you are already visiting the beach, you might want to stroll to the end of the pier to check it out.

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

Kids under 12 enter the aquarium for free, while adults pay only a nominal fee. The aquarium features touch tanks and displays of fish and sea creatures from Santa Monica Bay. Plan for about 30 minutes to explore.

California Safari Parks

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo Safari Park is in a secluded inland valley near Escondido, California. Lions, tigers, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, and gazelles roam freely with each other in something in a natural environment.  Visitors board a Safari Trolley (included with admission) and take a two-and-a-half-mile tram tour around the park. A flatbed truck safari is offered at an extra cost for an up-close look at the animals.

Safari West Wild Animal Preserve

Safari West African Wildlife Tours guests can take a three-hour tour led by an experienced guide. You climb aboard a Safari truck and head out onto the bumpy roads of the preserve. All animals are fenced off; feeding is prohibited, but photography is encouraged. After your jeep tour, you continue on foot to the lower compound. Here, you walk through the aviary, which houses an international bird collection. Guests can stay overnight at the wildlife preserve in an authentic safari tent. Santa Rosa, California.

Bryan Preserve Mendocino County

Bryan Preserve is located in Southern Mendocino County.  The wildlife facility preserves two kinds of zebra species and several antelope species. The 1.5-hour tour starts with a quick informational overview in the barn, where you will see different types of taxidermy antelope. This gives you an immediate appreciation for the diversity of antelope species. Then, it is off into the fields to see the feeding.

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What It’s Really Like to Stay at Safari West in Santa Rosa

By: Author Kim Tate

Posted on Published: April 23, 2021

If you’re looking for a wild safari tour in California, you’ve probably heard of Safari West in Santa Rosa. You’re likely dreaming of getting up close and personal with wild animals like monkeys, zebra, and of course, giraffes!

I’ve been to Safari West twice now, so let me share what it’s like to be a guest at Safari West. From what it’s like to stay overnight, to what to expect from the safari tour, here’s my Safari West review.

Where is Safari West?

The Safari West animal park is located near Santa Rosa, California. It’s about 20 minutes outside of the main city center. It’s easy to get to the park and there is parking on-site for guests. Santa Rosa is in Sonoma County and just over an hour north of San Francisco.

Santa Rosa, California is a fabulous family vacation spot with lots of fun things to do including the Charles M Shultz (Peanuts) museum, many family-friendly wineries, and of course, Safari West.

Taking a Safari Tour

One of the ways you can experience Safari West is by taking one of their Classic Safari tours. These tours last approximately three hours and involve a jeep tour and a walking tour. You will want to bring water on the tour, but food/snacks are not allowed.

Just before your tour time, everyone will meet together and be assigned a tour guide who will be with you for your entire tour. Some tours start with the jeep tour and end with the walking tour and others start with the walking tour first and end with the jeep tour. You will be able to use the bathroom between the two parts of the tour.

Kids must be 4 years of age or older to participate in the Classic Safari Tour. If you have younger kids you can make arrangements for a walking tour. You can also book a private tour and keep young kids on your lap.

Current safety precautions mean that they’re not filling tours. We had three groups on our tour (9 people). For the jeep portion of the tour, one group rode up top, one in the front row behind the driver, and one group in the back row. There is a plastic barrier between the rows and masks are required.

The jeep tours have three rows of seats in the lower part of the vehicle and one row on the top of the jeep. Each row can fit 4 passengers so my assumption is that tours can have up to 16 people. You must be 45 inches tall to ride on the top of the Jeep, so be sure you’ve prepared your kids in advance if they aren’t tall enough.

You’ll start your jeep portion of your tour by entering the main lower animal paddock, where you’ll most notably find the giraffes. They have Reticulated and Masai giraffes at Safari West, so you’ll learn how to spot the difference. And the giraffe can actually walk quite close to the jeep vehicles.

Beyond giraffes, you’ll rumble your way around multiple paddocks where you’ll see a variety of animals. A couple of memorable animals for us were the ostriches which came right up to our jeep and were less than a foot away from my daughter. We also loved seeing the cape buffalo and southern white rhinoceros.

Note, you can’t touch or pet any of the animals, but seeing them up close is a fun experience and helps you learn more about these amazing animals that are half a world away from the US.

I also want to mention that every group is given the opportunity to ride in the top row of the jeep. The tour guide will pull over at certain points and allow a reshuffling of the groups so that each party can have the chance to ride up top.

Walking Tour

On the walking tour, you’ll walk around and see porcupines, fennec foxes, cranes, ducks, flamingos, hyenas, lemurs, and even cheetahs! The guides will give you a lot of facts about each of the animals, which is great for kids. They also encourage you to ask questions.

After you’ve done both tours, you’ll be done and free to explore on your own. Don’t forget to bring some cash to tip your tour guide!

Glamping in a Tent at Safari West

One of my favorite parts about visiting Safari West is staying in one of their luxury safari glamping tents. They have about 30 glamping tents around the property and all have different bed options. Some tents have a king bed and can have cots added for additional guests. Others have two beds and some even have bunk beds.

The glamping tents are truly the only type of camping I enjoy! They have full bathrooms with flushing toilets and showers. You’ll even have lights and an outlet (in the bathroom) that you can use for charging your phone. You’ll also find electric blankets and a space heater. These come in handy during the cool spring and fall nights.

You’ll leave your car in the main parking lot and a staff member will use an ATV to get you and your luggage to your tent. So pack smart and try to avoid having too many bags.

Keep in mind that the tents are made of canvas, not walls. You’ll need to keep your voices down and radios/audio are not allowed for the comfort of other guests.

Hillside King Glamping Tent Room Tour

Tips for glamping overnight at safari west.

If you would like to stay near the lower / main area where the giraffes are, you’ll want to book an Antelope Alley tent . They will cost more. The Hillside tents are located farther away from the main areas.

I’ve stayed at Antelope Alley once and in a Hillside King more recently. Both experiences were great. Sunsets across the pond from the Hillside tents are beautiful, and the Antelope Alley location is convenient and it’s fun to easily see the giraffes and antelope from your room and deck (during the day).

Look at the weather temperates for day and night . During our stay it was hot during the day but overnight it dropped into the mid 40s (F). We were thankful for the space heater and electric blankets. Note that there are not electric blankets on the cots that are added to King rooms.

Keep in mind that when you want to shower in the mornings you need to know if it will be cold overnight . You’ll keep the bathroom door closed at night so it won’t be heated like the room. If you don’t want to shower when it’s cold, I recommend packing a ball cap and some dry shampoo. :)

Safari West is a wildlife park and some animals don’t operate on the same sleeping schedules humans do. This means if you’re a light sleeper you might want to pack some earplugs or ask the office if they have any when you check-in.

When I stayed in a cabin on Antelope Alley I didn’t notice too much noise during the middle of the night. However, during my recent stay in a Hillside King (which is near a big pond) the Canadian Geese interlopers were extremely noisy during the night.

You will not need to bring anything extra for “camping” for your stay. Your tent will include basic hotel amenities including soaps, towels, and bedding. You will have one plug outlet in the bathroom.

At check-in, you’ll be given flashlights to use at night. Make sure you remember to turn on your porch light when you go to dinner so that you can find your tent in the dark.

There is free wifi near the Savannah Cafe and office. I also had cell phone reception (AT&T) during both of my stays (at Antelope Alley and Hillside). They do warn that cell reception might be spotty and the wifi doesn’t reach all the tents.

Dining at Safari West

One of the great things about glamping at Safari West is that you don’t need to worry about packing food like traditional camping. (which is why I made my printable camping meal planner ).

Safari West has an on-site restaurant called Savannah Cafe. You can eat at the Cafe for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is included with your glamping stay, lunch and dinner are additional and not included. Although there is a Wild Nights in Wine Country package that includes dinner for two and a bottle of wine as part of your stay. But if you’re just there for a safari tour you can still enjoy a meal outdoors. Reservations are required .

Dinner at Safari West is relaxing. You can order from a set menu and you can also buy wine or beer to go along with your meal. The menu offers a few different options including gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options. I am also happy to note that they were very helpful and accommodating for Mia’s nut and egg allergy.

Our menu offered an appetizer of soup or salad, main entrees were smoked chicken, brisket, and mac n cheese with sides of saffron rice and/or seasonal vegetables. The dessert was a brownie served a la mode. Again, they were very accommodating and brought Mia a popsicle for dessert since she couldn’t have the brownie and ice cream.

Breakfast was considered continental but actually had some great offerings. We had eggs, toast, yogurt, fruit, cereal, and bagels. We placed our breakfast order in advance while at dinner.

There is plenty of outdoor dining at the Cafe and across by the Flamingo Terrace, which is near the giraffes. I will note that the flamingo area does have a bit of a smell that might be unpleasant for eating near. :)

You will have servers helping you with your meal so you stay at your table. This is part of Safari West’s current safety precautions as typically the meals are served buffet style. Don’t forget to have cash on hand to tip your servers.

There is also a snack shop at Safari West in case you just want to grab a drink or snack. They had some shelf snacks as well as refrigerated snack packs. Plus they had beverages including alcohol.

Special Packages and Add-Ons

If you want a unique experience at Safari West there are a few private adventures you can book.

Ultimate Private Safari

If you have kids under four or just want a private tour, you can book a private safari. The cost is $1100 ($1300 June-August) and includes a tour guide that will shape the tour however you want. You can also book a private tour called “Talk Nerdy to Me” which will include a biologist or naturalist that can teach you about the more scientific aspect of wildlife.

Wine / Beer Tasting Tours

If you’re looking for a private tour with your friends, one of Safari West’s Sippin’ Safaris could be perfect. There are a few different options, most involve a special overlook stop during your safari tour where you’ll do some tastings and nibble on snacks.

You can also book a private dinner package that takes place either “in the bush” or “on the treetops”. These cost $2500-$2750 for up to eight guests.

Wild Walk Behind the Scenes

If you want a private guide teaching you more about Safari West, this could be the option for you. It costs $275 for two people and $50 for each additional person up to six guests. It might include special behind-the-scenes stops at the giraffe barn, warthog pen, or Amani Oasis aviary. It is a walking tour and won’t include the jeep safari tour.

Rhino Encounter

Get up close and personal with Safari West’s southern white rhinos. You’ll learn more about these amazing animals and get some up-close photos. The cost is $250 for two people plus $50 for each additional adult ($30 for kids) up to six people.

Fast Cat Alley (currently unavailable)

If you love cheetahs this added tour will give you a chance to get behind the scenes with them. The cost is $250 for two adults (only adults are allowed). There is also a cheetah barn visit tour that allows for up to four guests, including kids.

Keeper for a Day (currently unavailable)

If you have a love of zoos and wildlife, this tour could be for you (or your zoo-loving travel partner). This experience lets you work with a Safari West zookeeper to help feed and care for the animals. There are two package options, a morning experience that lasts three hours and costs $300 per adult for up to two adults. And an overnight experience that includes lodging, meals, a bottle of wine, a t-shirt for $1500 for two adults. This experience lasts six hours (from 9-3).

How Much Does Safari West in Santa Rosa Cost?

Classic safari tours.

If you’re interested in doing the classic safari tour the price will vary based on when you’re visiting seasonally and if you’re visiting on a weekday or weekend (Saturday, Sunday, and holidays). Summer and weekends are more expensive.

Adults (18 – 61), Seniors (62+), Teens (13 – 17), and Children (4 – 12)

Jan-May: Adults $93/$103, Seniors & Teens $86/$95, Children $45 Jun-Aug: Adults $108/$128, Seniors & Teens $99/$118, Children $45/$50 Sep-Dec: Adults $93/$103, Seniors & Teens $86/$95, Children $45

Glamping Overnight

If you want to stay overnight in one of the glamping tents at Safari West the prices will also vary based on the season, the tent location, and tent layout. You should expect to pay about $310-$450 per night. Tents located along Antelope Alley (across from giraffes and closest to the main area) will cost about $50 more than the tents located higher up.

Again, your stay does include breakfast, but lunch, dinner, and alcohol will cost more. It’s also good to note that in the past there has been a two-night minimum requirement for stays during high season. I don’t think that is a requirement at this time but it’s something to be aware of.

You can check pricing and availability online .

What to Bring to Safari West

You don’t need to overthink packing for Safari West. Whether you’re just doing a safari tour or glamping overnight, you only need to remember a few key things.

• Water Bottle – you don’t want to get dehydrated on your tour or while staying on-site. The days can be warm and if you’re hanging out outside the sun can really do a number on you. Make sure everyone has their own water bottle and remember to drink!
• Sun Protection – again, if you’re going on a safari tour you’ll want to protect yourself from the hot sun. A hat is a good idea but make sure you’re prepared with sunscreen.
• Bug Spray – it doesn’t hurt to pack a bottle of bug spray for your visit to Safari West. I didn’t notice it being too much of an issue, but since mosquitoes love me, I felt better protected, especially while eating dinner at dusk.
• Overnight Bag – if you’re staying overnight with multiple people, you might want to combine your necessities into a single bag or two. You won’t drive to your tent. Instead, a staff member will drive an ATV to take you and your luggage from your car to your tent. Fewer bags means an easier trip and will make your check-out easier as well.
• Warm Pajamas – if you check the weather and see it’s going to be cool overnight be sure you pack some warm PJs and even cozy socks.
• Socks / Slippers – the floors of your tent and bathroom will be cool in the night and early morning, so pack some warm socks or slippers.
• Cash for Tipping – make sure you bring some cash for tipping during your stay. You’ll want to tip the staff that helps you with your luggage, you’ll leave a tip for housekeeping, you’ll want to tip your tour guide(s), and you’ll tip your servers at the cafe.

Is Safari West a Zoo?

I’m happy to say that Safari West is an accredited member of the  Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) . However, it’s not a traditional zoo. Their focus is being a wildlife preserve that aids in the conservation of African animals through education and breeding partnerships with other accredited organizations (like the San Diego Zoo).

As a private organization, the money you pay for tours and overnight glamping tent stays goes directly towards running the park and caring for the animals.

I hope this has helped give you the answers you’re looking for about Safari West in Santa Rosa. If you have any further questions, drop a comment below and I’m happy to help!

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Wednesday 11th of May 2022

Very accurate review. We live about 7 miles from SW, and it's one of my favorite overnite stays. It is pricey, but worth it!

Anne Rabbitt

Friday 12th of November 2021

I will be taking my 7 year old Grandson on December 20. I booked a "Hillside" room, but am a little worried that it will be a long trek up a hill at night. I thought the Hillside would be more fun for a 7yr old. We are checking in at 3 and dinner at 5 and going on our tour at 9 AM the next day (we did the tour once before). Since I am checking in right away, I am hoping I will have a choice of rooms, but all they said to me was to book Hillside or Base Camp and you'll be assigned when you get there. My grandson likes to explore and we will have after dinner to do that. Better at Base Camp or Hillside? Thanks!

Monday 22nd of November 2021

Hi Anne, I think you'll be fine with your 7 yr old grandson on the Hillside. You can always ask for them to drive you to your tent after dinner. They have little atv carts available to assist guests. They also give you flashlights to use to help navigate at night. Most of the exploration you might do after dinner would be around the restaurant and base camp area, although most of the animals have "gone to bed" later at night and so there might not be much to see. I don't think having a room at basecamp will be much different in regard to exploration in the evenings, although if your grandson wanted to sit on the patio after dinner he might see a bit more from a basecamp tent than he will from the hillside tents. He might really like using the flashlight to hike to the hillside tent after dinner and after walking around by the restaurant. So, I'd say that if you want to save the money, stick with the hillside and I don't think you'll have any issues, although you likely won't be able to really explore outside your tent much in the evening. If you can pay a little bit extra and don't want to hike up the hill with flashlights in the dark, then move to the basecamp to be closer to the "zoo" part of the property. Hope that helps!

Sunday 11th of July 2021

Hi - Thanks for a very informative article. My husband and I will be vacationing in Sonoma in October and I'd love to visit Safari West. My only concern is that I have a (probably irrational) fear of birds. I'm wondering how close you get to various types of birds on both the jeep and walking tour. What would be your thought on this? I'd thoroughly enjoy everything else. Thanks for any light you could shed on this.

Tuesday 20th of July 2021

Hi Mary, the ostriches did come close to our jeep during the tour, however when I was on the tour on another trip they did not get that close. There is a bird aviary you walk through during the walking tour, however you can easily skip that and join back with the group when they exit on the other side which is all part of the main walking path. Other than birds that are in the wild, those are the only two instances I can think of. You can tell your Jeep guide early if you want to avoid the ostriches. If you're on the top of the jeep at the beginning of the tour then you'd be away from them as they're at the beginning of the tour. However, they do typically try to put kids up top at the beginning of the tour, FYI. I'd also say to try and stay in the Antelope Canyon as the hillside cabins are near a large pond that attracts birds and so that might make you uncomfortable for the view from your cabin. Let me know if you have another question, I'm happy to help!

Friday 21st of May 2021

Thanks for the awesome review! I am thinking of booking a trip this summer. My kids are 2 and 3, so they are too young for the safari and we won’t be booking the private tour. We were thinking of just booking the walking tour and staying overnight. My kids love animals and we go to our local zoo weekly. Do you think the walking tour would be worth it? Are you able to see a lot of animals up close? Thank you!

Sunday 23rd of May 2021

Hi Jen, the main walking path does have a great view of the giraffe and antelope. The smaller paths through the other animal areas also offer chances to see many other animals, but of course, it's a bit like a zoo where you're never sure if the animal will be hiding indoors or in a spot that makes viewing limited. However, we were able to see a few monkeys, Fenix fox, cheetahs, porcupines, and lots of birds quite easily. If you can splurge for one of the tents on Antelope Canyon that are across from the giraffe area that would probably be really special. The tents have outside decks so the kids might like to have a snack while they watch the animals. You won't be able to see some of the larger animals like the zebras and cape buffalo, but I think your kids would probably still have a lot of fun. The lemurs are also super cute and easy to view.

An Animal Lover's Guide to Visiting the Best Zoos in California

If you're a lover of animals, California is the place to be. The Golden State is home not only to a variety of natural wildlife, but to a number of world-class zoos as well. 

You can find zoos and animal preserves scattered all throughout the state, spanning the distance from San Diego to Eureka. In essence, if you're looking to see some animals, California has you covered. 

Considering a trip to some California zoos? Not sure of which ones to visit? Read on!

This is an animal lover's guide to visiting the best zoos in California! 

Zoos in Northern California

As you're probably well aware of, California is a huge state. It takes 14 hours to drive from the state's southernmost point to the state's northernmost point. So, if you're visiting California, you're probably not going to be visiting California in its entirety. 

Instead, you're probably going to be visiting one of its two primary regions: Northern California or Southern California. Regardless of the region you're in, you'll have plenty of zoos to choose from.

First, we'll cover the top zoos in Northern California. Let's get into it! 

Oakland Zoo 

Existing upon approximately 100 acres of land, the Oakland Zoo is one of the premier zoos in Northern California. This zoo contains nearly 700 animals, including lions, elephants, camels, snakes, and much, much more. 

One of the premier attractions at this location is the California Trail . This trail is traversed by cable car, allowing visitors to catch glimpses of native wildlife. 

The Oakland Zoo is a little expensive, but not nearly as expensive as the San Diego Zoo. Considering all that it has to offer, it's well worth the price of admission. 

San Francisco Zoo 

Another popular zoo in the bay area is the San Francisco Zoo. This zoo sits upon approximately 100 acres of land, and is home to well over 1,000 animals. These animals come from upwards of 250 species. 

The San Francisco Zoo has been open since 1929, and has a great deal of history on its side. Not only was it the birthplace of famed gorilla Koko, it's currently the home of the oldest black rhinoceros on the continent. 

There are is an essentially endless amount of animals to be seen at this zoo. In addition to rhinos and gorillas, you can also see tigers, lions, birds, sea lions, and a variety of other animals. 

Fresno Chaffee Zoo 

Located in Fresno's Roeding Park, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo is a 39-acre zoo with tons of animals to see. One of the most visited zoos in the United States, it sees a yearly visitation of almost 1 million people. 

Though it's not the biggest of zoos, this location has plenty for its visitors to see. Some of its most popular attractions include the Sea Lion Cove, the Stingray Bay, and African Adventure, an exhibit which houses a bevy of African-native wildlife. 

Regardless of the types of animals you're hoping to see, you should be able to see them at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. This zoo includes everything from Komodo Dragons, to cheetahs, to elephants, to penguins, and everything in between. 

Sacramento Zoo 

If you're in or around the state's capital, you might consider stopping by the Sacramento Zoo. While it only consists of around 14 acres of land, it houses approximately 500 animals, providing visitors with just about everything that they could possibly want to see at a zoo. 

Some of the more popular animals at this zoo include grizzly bears, orangutans, penguins, lions, and tigers. However, this is only a small sample of what's to be seen. You will also have the opportunity to see foxes, bats, giraffes, and a variety of other animals. 

Ticket prices for the Sacramento Zoo are fairly average. Regardless of whether you're going by yourself, or taking your entire family, you shouldn't have to break the bank in order to get in. In essence, going to this zoo is a fun, cheap way to spend an afternoon. 

Sequoia Park Zoo 

Perhaps you're looking for a zoo that's closer to the California-Oregon border? If so, Sequoia Park Zoo is the place for you. While fairly small, containing just 5 acres of land, it still has plenty for visitors to see. 

In total, this zoo contains around 50 different species of animal. Total animal numbers range over the thousands, and include everything from gibbons, to tigers, to polar bears, to rabbits, to birds, and much, much more. 

This zoo is just a small portion of a much larger complex in Eureka, California. This complex contains playgrounds, gardens, ponds, and more redwoods than you can shake a stick at. If you're in the area, it's a terrific place to visit. 

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo 

Located in San Jose, California, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is a relatively small location, existing on just 16 acres of land. Nonetheless, it contains quite a few animals, around 150 to be exact. 

The animals in this zoo run the gamut from jaguars, to monkeys, to pandas, to meerkats, to much, much more. Regardless of what you're trying to see, you should be able to find it at Happy Hollow. 

There's also a petting zoo on the premises, allowing visitors to get up-close-and-personal with barnyard animals. 

Safari West 

Safari West is more of a preserve than it is a zoo. Nonetheless, it offers visitors the chance to see a wide variety of wild animals. This zoo specializes in African animals, specifically, including such animals as antelopes, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and rhinos. 

Located in Sonoma County, this preserve is contained on 400 acres of sprawling land. If you want to be able to see it all in a single day, you'll have to take a safari tour.

While Safari West doesn't contain all of the animals that you'll see in normal zoos, it's still a remarkable experience. It's recommended for anyone that has a love for animals. 

Zoos in Southern California

Though it's a little more concentrated than Northern California, Southern California is still home to plenty of zoos. In fact, some of the best zoos in the world exist in Southern California. 

Southern California zoos include, but are not limited to the following: 

San Diego Zoo

Considered by many to be one of the best zoos in the United States, the San Diego Zoo is very arguably the best zoo in California. This is so for a number of reasons, including its size, its number of animals, and the quality of its exhibits. 

Located within San Diego's Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo houses nearly 4,000 animals. These animals come from almost 700 different species, meaning that you're bound to see some animals that you've never even heard of before. 

Contained within 100 acres of land, this zoo isn't the biggest in California, but is still fairly massive. If you're going to visit, get ready to exercise. 

Los Angeles Zoo 

While not quite on the level of the San Diego Zoo, the Los Angeles Zoo is still well worth visiting. Measuring in at around 130 acres, it's home to over 1,000 animals and over 250 varying animal species. 

Located in Griffith Park, the Los Angeles Zoo is also home to the Botanical Gardens. If you're interested, you can get up-close-and-personal looks at nearly 7,500 plants. These plants come from around 800 different species. 

It doesn't matter whether you're looking to see turtles, chimps, elephants, or aquatic creatures, you'll find them at the Los Angeles Zoo. This locale is great for kids and adults alike. 

Santa Barbara Zoo 

Contained within 30 acres, the Santa Barbara Zoo doesn't possess nearly the size of the Los Angeles or San Diego Zoos. However, despite its small size, it still has plenty to offer. 

This charming little zoo includes around 600 animals. These animals come from around 160 different species, and run the gamut from gorillas, to condors, to lions, and much, much more. 

The Santa Barbara Zoo has appeared on many "best small zoos in America" lists. If you're looking to avoid the vast sprawl of most other Southern California zoos, it's a terrific place to visit. 

Orange County Zoo 

Even smaller than the Santa Barbara Zoo is the Orange County Zoo. Existing in Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California, this zoo comprises just 8 acres of land. Costing just $2 for entry, it is one of the most affordable zoos to visit in all of California. 

If you're looking to see gorillas, giraffes, and other such exotic animals, the Orange County Zoo is not the place for you. This zoo foregoes those animals in favor of animals that are native to the southwestern portion of the United States.

Animals which are commonly seen at the Orange County Zoo include red foxes, black bears, coyotes, owls, and porcupines. Most of these animals were rescued from dire situations, including abandonment and injury. 

Big Bear Alpine Zoo 

Located in Big Bear Lake, California, the Big Bear Alpine Zoo specializes specifically in Alpine animals. It is one of just two American zoos to do this. In all, the zoo contains around 160 animals from approximately 80 different species. 

Though some of the animals in this zoo are housed permanently, many of this zoo's animals are kept for only a short time. In the event that local animals suffer injury or displacement, the Big Bear Alpine Zoo will take them in and rehab them until they're ready to be released back into the wild. 

While not ridiculously expensive, this zoo does still charge for admission. However, the low admission price is well worth the opportunity to see local bears, wolves, cougars, and eagles. 

Santa Ana Zoo 

If you're in the Santa Ana area, you might consider stopping by the Santa Ana Zoo. This zoo is fairly small, contained on a 20-acre plot of land, but it still has plenty to offer to animal lovers. 

This zoo is unique from most other zoos in California in that it specializes in plants and wildlife from South and Central America. With over 250 animals on the premises, it offers you up-close looks at birds, primates, and a collection of other mammals. 

While it's not quite as staggering as places like the San Diego Zoo, the Santa Ana Zoo is still worth a visit. With a fairly low admission price, there's no reason to not give it a chance. 

The Living Desert 

Located in Palm Desert, The Living Desert looks more like a nature preserve than it does a traditional zoo. However, in spite of its appearance, it is very much a zoo. It contains hundreds of caged animals. 

This zoo is unique in that it specializes in desert wildlife and plants. It contains not only domestic plants and wildlife, but foreign ones as well, featuring plants and animals from countries such as Madagascar and Mexico. 

Some of the animals you can count on seeing at The Living Desert include gazelles, mountain lions, giraffes, and warthogs. You'll typically also see amphibians such as frogs and salamanders. 

California Living Museum 

If you're looking to see animals that are native to California, and Southern California specifically, the California Living Museum is the place to go. Opened in 1983 in Bakersfield, California, this zoo is designed to educate visitors on all of that wildlife that California has to offer. 

This zoo is rather small, existing on a 14-acre plot of land. While it's not hugely expansive, it still contains a decent variety of animals. In fact, this zoo houses over 250 animals at all times. 

Animals that you might see at the California Living Museum include black bears, eagles, owls, mountain lions, and reptiles. Accompanied by a relatively low admissions price, this is certainly a zoo worth seeing. 

Ready to Visit One of the Best Zoos in California?

The zoos reviewed above are the absolute best zoos in California. Each of these zoos has something great to offer, with each one being well worth a visit. Regardless of the zoo you choose to visit, you're sure to have a great time. 

Are you interested in purchasing some California-themed apparel for your trip? If so, you're in the right place. California Glory sells all types of California-themed apparel. 

Take a look at our apparel now! 

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Safari West

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3115 Porter Creek Rd, Santa Rosa, 95404-9655, CA

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Safari West seamlessly combines lodging accommodations with an onsite accredited zoo. Families will feel like they’ve left Northern California and arrived at an African safari upon entering through the gates. Located about 20 minutes outside of downtown Santa Rosa in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains is this 400-acre luxury glamping tent preserve that’s home to more than 800 individual animals. Families can visit Safari West for the day or spend the night.

The 30 glamping tents are more like mini-cottages with canvas walls and roofs. They each feature heated beds and their own bathroom with a shower, along with electricity and a heater. While you will be “roughing” it with no air conditioning or Wi-Fi in the tents, the sounds of the surrounding animals will have you feeling happy to unplug and enjoy nature.

Families can wander the property on their own and see monkeys, cheetahs, flamingos, lemur and tons of species of birds in the aviary. Or take a guided safari tour on an open-air safari vehicle that will allow you to see the larger animals like giraffe, rhino, antelope, zebra and much more. Families can start the morning with the free continental breakfast, and the onsite restaurant serves lunch and dinner as well. There are outdoor fires to cozy up to once the sun goes down and the staff is always on hand to answer any questions about the animals.

Safari West is a great destination for families who are looking for something more than a hotel and are ready to unplug, reconnect and bond with nature.

Our Editor Loves

• Onsite safari animals and guided tours
• Elevated glamping tents with bathrooms
• Heated beds and electricity

Family Interests

• Museum/Cultural

Family Amenities

• Family Room 5+
• Free Breakfast
• Onsite Dining

Room Information

Find the best price for your stay.

The 30 glamping tents were imported from Botswana and customized for Safari West. They feature hardwood floors and canvas walls and roofs. Each has electricity and an en-suite bathroom. There is no television, air conditioning or Wi-Fi in the tents, and there is very limited cell phone service at all in the tents. But unplugging from devices and the sounds of the surrounding animals will easily put you to sleep.

The tents feature heated king or double beds, a bathroom with a standup shower, a large private deck with chairs and a large space heater, which is a must when it gets cool at night. The tents can accommodate up to four people and the Family Tents include bunk beds and can sleep up to six people.

The tents are mostly all elevated on stilts above the ground, but there are accessible tents. A staff member will drive families in a Safari West Jeep to your individual tent with your luggage as the tents are situated down dirt and gravel pathways. It’s about a five-minute walk to the cafe and safari tours from the tents. Flashlights are available to borrow.

by Damien B

I took my daughter and three of her "besties" for an overnight adventure for her birthday. The accommodation was fantastic - simple but completely adequate. Dinner was great and the staff could not have been more helpful. I highly recommend the overnight stay at an already terrific zoo.

by zapprint

A number of years ago we saw an article in the LA Times about Safari West. I thought it would be a great couples trip, but other destinations always came up. Finally an opportunity to take the adult “kids” and grandsons came up. We arrived early afternoon and checked into our tents 7/17. We wanted them a bit closer but ours, #17 had a great view of the antelopes and giraffes. The day we arrived was Very hot so everyone had to take a nap. We all arrived early for dinner, which was very good. After, the kids found other kids to run in the grass and visited the cheetahs. The next day we had the 10:00 tour with Sky who was great for the kids & adults. Being able to see most all the animals close up was great. I would highly recommend the experience, if you can, spend the night, if not. The tour & lunch or dinner, so you can walk around some.

Family Activities

The more than 800 individual animals at Safari West are the main attraction here. Families can wander the property on their own to see some of the smaller animals in more of a zoo-like setting. Or book a guided safari tour in an open-air vehicle where you can see the larger animals. It’s important to note that all of the animals at Safari West are wild animals and are never to be touched or fed.

Safari Tours Families can book a guided safari tour in an open-air vehicle that takes visitors throughout the 400-acre preserve to see the larger animals like giraffe, rhino, zebra, buffalo, antelope and more. Children must be at least 4 years old to go on a safari tour and must be at least 45 inches tall to sit on the rooftop seat of the safari vehicle. Expert guides explain all of the animal’s habits and where they come from along the two-hour, vehicle portion of the tour.

Then there is a 45-minute walking portion of the tour where families will be guided through the Aviary with its hundred different species of birds. The tours run rain or shine so be prepared if it rains and closed-toe shoes are recommended. Lunch, dinner or a wine tasting can also be added to these tours.

Aviary and Animals Smaller animals such as lemur, monkeys, flamingos and cheetahs can be viewed in a more zoo-like atmosphere on your own at no additional cost. The large Aviary is also home to a hundred different species of birds. A walk through the Aviary with a guide is included in the Safari Tour or you can view them on your own from outside.

Behind the Scenes Private safari tours are available to book, as well as a few behind-the-scenes private tours that get you closer to the animals. Some of these tours include closer encounters with the rhinos and cheetah. You can also be a Keeper for the Day, where you can care for and feed some of the animals.

Family Dining

Breakfast A complimentary continental breakfast is included in your stay. Things like cereal, pastries, coffee, fruit and oatmeal are available in the Savannah Cafe from 7 to 10 a.m. daily.

Savannah Cafe Lunch and dinner are available here in a South African-style called Braai (pronounced bry). Braai is similar to a BBQ buffet and features meats like chicken and pork grilled over a wood fire and tons of side dishes like macaroni and cheese, baked beans and vegetables. Reservations are required at Savannah Cafe and reservations must be booked with your overnight accommodations.

Delilah’s Snack Shop There is a snack shop with beverages and snacks available for purchase. Beer and wine can also be purchased here.

Planning & Tips

All About the Extras

• Wi-Fi Complimentary Wi-Fi is available only in the Savannah Cafe. Internet and cell phone service in general is very limited at Safari West, and is mostly determined by your phone carrier. It’s highly likely that you’ll not have any type of cell service or internet connection from your lodging accommodations. Call boxes are situated outside of the tents for any emergencies or calls needed to the front desk.
•   Parking Free parking is available.

The Best Time to Visit Safari West is a seasonal property open from March through December. It’s closed in January and February. Peak season runs from March through November with the summer months and school holiday seasons being the most popular with families.

Safari West is in Northern California so expect cooler temperatures at night. Temperatures range between 60 and 85 degrees most of the year, with it being a bit cooler in the winter and a bit warmer in the summer.

Getting There Safari West is located in Northern California about 90 minutes north of San Francisco. The Sonoma County Airport is located about 20 minutes away. The San Francisco International Airport is located about 90 minutes away and the Sacramento International Airport is about two hours away.

Getting Around Once on the property, all attractions, animals and restaurants are within walking distance from the lodging area. A vehicle is needed if you plan to explore outside of Safari West.

For Parents

• Massage For those seeking a little more relaxation, an in-tent massage can be added to your overnight stay.

More Top-Rated Family Hotels in Nearby Area

Vintners Inn

Hilton Garden Inn Sonoma County Airport

Fountaingrove Inn

Sandman Hotel

Hampton Inn & Suites Windsor – Sonoma Wine Country

Indian Springs Resort and Spa

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17 Accredited Drive Through Zoos and Safaris in the U.S.

After years of traveling around the United States, both with my family and without, I have run across many drive through zoos, safari parks, and wildlife preserves. As traditional zoos have transitioned to animal conservation and education over entertainment, there has been a shift to larger, more natural animal habitats and enclosures. The nice thing about drive through safaris and zoos is that most have acres and acres of land for animals to roam in a much more natural setting.

I constantly struggle with the benefits of zoos versus the negative impacts of keeping animals in captivity. Although I know many have different views, I see many benefits of these safari and wildlife parks from seeing the simple joy on a child’s face when they see an animal in person that inspires a lifelong interest in animal preservation, to the important research that these parks provide in understanding animal behavior and saving them from extinction.

That said, I do think we need to be careful about which establishments we support, which is why I have included only the zoos and safari parks that are accredited members of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums or the Zoological Association of America .

Drive Through Zoos & Safaris

I have intentionally left out a few safari parks, even ones that I have visited because greater research showed that they weren’t accredited by one of those two widely recognized organizations. (I found this article helpful in understanding the different types of accreditation and what it means.)

As of this writing, this list is only of drive through zoos and safaris that are accredited AZA or ZAA establishments or overseen by government wildlife entities. I have included drive through safaris and wildlife parks where you can either self-drive your own vehicle or take a safari tour or safari ride through the animal habitats.

Lion Country Safari, Loxahatchee, Florida

Founded in 1967 as the first drive-through safari park in the United States,  Lion Country Safari is the largest attraction in The Palm Beaches. This park is home to more than 1,000 animals, which can be viewed along the 4-mile-long drive-through preserve and walk-through habitats on the 320-acre park. Animals from six different continents can be found at Lion Country Safari, including lions, white rhinos, chimpanzees, zebras, giraffes, and more.

After taking a scenic drive through the preserve, guests can enjoy the rides and attractions at Safari World. These include a boat ride on the Safari Queen, a paddleboat, miniature golf, a carousel, a Flying Elephant ride, and the Rio Grande Train. Safari World also includes Safari Plunge water slides, so guests can really make a day of their visit.

Lion Country Safari is located at 2003  Lion Country Safari Road, Loxahatchee, Florida 33470. Editor’s note: I was provided with a complimentary tour at Lion Country Safari, and I have also visited on my own. All opinions are my own.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Orlando, Florida

Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of many attractions at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World . Ticketed guests can ride a guided safari vehicle through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, home to 34 species over 110 acres of plains, forests, and rocky wetlands. This is a quick 18-minute ride in which guests will see animals such as a hippopotamus, giraffes, lions, elephants, rhinos, cheetahs, crocodiles, elephants, hyenas, zebras, and more.

Animal Kingdom is located at 2901 Osceola Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32830.

Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari, Jackson, New Jersey

Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari is an amusement park and animal preserve combined. Guests can explore this 350-acre preserve, containing 1,200 animals from six continents including elephants, rhinos, tigers, giraffes, and lions. This drive through safari takes 1.5 to 3 hours to complete and covers the Americas, Afrikka, Wild Plains, Serengeti Grasslands, Black Bear Ridge, Kingsland, Tigris Asiana, and more.

Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari is located at 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527.

Lake Tobias Wildlife Park, Halifax, Pennsylvania

Lake Tobias Wildlife Park is a 150-acre wildlife park and zoo in Central Pennsylvania. You can roam through the many wildlife habitats to see giraffes, tigers, zebras, baboons ostriches, gibbons, kangaroos, lions, and much more. Then, ride a Safari Tour and hand-feed wildlife such as bison, water buffalo, yak, eland, and watusi.

Lake Tobias Wildlife Park is located at 760 Tobias Road, Halifax, PA 17032.

Cacoctin Wildlife Preserve, Thurmont, Maryland

While you can’t drive your own car on this drive through zoo, you can take a one-hour adventure ride on a safari vehicle through the Cacoctin Wildlife Preserve , which showcases exotic animals from six continents across twenty-five wooded acres and four different paddocks.

The Safari ride features African Zebra, North American Bison, Dromedary Camels, Asian and African Antelope, giant birds like Ostrich and Emu, European deer, Eurasian wild sheep, and unusual cattle, donkey and goat breeds from around the world.

Cacoctin Wildlife Preserve is located at 13019 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont, MD 21788.

Virginia Safari Park, Natural Bridge, Virginia

Visitors of Virginia Safari Park can drive their own vehicles over three miles of a maintained gravel road to see and feed the animals on the 180-acre property. These encounters include elk and deer, which are free to roam and interact with visitors and each other throughout the property.

Virginia Safari Park also offers giraffe feeding, a petting zoo, and a chance to see tigers, penguins, and kangaroos in exhibits on the walk-through safari. Please note that the Virginia Safari Park is NOT associated with the Natural Bridge Zoo, which is also located in Natural Bridge in Shenandoah Valley.

Virginia Safari Park is located at 229 Safari Lane, Natural Bridge, VA 24578.

African Safari Wildlife Park, Port Clinton, Ohio

African Safari Wildlife Park  is home to giraffes, zebra, alpaca, bison, elk, and more. African Safari Wildlife Park offers both a drive-through and walk-through safari option. One cup of animal food per car is included with admission. The park is not open year-round, so check the website for current opening dates and hours.

African Safari Wildlife Park is located at 267 S. Lightner Road, Port Clinton OH 43452.

The Wilds, Cumberland, Ohio

The Wilds spreads across 9,000 acres and is home to rare and endangered species from around the globe living in open-range habitats. This land that was once devoted to strip mining is now a private, non-profit safari park that combines conservation science and education programs. Guests can also enjoy immersive experiences such as zip line tours, horseback riding, fishing, and more.

Open-air safari tours take two hours and include a guided tour on an open-air vehicle with stops at Lake Trail and the Carnivore Center. Animals include giraffes, cheetahs, white rhinos, camels, trumpeter swans, zebras, oryx, and more.

The Wilds are located at 14000 International Rd, Cumberland, OH 43732.

Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari, Ashland, Nebraska

The Lee. G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari is also a wildlife preserve and part of Omaha’s famous Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. The Wildlife Safari Park offers a four-mile, drive-through North American wildlife experience.

On this safari, you can see bison, elk, wolves, prairie dogs, deer, eagles, pelicans, and more up close and personal. There is also a viewing deck overlooking the 40 acres of woodland hills and open grasslands that make up the Bison Plains. In addition, a nature-based playground offers opportunities to explore, play and learn.

The Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari is located at 16406 N. 292 Street, Ashland, Nebraska 68003.

Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City, Kansas

The Lee Richardson Zoo is home to 300 native and exotic animals over 50 acres. The zoo is free to pedestrians or visitors can pay to drive through the park to see the wild animals.

Each animal is an ambassador for their wild counterparts promoting the understanding and conservation of wildlife and wild places.  Animals include lions, alpacas, addax, Amur leopards, camels, bison, ferrets, bobcats, elk, giraffes, jaguars, sloth bears, and so much more.

The Lee Richardson Zoo is located at 312 E Finnup Drive, Garden City, KS 67846.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose, Texas

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center offers a 1,800-acre wildlife center with self-driven or guided safaris. Altogether they maintain 1,100 animals of 50 different species including bison, cheetah, wildebeest, emus, kudus, giraffes, zebras, wolves, rhinos, and more in a natural environment.

Unlike other safari drive-thrus, Fossil Rim has a focus on conservation and they have even successfully reintroduced an oryx species back into the wild in Chad. Fossil Rim is also the largest successful breeding facility for the endangered cheetah in the world.  To date, they’ve had over 200 cheetah cubs which are critical for their conservation efforts. 

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is located at 2155 County Road 2008, Glen Rose, Texas 76043.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, Texas

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch offers an African safari, Texas-style, and is one of Texas’ most recognized family entertainment attractions. Visitors can join a guided tour or drive their own vehicle through 450 acres of rolling hills, creek beds, and live oak trees.

The safari trek covers over six miles of the scenic Texas Hill Country and takes approximately an hour to an hour and a half to drive through. Guests will have a different adventure on each visit, witnessing the behavior of over 500 animals from 40 exotic, native and endangered animal species worldwide.

After the drive, families can walk through the giraffe barn and meander over to Lemur Island, the habitat of the Ring-Tailed Lemurs.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is located at 26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266.

Bearizona Wildlife Park, Williams, Arizona

One hour south of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, Bearizona covers approximately 160 acres. Visitors can drive through more than three miles of Ponderosa Pine Forest, viewing North American animals in natural habitats as they go. There are also more animals in Fort Bearizona, a 20-acre walk-thru area, in a zoo-like setting.

Bearizona Wildlife Park is located at 1500 E Rte 66, Williams, AZ 86046 .

Camel Safari, Bunkerville, Nevada

Camel Safari offers guided safari tours that include guests riding either on the back of a camel, aboard our Safari Tram or on ATVs to view 40+ camelids up-close.

Located an hour north of Las Vegas, Camel Safari also offers evening VIP Sunset Safaris that include animal encounters while enjoying a stunning Mojave Desert sunset and roasting marshmallows for s’mores over a fire. Guided safaris are 2-hour interpreted tours.

Camel Safari is located at 2725 Rivercliff Road, Bunkerville, Nevada 89007.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Park, San Diego, California

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Park , located 35 miles away from the San Diego Zoo, offers a variety of drive-through safari tour options including a caravan, cart, and behind-the-scenes safari. Just note that you cannot drive your own car through this Wildlife Park.

In addition to the tour options, you can also enjoy experiences like zip lining, adventure courses, or even sleep overnight in the park on a camping adventure. Animals include rhinos, camels, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, gorillas, rhinos, lions, tigers, zebras, and more.

The Safari Park is located at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, California 92027-7017.

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California

Coined the Sonoma Serengeti,  Safari West  is a Wildlife Preserve and African tent camp fully accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Safari West’s 400 acres are home to nearly 1,000 animals, including African antelopes, primates, and predators, plus a variety of avian life from around the globe. Instead of driving their own car through this safari, guests can sign up for guided tours on retro-fitted safari vehicles.

Safari West also offers unique “glamping” accommodations within the preserve using custom-built tents imported from Botswana, which overlook a view of grazing antelope and giraffes. Twilight dining and wine-paired adventures are available as well as dining at the onsite Savannah Café.

Safari West is located at 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Editor’s note: I was provided with a complimentary tour and overnight stay at Safari West. All opinions are my own.

Wildlife Safari, Winston, Oregon

Wildlife Safari is home to America’s most successful cheetah breeding program, with over 235 Cheetah cubs. It is also home to over 500 animals of many different species including elephants, lions, bison, elk, wildebeest, brown bears, zebra, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, tigers, and more. Wildlife Safari is dedicated to the preservation and education of native and exotic wildlife.

The drive-through safari takes approximately one to one and one-half hours to drive through. The safari takes you past ostrich, Watusi cattle, lions, zebra, hippos, oryx, rhinos, giraffes, and elephants. Then you will pass the land of bears, bison, and elk within the sprawling canyon forests of North America. Lastly, you will journey through the cheetah breeding grounds and past Sumatran Tigers, all from the comfort of your own vehicle.

Wildlife Safari is located at 1790 Safari Rd, Winston, OR 97496.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Washington

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a 723-acre wildlife park featuring a tram tour that takes visitors through a 435-acre free-range area. Tram tours run 40 minutes and are led by a naturalist through meadows and forests with herds of Roosevelt elk, moose, bighorn sheep, caribou, and more.

Animal walking tours, keeper talks, Kids’ Treks, and hiking trails are all available. The Zip Wild Deep Forest Challenge offers five exhilarating zipline courses through a tree canopy.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is located at 11610 Trek Dr E, Eatonville, WA 98328.

PIN THIS FOR LATER

Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: December 23, 2022

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23 Best Places to Go Glamping in California — Including Vintage Airstreams and Tiny Cabins

Stargazing and s'mores without having to sleep on the ground.

Lindsay Cohn is a writer, editor, and avid traveler who has visited 45 countries across six continents — and counting. She contributes to Travel + Leisure, Hotels Above Par, InsideHook, Well+Good, The Zoe Report, and more.

For many travelers, camping is one of those experiences that sounds better in theory, but when the cover of night comes, not everyone wants to pitch a tent, stoke a fire, and be on bear watch. Some things are just better left for scout troops and Jack London novels. However, that doesn't mean you have to hole up indoors and miss all the natural beauty that exists in the Golden State, from old-growth redwood forests and dramatic coastal cliffs to verdant vineyards and otherworldly desert landscapes.

Thanks to the incredible array of California glamping destinations , sleeping under the stars no longer means attempting to snooze on the ground while rocks dig into your back. It's not necessary to trek to the remote reaches of the wilderness to get immersed in nature either. Glamping in California makes it easy, convenient, and — dare we say — chic to plan an outdoorsy getaway that doesn't skimp on creature comforts.

Another big draw of glamping is the eco-conscious aspect. It's more sustainable than staying at a resort and offers many of the same perks (think: high-thread-count sheets, USB chargers, private decks, yoga classes, saunas, and Wi-Fi). That's enticing if you're trying to reduce your carbon footprint and still enjoy a hot shower and a good night's sleep. And, obviously, the appeal of being surrounded by plants rather than throngs of people can't be overstated. Getting out into nature is a great way to relax and recharge.

Whether you want to post up in a solar-powered tent on the coast, an iconic Airstream trailer nestled in a redwood grove, or a tiny cabin in Big Bear, here are the 23 best places to go glamping in California.

Huttopia Paradise Springs, Valyermo

Courtesy of Huttopia

The perfect escape for nature-starved Angelenos, Huttopia Paradise Springs , the glamping company's first West Coast outpost , is located inside Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains, just 90 minutes from Los Angeles. The wood and canvas glamping tents are equipped with electricity, private bathrooms (in most tents), camp kitchens, barbecues, and eco-friendly toiletries, so all you need to pack are your hiking boots and bug spray.

Ventana Campground, Big Sur

Imagine rising from bed — a custom-designed mattress, no less — after a restful sleep and pulling back the flaps of a sturdy canvas tent to reveal behemoth redwood trees. That's how your days will begin at Ventana Big Sur, an Alila Resort . And though some might scoff at the thought of communal washrooms, when the shared facilities include teak showers, heated floors, and aromatherapy bath products, it's still quite posh by glamping standards.

Costanoa Tent Bungalows, Pescadero

Courtesy of Costanoa

If you're not into the idea of roughing it, reserve one of the Cypress Village Tent Bungalows at the Costanoa eco-resort. Each premium accommodation comes with electricity, heat, a queen-size bed with down bedding, Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping service, and hot tub access. Plus, this is the first time we've heard of a shared bathroom facility that includes indoor hot showers, heated concrete floors, and a dry sauna.

Mendocino Grove, Mendocino

When it comes to glamping in California, Mendocino Grove is something of a NorCal glamping institution. Spacious tents have heated beds and private redwood platforms with leather butterfly chairs, while two communal bathhouses sport both indoor and outdoor showers and organic bath products. Guests can also make use of the bocce court, yoga classes, hammocks, and board games.

Vintage Glamping Trailer, Chatsworth

Courtesy of Glamping Hub

For a private (not to mention incredibly photogenic) glamping getaway, skip the resort and book this vintage 1954 riveted aluminum trailer that's perched on its own platform overlooking the San Fernando Valley. The perfect indoor-outdoor living setup, you'll find plenty of practical amenities such as air-conditioning, electricity, Wi-Fi, and hot water, and cozy spaces to hang out both inside the camper and on the deck.

Wildhaven Sonoma, Healdsburg

A short drive from many of the best wineries in the area sits Wildhaven Sonoma , a respite of tranquility where glamping in California means staying in a tent that's outfitted with a cozy bed and electricity, lounging in a hammock, telling campfire stories, and nightly stargazing. Oh, and there's an on-site shop to buy s'more kits and local vino, too.

The Trailer Pond at Alta Colina, Paso Robles

Courtesy of The Trailer Pond at Alta Colina

The Trailer Pond at Alta Colina Vineyard , located about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco in Paso Robles, offers guests the ultimate California-wine-country glamping getaway. Choose from one of five fully refurbished vintage trailers — a 1958 Kenskill Deluxe, a 1959 Terry, a 1962 Aristocrat, a 1959 Shasta, or a 1957 Deville — each positioned next to a scenic pond on a vineyard. Each trailer suits one to two adults in a double bed with comfy home-away-from-home amenities like down comforters, original stoves and ice boxes, and in some cases, the original flooring and counter tops to help complete that vintage trailer look.

Safari West, Santa Rosa

Ray Mabry / Courtesy of Safari West

Situated on a 400-acre wilderness preserve that's home to more than 90 different animal species, Safari West promises to bring the Serengeti to Sonoma. Overnight guests get to go on game drives with vino — it's wine country , after all — and stay in raised safari tents complete with hardwood floors, ceiling fans, rattan furnishings, en suite bathrooms, and decks for wildlife viewing.

Autonomous Tent at Treebones Resort Big Sur, Big Sur

Courtesy of Treebones Resort

Love the idea of an unplugged glamping-in-California escape, but can never manage to actually turn off your phone? The lack of cell reception and limited Wi-Fi at Treebones Resort Big Sur might actually be the push you need. Spend your time relishing the simple yet posh pleasures of a private solar-powered luxury tent with an en suite bathroom and soaking in the ocean views.

The Castle House Estate, Joshua Tree

The beautifully designed yurts at The Castle House Estate , which look like something you'd expect to see at a luxury Bedouin camp in Morocco, feature (depending on which tent you choose) electricity, queen-size beds with 1,600-thread-count sheets, hand-loomed carpets, and pools. Sure, the outdoor bathroom may take some getting used to, but we're confident you'll warm up to it quickly.

Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground, Buellton

Courtesy of Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground

Glamping in California with the kids or a crew who require constant entertainment? Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground in the Santa Ynez Valley is a great pick, with multiple pools, hot tubs, a splash pad, a playground, bocce courts, cabins, glamping tents, and refurbished vintage trailers to keep everyone busy. It's also close to tons of wineries, fruit orchards, and hiking trails.

AutoCamp, Joshua Tree

Besides the awesome Airstream accommodations, a huge round of applause goes out to AutoCamp Joshua Tree for having some of the coolest amenities around. Learn about local flora and fauna from a desert ecologist or zen out with yoga and mindful meditation in the Mojave Dome. How great do golden hour, sommelier-led wine tastings, and live music under the stars sound?

Getaway Big Bear, Running Springs

Courtesy of Getaway Big Bear

Tucked away on 60 acres of Southern California wilderness, Getaway Big Bear boasts sleek, minimally minded, tiny cabins with heaps of contemporary touches — a cellphone lockbox, minifridge, two-burner stovetop, shower, toilet, queen-size bed, air-conditioning, and heat. It's an ideal choice if you're still wary of tents, no matter how structurally sound. (It's a baby-friendly setup , too.)

Boon Glamping, Guerneville

The only problem with glamping at Boon is having to decide between a luxury tent and vintage "lovebug" camper. Both come with platform beds, firm mattresses, organic Coyuchi linens and towels, a yummy breakfast delivered to your door, and Malin+Goetz toiletries to use in the shared outdoor bathroom. Either way, you can't go wrong. Plus, it's a 21+ property, so leave the kiddos at home.

28 Palms Ranch, Twentynine Palms

Courtesy of 28 Palms Ranch

About an hour from Palm Springs and just 20 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park, 28 Palms Ranch offers an excellent opportunity for glamping in California in a Mongolian-style yurt, a perfect getaway option for anyone who loves seclusion with a side of stargazing. Let yourself unplug and enjoy the solitude of the desert around you, all while indulging in little luxuries like a comfy queen-sized bed, a private bathroom with a heated shower, a fire pit, a barbecue area, and a picnic table. There are eight yurts to choose from, each with the capacity to hold four to six guests.

Sonoma Treehouse Adventures, Occidental

If your childhood fantasy was to live in a tree house, your adult self can easily turn that into a reality — at least for one night. For adventure enthusiasts, the prospect of zip lining through soaring redwoods is just too good to pass up. To calm your nerves after all that high-flying fun? Slumbering in a tranquil tree house with panoramic forest views.

Sequoia High Sierra Camp, Sequoia National Park

Courtesy of Sequoia High Sierra Camp

At Sequoia High Sierra Camp, you can chill out in nature from the comfort of a deluxe canvas tented cabin with Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks as your backdrop. Open from mid-June to mid-September, each of the 32 glamping cabins measures 330 square feet and comes with a cozy plush-top mattress and down pillows, plus access to a luxurious communal dining area and shared bathhouse (not to worry, modern toilets and hot showers await you inside). Guests also receive three meals, including a buffet breakfast, picnic lunch, and a communal al fresco dinner, while all meals are made with locally sourced and sustainable ingredients.

Inn Town Campground, Nevada City

Don't let the name turn you off — Inn Town Campground isn't just for real-deal rugged types. It also has glamping accommodations. Are the furnished canvas tents the most glamorous of the bunch? No, but they're comfortable, equipped with queen-size beds, nice linens, electricity, and private porches. Plus, they come with access to the common camp store, kitchen, showers, laundry, and barbecue area.

Safari Sunset Eco Glamping, Vista

Courtesy of Glamping.com

When luxury, sustainability, and unwinding are of equal importance, it can be hard to find a place that checks all the boxes. There's no need to compromise when staying in this free-standing safari eco tent , which features solar-powered electric and hot water, a compostable toilet, sumptuous bedding, and a hammock. Peering out at South African sugarbushes and fruit trees is a beautifully transportive bonus.

AutoCamp Russian River, Guerneville

Adrian Rudd/Travel + Leisure

AutoCamp Russian River guests get to snooze in a luxury tent, classic Airstream, or miniature Happier Camper; ride around on complimentary Linus bicycles; and suds it up with Ursa Major bath products at the communal bathrooms in the clubhouse. Need provisions? The on-site general store sells local cheeses and other nibbles, as well as beer and wine.

El Capitan Canyon, Santa Barbara

Hugged by 2,500 acres of protected parkland, El Capitan Canyon is home to a trio of awesome glamping accommodations, plus a solar heated pool and miles of hiking trails. We're particularly partial to the yurts, which have electricity, picnic tables handmade from fallen trees, and domed skylights that allow for stargazing without leaving your queen-size bed .

Wylder Hotel, Hope Valley

Lodging options at Wylder Hotel Hope Valley's riverside campground range from cabins and Scandinavian-inspired yurts to 28-foot restored vintage Spartans. Can't decide? Split your time between the three — all of which give off glamping in California vibes, but with a bit more emphasis on the glamorous side of things.

The Camp at Carmel Valley, Carmel Valley

The Camp at Carmel Valley is basically a summer camp vacation for the entire family. Campers of all ages shack up in rustic cabins with queen or twin beds sans power — not to worry, the bathhouses have electricity and hot water — chow down on canteen cuisine, and participate in activities like tennis, hiking, swimming, archery, and campfire singalongs.

Spend the Night

Extend your adventure with an overnight stay in a luxurious Safari West tent. Imported from Botswana and customized here on property, each of our thirty tents sports a private viewing deck, en-suite bathroom, polished hardwood floors, and because it’s camping, all the wildlife sounds of the Sonoma Serengeti! Get a great night’s sleep while getting closer to the wild wonders of Safari West!

*If any member of your party has mobility needs, consider requesting one of our accessible tents!

Safari West Glamping, Where Luxury Goes Wild! Seasonal rates based on tent configuration and location Advanced Reservations Required Tents and Rates

Continental breakfast included. Base pricing is based on adult double occupancy. Each additional guest is $25 plus tax. Maximum occupancy is based on tent type and configuration: Standard, four adult guests. Seasonal rates are based on tent location, configuration, and day of the week. All prices are subject to change and do not include applicable taxes and/or gratuity. No smoking is allowed in or around the tents. Lodging closed in January and February.

Cancellation Policy: We are more than happy to help you reschedule your exploration or provide you with a gift card for the amount that was charged so that you can reschedule at your leisure. Please note that your gift card is entirely transferrable, should you choose to gift it to a loved one or donate it to a charity or other organization instead.

Be sure to read our Guide to a Good Night’s Sleep

Special Packages!

• Swine and Roses
• Gal's or Guy's Getaway!

Wild Nights in Wine Country

Get all sloppy and sentimental with our special romance package – Swine and Roses! Wallow in the details here:

• One night’s stay in a Double or Hillside King luxurious Safari tent.
• A Classic Safari Tour of the Safari West collection.
• Dinner for two at the  Savannah Café  includes a select bottle of Sonoma County wine for your enjoyment.

Pricing Details

To book, please call or email Reservations: (707) 566-3667 (800) 616-2695 [email protected]

Need to get away?

Make your escape from the 9-to-5, the daily grind, the phone calls, errands, spouses, and kids. get away from it all at safari west with our gal’s or guy’s getaway package.

This package includes:

• Overnight lodging for two in a luxurious double tent.
• A Classic Safari Tour of the Safari West collection.
• Dinner for two at the Savannah Café .
• Wine and chocolate in your tent to help you relax and recuperate.

*This getaway’s got room to grow! Make it a slumber party and add friends up to a maximum of four per tent.

Family King & Bunk

Prefer a Cozy Cottage?

We are pleased to offer a luxurious cottage experience to those seeking a more secluded stay. Located on the lower grounds, the cottage is tucked away from the crowds and near Lemur Island.

Suitable for up to six guests, the two-bedroom cottage has a king bed and a double bunk bed. Private bathroom, kitchenette (mini-fridge, sink, and microwave) and outdoor seating. There is heating for the chillier months and a ceiling fan for the warmer times (No A/C). The cottage offers a quieter, more secluded experience than the tent camp.

Cottage Lodging Rate

Our cottage is available starting at $400 per night for two people. Additional guests may be added for $25 each per night. Recommended occupancy is four to six guests, and a continental breakfast is included.

*Lodging is unavailable in January and February.

Important Details

• Check-in: Starting at 3:00 PM
• Check-out: By 11:00 AM
• No smoking is allowed in the tents or in the tent camp. Please restrict all smoking to designated areas.
• Base pricing is for 2-person occupancy. Additional guests may be included for $25 plus tax.
• Maximum occupancy is based on tent type and configuration. The standard maximum capacity is four adults.
• Continental breakfast at the Savannah Café included with all reservations.
• No surcharge for children under the age of four not requiring additional bedding.
• All pricing is subject to change. Posted prices do not include applicable taxes and/or gratuity.

The 21 Best Zoos in California (& Aquariums, too!)

Calfornia is a large state, and with it comes some of the best captive wildlife experiences in the country. The best zoos in California include world-famous institutions like the San Diego Zoo as well as small zoos that provide opportunities to learn about local wildife which act as ambassadors for conservation.

Of course, being a coastal state, California also has some pretty fantastic aquariums as well. The Monterey Bay Aquarium ranks among the best in the country with plenty of wildlife to enjoy both inside the aquarium as well as in the bay it sits on.

These zoos in California focus on education, rehabilitation, and even captive breeding of endangered species. They allow visitors the opportunities to have up-close experiences with animals that might otherwise never see, thus gaining an appreciation for the importance of conservation.

The 21 Best Aquariums and Zoos in California

1. san diego safari park.

15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido

The San Diego Safari Park is near and dear to my heart. My family has held membership to both the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Safari Park for many years and we feel grateful to live within driving distance of such a remarkable (and different) zoological institution.

The San Diego Safari Park houses 300 different species and more than 3,600 animals call this massive 1800-acre wildlife park home .

It is known for its Africa Tram Safari Tour which heads out onto the park’s huge savannah for a 25-minute tour where they will see animals like giraffes, rhinos, various antelope, and zebras living life with each other just as they would on the African savannah.

There are also large, world-class exhibits with gorillas, tigers, cheetahs, lions, elephants, California condors, and several other species. There is even an exhibit where you can walk among kangaroos and wallabies.

But that’s not all! There are several other premium “safaris” that you can pay extra to experience. Cart safaris which allow small groups to go inside the savannah enclosure and get up close with animals like giraffes and rhinos; some even include wine or mimosas!

There are also special experiences like the Sun-up Cheetah Safari where you get and up close view of a cheetah running at full speed, behind-the-scenes tours covering various animals, zip lining, and a tethered balloon ride which gives you an amazing view of the Safari Park from above.

Admission Info: There are various admission options, some of which include admission to the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld as well at a discount. Discounts are given for advanced online ticket purchases as well.

2. San Diego Zoo

2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego

The San Diego Zoo is easily one of the most famous zoos in the country. It also happens to be one of the best. This 100-acre zoo and botanical garden is a pleasure to visit any time of year, thanks to San Diego’s marvelously mild climate.

In all, there are 12,000 rare and endangered animals , representing more than 650 species and subspecies that live at the San Diego Zoo. Equally impressive is the collection of 3,100 species of plants that live on the grounds as well. The remarkable landscaping of this zoo really adds to the experience.

Highlights of the San Diego Zoo include impressive exhibits housing polar bears, several species of endangered cats, dozens of primates, intimidating komodo dragons, adorable koalas, and species rarely seen in most zoos like the fossa and tasmanian devil. You will certainly need a full day to see them all.

Since the zoo is so large and hilly, they offer a guided double-decker bus tour which is a nice way to get an overview of the zoo and see some of the highlights. The Skyfari aerial tram is a great way to experience the beauty of the zoo and Balboa Park from above.

If you are looking for a special experience , a highly recommend booking the Animals and Action experience. This is a small group tour which will allow you to meet some animals up close. On our tour we were able to pet a zebra, feed flamingos and a rhino, and see animals like cheetahs and binturongs leashed and standing just feet away from you!

Admission Info: There are various admission options which include admission to the San Diego Safari Park and SeaWorld as well at a discount. Discounts are given for advanced online ticket purchases as well.

3. Safari West

3115 Porter Creek Rd, Santa Rosa

Did you know you can experience an African safari nestled among the vineyards of Sonoma County? Safari West is about 20 minutes from the heart of Santa Rosa, but it might as well be a world away. We think Safari West is a great alternative for those who can’t afford a true African safari , or just want to enjoy a unique wildlife experience closer to home.

This special destination is a place where you can board a jeep and go on a safari to see animals like giraffes, ostriches, cape buffalo, zebras, and southern white rhinos roaming on the wildlife preserve’s 400 acres. There is also a walking portion of the tour where you can see the park’s predators like hyenas and cheetahs, as well as smaller critters such as fennec foxes, porcupines, lemurs, and flamingos.

While you can visit Safari West as part of a day tour, the best way to enjoy this incredible place is by staying overnight in one of their 30 luxury safari tents or cottages. Imagine listening to the sounds of wildlife in the evenings (ear plugs are provided if they get too noisy) and then waking up in the morning to enjoy complimentary breakfast in the Savannah Cafe.

Admission Info: Reservations are required to visit Safari West. Pricing varies depending on the day of week and season.

See which zoos made Trekaroo’s list of the  best zoos in the United States . 

4. Monterey Bay Aquarium

886 Cannery Row, Monterey

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is the best aquarium in California and certainly among the best aquariums in the country. It is located on Monterey Bay in the city’s famed Cannery Row district.

This massive aquarium educates and inspires visitors to help them gain a deeper understanding of our planet’s amazing oceans. You will need a full day to explore everything this aquarium has to offer.

Be sure to check the schedule for feeding times, movie showings, and special presentations in the auditorium before you arrive so that you won’t miss any of the day’s highlights. Feeding times can get quite crowded so if you want a good view, arrive early.

One of the highlights is the new Into the Deep exhibit which showcases the largest collection of deep-sea animals in North America like giant isopods and transparent jellies that glow. Other favorites include the kelp forest, Monterey Bay habitat, touch pools, penguins, giant Pacific octopus, and the sea otters.

Speaking of sea otters, be sure to take time outside to use the Aquarium’s viewing scopes to spot sea lions, whales, and sea otters out on the Moterey Bay. Monterey Bay is one of our favorite places to spot sea otters in California.

The 16 Best Places to See California Sea Otters + Plenty of Sea Otter Facts!

The on-site café offers healthy meal options and sustainable seafood, but it can get crowded. Another option is to get your hand stamped and grab clam chowder at one of the restaurants in Cannery Row.

Admission Info: Tickets are no longer available at the main entrance and must be purchased online.

5. Aquarium of the Pacific

100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach

The best and largest aquarium in Southern California is the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. This aquarium features around 12,000 animals in over 100 exhibits which showcase the diversity of the Pacific Ocean, the largest ocean on the planet.

There are Tropical Pacific, Northern Pacific, and Southern California/Baja Galleries filled with aquariums of sea-going creatures, as well shark and ray touch lagoon, penguins, sea otters, seals, sea lions, frogs, and lots of different sea jellies, including moon jellies that you can touch and feed .

When the weather is warm, kids love playing at the giant water-squirting squid playground sculpture. Children also enjoy touch pools filled with sea stars, anemones, and urchins.

Since it located right on the water, the Aquarium of the Pacific also hosts whale watching tours. You will need to book a reservation ahead of time.  You can  book your whale watching trip  here .

Admission Info: Tickets for the aquarium must be purchased in advance online as reservations are required.

6. Santa Barbara Zoo

500 Ninos Dr, Santa Barbara

I have a special place in my heart for the  Santa Barbara Zoo . It is just so beautiful and charming, and the giraffes have a million-dollar ocean view that I can’t help but be jealous of.

While it does not house as many animal species as the larger zoos in Los Angeles and San Diego, the Santa Barbara Zoo has some unique features that make it quite special .

A small train circles the entire zoo, giving riders a backstage peek at the zookeepers caring for the animals. They can also visit the Ridley-Tree Animal Kitchen and watch keepers prepare food for the animals via a large viewing window.

Make time to feed the giraffes and visit the Australian Walkabout where you can see kangaroos, wallabies, and emus up close.

They offer several special behind-the-scenes animal encounter experiences such as the Humbolt Penguin Fish Toss and lion or amur leopard training wall demonstrations.

After a couple hours at the zoo, walk down the hill to  East Beach . This sandy beach stretches for 1.5 miles and has sand volleyball courts as well as a fun playground for the kids.

Admission Info: Tickets to visit the Santa Barbara Zoo must be reserved in advance online. Both time and date must be selected.

7. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert

If your travels take you to the Coachella Valley, definitely make time to visit The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert. This world-class zoo and botanical garden is filled with exhibits featurings the plants and animals that call the deserts all over the world home .

Endangered cats like the cheetah, amur leopard, caracal, jaguar, and mountain lion call this zoo home. So do hyenas, Mexican wolves, meerkat, giraffes, and a wide variety of reptiles, among mant others.

If you have always wanted to feed a rhino , The Living Desert is a great place to do it. The Rhino Care Team will introduce you to a black rhino in a semi-private encounter. There are also giraffe feedings and seasonal camel rides (which take place in the cool season).

Additionally, The Living Desert is home to an extensive model train display, train rides, and a carousel. A tram runs around this sprawling zoo and has many stops, ideal for hot summer days or people with mobility issues.

Admission Info: Tickets for The Living Desert should be purchase in advance online as reservations are required at time of purchase.

8. San Franciso Zoo

Sloat Blvd & Upper Great Hwy, San Francisco

The San Francisco Zoo is a 100-acre zoo with a great location, just across the street from Ocean Beach on the city’s southwestern side. Highlights include the Lemur Forest, grizzly bear habitat, penguin pool, and the zoos big cats.

I have fond memories of watching the big cats (lions and tigers) get fed daily from inside the Lion House , but that experience has been temporarily closed, likely due to Covid.

Zoo Keys are another nostalgic aspect of this zoo that my in-laws remember from growing up in San Francisco and visiting the zoo regularly. For just $5 you purchase a plastic key and then turn on various boxes that have recording of stories and fun facts about animals.

Children love animals, but sometimes it is good to mix in a ride or some time on a playground. This zoo has a carousel and miniature steam train, as well as a playground and children’s zoo where kids of all ages can pet sheep and goats and watch the ever-entertaining meerkats and prairie dogs.

Admission Info: Tickets to visit the San Francisco Zoo must be reserved in advance online. Both time and date must be selected.

9. SeaWorld San Diego

500 Sea World Dr., San Diego

Acrobatic dolphins, playful penguins, silly sea lions, and splashtacular rides have made SeaWorld one of San Diego’s most visited attractions. Where else can you learn about marine ecology, get kissed by a beluga whale, and enjoy thrill rides all in the same day?

SeaWorld has been the subject of some controversy in recent years, resulting in them ending the captive breeding of orcas. There are still several orcas at SeaWorld SanDiego, but once these residents grow old, they will not be replaced. Until then, you can enjoy up close views of these majestic animals.

There are several different up-close encounters that guests can pay to experience with animals such as beluga whales, dolphins, sloths, penguins, sea otters, and more. These encounters give you a chance to learn more about these creatures and get an idea of what training and care goes into keeping them onsite.

Families always enjoy touching the bat rays at Bat Ray Shallows, feeding the sea lions, watching sharks swim overhead in the massive aqaurium, and watching the engaging animal presentations featuring orcas, dolphins, sea lions, and otters.

Of course, rides have become a big draw for some visitors to SeaWorld and there are now more than a half dozen coasters as well as rides geared towards younger children.

Admission Info: You can purchase “any day” tickets but there are significant discounts available for when you select specific days online . You can also purchase bundles to visit the Sand Diego Zoo and Safari Park or include all-day dining with your admission.

10. Oakland Zoo

9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland

The Oakland Zoo has been delighting Bay Area families with its animals for more than 100 years! It is home to an impressive African savannah area with modernized enclosures for elephants, tigers, monkeys, camels, and more.

You will definitely want to take the aerial gondola to the California Trail which is home to black bears, bison, bald eagles, and the mighty California condor. This area also has a nice play area for the kiddos.

This zoo is also home to a large exhibit focused on rainforest animals as well as a Wild Australia exhibit home to adorable wallaroos, and always-entertaining emus. Unlike most zoos in California, this one also has a few rides. There is a carousel, small roller coaster, a train, and three other rides geared towards young children.

Oakland Zoo has the largest wildlife veterinary hospital in Northern California which allows it to conduct collaborative research with other zoos and scientists as well as help in the resuce of local wildlife.

Admission Info: Tickets must be reserved in advance online . Both a specific time and date must be selected.

11. Los Angeles Zoo

5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles

When I was growing up, the Los Angeles Zoo was my local zoo. I remember it fondly, including the lush atmosphere in Griffith Park and the exibits housing gorillas, elephants, and the revered and feared komodo dragon.

Much has changed at the zoo since my childhood, but its commitment to educating the LA metro urban sprawl about animal conservation continues. As a matter of fact, the LA Zoo played an important role in the successful attempts to save the California condor from extinction with a captive breeding program.

Today, more than 270 different animal species call this zoo home, including favorites like chimpanzees, jaguars, and sea lions, as well as lesser known creatures like the fossa, Coquerel’s Sifaka, and the babirusa.

Admission Info: Advance online reservations are required for entry and the last admission to the zoo is 3:45 as it closes at 5pm daily.

12. Santa Ana Zoo

1801 E Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana

The  Santa Ana Zoo  is small in size but perfect for families with young kids. It is home to an impressive monkey collection and is often to referred to as “the monkey zoo” by locals due to its founder’s requirement that the zoo house at least 50 monkeys at all times.

You won’t want to miss Tierra de las Pampas, a South America- focused exhibit with anteaters, guanacos, and rheas that is designed to immerse guests in a landscape typical of where these animals live in the wild.

The zoo also has a train (orignally used the old Santa’s Village near Lake Arrowhead), a large playground, carousel, Ferris wheel, and farm, all of which are popular with kids 10 and under.

Admission Info: The Santa Ana Zoo is open daily from 10-5pm. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

13. Orange County Zoo

1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange

The Orange County Zoo is a small zoo inside of Irvine Regional Park, a fantastic park filled with playgrounds, trails, paddleboating, horseback riding, surrey rentals, and the ever-popular Irvine Park Railroad.

This zoo focuses on animals that live in Orange County or once lived in the Orange County. This includes bears, bobcats, mountain lions, bald eagles, porcupines, a variety of reptiles, and more. There is also a small petting zoo with goats and sheep.

Since admission to the zoo is just $2 and there are so many other things to do inside the park beyond the zoo, it is easy to make a visit to Irvine Regional Park an inexpensive, all-day outing.

Admission Info: Admission can be purchased at the gate.

14. Birch Aquarium

2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla

Birch Aquarium is an aquarium run by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego . The facility houses 3,000 animals representing 380 species. The main attraction is the Hall of Fishes which has 60 different tanks showcasing sea animals of the Pacific.

Outside you will find Shark Shores, home to the La Jolla’s famed leopard sharks and Tide Pool Plaza where you can touch sea stars, sea anemones, sea cucumbers, and hermit crabs.

The newest and most exciting attraction at the Birch Aquarium is the exhibit housing Little Blues, the smallest species of penguins . They are less than a foot tall and weigh just two to three pounds! This is the only place on the West Coast to see these adorable seabirds.

Admission info: Advanced ticket reservations online are highly recommended.

15. Sacramento Zoo

3930 W Land Park Dr, Sacramento

The Sacramento Zoo opened nearly 100 years ago with just 40 animals. Today, more than 400 animals call this small but mighty zoo in William Land Park home.

Many of the favorites can be found here like cheetahs, lions, kangaroos, giraffes, sloths, and red pandas. They have a few different behind-the-scenes tours, including one where you get to hand feed an okapi! There is also a tour where you can help prepare meatballs for cheetahs and then watch them up close during a training session.

Tip: If you have young children be sure to make time for Fairytale Town across the street. It was always a big hit with my kids when they were toddlers.

Admission Info: If you purchase your tickets online you will save over the “at the gate” pricing.

16. Fresno Chaffee Zoo

894 W Belmont Ave, Fresno

The largest zoo in the Central Valley is the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. It is small, only occupying 39 acres, but it has been providing entertainment to families in this agricultural region for generations.

Feed the stingrays at Stingray Bay, check out an underwater view of sea lions at play at Sea Lion Cove, and excavate fossils at the Dino Dig area. A favorite is the Roo Walkabout housing kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and other Australian animals in an open-air enclosure which allows the critters to hop right past you! The walkthrough portion of this exhibit is currently open Friday – Sunday during regular Zoo hours. 

There are several different close-up encounters that guests can pay for , which typically involve the opportunity to meet and feed animals like red kanagaroos, warthogs, elephants, giraffes, and a giant Gilapagos tortoise.

It can get hot in Fresno during the summer months and the Wilderness Falls water play area is a great place for the kids to cool off from the summer heat. There are restrooms to change into swimsuits right there, and tables for parents to sit at while the kids play.

Admission Info: You can purchase your tickets in advance online or at the zoo gate.

17. Monterey Zoo

400 River Rd, Salinas

The newest zoo in California is the Monterey Zoo. This zoo was started by a police officer who responded to a call about a pet cougar in someone’s garage. This led to him adopting this exotic animal (and others), becoming a Hollywood animal trainer, and eventually buying Vision Quest Ranch in 1994.

After years of running private educational programs, the zoo opened in 2020 and is home to 100 different animals. There are several cat species like leopards, lions, tigers, cougers, servals, and caracals. There are also elephants, bears, primates like lemurs and baboons, reptiles, several more mammals, and a small collection of birds.

The Vision Quest Ranch Bed and Breakfast (on the same property) has been in business before the zoo was accredited. It has several African tent-style bungalows that allow you to glamp with the sounds of lions and tigers roaring only yards away.

In the morning you will enjoy a continental breakfast and get the chance to meet one of the zoo animals. You will likely also see trainers on their evening walks with zoo ambassador animals. Visits to the zoo are complimentary for B&B guests.

There are several different behind-the-scenes tours available for purchase which get you closer to the animals as well.

Admission Info: Tickets to visit the zoo can be purchased online or at the zoo’s gift shop. Special tours and stays at the Bed and Breakfast should be booked online.

18. Charles Paddock Zoo

 9100 Morro Rd, Atascadero

The Charles Paddock Zoo is very small, only five acres, but it provides are great opportunity for families on the Central Coast to enjoy wildlife. It was established by a local park ranger who was known for his ability to nurse injured wildlife back to health.

In many ways, it is like the Orange County Zoo in that it is small but also sits in a lovely park with a playground, paddle boats, bike rentals, but this zoo focuses on exotic wildlife instead of local animals.

Animals you can exepect to see at the Charles Paddock Zoo include Malayan tigers, a red panda, lemurs, monkeys, tortoises, snakes, birds, meerkats, and more.

Admission Info: The zoo is open seven days a week and admission can be purchased at the gate.

19. Happy Hollow Park and Zoo

748 Story Rd, San Jose

Happy Hollow Park and Zoo has been delighting Silicon Valley families since the 1960’s. It is another small zoo and park at only 16 acres in size.

The zoo has a nice assortment of lemurs, birds, capybaras, fossa, and other unusual animals. There is also a variety of barnyard animals and wallabies near the petting zoo- including miniature horses, zebu, and donkey.

In addition, there is a small amusement park, with several pint-sized rides, a couple fantastic playgrounds, and even puppet shows! There is also a fun sandbox to dig/sweep for fossils, and a ‘swamp’ the kids like to cross.

Overall , this zoo is a great option for toddlers and preschoolers since many of the additional attractions are geared towards them.

Admission Info : You can purchase tickets in advance online or at the gate.

20. Sequoia Park Zoo

3414 W St, Eureka

Sequoia Park Zoo holds the designation of being the oldest zoo in California . It was founded in 1907 way up in the northwest corner of California in the town of Eureka.

It is set in the redwoods so it is no surprise that they opened the Redwood Sky Walk in 2021. It is the longest skywalk in the West at a a quarter mile in length, and sits 100 feet above the forest floor. Almost all of the Sky Walk is wheelchair and stroller accessible, except for the optional 369-foot adventure leg.

Of course, the animals are an important draw as well. The Watershed Heroes exhibit focuses on animals that live in Pacific Northwest watersheds like otters, bald eagles, and salmon. The red pandas, cotton top tamarins, and barnyard animals are all popular with visitors. A new bear and coyote exhibit is expected to open soon.

Admission Info: The zoo is open Tuesday through Sunday. Admission can be purchased at the gate.

21. Big Bear Alpine Zoo

42801 Moonridge Rd, Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Alpine Zoo gets the distinction of being the highest zoo on our list. Sitting at nearly 7,000 feet in elevation, this zoo is a great place to spend some time with rescued wildlife. The zoo treats and releases sick, injured, and orphaned animals from across the region , but those that are too injured to be returned to the wild are given a permanent home in the zoo.

The zoo is home to native species such as bobcats, coyotes, black bears, bald eagles, and mountain lions, as well as exotic animals like snow leopards and gray wolves.

Admission Info: Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. During the winter hours may vary after a snow storm due to snow removal.

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