Welcome Back! We've missed you. Zoo's Open! Following guidelines set by the State and County, we have made significant changes to our daily operations to protect the health and safety of our guests, employees, and animals. Read more about your Zoo visit below.

The Zoo is Open!

Limited capacity: reserve your tickets today!

Online tickets purchased in advance are required for ALL guests, including Santa Barbara Zoo Members (member tickets are free of charge) during this time. To ensure adequate social distancing between guests, attendance is capped each day to limit the total number of guests in the Zoo at one time. No tickets required for children under 2.

Member ticketNon-Member Ticket

Not a Member?

If you love the Santa Barbara Zoo, consider becoming a Santa Barbara Zoo Member and enjoy FREE admission for a year, special discounts, and help contribute to wildlife conservation.

Join today!

What We’re Doing to Keep You Safe
Detailed
Information
Zoo Reopening Guidelines
What You Can
Do to Help
Frequently Asked Questions

What We're Doing to Keep You Safe

  • Limiting daily attendance and requiring timed tickets
  • Closing some high-touch areas including Eeeww!
  • One-way pedestrian traffic in most areas
  • Requiring face masks for all Zoo staff
  • Increasing sanitation procedures
  • Adding more hand sanitizer stations throughout the Zoo
  • Adding social distancing reminders around the Zoo
  • Limiting contact during transactions by only accepting credit/debit cards

Advance Ticketing

Online tickets are required for all guests and Zoo members during this time. During the initial reopening phase, the Zoo will operate with limited capacity in order to ensure adequate social distancing between guests.

Pick a day and time to visit, and you will receive an electronic ticket that can be scanned by one of our team members when you arrive.

What to Expect

Digital Zoo Map
Once inside you will follow a one-way route through the Zoo to see many of your favorite animals, including Asian small-clawed otters, snow leopard, Masai giraffes, African lions, and more!

Hand sanitizer stations are positioned along the path at restrooms and food locations.

Food and beverages are available for purchase (try new online ordering!) at multiple locations along the path. All food and beverage locations accept credit/debit cards only.

Some Areas are Closed

Guests will not have access to indoor animal and high-touch areas of the Zoo. The giraffe feeding deck, Wings of Asia, Tropical Aviary, Eeeww!, Rattlesnake Canyon, Discovery Pavilion, barnyard, and Kallman Children’s Play area will remain temporarily closed. All keeper talks and stage shows are also unavailable until further notice.

Zoo Reopening Guidelines Video

Following guidelines set by the State and County, we’ve made some changes to your Zoo experience to ensure the health and safety of guests, staff, and animals. Watch the video below to see some of the modifications you can expect during your next visit.

What You Can Do to Help

Use Your
Meerkat Manners

Do not enter the facility if you have a
cough or a fever
Wear a mask that covers your nose
and mouth
Stay 6 feet away from other “flocks”
Sneeze or cough into your elbow
Follow recommended route to
minimize unnecessary contact
with others
Use contactless payment when possible
Wash or sanitize hands before and after
touching surfaces

As directed by SB County Health, we need your help to keep guests, employees, and animals safe!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are advance tickets required?

  • Advance tickets are required for both Santa Barbara Zoo Members and non-members. Member tickets are free of charge.
  • General admission and membership reservations are limited each day. First come, first served.
  • Purchases are limited to 6 tickets.
  • Members will need their photo ID and reservation confirmation.
  • Bring your reservation confirmation (printed or on phone) to check in.
  • Guests must arrive at their reserved time slot to ensure capacity is not exceeded. The final time slot is 3:30 PM.

Is there a time limit for my visit?

We’re anticipating the average visit to last 90 minutes with the new modified route, but we won’t be monitoring guests’ time in the park.

Is a face mask required to visit the Zoo?

updated 7/1/20: All guests ages 3+ are required to wear a mask in all areas of the Zoo. Exceptions include special health needs, religious beliefs, and guests who are dining.

Is the Zoo Train running?

The Zoo Train will be running on a modified basis. Reserved tickets are required and can be purchased here. 

Can I use a coupon/other discount on my ticket purchase?

We are not currently accepting discounts on admission tickets.

Can I buy food and/or souvenirs at the Zoo?

Multiple food and beverage locations will be available along the path (try our new online ordering!) with limited food options. All food and beverage locations are credit card only.

Can I rent strollers/wheelchairs?

Yes. Stroller rentals are $7-9 and wheelchair rentals are $7 (SBZ members get $1 off). Available at the Zoo Gift Shop in the courtyard.

Can I still see all of the animals?

While some exhibits and attractions may be closed, guests will still see many of their favorite animals, including leopards, penguins, and giraffes!

Are you still holding Zoo Camp this summer?

Yes! We are excited to offer three options for Zoo Camp, including Camp in a Box, FamCamp, and traditional Zoo Camp. See our Zoo Camp page for more information and to register.

Member Questions

I'm a member, do I still need a reservation?

Yes, all Santa Barbara Zoo Members require a timed ticket and will need to show their photo ID and reservation confirmation. If you have questions, please contact our member services team.

Do I need to make a reservation for kids under 2 years old?

No, guests under 2 years old do not need a reservation.

Help! I am having trouble logging in/making my online reservations, what do I do?

Oh no! We are so sorry you are having trouble, our reservation system can be tricky to navigate. Please contact member services for support.

Will my membership be extended?

Yes. When the Zoo closed March 17, all annual memberships that were current as of that day were extended by two months. When we reopen, we will add additional time as needed to reflect the time the Zoo was closed. Thank you to those who have donated back the extra months!

Can reservations be canceled/changed?

Please contact member services so we can update your reservation. 

How can I redeem a membership gift certificate?

If you’d like to redeem a gift certificate for SB Zoo membership, please contact Victoria Madrigal at (805) 679-8479 or send her an email.