The Santa Barbara Zoo is open daily 9:30 AM – 5 PM, and 10 AM – 3:30 PM on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. The Zoo closes early for some special events.
The Australian Walkabout is open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM, last entry at 3:45 PM.
Please note: snow leopard is temporarily behind the scenes due to habitat maintenance.
Adults (13+): $25
Children (2-12): $15
Children Under 2: Free
$11/vehicle (one free vehicle with SB Zoo Membership)
Disabled person parking is free with current placard or license plates. Bicycle parking is free; racks available on a first-come, first-served basis.
At the Santa Barbara Zoo, everyone is welcome, and we strive to make every guest’s visit as fun and educational as possible. Please use the information on SB Zoo Accessibility page to help make your Zoo visit a safe, enjoyable, and memorable one.
Proper attire, including shoes, bottoms, and shirts, must be worn at all times. Providing a casual, child-friendly environment is an important part of the Santa Barbara Zoo experience. In that spirit, we ask you to use your discretion and common sense when it comes to attire while visiting the Zoo.
In addition to the beautiful animals and plants here at the Zoo, there are lots of other fun things to do, like feed the giraffes, ride the Zoo train, and so much more. Find out more about the Zoo’s attractions here.
The Ridley-Tree House Restaurant serves delicious grilled items, sandwiches, salads, and other tasty delights. Relax in our garden courtyard while you eat.
Enjoy sandwiches, kid-friendly meals, light snacks, or ice cream along with sweeping ocean and mountain views at our hilltop cafe, the Wave.
Beer and wine are available at both the Ridley-Tree House and The Wave. You can also enjoy coffee drinks, smoothies, and special drinks at The Buzz, located next to the Kallman Family Play Area. No outside alcohol is allowed.
There are also several specialty food carts (seasonal) and vending machines throughout SB Zoo.
Please see below for available discounts.
There are plenty of places for you to get a little bit of the Santa Barbara Zoo to take home with you. SB Zoo’s main gift store is located near the entrance and is an exotic emporium of toys, books, and unique souvenirs. Stroller, wagon, and wheelchair rentals are available here.
The Explore Store, our eco-friendly shop, is located by the barnyard in the California Trails area of SB Zoo. Find unique gifts here.
We also offer themed merchandise at the train station, you can make your own “wild” animals from SB Zoo Workshop, or find something special at gift carts located around SB Zoo.
If you are visiting Santa Barbara from out of town, consider staying at one of these fine hotels and hideaways.
While visiting Santa Barbara Zoo, we encourage you to take photos and video for your own personal use. Commercial photography is allowed, but only with prior written permission. Please contact the marketing department for more information, or review our location filming policy. We may photograph visitors from time to time for promotional and educational purposes: entry to SB Zoo grants permission for us to use these images.
The Zoo is open rain or shine! Depending on the severity of the weather, some animals may need to come inside for their safety and some attractions/rides may need to temporarily close for your safety. In very rare cases, severe weather may force us to close the Zoo.
Questions? Contact us by email.
No smoking or vaping is permitted.
The Santa Barbara Zoo welcomes strollers throughout the Zoo, but please be considerate to others when navigating in crowded viewing areas. Strollers and wagons are available for rent at the Gift Store:
Single stroller $7/$6 for SB Zoo Members
Double stroller $9/$8 for SB Zoo Members
Wagon $8/$7 for SB Zoo Members
Firearms and other weapons are not permitted. Off-duty police carrying a weapon must notify Guest Services upon entering the Zoo.
Wheelchairs are available for rental on a first-come, first-served basis for $7/each, $6/each for SB Zoo Members at the main gift store near the Zoo’s entrance.
Electric convenience vehicles (ECV) are available to rent for $30/each, $25/each for SB Zoo Members, plus a $10 deposit. Supplies are limited, so please rent your ECV online when you make your reservation to visit the Zoo.
Museums for All: EBT CardThe Santa Barbara Zoo is a proud participant in the Museums for All program, offering discounted pricing on general daytime admission ($3 per admission for up to four people) for guests presenting an EBT card, SNAP benefits, and a valid form of photo ID. Zoo parking is not included. Tickets using the EBT discount must be purchased at the Zoo’s admissions window and are not available online.
More than 150 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums partner with the Santa Barbara Zoo to offer discounted admission to their members. Members of reciprocal zoos and aquariums receive a 50% discount; proof of eligibility is required at the time of purchase. Check out the Reciprocal List to see if your home zoo or aquarium is on the list. Tickets using the reciprocal discount must be purchased at the Zoo’s admissions window and are not available online.
SB Zoo is located in Santa Barbara, CA, approximately 90 miles north of Los Angeles, 25 minutes north of Ventura, and 40 miles south of Solvang.
Zoo parking is $11 per vehicle (one free vehicle with SB Zoo Membership): however, on summer days and weekends the lot fills early. Auxiliary parking may be found outside SB Zoo on Niños Drive, the Waterfront Parking lot, or E. Cabrillo Blvd. Parking lot.
Sports equipment, balloons, barbeques, skateboards, roller skates, bicycles, and pets are not permitted in the Zoo. Barbeques, RVs, and pets are not allowed in the Zoo parking lot.
Whether you take a train, plane, car, or bus, transportation in Santa Barbara is incredibly accessible. Check out transportation options here.
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