Best Zoos in San Francisco for a Fun & Education Time!

Receiving over 800,000 annual visitors, the San Francisco Zoo is spread out over 100 acres in the Bay Area. Situated along the Pacific Ocean, the zoo is home to over 1500 exotic, endangered and rescued animals brought here from over the world. The zoo aims at connecting its visitors with wildlife and promoting care for nature along with environment conservation on a major scale.

Location: Sloat Blvd &, Great Hwy
Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Daily
Admission: 
Adult (12+): $23
Children (2-11): $17
Children (under 2): Free

Situated at a walkable distance from San Francisco Bay, Aquarium of the Bay is home to more than 20,000 species along the coast of California. These include Sevengill sharks, North American otters, Bat rays, jellyfish to name a few. Visitors are free to explore the beautiful tunnels while a huge number of fish swim overhead. The aquarium consists of three main exhibits and takes about 2 hours to cover.

Location: PIER 39 The Embarcadero &, Beach St
Hours: 11 Am to 6 PM, Daily
Admission:
Adult (13-64): $29.25
Child (4-12): $19.25

The California Academy of Sciences is a research institute and natural history museum located in San Francisco, California. The Academy first began in 1853 as a society that conducted research. The Academy has four main museum programs- the Kimball Natural History Museum, the Morrison Planetarium, Rainforests of the World, and the Steinhart Aquarium. The interactive exhibits available around the entire museum allow the whole family to learn together in an educational and fun way.

Location: 55 Music Concourse Dr
Hours:
Monday–Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission:
Adults: $29.75 – $39.75
Children: $23.75 - $31

Located in a small corner of the massive Knowland State Park, the Oakland Zoo is one of its biggest attractions. It’s divided into five distinct areas according to the habitat type and location- Wild Australia, Wayne & Gladys Valley Children’s Zoo, Tropical Rainforest, African Savanna, and California Trail. There is also an Adventure Landing where children and adults can enjoy the rollercoaster and endangered species carousel. The Outback Adventure Train starts in Adventure Landing, travels through the tropical Rainforest Area and Wild Australia before making the journey back to the depot.

Location: 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland
Timings: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Everyday
Admission:
Children (2-14) and Seniors (65-75): $20
Adults: $24

The Steinhart Aquarium is part of the combination of a planetarium, an aquarium and a natural history museum in the innovative and famous California Institute of Sciences. The aquarium showcases the largest, living, indoor coral reef in the world along with a live rainforest in a 90 degree sphere and approximately 200 exhibits.

Location: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr
Hours: 
Monday to Saturday: 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Sunday: 11 AM to 5 PM
Admission:
Adult: $27.75
Youth (3-17): $21.75

Nestled among Pier 39’s bay view restaurants, the Sea Lion Center is a dedicated nature center overlooking the sea lions that hang out on the K-Dock. It is operated by the Aquarium of the Bay as a non-profit organization. The sea lions on Pier 39 first moved in during the 1990s but their numbers vary every season. The Center helps educate its visitors in understanding sea lions and their importance to the San Francisco ecosystem. Their interactive displays and education videos help educate its visitors on how to protect the sea lions that are vital to San Francisco’s image. You can also interact with sea lion artifacts as well as gain information about other similar animals around the world.

Location: 203, Pier 39
Admission: Free
Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Everyday