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Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara

4.5
#1 of 17 in Parks in Santa Barbara
Zoo / Aquarium Nature / Park
See rare and endangered species and take part in various animal-oriented activities at Santa Barbara Zoo. The zoo features more than 400 animals--from insects to large mammals--and gives the visitors a chance to learn about the wildlife, admire rarely seen and endangered species, and interact with some of its residents. Animal habitats are recreated to mimic each animal's natural surroundings. View species from all over the world, such as Asian elephants and Western lowland gorillas, as well as local animals, such as the California condor. Some tours and activities require an additional fee. Make Santa Barbara Zoo a part of your Santa Barbara vacation plans using our Santa Barbara trip planner.
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Santa Barbara Zoo Reviews
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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
1,151 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • October 2, 2017
    My grandkids love to go to the Santa Barbara zoo and do so on every visit here. The feeding of the giraffe is a major part of that visit as is the train and climbing wall.  more »
  • September 24, 2017
    This is a nice zoo - lots of activities for small kids. Beautiful landscaping and a wide range of animals. The gorilla looked so sad as did the lion. Some animals had really large pens, which was grea...  more »
  • September 22, 2017
    Unlike the massive LA Zoo, I usually prefer to drive up to Santa Barbara to visit the much smaller (30 acres, 500 animals) Santa Barbara Zoo. (For one thing, it is almost impossible to visit the LA Zo...  more »
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Google
  • June 23, 2017
    Love this Zoo. Been coming here since I was a little girl & now taking my own daughter. It's the perfect size to walk around for the day. We love the train ride & all the animals. Some animal exhibits aren't as luxurious as others and the animals could use more enrichment in their enclosures. But overall this is a wonderful organization and a great adventure for the day.
  • July 9, 2017
    Area is just wide enough for a family day visit to bring kids. Not too crowded. Has plenty enough animals to see and the whole zoo can be covered in one visit. Has animal show and also a small play area for little kids.
  • June 4, 2017
    Good zoo for the size of Santa Barbara. It's clean and the animals seem well looked after. We had a great chat with the ant eater keeper, very knowledgeable and excited to share. Lots of space for kids to run around and play.
  • June 14, 2017
    Nice little zoo tucked away in Santa Barbara. Not too big which is great for kids to walk around. Very nice and clean. Close to the beach which keeps it a little cooler than other zoos.
  • April 13, 2017
    Such beautiful views that you can't get from other parts of Santa Barbara. The family of giraffes is always a great attraction and if you're here the train ride is a must for both adults and children. They serve good food and beer here too. It's very well kept and the staff are very knowledgeable.
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Blessed with a mild climate and lush location, Santa Barbara remains a playground for the rich and famous, so it's no surprise that accommodations can be extremely expensive here. The priciest hotels are near the water, so before you make your reservations, decide if staying beachside fits into your budget. You can find more affordable rooms at any one of the area's small motels, located just blocks from the beaches. These offer secure parking, cable TV, and free Wi-Fi.
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