Santa Barbara Zoo Hours and Tickets
The Santa Barbara Zoo is open daily 9:30 AM – 5 PM, and 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. The Zoo closes early for some special events. Reservations are required for both general admission tickets and SB Zoo Member visits.
The Australian Walkabout is open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM, last entry at 3:45 PM.
Upcoming Events
New Volunteer Orientation
Make the most of your passion for animals and join the Zoo as a volunteer! New Volunteer Orientation is the first step to becoming a Zoo Guide or Keeper Aide, and you’ll meet fellow volunteers and lear...
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International Vulture Awareness Day
Celebrate International Vulture Awareness Day at the Zoo with fun and interactive games and learn about nature’s cleanup crew. Learn fun facts about local vulture species, including the Zoo’s Cal...
Learn More
New Volunteer Orientation
Make the most of your passion for animals and join the Zoo as a volunteer! New Volunteer Orientation is the first step to becoming a Zoo Guide or Keeper Aide, and you’ll meet fellow volunteers and lear...
Learn MoreZoo Map
Ranger Station
The Ranger Station is a place where you can connect to nature by walking on mini trails, spotting local animals and plant life, and becoming immersed in the great outdoors. Open daily, hours may vary.
Barnyard
The Barnyard is home to several goats, and other farm animals. Get up close to some of the adorable mini goats with a free goat brushing experience (hours vary).
Rattlesnake Canyon
Slither into Rattlesnake Canyon to meet several scaly friends.
The Wave
Enjoy a rotating menu of special items along with sweeping ocean and mountain views at this hilltop cafe. Hours vary, check in with staff for more info.
Giraffe Deck
Hand feed Masai giraffes for the wildlife experience of a lifetime. Check at the giraffe deck for the day's feeding times.
Cabrillo Lawn
Home of Early Explorers preschool, the first licensed fully outdoor preschool in California. Only open to enrolled students.
Rolling Hill Stage
Catch a performance of Theater Gone Wild, featuring a cast of puppets teaching viewers of all ages about the natural world.
Kallman Family Play Area
Let the little ones run wild with climbing on a giant rope spider web, hiding in dinosaur eggs, or sliding down the fan favorite ant hill.
The Buzz
Get your wings buzzing with with coffee drinks, smoothies, and other beverages at the Buzz.
Zoo Train Station
Take a ride around the Zoo on the iconic Zoo Train or treat yourself with ice cream and homemade fudge at the Sweet Station.
Australian Walkabout
Experience the thrill of seeing kangaroos, emus, and wallabies up close as you share the habitat with these iconic Australian species.
Tropical Aviary
Walk through this open aviary with exotic birds and other species.
Rainforest Passage
Visit a variety of amphibians and reptiles from warm and wet climates.
Discovery Pavilion
Watch our animal kitchen in action through a viewing window, check out the latest art gallery exhibit, or book an event in one of our large classrooms.
Ridley-Tree House Restaurant
Our main restaurant serves delicious grilled items, sandwiches, salads, beverages, and other tasty delights.
Courtyard
Rest your paws at picnic tables in our garden courtyard and grab something to eat at the Ridley-Tree House restaurant.
Gift Store
An exotic emporium of toys, books, and unique souvenirs. Stroller, wagon, and wheelchair rentals are available here.
Rainforest Passage
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Wings of Asia
Immerse yourself in birds from across the Asian continent in this lush walkthrough aviary.
Attractions and Retail
Attractions
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.
Dining
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.
Gifts and Souvenirs
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.
We also offer themed merchandise at the train station or you can find something special at gift carts located around SB Zoo.
Lodging Nearby
If you are visiting Santa Barbara from out of town, consider staying at one of these fine hotels and hideaways.
Strollers
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 to 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
Wheelchair/ECV
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.
Discounts
Museums for All: EBT Card
The 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.
Members of Other AZA Zoos and Aquariums
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.
Group Ticket Discount
Tickets are available for purchases of 20 or more General Admission tickets. Buy group rate tickets online here.
Zoo Policy and Conduct Rules
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 the 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.
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 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.
Firearms and other weapons are not permitted. Off-duty police carrying a weapon must notify Guest Services upon entering the Zoo.
Directions and Parking at Santa Barbara Zoo
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.
Disabled person parking is free with current placard or license plates. Bicycle parking is free; racks available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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.
Alternative Transportation
Whether you take a train, plane, car, or bus, transportation in Santa Barbara is incredibly accessible. Check out transportation options here.
