San Francisco Zoo

This has got to be one of the best zoos I’ve ever visited! The animals have so much space, all seem very well taken care of, and the employees were all very nice and helpful. Wandering through the Africa section alone was jaw dropping! My kids especially loved the penguins who seemed to be having the time of their lives! The food at the cafe was really good too! I got chicken strips that were fried to perfection and juicy. My daughter got mac and cheese which was made with cavatappi noodles! We really enjoyed our time and felt like the zoo was a really well thought out, lovely place for animals and education.

My experience at the San Francisco Zoo was excellent from start to finish. One of the standout features was the mobile app, which made navigating the zoo incredibly easy. The interactive map and journey-planning tools were well designed, user-friendly, and helped us make the most of our visit without missing any of the major attractions. The zoo itself is impressively organized, with animals grouped into themed regions that create a more immersive experience. I particularly enjoyed how areas such as Africa, Australia, South America, and the exotic animal exhibits were clearly separated and thoughtfully designed. Even insects and smaller creatures have their own dedicated area, which shows the attention to detail and educational value that the zoo offers. There is a great diversity of animals, making it easy to spend an entire day exploring. The habitats appeared well maintained, and the layout encouraged a natural flow from one exhibit to another. During our visit, one cafeteria was open and serving guests, while the pizza restaurant was temporarily closed. Hopefully it reopens soon, as having both food venues operating would help distribute visitors more evenly and improve the overall dining experience during busy periods. Overall, this is a fantastic destination for families, couples, tourists, and animal lovers of all ages. The combination of excellent organization, a wide variety of animals, educational exhibits, and a very helpful mobile app made for a memorable day out. I would definitely recommend a visit and look forward to returning in the future.

We had a great time at the San Francisco Zoo. The lemurs were definitely a highlight, and it was wonderful to see so many animals up close. The animals appeared well cared for, and there was a wide variety of exhibits to explore and learn from. The docents were friendly, enthusiastic, and eager to share their knowledge, which made the visit even more enjoyable. There was always something interesting to discover, making it a fun experience for both kids and adults. The zoo is a beautiful place to spend a day outdoors, though some areas could benefit from a little refresh. A few plants have become overgrown, and some exhibit viewing windows are showing signs of age, making it harder to get a clear view of the animals. Overall, it was an enjoyable visit with plenty to see and learn, and we look forward to coming back.

Had a wonderful day at the San Francisco Zoo — such a beautiful zoo by the ocean with lots of open space, amazing animals, and a very relaxing vibe. The African Savanna, gorillas, penguins, and grizzly bears were definite highlights. A small tip if you’re visiting: try reaching by 11 AM and start the zoo clockwise beginning with the African Savanna area. It makes the route much smoother and helps cover most exhibits comfortably without too much backtracking. Also carry a light jacket — the ocean breeze gets chilly

We had a good experience at San Francisco Zoo and enjoyed visiting. There is a nice variety of animals, and the trails throughout the zoo are clean and easy to walk. There are also plenty of bathrooms located around the park, which is convenient. One thing to note is that parking is paid, so that’s something to plan for ahead of time. Overall, it’s a well-maintained zoo and a great place to spend some time.

This place made me so sad. We arrived at opening time and were surprised by how few cars were in the parking lot. The very few animals we saw were in filthy environmens and looked depressed. The Flamingos were in nasty smelling water that made me gag. We walked through the entire zoo in about 30 minutes. I was so disgusted that I asked for our money back. The Customer Service member didn't even ask why. He knew why. He acted like he does this quite frequently. He even gave us a parking pass so we did not pay. They are losing money and the public gets screwed. The children that were there were playing on the outdated playground, but they weren't interested in the zoo because there was nothing to see. The very few staff that we saw were sabby and unkept themselves. After we left, we started reading about the poor condition and that animals were being sent to other zoos. We are on a month long road trip from our home in Virginia. We have visited several zoos and this was by far the worst of the worst. The San Francisco Zoo needs to be closed and the poor uncared for animals need to be given to zoos that can provide descent living conditions. San Francisco should be ashamed. If you follow me or read my reviews, you know that I try to be as honest as possible. Don't waste your time or money on this place. I hope the animal advocates get involved or the animals die, because they are suffering in their current environment.

I would give the San Francisco Zoo 3 stars. Overall, my family and I enjoyed our visit, and there were many beautiful areas throughout the zoo. Several sections have well maintained gardens and nice landscaping But I noticed there were areas of the zoo where sections were not maintained. Several gardens and other parts of the park seemed neglected and in need of regular upkeep. The difference between the well maintained areas and those that were not was really noticeable. My greatest concern was the condition of some of the animal habitats, particularly the lions' enclosure. It seemed dry, unkempt, and in need of greater attention and care. Seeing the condition of that habitat was disappointing, as it did not reflect the standard of care one would expect from a respected zoological institution. While some animal exhibits appeared well maintained, others did not seem to receive the same level of care and attention. I recognize the important role that zoos play in conservation and education, and I'm glad I took my toddler to visit. I believe greater attention should be given to maintaining the grounds consistently and, most importantly, to ensuring that all animals receive the same level of care. With improvements in these areas, the San Francisco Zoo could provide a much better experience for both its visitors and the animals in its care.

A great laid back experience at the zoo. We went on a weekday, there are lots of animals with easy visibility for kids and toddlers. They have few rides as well as playground and park area for toddler who feel really energetic on the day. You can check any events on their app. The zoo does not hand out paper maps so the app is the best way to navigate around.