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Delight in attractions like hand-feeding giraffes, brushing friendly goats, and experiencing captivating animal encounters. Explore our art gallery, which showcases nature-inspired works and promotes conservation awareness. Join us for a fun, educational day filled with unforgettable memories and wildlife wonders.
Santa Barbara Zoo Attractions
Zoo Train
Two C.P. Huntington trains circle the perimeter of the Zoo and delight visitors of all ages. Operation times may vary due to weather. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the train station. Please note that train tickets may sell out on busy days.
Australian walkabout
The Australian Walkabout is a walkthrough adventure aimed at reminding all of us to take care of our planet’s living treasures…across the world and in our own backyards. Get up close to Australian animals like kangaroos and wallabies.
Cost: free with Zoo admission or Membership.
Giraffe Feeding
Hand feed Masai giraffes and have the experience of a lifetime. Giraffe feeding schedule may vary due to weather and/or animal behavior; check at the giraffe deck when you visit for the day’s schedule. The deck is typically open from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:00 to 2:00 PM.
Cost: $8/person, $5/SB Zoo Members. Buy tickets at the Zoo on the day of your visit.
Goat Brushing
Get up close to our extremely cute mini Nubian and dwarf Nigerian goats in the Zoo’s barnyard for a fun and relaxed goat brushing experience on your next trip to the Zoo.
Goat brushing hours: Weekends 11 AM – 1 PM and 2 – 4 PM. Hours may vary due to animal behavior.
Cost: Goat brushing is free with Zoo admission or membership.
Climb FOR CONDORS
A soaring experience at the Santa Barbara Zoo! Climb for Condors on our 26’ rock wall, and learn what it takes to save an endangered species.
Climbers must weigh between 45 and 250 lbs.
Cost: $6/person, $4/person for SB Zoo Members
Open 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM weekends only.
Operation times may vary due to weather.
Engineer for a Day
Come aboard and learn to be a Santa Barbara Zoo Train engineer! Choo-choose this adventure for a "rail-y" good time. Includes a certificate, Zoo Train ride, engineer hat & bandanna, train whistle, and more.
Cost: $175, $125 for SB Zoo Members
Walking TourS
This experience covers the Zoo’s history and details about the animals who call the Zoo home. With a focus on conservation and animal care, your guide will lead you through the Zoo and share their wealth of knowledge of our animals' natural and personal histories.
Please inquire about walking tours here.
Max Guests: N/A
Ages: All ages
Cost: $35 (does not include Zoo admission), $30 for SB Zoo Members
Duration: 60 minutes
Availability: Offered Mondays – Sundays during regular operating hours
Kallman Family Play Area
A place to run wild! The Kallman Family Play Area, located across from the Zoo Train station, is full of fun stuff for the little ones. Pretend you’re a dinosaur and hide in one of the ‘dinosaur eggs’; be a spider as you crawl across the giant rope web; or, slide or roll down the ant hill, a perennial favorite.
Theater Gone Wild
“Dino Doc” – The Zoo’s dinosaurs get a check-up and receive top-notch medical care with some help from kids in the audience.
“California Tales: Turtle Flies South for Winter” – This show features the California Tales Crew, including Corey Coyote who enlists the ingenious help of Rikki Raven and Eleanora Condor to teach a talkative turtle a lesson.
Cost: free with Zoo admission. Show times vary and may be canceled due to weather.
Wildlife Experiences
Are you curious about what it’s like to feed a penguin or get eye-to-eye with giraffes? Check out the Santa Barbara Zoo’s wildlife experiences, where you’ll meet and greet the animals for a 20 to 30-minute educational experience and Q & A session. Parking and admission to the Zoo are included in encounter prices.
Immersive Spaces
The Zoo has many immersive spaces designed to connect guests to the natural world and local conservation. Check out the Ranger Station, where you can connect to nature by walking on mini trails and learning about wildlife and environmental stewardship from Zoo Rangers. The Richard Block Conservation Hub is an innovative and interactive space dedicated to education and engagement, offering hands-on opportunities to learn about the local animals the Zoo's conservation team works with. At Field Outpost 1, you'll dive into the world of field observation and can see animal artifacts.
Immersive spaces are open daily, hours may vary.
Cost: free with Zoo admission or membership.
Discovery Pavilion
Discovery Pavilion is a nearly 9,000-square-foot LEED-certified space that houses classrooms/meeting spaces, the Zoo's animal kitchen, and an art gallery.
Ridley-Tree Animal Kitchen
Come and see our animal nutrition team in action! Watch them prepare meals for more than 380 animals through a big window with a view of the kitchen.
Volentine Gallery
The gallery is open during regular Zoo hours and special events. It features changing art exhibits relating to the natural world and the Zoo’s conservation mission.
The current show is Island Fox Conservation Working Group: Celebrating 25 Years, a striking graphic representation of the collaborative efforts that saved the island fox from certain extinction.
Cost: animal kitchen viewing and art show are free with Zoo admission or Membership.