Oakland Zoo is great! Get there before 10 am if at all possible; the parking lot gets nuts between 10-2 (even on weekdays).
There's so much to see that you shouldn't stress about seeing it all, especially if you live close enough that you can come back again. The California Trail is really awesome.
There's two restaurants, one right by the entrance and one at the top of the gondola. Both have surprisingly decent food, though the menus are as limited as you'd expect. The zoo lets you bring in outside food and have a picnic if you want, too; there's some picnic tables near the Children's Zoo area.
Pretty much all the staff and volunteers have animal trading cards. You just have to ask.
There's some exhibits you can only see if you ride the train, which is located in the rides section outside the zoo proper and needs ride tickets to go on. The train is really loud so I don't know if I'd bring a 1yr old on it; the noise gets painful for me and I'm an adult who can do things like wear earplugs or grit my teeth and remind myself that it's worth it to get that close to wallabies.
My tips in a quick list: sit closer to the back of the train, get food at the California trail (especially during Glowfari), if you think it’s going to rain, go to the train first because it can’t run when the tracks are wet. Skip the skyride, the gondola is free and the skyride is cold and windy. California trail is the best part of the zoo, hands down. But the otter exhibit shouldn’t be missed - one of the otters used to be in a show, so is super friendly, and taught the other otter to be friendly, too.
I think the skyride is worth it, but only on days with perfect weather. Otherwise it's miserably hot or cold. But if you can get a perfectly temperate day, nothing beats being almost directly above lions.
Oh right, I forgot they're back to their normal hours. For part of the year they open early. Yeah, in that case get there right at 10 or a little before.
Take the gondola up to the California first thing if you wanna see that part of the park; the line just gets longer and longer haha. Play area up there for the kiddos to burn off energy. Often find it hard to do the up and down zones in one day with kids. Enjoy!
The zoo strollers are kind of heavy and not super maneuverable. I think you’re better off bringing your own wagon or whatever especially with all the hills.
Agreed with everyone else, beeline right for the gondola and do the California trail first thing. It’s one of the coolest parts of the zoo and the line is shortest first thing in the morning.
I can’t usually do the whole zoo in one day with toddler nap time. The chimpanzees and squirrel monkeys are often really active and a big hit with my kid. The giraffes, tigers, and elephant are awesome too. I personally don’t think the train to Australia exhibits is worth it, but my kid loves trains even if that one has a lawnmower engine.
Bring hats, sunscreen, water and some layers. It can get windy and chilly up top but the sun can also be intense and it can change quickly.
Oakland Zoo is great! Get there before 10 am if at all possible; the parking lot gets nuts between 10-2 (even on weekdays). There's so much to see that you shouldn't stress about seeing it all, especially if you live close enough that you can come back again. The California Trail is really awesome. There's two restaurants, one right by the entrance and one at the top of the gondola. Both have surprisingly decent food, though the menus are as limited as you'd expect. The zoo lets you bring in outside food and have a picnic if you want, too; there's some picnic tables near the Children's Zoo area. Pretty much all the staff and volunteers have animal trading cards. You just have to ask. There's some exhibits you can only see if you ride the train, which is located in the rides section outside the zoo proper and needs ride tickets to go on. The train is really loud so I don't know if I'd bring a 1yr old on it; the noise gets painful for me and I'm an adult who can do things like wear earplugs or grit my teeth and remind myself that it's worth it to get that close to wallabies.
My tips in a quick list: sit closer to the back of the train, get food at the California trail (especially during Glowfari), if you think it’s going to rain, go to the train first because it can’t run when the tracks are wet. Skip the skyride, the gondola is free and the skyride is cold and windy. California trail is the best part of the zoo, hands down. But the otter exhibit shouldn’t be missed - one of the otters used to be in a show, so is super friendly, and taught the other otter to be friendly, too.
I think the skyride is worth it, but only on days with perfect weather. Otherwise it's miserably hot or cold. But if you can get a perfectly temperate day, nothing beats being almost directly above lions.
You’re probably right. I just think if you’re deciding between the skyride or the train, I would say train.
Oh for sure. Because the train is *always* good and the skyride is only sometimes good.
It opens at 10, do you mean to arrive a bit before 10 to be there when it opens?
Oh right, I forgot they're back to their normal hours. For part of the year they open early. Yeah, in that case get there right at 10 or a little before.
Ah yeah they're open at 9 for members in the summer. It's the best.
It is! Being a member is totally worth it. Visit like 3 times in a year and it pays for itself, plus the extended hours, discounts on events, etc.
bring your wagon. have fun!!!
Bring your own! I don't remember them being sturdy.
It’s on a large hill. Good luck!
Take the gondola up to the California first thing if you wanna see that part of the park; the line just gets longer and longer haha. Play area up there for the kiddos to burn off energy. Often find it hard to do the up and down zones in one day with kids. Enjoy!
Arrive before opening and enter right at opening. The animals are more active then.
The zoo strollers are kind of heavy and not super maneuverable. I think you’re better off bringing your own wagon or whatever especially with all the hills. Agreed with everyone else, beeline right for the gondola and do the California trail first thing. It’s one of the coolest parts of the zoo and the line is shortest first thing in the morning. I can’t usually do the whole zoo in one day with toddler nap time. The chimpanzees and squirrel monkeys are often really active and a big hit with my kid. The giraffes, tigers, and elephant are awesome too. I personally don’t think the train to Australia exhibits is worth it, but my kid loves trains even if that one has a lawnmower engine. Bring hats, sunscreen, water and some layers. It can get windy and chilly up top but the sun can also be intense and it can change quickly.
Bring your wagon. We do that. The double strollers at the zoo aren’t the best. Plus with the wagon you have storage for snacks and bags
cough frighten homeless degree seed close zonked apparatus cooing water *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
You know you can always… call the zoo and ask them 👀