Santa Barbara Sights

Santa Barbara Zoo

#1 of 71 things to do in Santa Barbara

#28 of 19917 things to do in USA

3 reviews | Write a review

Good for: everyone, animal lovers

  • Address
    • 500 Ninos Dr Montecito
  • Website
  • Phone
    • tel, info: 805 962 5339
  • Price
    • adult/under 12yr & senior US$10/US$8
  • Hours
    • 10:00-17:00

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Lonely Planet review for Santa Barbara Zoo

Big cats, monkeys, elephants and giraffes await at the 500-animal Santa Barbara Zoo , where you'll also find beautiful gardens. The Humboldt penguins are the current stars, and these tuxedoed show-offs seem to know it. If you're in need of a giggle, hit the 'Eeeww!' insect exhibit. Its hissing cockroaches and giant African millipedes will leave you giggling at the grossed-out kids. Or deeply disturbed. Parking costs around US$3.

 

Traveller reviews for Santa Barbara Zoo (3)

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    Great Family Fun!

    jackstone recommends this,

    Great place to spend a sunny day in Santa Barbara. I also love that the zoo is about a half a block away from the beach. It's the best having lunch at the zoo after an exciting day looking at all the animals (especially the gorillas!) They have a great train that you can ride on that goes throughout the zoo as well, the kids really love it! It's an impressive zoo, even for a small one. I would totally recommend it to any animal lover out there! I loved that it was super close to my hotel too! The Sandman Inn (www.thesandmaninn.com). So affordable and in the best location. My favorite part is probably lounging by the pool after a long day out and about in Santa Barbara!

    Good for: everyone

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    exciting!

    tlogsmith recommends this,

    As a child I remember coming to Santa Barbara Zoo and riding around on the train and seeing the giraffe with the crooked neck. As a long time visitor, the zoo never dulls for me. I am truly an animal lover as well as my boyfriend. Our trips to the zoo are never dull, we especially love the lions and gorillas! While just out of college, our limited budget is crucial, but not a deal breaker, that is why we love staying at The South Coast Inn in Santa Barbara (http://www.santa-barbara-hotel.com/). Just a 5 minute drive to downtown SB, and 7 from the Zoo, it is a wonderful place to stay if like me, a poor graduate looking for a nice weekend getaway with her partner. Though my favorite giraffe is gone, the memory lives on, and new are formed, hence why I LOVE the SB ZOO!

    Good for: animal lovers

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    Best Bet with Kids

    skaljian recommends this,

    This small zoo is a great place to spend the day with children. They just opened the California Condor exihibit; one of the few places in the world to view these huge birds. They have all the usual animals elephants, lions, pengiuns ... and then an entire section of Calfornia wildlife -- Channel Island foxes, Bald Eagles, desert tortoises, even a live rattlesnake. It is a lovely setting; right by the beach. There is a great little train to ride.

    You might consider bringing food with you. (they don't mind) There is a small food court, but it is expensive and doesn't have many options. We prefer to use the picnic area by the lions to eat; it has a great ocean view and our kids can run around while we eat.

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