Los Angeles Zoo

I went here on a great day, and it wasn't crowded. There were lots of animal exhibits but the one that I liked the most was the two chimpanzees who recently had babies and were nursing their babies. The zoo was clean and easy to navigate through. Some of the plants could have been in better shape. I had no idea that the zoo was also a botanical garden with over 800 kinds of plants. Parking was free and plentiful. I would recommend the zoo to anyone who enjoys animals and the outdoors. I will definitely be back.

A huge zoo with beautiful scenery and exhibits. Many animals in different themed areas. Affordable prices and membership options available. Large free parking lot. Be prepared to spend the whole day exploring — the zoo grounds are enormous.

The Zoo was good in general but I only give it 4 stars because a lot of the exhibits were closed, either without any reason or for renovation. Sadly the elephants are also at another Zoo for the time being, so you won't be able to see any. Other than that I had a good time and it's worth visiting considering the price is also pretty low. Try to arrive as early as possible as it is very big and you will need a lot of time to properly visit everything.

We love going to the Los Angeles Zoo. We go at least 4 days a week. Its a great place to get your steps in while soaking in the beautiful and amazing animals. It's a treat for the senses! Come meet the 2 adorable newborn baby Chimpanzees that are about 1 month old and check out the Meerkat that's always ready to greet you. The only down side is that a lot of animal exhibits are closed due to budget cuts. With our continued support, we can help the zoo welcome back lions, elephants, and so much more. Hope to see you there!

I took my nephews to see the Zoo lights. It's enjoyable and the kids liked it. Bring a jacket as it will get colder as you get into December. You have to select a reservation time.

My daughter and I went on November 15, 2025 for Zoo Lights. We almost had the entire zoo to ourselves because of the rain. The displays were fantastic.

The animals look extremely healthy and very cared for. However, I couldn't help but feel bad. I noticed that some of them looked very sad. Although it broke my heart, I still captured some very cute moments. Some of the exhibits here were pretty empty as well. I didn't see any of the koala's or elephants. Overall, I'm very happy that I got to experience this.

There is one too many exhibits closed that’s the only reason I’m giving four stars, most of the food courts weren’t even open and I was there from 10 to 12 on a Thursday. But it was my first time at the zoo and I really enjoyed looking at all the beautiful animals. My husband took me there for our anniversary ❤️

Came back to the zoo after 7 years! Wow! Looking back on the photos, it seems that some of the exhibits no longer exist. I didn't see too many big cats and I think the bears are no longer there. But I may have just missed them, so don't quote me! There is also a lot of construction, so many parts of the zoo was closed. But things to expect in this upcoming year seem to be the Condor exhibit and a Pinks hot dog. There wasn't very many eateries, which was surprising cause all of these places love to sell you a $25 hot dog combo! They were pretty lax about us bringing in our own stuff so I recommend bringing your own little picnic, or some snacks. My favorite animals this time around were the monkeys and great apes! They were the most active and fun to watch. We also had a pretty close encounter with the giraffe which was really cool! Unfortunately I couldn't say hi to the goats again, cause they closed up for the day. But according to my brother, they no longer have goats to pet?! Looking forward to coming back soon once the new exhibit opens up!

Disappointing. A Zoo with not many animals to see. It was a decent walk I guess, gets the kids off tablets for winter break. At least reduce the entry fee for the lack of attraction & many temporary closures. No petting zoo. No Train ride. A carousel with a long line. Overpriced meals, drinks not included. Lady at the Reggie cafe said no refills, lids or straws meanwhile looking over watching guest get refills and filling up their personal bottles. Tasteless small dry burgers. At 4pm other cafes inside were closing, unable to refill on water or purchase snacks for cranky kids. Zoo business ours state closes at 5pm!!

First of all, just buy the annual membership - the glorificus Betty White will smile down upon you and not cuss you out for ignoring her babies. Then, after you enter, stop by the sea lions and watch them not drowning while they sleep on the bottom of their pool. Walk up the steps and pay your respects to the almighty Reggie the Alligator, famed escape artist and legendary bad boy of Harbor Regional Park. Ignore the bees if its summer, they don't sting. Work your way up in the AM (or visit in the late afternoon to beat the crowds). Use your membership coupons to ride the tram - don't save them or you'll never use them. Check to see what animal shows are open for the day, and plan accordingly. Bring your own snacks to avoid the lines. Animals aren't always out, and exhibits need downtime for repairs and maintenance. The zoo is not some place you go and experience everything in one day, one visit. Be a kid, enjoy what you see, make the most of your trip and don't ruin it for everyone else. Yes, there will be impolite people, un-parented children, and crushes of people. In all honesty, our best visits were on cold or rainy days. You have the place to yourselves. Remember, if it's a holiday or weekend, it will be crowded. Go early if it's your first time, or later if you go often.

LA Zoo is worth a visit and you can easily spend 2-3 hours there. So many different things to see and we must've have gotten lucky because everything was out and about--- (tiger, rhino, and elephants)!

I recently made an online purchase for a family package for three people, which cost $190. It came with two complimentary tickets, and we receive discounts on food and other event tickets. My mother-in-law and I have found a suitable location to visit regularly. We are both looking forward to returning throughout the year. There were numerous school buses there the day we arrived. The park was busy but not too crowded to enjoy all the features. We heard that the elephants were about to come out for feeding. Tiny, an older elephant, has her food cut specifically because she has only one tooth, and she is still encouraged to graze for food. She was part of the circus, so she loves it when everyone claps. While we were going to different attractions, we ran into Muriel, a 99-year-young docent who educated us about echidnas. What an amazing time we got to spend with Muriel! She patiently answered all our questions and even shared some additional information. We noticed a few several food trucks and other vendors selling hats, gloves, food. Parking is free which is a big plus !

The review is specifically for the LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow. Def do not recommend. It is small and way too packed to enjoy. I have done other light parks such as Arboretum and Decanso Garden, which are way more enjoyable with less people. LA Zoo felt like you were in line the entire time. It was just so crammed with people and all the exhibits were on the bland side.

We attended the LA Zoo Aglow. They have a lot of beautiful lights, but we were disappointed that there were no animals out to see. Also, I expected holiday music, but they didn't have any. To top it all, there was a sign that said last entry to that area was 9:45 pm; we were told it was closed at 9:44 pm, so also disappointed that we were denied to see an entire area of the light show. The one good thing is the parking us free and there are plenty of spaces. It was a nice walk, but not sure it's worth going again.

I've always supported the LA Zoo for many years and enjoyed their Halloween, Chinese New Year, Christmas Lights and other events. Since I've been doing research overseas, I've had to revive my membership to go back and enjoy the animals and also hang out in one of the most green and home to animals you don't ordinarily see in Los Angeles landscapes. I went straight to see the Giraffe, Leopard, Tigers, Elephants, Rhinoceros, gorilla, chimpanzee and Zebra enclosures. They seem to be healthier and bulkier than in the past many years. You see, I spent some time in Africa doing HIV research and usually fly to Kruger to see them in the wild. It's mating season so I get to see the courtship rituals and their attempt at such while visitors rile themselves up to the act, LOL. The Okapi and Tapir were great looking considering they seem to be undernourished in the past compared to those in other zoos. The Aviary seemed not so crowded for so many other reasons, and the reptiles are dull-looking, and appears to be alone (no mates, therefore?) in their enclosures. I counted several closures and staff and subcontractors are all over the place, fixing or repairing enclosures and the like. Yesterday was about 100 degrees so the animals were away from the eager crowds, too. The gorilla even mooned the crowd which drew us to loud screams and laughters, hahahaha! It was really fun to see such rare trained reactions and behavior from both species of animals (us?)! I can go on and on but if you have time, please visit the LA zoo either in the daytime or nighttime events and support an iconic zoo.

I have lived in California for over 4+ decades. I have only been to the LA Zoo once. It was with one of my youngest brother's family. He had an annual pass at the time. It's a good size zoo. Love the animals here especially the giraffes. We did the safari ride which was fantastic. Got to see the animals in a controlled wild atmosphere. If I live closer to this zoo, I would get their annual pass.

Terrible! LA Zoo is one of the worst Zoos I've ever been too! It is consistently voted one of the worst Zoos in America. The LA Zoo is also the worst zoo for elephants due to their treatment of elephants as well according to some reports. They say Billy the Elephant is mistreated and in constant pain mentally and physically. Not sure how this reports know this. LA Zoo is lacking so many animals. We didn't see any lions, bears or tigers. This zoo is really lacking in quality. I bought the family membership and we've only gone two times. I'm not really in a rush to go back as it's a waste of time and money. Every time, we go. We end up spending more money on entertainment and food because our son is so bored coming here.

The Los Angeles Zoo is so much fun to go to and it is really enjoyable to see all the animals hang out there just spending time with one another

I think we should give the LA Zoo a bit more credit! There is a variety of animals housed at the LA Zoo and during this visit, was actually able to see most of the big cats (except the lion) chilling at their enclosures, elephants roaming, giant otters splash in and out of water, etc. In terms of activities, the noon Bird Show was really wonderful with various endangered birds soaring over the audiences' heads. The demonstration also sought to teach and encourage conservation efforts!! The down side of the LA Zoo would be that the shuttles have to be paid to ride. This is a smaller zoo so don't expect to see red pandas, or any pandas for that matter. During the visit there were a lot of construction, meaning that habitats were temporarily closed or that some animal enclosures felt incomplete. Nonetheless the LA Zoo is worth a visit, especially for a family outing! You can pack water, snacks, and even lunch so there's no need to buy food (don't know if they are good) and expensive water/snacks, and still have a picnic near your favorite enclosures. Personally, I can spend the whole day here to find all the animals and try to catch all the different activities. But if you're the type to speed through this, you can also stop by other free museums in the area like Griffith Observatory, Travel Town, etc. All pretty family friendly and easy to visit!

This is a very cute zoo. Its perfect for the summer weather because it isn't that big where you can't see everything. We were able to see everything in about two hours and that includes taking our sweet time. I loved how clean everything was and how organized things were. I didn't enjoy that there aren't many food options but other than that I enjoyed this place very much. I hope to come again, the animals here are interesting and are for sure animals I would like to see up close again (especially the Giraffes)!

It's a zoo. I've been twice and I don't feel the need to come back, though I can see the value in membership or frequent patronage. Unlike a fixed museum, zoo exhibits may differ from visit to visit with some animals unavailable or out of sight, and LA Zoo does have some interesting attractions. They also do fun events like "Boo At The Zoo" for Halloween or "Brew At The Zoo" beer fests. Highlights for me are the komodo dragon, the snake house and the giant bronze snake that you can take pictures with, the lions (Leo here), and the goat petting zoo! Be sure to check out the old zoo at Griffith Park as well - an abandoned, graffitied maze of horrifically small animal cages and enclosures. As of a few years ago, you could still explore most of what remains.

I attended the Holiday Zoo Lights event and I was pleasantly surprised to see more interactive activities. They had acapella carolers called "Tinseltones Carolers" who sang holiday classics next to photos with Santa. We stayed for a few songs before proceeding on the walk. Santa photos are an additional charge depending on your photo package. I really liked the butterfly theme this year. They also had a section for kids to play with instruments. It wasn't too busy when I went so you can go at your own pace and have plenty of space to get those photos without other people under the tunnel.

I paid like $90 for the annual pass for me and my wife. With a child under 2, this was the perfect way to go out walking with our stroller. Since my son was 3 months, we've come to the zoo well over a dozen times for a stroll. Parking is free, member only entrance is so quick, and you can literally come any time! Going to renew my membership In 2025 for sure!

I've been coming to the LA Zoo since I was young and have taken my children throughout the years. My youngest son and I are keeping our annual zoo trip tradition alive for as long as we can. Love seeing the growth of the giraffe family. A must do is grab lunch and sit to watch the chimpanzees eat and frolick. Finally got to see the elephants. The last two times we have come, the elephants have not been out or well. We were disappointed that a lot of exhibits/areas were closed but we can clearly see there is a lot of construction going on. Hoping for a new and improved experience next time. *Tickets are still affordable which I appreciate. *Yay for free parking. **Tip: Bring your own water bottle. Refill stations throughout the zoo.

Not sure what happened to our LA Zoo, I wish I could say so many good things. This is a place we're tourist come to visit and family bring their children to enjoy a day of seeing animals. I use to love coming here. But things have changed, the place is very outdated and unkept. I took our grandchildren. You can't see some of the animals like seals because the glass is filled with calcium buildup. The aviary show is at 12 and no more showings, no lions ( is that possible!!! A zoo without lions, no bueno). I use to be a proud member. Unfortunately, not planning to come anytime soon. I do have to say at least there is no trash on the floor.

It was my sons first time coming to The zoo and he had a wonderful time :') I suggest taking a stroller and lots of water, they also let you rent out strollers and wheelchairs! It is definitely a lot of walking but so worth it they also have restrooms EVERYWHERE which is super cool. They also have a playground for your little ones to enjoy and take a break. They also sell beers/alcoholic beverages which my husband was very happy about. Great time for everyone in the family. Also free parking!

It's been over 38 years since I've been back to this zoo and surprisingly had a good time. It's now $22 adult admission with discounts for seniors and children which can be bought at the counter. Came on a Saturday morning during June Gloom right when it opened so weather was cool and animals were out! Almost all exhibits we went to at least one animal was present: flamingo, meerkat, giraffe, gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutan, crocodile, cockatoo, rhino, elephant, tiger, sea lions, porcupine, koala. The reptile lair area was small and stuffy so I don't recommend it. No bags get checked so you can bring food in discreetly. Lines for subpar food do get long so we went out to the vendors at the entrance and had lunch. As long as you get a stamp, you can re-enter anytime. So happy these food vendors are there cuz you get better food and value with no lines: tortas, tacos, fries, hotdogs, pupusas, birria, aguas Frescas. Price was reasonable enough given the circumstances of not having to eat inside the zoo and not having to drive somewhere else. All vendors provided seating too. There are also souvenirs to buy as well. Free parking. I think everything can be seen in 5 hours in a leisurely way.

PAWS & RELAX! The L.A Zoo is a wonderful place to go to reflect on nature and the beauty of the animal kingdom. It's been a bit since my last visit and although the animals are always a marvel to see I had a few disappointments this visit. First off, most of the animals were gone. No lions, tigers, or bears were found! I spotted one elephant's butt but he was resting in the back. I figured "oh maybe all the animals are resting", nope! A lot of the enclosures were empty, which was kind of eerie. Also, a lot of the enclosures that did have animals only had one. For instance, their was one gorilla and one rhino by themselves. Additionally, I noticed a lot of the eateries were closed. They're currently renovating one eatery and converting it into a Pink's hot dog so that was understandable. However, their were many other food spots that could've been open and they weren't. It was an interesting experience as some parts of the zoo felt like an abandoned mall. I also miss the zoo's fresh eucalyptus scent that you enjoyed when you walked in, it's also gone. As for the good, The L.A zoo is still a fun time as you get to see the iconic Reggie the Alligator and his friend Tina. Also, the flamingos, meerkats, and giraffes are certainly a main event! I snagged a lot of fun pics on this trip of the animals that were there. I absolutely loved the tropical enclosure with the Caiman lizard and piranhas! Oh and I recommend visiting the Aviary it's arguably the most beautiful spot of the zoo. I will give major kudos to L.A zoo's food scene. Reggie's Bistro has some of the best food I've had at a recreational spot (zoo, theme park, etc.) They have great Mediterranean/Vegetarian dishes and juicy burgers. The gift shops are very pricey. My Mom bought me a cool hat as a gift for $35 bucks plus tax and I thought they overcharged her! Overall, I recommend this zoo, it's a great place to bring families and friends, however there is room for improvement to restore this zoo to its former glory!

On Saturday, the weather was great for a visit to the LA Zoo with the family. My sister and her kids enjoyed the first time to the Los Angeles Zoo. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes; there will be a lot of walking. Definitely an enjoyable way to spend the entire day at the LA Zoo.

I have visited several zoos and botanical gardens across the country during my travels, Los Angeles ranks in the middle of about the 10 I have been to. There is a wide range of animals to observe and learn about but not much interaction with staff, for presentations, guidance or insight at many exhibits. The lay out is hilly and difficult for some to navigate and get around. There is the shuttle options but..,,,The international Market is decent, the evening at the Zoo is cool with the night lights. Very festive during the winter holiday season

Great place to spend with someone you love with like I did with my beautiful Girlfriend. Open up more animal enclosures so we can wake them up from their sleep. The alligator in the front was enjoying a peaceful Quiet Zone next to the Christmas Caroling I respect the rebellion

The Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens is pure magic--an oasis of nature and wonder tucked right into the heart of the city! Visiting on the Summer Solstice felt like stepping into a living, breathing fairytale. Every corner was brimming with life, from the vibrant botanical gardens to the incredible variety of animals. The hippos were absolutely the stars of the show for me--watching their playful splashes and endearing quirks felt so grounding and peaceful. It was a reminder to slow down and appreciate the simple joys in life. And don't even get me started on the giraffes--they looked like they walked right out of a dreamy postcard, so graceful and majestic under the golden California sun! What really stood out was the zoo's love for the planet. Their eco-friendly practices and lush landscaping show their deep commitment to conservation and sustainability. It felt amazing to be somewhere that's not only fun but also making a positive impact. The staff were so friendly and full of knowledge, sharing little tidbits about the animals and the gardens that made every moment feel even more special. Pro tip: arrive early for the coolest temps and bring a reusable water bottle to stay refreshed. Treat yourself to shaved ice while you wander--it's the perfect summer treat! Whether you're visiting with friends, family, or flying solo, the L.A. Zoo is a must-see adventure that blends education, inspiration, and unforgettable memories. I'm already planning my next visit! With All My Love Jade Ann Byrne

Parking is free so that's a plus. This is also less expensive than San Diego zoo. The zoo is bigger than the Santa Barbara zoo but smaller than San Diego zoo. I do love the food they had available around the park. I was sad they didn't have raspberry whip but either way I like pineapple. I love their churros and kettle corn. I hadn't here since I was college and I'm glad they kept their primate collection. Will be back.

Such a nice family outing day! Although it was a warm summer day we were surrounded by a lot of shady green trees. Definitely give yourself 5-6 hours to enjoy the entire zoo. It's a huge place! Make sure you have on comfy shoes since some areas are a short incline up. I know it's hot and there's only so much we could do but I think it would be a neat idea if the zoo provided ice blocks and water pools to help all the animals stay cool and hydrated.

I had not been to the L.A Zoo in years! Today was a holiday so it probably wasn't the best time to go, because it was packed. Nevertheless we had a nice time. We saw a couple of animals that the Zoo close to home doesn't have, so that was nice! My kids were so excited to go to a new zoo. Although we got to see a lot of animals we haven't seen in a while a lot of the sun exhibits were empty. Some animals were also sleeping or hiding, but that is just regular animal behavior. They are getting ready to have their annual zoo lights, which will be back for.

It pains me to write this review. I have a membership and this is just not worth it. From the outdated/rusted tram to the majority of the exhibits closed-it's just a mess. If I had to pay for a ticket I would want my money back. I will wait a few more months to see if the numerous exhibits that have been closed for months will be open again.

I never really thought too much about the LA Zoo. When I thought of "zoo," the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park would spring to mind. Even the Santa Ana Zoo or Santa Barbara Zoo would pop up first before the one in LA. It's interesting how most of the zoos are in cities that start with an "S"...but I digress. My son is obsessively in love with animals. As a result, I got a family pass, which is actually a ridiculously good deal. The drive from Long Beach is not the best, but the free parking can't be beat. My kids can spend over an hour staring at snakes, and the play area is a must stop on every visit. We're now fans and plan to stay members for the foreseeable future.

Had a very entertaining and fun time at the LA Zoo today. upon arriving to the zoo, the staff that I encountered at the ticket booth, were very nice and the line moved swiftly. The second we entered the zoo we were greeted by staff that invited the kids to draw on the ground with various colors of chalk which they did and really enjoyed. Immediately followed by the quick stop to the concession stand for some drinks, churros, ice cream, and various other snacks. Then we were off to start our exciting animal sightseeing day. The first group of animals we saw were a flamboyance of flamingos (in Leman terms a flock of flamingos). We went on to see monkeys, gorillas, various reptiles, like snakes, Komodo dragons, a baby elephant and my favorite was the tiger. We were even able to get up close and person with a group of giraffes, which was completely freakin awesome. I can't help but truly, truly hope all of the animals here at the zoo/in captivity are happy and treated well by professional/amazing zoologist. They say 93% of communication is nonverbal and I saw a chimpanzee that looked like he or she had a hint of sadness in their eyes. I'm gonna be optimistic and say that I might've been Trippin and it was all in my head. I did, however, have the pleasure of witnessing a tiger drinking water and playing with a large ball. As well as having the opportunity to see a bunch of monkeys playing around and it seemed as though they were having a blast. It appears to be a common oversight that the L.A. Zoo is also a botanical garden. Which makes perfect sense because some of the cute, exotic and amazing animals definitely steal the spotlight.

I remember coming here as a kid thinking this Zoo was big and had a lot of ground to cover. Even as an adult I still think the same. There is a lot of ground to cover so be prepared to do a lot of walking and wear comfortable shoes! They do have a driver operated tram which provides a tour of the Zoo. While they do serve beer and soft drinks, they do not sell any coffee at the Zoo!! I searched high and low and couldn't even find a canned coffee for purchase at one of the kiosks, which was so disappointing. There is free parking, which is nice! The exhibits could use an upgrade but are still decent. They have a beautiful auditorium for lectures and gatherings. The LA Zoo attracts a lot of families with children but I did see several adult groups and couples.

The section between the gorillas and the giraffes is closed for construction of the new vulture habitat. The bathrooms by the zebras and gorilla grill are also closed. They have a new addition to the zoo!! A baby rhino named Marshall is in the habitat next to where the Hippos used to be. I hope they have a larger one planned for him when he gets larger. I love all the new decorations they have up for this years zoo lights. I enjoy coming every year for this event.

I came here for their members event for the LA Zoo Lights. I actually decided to become a member because you get a discount for the zoo light tickets. They also had a members only entrance which is really nice as the entrance line gets very long. As soon as you walk in you can walk up to the member booth and get 2 free refillable hot chocolate cups that you could refill for $3.49. You could also get a buy 1 get 1 free churro ticket and 2 free carosoul tickets. I do wish they had given 3 free tickets though because most parents come with their child to the event so I think 3 would have been better. They had lots of really cool lights for kids and even play areas for them. I think they did an amazing job and I had a lot of fun with my family. Members also get a 10% discount inside the shops. I do wish they had more photo opportunities this year as 2 years ago they had many more.

It was a decent place to get your steps in while being able to see the animals. But there were as much since some areas were closed for refurbishment. Some area are steep and uphill so not really good for people who has a hard time walking. Their boo at the zoo event this year was a bit sad compared to last year. The reason is because there were less candy stops. Since one of the main locations was closed.

When I am not sweating - 5 stars. When I am sweating - 2 stars. There's a lot of walking to be sweating. Sure - we don't like the idea of captivity- but we think they do a good job and we do like to enjoy what we have. We love the bird show. We love reptile building. We love australian selects. We love sleeping bear who hibernates 24/7 We love how different poops smell. Gorillas enjoy me. Why not have a beer and then laugh on the carousel while looking at one spot? Bring an umbrella. Pay $5 for the all day tram to go in between exhibits every 20 mins Thank you

Don't do it! Don't go here! Used to be a great zoo, but now 90% of the areas are either closed of you can't see the animals. Super disappointed. Way to expensive for the limited enclosures that actually have animals and were not closed. More were closed and had no animals then were open. The funny thing is at the ticket window it listed only 2 areas as closed. Seriously there were at least 20-30 areas closed. What a joke!! Don't waste your money!

Animals were cool good for walking and photos pretty cool place to see diffrent type of animals

There are very few animals, which is probably good. Most exhibits are closed. The greenery is nice and you can get a lot of exercise walking. We logged 4 miles walking. The food is pretty good. Maybe the era of a "zoo" should come to an end. The animals that were there looked bad. A tiger looked half dead. An alligator also looked dead. The "bird show" was sad. The falcon landed on the grass and just sat there. Perhaps just having this as a park and not keeping animals in captivity is best.

If you are new to LA and the traffic, pack your patients and enjoy the ride. I suggest you plan double if not triple your time in miles. I am a Nanny And I take care of a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old. I purchased the tickets online the night before ($39 for an adult and a 5-year-old, the 18 month- old was free) - a Sunday and we went to the zoo on Monday. We arrived at about 9:50 a.m., they opened at 10:00 a.m. . It was maybe a 5-minute line to get right into the gate with our online reservation. They have ramps for wheelchairs/strollers and then they have stairs. This is throughout the entire zoo, which I really liked and it makes sense. In the beginning it was hit or miss on seeing some of the exhibits, animals were just not super active or did not want to be seen. They have cafes / snack shops throughout the zoo. Super overpriced. A 16 oz can of cold water was $13.99, ridiculous!! I highly suggest bringing your own snacks and water for sure and if money is not a factor, go for it! You do not have to pay to park and driving time took us about 40 minutes from El Monte to this location. There were also quite a few exhibits that had signs stating that they were temporarily closed There were several shady spaces and a lot of benches throughout. It was a super hot day and I knew at 10:00 a.m. that we were going to need to take our time as well as take several breaks for water / bathroom. I am posting some of the pictures, not all of them. I think it's worth it to go, if you like the zoo. Some of the exhibits are with koalas, elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, birds, giraffes and many others. Staff was so-so, not super friendly - they just all seemed like they were just there to do their job and that was it. I would suggest getting there early if you want parking in the first row right across from the zoo, otherwise I don't feel the walk would be bad if you parked anywhere else within the time frame of arriving. To the Los Angeles zoo, it would be nice if the greenery covering the zoo part in the signage was cleaned up, so when we take a picture of the Los Angeles zoo sign, we can get the entire picture / wording.

Finally got a chance to visit this place after years, especially during the Boo event. I wasn't sure how the candy giving would work, but they had more than enough. The candy stations were spread throughout the park, but mainly focused around the beginning. They gave up top tier candy (snickers, twix and more)! Parking was plentiful, with even the furthest parking taking a few minutes walk. Free parking is rare, so highly appreciated. There were many employees available to help and some were giving out the extra exhibit informations. There was much more to the park than I thought! There were all different animals and amphibians that were unique. One con is that there were a decent amount of exhibits were closed and some animals were sleeping in hidden spots. Not much we can do about that, but overall, a good time.

I have never been to a zoo! This was my first time! I've always wanted to see a giraffe and elephant up close. It felt so surreal and beautiful at the same time. I met a few of the zoo employees and you can tell they love what they do. They show so much love towards the animals and they told me they're like family. That's the vibe you get coming here. So peaceful and beautiful. There is plenty of free parking and if it's sunny make sure you bring a hat. It was a hot day today so bring water too and parking under a tree helped with the heat. I'm glad to see the animals are so well taken care of and it was so clean.

Great place to visit with kids and families, there is alotnof uphill and downhill which maybe difficult to walk for older people or those who push strollers. I gave 3 stars because the playground is very confusing, and there is not much variet of activities to do for families once you have the membership.

Enjoyed time spent at this zoo~came in a few hours prior to closing some of the exhibit was ready to shut the gates-Trolley operator offered discounts to drive us closer to the exhibits we wanted to visit. I as an adult was in awe~a Zebra came up really close to the fence to greet me; thoroughly touched. Didn't really get to see elephants (only caught a glimpse of their backside). Yelpers reviewed this zoo isn't that huge~as compared to the Bronx Zoo, but for me-this zoo was the perfect size without completely tiring me out. My kid was amazed at the animals she got to say "hi" to before ending our trip to Southern California.

Don't expect the San Diego zoo and you will have a great time at the LA Zoo. For only $22 per person it is a great day of fun. Another perk is parking is free. To get through seeing just about every exhibit we were there for around 3 hours. We didn't have kids with us so that was plenty of time to see everything and realize how great it was to go with only adults!

I'm not a huge zoo person but my visiting sister-in-law is. So, off we go to the LA Zoo. I love that there's free parking and a TON of food and clothing vendors lined up outside before the entrance. I also love that you can bring in food and drinks. Had we known that literally no one would even check a bag, we may have decided to bring some stuff to make our day more enjoyable, lol. My brother and sister-in-law are members at their home zoo in Jacksonville, so they were prepared to get their tickets for 50% off. They weren't prepared for all 4 of us to get the discount, so that was also great! And, if we bring the ticket stuff back within one year, we can save $3.00 off adult admission. It was nice to see the meerkats, the flamingos, the elephants, and the backside of the newly-arrived rhino. We had amusing encounters with the hornbills, the greater roadrunner who was very excited to show us his kill, and some of the primates who were putting on a show for us. We didn't get to see any tigers or the snow leopard, and the alpha gorilla wasn't interested in seeing people. It was a nice day all around (except for the screeching children), with plenty of zoo employees and volunteers to tell us about the animals and/or point out where they're resting in their areas. Wear comfy shoes and maybe bring a hat to protect your self from the sun.

As someone born and raised in LA... being taken to the LA Zoo with my friend was so heartbreaking and depressing... Both of us were disappointed. 1 * = not good? I would go even beyond that and say BAD. -* Can I give zero stars?? I demand better from the LA Zoo... As an LA native, I'm embarrassed for Los Angeles. Wow. Forget bringing family or friends visiting to this place. I'd be so embarrassed! (not that my friend should be embarrassed - love u!) Even my Aunt said she wants to visit San Diego *instead* of the LA Zoo when she comes out here --and now I know why!! Maybe I'll tell her we we should go to the sanctuary I visited, that way we can at least connect with happy animals, no one wants to see sad animals - wow... Thinking why would I even go to a zoo, when visiting a sanctuary is an *Upgrade* (just went recently and what a difference!) to say the least... Seems obvious when you think about it... Anyways, c'mon LA Zoo... GET IT TOGETHER! (yeeesh...)

For Me one of the worst Zoo ever. Bec there's a lot of renovation happening. There's no Map. It's just Digital. Most of the cages are Empty. There's nothing Extraordinary.

It was my first time visiting this zoo. Ticket prices and free parking were great, but was disappointed that many of the exhibits were closed.