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The Oakland Zoo is the biggest zoo within easy reach of Palo Alto. It covers about 100 acres of the 525-acre Knowland Park in the Oakland hills and lists more than 850 native and exotic animals. Lions, tigers, giraffes and chimpanzees fill the lower zoo. A gondola lifts visitors to California Trail, a hilltop section built around the state's own wildlife, with wide views across the bay.
It is a full day out with children and a good one for kids who have outgrown smaller zoos. This guide covers the zoo's history, the late 2026 hours and reservation rules from its official site, how to get there from Palo Alto, food, accessibility and nearby stops.
From downtown menagerie to the hills
Naturalist Henry A. Snow founded the zoo on June 6, 1922, at 19th and Harrison streets in downtown Oakland, where Snow Park is today. It moved several times, through Sequoia Park and Joaquin Miller Park, before settling in 1939 in Durant Park. Joseph R. Knowland bought that land and in 1950 it was renamed Joseph Knowland State Arboretum and Park.
Since 1982 a nonprofit has run the zoo for the City of Oakland. It was the East Bay Zoological Society until August 2017, when it became the Conservation Society of California. A LEED-certified veterinary hospital opened in 2012.
The biggest change came in summer 2018, when California Trail opened at the top of the hill. Wikipedia puts the full project at $81 million, with $70 million for the trail itself. More recently, the zoo sent Osh, its last elephant, to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee in October 2024, saying he needed contact with other elephants.
What to see
The zoo groups animals by region. Its explore page lists these areas:
- African Savanna. Past the gondola station in the lower zoo, with a tree-filled lion enclosure, two aviaries and zebras.
- Tropical Rainforest. Chimpanzees, gibbons, siamangs, tamarins and squirrel monkeys, plus a tiger habitat with a pond and waterfall.
- Wild Australia. Emus and wallaroos, reached by the Express Train from the rides area.
- Wayne and Gladys Valley Children's Zoo. Near the lower entrance, with a Petting Yard, an Otter Den and a reptile and amphibian room.
- California Trail. Native animals and plants that show how people have shaped Bay Area ecology.
The gondola is the highlight for many children. The zoo describes all-electric, eight-passenger cabins that are ADA accessible and take about four minutes to climb from the main zoo to California Trail.
Rides
A small rides area includes Tiger Trek, the Conservation Carousel, Roaring Racers, Soaring Wings, the Sky Ride and the Express Train. An unlimited rides wristband is listed at $20 for general admission guests and $15 for members, or $45 for a book of 16 tickets. The Sky Ride runs on weekends only outside summer.
Hours, tickets and reservations
The zoo's hours and pricing page showed this daytime schedule in early November 2026:
| What | Hours |
|---|---|
| Admission | 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (last ticket sold 1:30 p.m.) |
| Zoo closes | 4 p.m. |
| Gondola | From 9:30 a.m.; last ride up 2:30 p.m., last ride down 3:30 p.m. |
| Rides | 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
| Petting Yard | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
The early cutoff makes room for the evening Glowfari lantern festival. The page's own summary still mentioned later hours, so confirm on the day. The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) and on Christmas Day. On December 24 last entry is 12:30 p.m. and the zoo closes at 2 p.m.
Advance ticket reservations are required for general admission. Prices vary by date under what the zoo calls Plan-Ahead Pricing, so the adult price is not fixed. Child tickets are 15% off the adult price and senior tickets 10% off. Children under 2 are free. A Bay to Zoo program offers two adult daytime tickets at $5 each to qualifying low-income Bay Area residents.
Glowfari
Glowfari, the zoo's lantern festival, runs from November 6, 2026 to January 31, 2027, from 4:30 to 9 p.m. with timed entry between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. It is closed most Mondays and Tuesdays and on November 26 and December 24 and 25. Tickets need a separate timed booking, go on sale 28 days ahead and rise in price closer to the date. Members get 10% off but still need a ticket.
Getting there from Palo Alto
By car
The zoo sits just off Interstate 580 in east Oakland. From Palo Alto, cross the San Mateo Bridge on Highway 92 or the Dumbarton Bridge, head north on Interstate 880 and join Interstate 580 toward Oakland, then exit at Golf Links Road. The trip is about 40 miles. Allow 45 minutes to an hour in light traffic and much longer at weekday rush hour.
The bridges charge tolls westbound only, so you pay on the way home. State bridge tolls are $8.50 in 2026 and rise on January 1, 2027. Our bridges and tolls guide has the details.
Parking costs $15 per single-family vehicle bought in advance and $20 at the entry. Members park free. Buy parking with your tickets to save the $5.
By transit
Transit works but is slow. Take Caltrain to Millbrae and BART toward the East Bay, then connect to AC Transit. The zoo says the direct Line 46 is temporarily suspended and Line 46L runs on weekdays only, stopping at Mountain Boulevard and Golf Links Road about hourly. There is no weekend bus listed, so on weekends driving or ride-hail from a BART station is the realistic choice.
Who it suits
The zoo works for every age, but the hillside matters. Toddlers love the Children's Zoo and the Petting Yard near the lower entrance. School-age children get the most from the gondola, California Trail and the rides. A full visit easily runs four to five hours. With little ones, many families stay in the lower zoo and ride the gondola once.
Accessibility
The zoo's parking page notes that the walk from the main gate to the zoo entrance is about half a mile. Public Safety staff at the main gate can help visitors who need assistance and the zoo says accommodations are available for people with disabilities. The gondola cabins are ADA accessible. For sensory sensitivity, the zoo flags the Main Entrance and the Children's Zoo as areas that may be overwhelming. See our accessible travel guide for general tips.
Food
Tusker's Grill in Parrott Plaza is open daily with outdoor seating. The Landing Café on California Trail serves pizza, burgers, sandwiches and salads with views the zoo says reach six Bay Area counties. The Watering Hole in the African Savanna and Savanna's Edge across from the giraffes sell snacks and cold drinks. A cart in the Children's Zoo sells treats and popcorn. The pages we checked do not state an outside food rule, so look at the zoo's FAQ before you pack a cooler.
Tips and pairings
- Book before you leave home. Reservations are required and early booking usually costs less.
- Arrive early in fall. With a 2 p.m. admission cutoff, a 10 a.m. arrival gives you a relaxed day.
- Ride the gondola first. The last ride up is 2:30 p.m. on the current schedule.
- Check maintenance notices. The gondola and California Trail closed for maintenance on two days in late October 2026.
For a two-stop day, Chabot Space and Science Center sits higher in the same hills and is open Wednesday to Sunday. Our Oakland day trip covers Lake Merritt and Jack London Square. For a smaller zoo with shorter walks, try Happy Hollow in San Jose or Palo Alto's own Junior Museum and Zoo. Flying in without a car? You can compare car rentals for the drive across the bay.
Good to know
- Advance reservations required. Prices vary by date.
- Early November daytime admission ends at 2 p.m. and the zoo closes at 4 p.m.
- Parking $15 in advance or $20 at the gate.
- Closed November 26 and December 25, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a reservation for the Oakland Zoo?
Yes. The zoo says advance ticket reservations are required for general admission. Prices change by date under its Plan-Ahead Pricing, so booking early usually costs less. Parking is a separate purchase.
How much is parking at the Oakland Zoo?
Parking is $15 per family vehicle when you buy it in advance and $20 at the gate. Members park free. If you arrive without a parking ticket you must buy one before entering.
Is the Oakland Zoo gondola included?
The hours and pricing page lists the gondola with admission and gives no separate fare. It runs from 9:30 a.m. with the last ride up at 2:30 p.m. on the current daytime schedule. Check the site for maintenance closures.
How long does it take to drive from Palo Alto to the Oakland Zoo?
Allow 45 minutes to an hour in light traffic. Cross the San Mateo or Dumbarton Bridge, then take Interstate 880 and Interstate 580 to the Golf Links Road exit. The bridge toll is collected on the westbound trip home.
Does the Oakland Zoo still have elephants?
No. Osh, the zoo's last elephant, left for The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee on October 16, 2024. The zoo said he needed the company of other elephants.