Woo at the Zoo Tour
Book up early for the Annual Valentine’s Day “Woo at the Zoo” events at San Francisco Zoo. This dynamic, multimedia event explores sexual and mating behaviors of animals. Enjoy up-close encounters with animals and and learn about the month-long “foreplay” of a rhinoceros and giraffe “necking.” Romantic refreshments include champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, great food… and a delicious surprise! Advance purchases and reservations are required. This fun event sells out each year, so be sure to make your reservations early.
Note: Adult 21 and over only. Ticket price includes the tour, refreshments, parking and zoo admission.
San Francisco Zoo
San Francisco Zoo is California’s largest Zoological Park and Conservation Center.
African Savanna
Visit African Savanna and see Giraffes, Zebras, Antelope, Ostrich and other African wildlife. This dramatic three-acre, mixed-species habitat allows you to get close to the animals as they interact and roam about the open-landscaped setting. The Baby Giraffes are so cute, especially during feeding time when they join the adults and come inside the Giraffe Lodge to eat. They’re fed acacia branches, alfalfa, giraffe chow and vegetables. It’s worth a trip to the zoo just to see these magnificent animals.
Penguin Island
SF Zoo has been home to a colony of Magellanic Penguins since 1984 – it’s the largest colony in North America. Penguin Island, located across from the Lion House, is one of the zoo’s most popular attractions.
Tigers & Tiger Triplets
See Siberian and Sumatran tigers in their natural habitat. Check out the cute little Tiger triplets, born on March 6, 2008.
Bird-Lovers – Meerkats, Kangaroos & Kualas
For bird lovers, the zoo also features many African bird species, including the Crowned Crane, Ostrich, Stork, Hornbill and Ibis. See playful Meerkats, Kangaroos, Wallabies, Wallaroos, Emus, Kuala Bears… and more!
Gorillas – The Great Ape Forest
This is a fun place to hang out and gorilla-watch – and have them watch you back! The Great Ape Forest, located next to Gorilla World and African Savanna, is the lush, new home for Apes , Chimpanzees, Orangutans and Siamangs.
Hearst Grizzly Gulch – the Largest Grizzly Bear Exhibit in the U.S.
Don’t miss seeing sister cubs, Kachina and Kiona. These cute Grizzly Bears put on quite a show for zoo visitors. Their new Hearst Grizzly Gulch home in San Francisco Zoo – a deluxe one-acre habitat – opened in June 2007. It’s the largest Grizzly exhibit in a U.S. zoo. The exhibit includes a 20,000-gallon pool, heated rocks, a mountain waterfall, sunny meadow, a climbing area and a herb garden.
African Lions
Check out the African Lions as they roam around their outdoor enclave. They have access to the outdoors 24 hours a day.
The Lion House (Lions and Tigers)
Big Cat Feeding is Temporarily Closed
The Big Cat Feeding – one of San Francisco Zoo’s biggest and most popular attractions – is believed to be the only remaining scheduled public feeding of big cats (lions and tigers) in North America. Feedings take place inside The Lion House every day (except Mondays) at 2pm.
Note: The building was closed to the public (a keeper was mauled by a Siberian Tiger) on December 22, 2006. It reopened on September 7, 2007. Just over a year laterite closed again after a Siberian tiger escaped its enclosure and fatally mauled a zoo visitor on Christmas Day in 2008.
Zoo Hours
SF Zoo is open daily, including Thanksgiving and Christmas Day