Hey Guys, I'm new to the zoo scene, an anthropology assignment really got me into zoos. What are some good ones to visit in California? The only ones in the area I've been too are Oakland and San Francisco. If there are any with standout reptile exhibits please let me know! Thank you
San Diego Zoo and Los Angeles Zoo both have great reptile collections that are well-presented, some of the best in any zoo anywhere.
Fresno Zoo is in the middle of modernizing itself and has great sea lion, Africa, and Asia zones that are worth seeing if you want to see modern zoo excellence.
The San Diego Safari Park as mentioned is world-class with an outstanding Australia complex with the only platypus outside of Australia, great tiger exhibit, good southwest native animals exhibit, and iconic field exhibits with African animals in herd sizes and spaces that few other zoos match. They have a new elephant complex (well, significantly remodeled) opening in spring 2026.
As mentioned, the Monterey Aquarium is arguably one of the top captive animal institutions on the planet of any kind.
Oakland Zoo has a great native California animal section with terrific wolf, bear, condor, mountain lion, and jaguar (used to live in Cali) exhibits.
The Living Desert is a world-class zoo and botanical garden focussed on African, North American, and Australian desert animals. The grounds are a botanical marvel and the animal spaces are really good - black rhinos are a recent highlight.
