Recommendations for future zoo tips

Julio C Castro

Julio C Castro

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
Hi everyone, I wanted to get an idea of zoos here in the US I should travel to. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, still living here, but wanted to gauge what zoos I should visit here in the states. I want to plan trips over the next 1 to 2 years to go to any zoos you’d recommend here in the US. Due to my yearly income, trips out of the states would really strap me for cash and traveling here in the states would be easier for me and my gf. My local zoo is the Los Angeles Zoo, have been visiting since I was a young kid in the 90’s. It will always have a special place in my heart and am proud how it’s been slowly but surely changing, with the newer master plan to roll out for a whole makeover of the zoo for the next 20 years to make it hopefully into a bigger and better zoo. I do plan to visit the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park for my birthday weekend in a couple months, it’s definitely a trip long awaited. I’ve been looking all over the internet for recommendations and they vary greatly, some zoos seem to constantly pop up in almost all the lists but it seems more fitting to ask here for everyone’s thoughts. I do love every single animal at the zoo, I will stop at nearly every single exhibit when I go on my weekly trip to the LA Zoo just to check up on everyone one. Although an optional request would be any zoo also that has a great cat collection and/or amazing exhibits for felines. The felines request are mostly for my gf who’s in love with any and all cats. If anyone does have recommendations, I’d like up to 5 recommendations per Zoochatter so I can make a list. Then I’ll make a poll to see which zoo we should visit in order of must see first. My goal is for us to visit 10 to 20 new zoos over the next 2 years, I love going to my local zoo and I can just imagine what else is in store for us. Thank you everyone and have a great day!
 
If you want to see cats go to Project Survival's Cat Haven in the hills above Fresno (on the way to Kings Canyon National Park). You have to go on a guided tour (no reservations required) but they do a lot for conservation and have one of the best cat collections in the country. Another California place with one of the best cat collections is Exotic Feline Breeding Compound (aka EFBC Feline Conservation Center) in Rosamond. However it's a tiny place and a lot of their cages are awful so I would not recommend them. Fresno Chaffee Zoo is fantastic (and on the way to Cat Haven). If you go up there spend a night or two in Sequoia National Park or the adjoining Kings Canyon National Park - one of my favorite places.
 
Arizona Docent said:
If you want to see cats go to Project Survival's Cat Haven in the hills above Fresno (on the way to Kings Canyon National Park). You have to go on a guided tour (no reservations required) but they do a lot for conservation and have one of the best cat collections in the country. Another California place with one of the best cat collections is Exotic Feline Breeding Compound (aka EFBC Feline Conservation Center) in Rosamond. However it's a tiny place and a lot of their cages are awful so I would not recommend them. Fresno Chaffee Zoo is fantastic (and on the way to Cat Haven). If you go up there spend a night or two in Sequoia National Park or the adjoining Kings Canyon National Park - one of my favorite places.
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I never heard of the Cat Haven, I just google it and it would so be a spot my gf would love to go to! Is the Fresno Chaffee Zoo an all day kind of trip or easily done in a few hours?
 
I would say Fresno Zoo is half day. Arrive at opening and stay through lunch. They have a fantastic lunch seating area overlooking the savanna. Then drive about an hour up the hill and do late afternoon tour of Cat Haven (just note they are closed one day - I think it's either Tuesday or Wednesday - just check their website).
 
Arizona Docent said:
I would say Fresno Zoo is half day. Arrive at opening and stay through lunch. They have a fantastic lunch seating area overlooking the savanna. Then drive about an hour up the hill and do late afternoon tour of Cat Haven (just note they are closed one day - I think it's either Tuesday or Wednesday - just check their website).
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Nice, I would love to have lunch while overlooking their savannah! Especially from the photos I’ve seen I can tell I’d for sure enjoy it
 
Sarus Crane said:
I've always wanted to visit the Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert, CA along with the San Diego Safari Park and Safari West in Santa Rosa. There are a lot of great zoos in California.
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I do have great interest in going to the Living Desert Zoo, it’s one of the closest zoos within an hour drive from here similar to the distance of the Santa Barbara Zoo based on Google Maps. I heard something about them opening up an Australia section at the zoo for this year, maybe I should plan a trip there!
 
Julio C Castro said:
I do have great interest in going to the Living Desert Zoo, it’s one of the closest zoos within an hour drive from here similar to the distance of the Santa Barbara Zoo based on Google Maps. I heard something about them opening up an Australia section at the zoo for this year, maybe I should plan a trip there!
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If they're including a Cassowary exhibit within the expansion, then most definitely!
 
Sarus Crane said:
If they're including a Cassowary exhibit within the expansion, then most definitely!
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Cassowaries are rainforest birds and it's a desert themed zoo. So I will say no, they will not be included. However, The Living Desert is one of my all time favorites. On the other hand I have never had a strong desire to visit Safari West. If you read the trip report from @snowleopard when he visited a few years ago, I think you might agree it's not worth the price (and it is pricey).
 
Arizona Docent said:
Cassowaries are rainforest birds and it's a desert themed zoo. So I will say no, they will not be included. However, The Living Desert is one of my all time favorites. On the other hand I have never had a strong desire to visit Safari West. If you read the trip report from @snowleopard when he visited a few years ago, I think you might agree it's not worth the price (and it is pricey).
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I just saw the ticket prices and they seem to be a bit pricier here than the LA Zoo by a few dollars, I think I can get 50% off tickets with my membership but I was looking into the behind the scene tours and those are so overpriced. I do agree that since it’s basically all desert setting that cassowaries would most likely not be part of the collection which is unfortunate but logical.
 
@Julio C Castro Your reply above combines my reply about two different zoos so I want to make sure you are not confusing them. Safari West (north of San Francisco) is the one I said is pricey and not worth it. The Living Desert is not that expensive and most definitely worth it (and yes I think you can get half off there).
 
Arizona Docent said:
@Julio C Castro Your reply above combines my reply about two different zoos so I want to make sure you are not confusing them. Safari West (north of San Francisco) is the one I said is pricey and not worth it. The Living Desert is not that expensive and most definitely worth it (and yes I think you can get half off there).
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Oh my god I’m dumb, I thought you were referring to the Desert Zoo and only saw the behind the scenes tickets for the Desert Zoo as expensive haha I’m kind of bummed out about the Safari West but thank you for telling me and correcting me!
 
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