Discover Diverse Wildlife: Animals and Plants from Around the Globe at the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens

Animals and Plants from Around the Globe at the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens

Located in the southwest corner of San Francisco proper, the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens is an urban oasis beautifully situated along the Great Highway and adjacent to the Pacific Ocean coast. The zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals representing 250+ distinct species. In addition to housing and caring for many endangered and rescued animals, there are beautiful gardens throughout the zoo that feature stunning native and foreign plants.

At just 100 acres in size (compare this with the Bronx Zoo, the largest urban zoo in the U.S. at 265 acres/11,000 animals/700 species), the San Francisco Zoo packs a lot into its somewhat limited area.

San Francisco Zoo Highlights

Leanne B. Roberts African Savanna – You’ve probably never been this close to animals at a zoo before. After strolling through the covered passageway at this three-acre habitat you will be instantly immersed into the Savanna, the Donga, where zebras, giraffes, and kudus, a large antelope found in woodlands, make their home.

Numerous East and West African bird species are also here in the wide-open setting. Look for crowned cranes, ostriches, and other large birds, along with a natural habitat of African plants that allow for the animals to move about freely. The free-flowing pathway allows for a variety of viewing locations within the savanna. Also, of interest here is the African Aviary where critically endangered the Waldrapp ibis, also known as the northern bald ibis, and hamerkop birds, a close relative of pelicans are protected and cared for.

Hearst Grizzly Gulch – This rugged area is well known as the home of Kachina and Kiona, two grizzly bears who got a second lease on life in the fall of 2004 when a Zoo Board Member became aware of their dire situation in Montana. The orphaned bears were scheduled to be euthanized when the zoo offered them a home where they could run wild (sort of), swim, fish, and most importantly, nap. The bear’s names mean “sacred dancer” and “brown hills” in their Native American language.

Other amenities that sisters Kachina and Kiona could hardly ‘bear’ living without include a 20,000-gallon pool, a relaxing sun-drenched meadow, a mountain stream with a waterfall, and imagine this, heated rocks!

The theme of the grizzly’s habitat celebrates Monarch, the famed bear who inspired not only the San Francisco Zoo, but also is represented on the California state flag. The grizzly bear is the official state mammal and is now extinct in the Golden State. The population of this amazing animal has declined in the U.S. from an estimated 50,000 in 1800 to less than 1,000 today.

Lipman Family Lemur Forest – Brought to the zoo from Madagascar, there are now seven distinct species of lemurs that are thriving here out of an incredible 100 species found throughout the world. These lemurs are known for their tree climbing skills, lounging about, taking in the rays of midday sun, as well as enjoying an afternoon nap with their family and friends.

At the Lipman Family Lemur Forest, the largest outdoor habitat for these fascinating primates in the U.S., visitors can observe ring-tailed, blue-eyed black, black and white ruffed, crowned, red bellied, red fronted, and red ruffed lemurs. Watching the extraordinary athleticism as the lemurs leap from tree to tree without a care in the world is a fun part of a day at the zoo.

Be sure to bring your sunglasses as the lemurs are often difficult to spot, frequently discovered by looking skyward to the higher points of the exhibit’s trees. There is also an elevated boardwalk here that brings you eye-to-eye with these lanky animals.

Penguin Island – Across from the Lion House is the extremely popular Penguin Island, where the zoo’s colony of flightless black and white Magellanic penguins reside. While you won’t be able to tell one from another, the zoo’s penguin experts note their differing markings and personalities. These extremely outgoing birds that are unable to fly zip through the water at speeds as high as 15 miles per hour.

Native to the Strait of Magellan and the coasts of Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, the penguins, who appear to be dressed in tuxedos find San Francisco’s marine climate much to their liking. Their 200-foot-long pool opened back in 1940 and has been a reflecting pool, a squirrel monkey exhibit, and a home for the zoo’s seals before becoming the penguin’s turf in 1984.

Jones Family Gorilla Preserve – Close to an acre in size, three female and one silverback male named Oscar Jonesy call this place home. The preserve is one of the most extensive western lowland gorilla habitats in the U.S. Bawang, Monifa, and Kimani, the three females, along with Oscar comprise a gorilla family just as they would exist in the wild. At the San Francisco Zoo, their primary purpose is breeding to ensure an adequate population of gorilla’s in the future. The breeding program has been quite successful since the 1950s.

The animals clearly enjoy their surroundings, which are comprised of a densely forested area, grasses for strolling and hanging out, as well as rocky sections that the gorillas climb and relax on. Be sure to spend some time at the viewing wall of windows where you can see these magnificent and gentle creatures go about their everyday lives.

Fisher Family Children’s Zoo – If you are the parent of a young child, the quality of the children’s zoo may be the key determinant as to how your overall day will play out. Thankfully, the Fisher Family Children’s Zoo at the San Francisco Zoo is nothing short of superb. A six-acre zoo within a zoo that offers a wide variety of up-close activities that won’t soon be forgotten, this fabulous venue is designed to inspire and instruct kids of all ages, including you!

The children’s area of the San Francisco Zoo opened in 1960 and has evolved over the years into a combined educational and entertainment experience that brings youngsters closer to the animal world than they have even been before.

Some of the popular stops within the Fisher Family Children’s Zoo are the Meerkat and Prairie Dog Exhibit, Family Farm, the fascinating Insect Zoo, the Koret Animal Resource Center, the Nature Trail, and Red Panda exhibit. This is truly a special place for kids and adults, bringing everyone who visits feeling closer to nature in their neighborhood and the domestic animals that may be a part of their daily lives.

Don’t Miss the Incredible Dentzel Carousel

In addition to an enormous variety of animals, the San Francisco Zoo has been home to the Dentzel Carousel for 100 years. This incredible piece of local history is one of the few remaining hand-crafted carousels of its kind to be found anywhere. Built by William H. Denzel in 1921, the famous craftsman expertly designed with unimaginable intricacy this wooden artwork that has all but disappeared since the Great Depression.

Back when zoos attracted visitors with a bevy of attractions in addition to exotic animals, the Dentzel Carousel was moved here from the Pacific City Amusement Park in Burlingame after its closing. Visitors marvel at the stunning features of the carousel including two chariots, and 50 animals ranging from pigs, rabbits, and cats to more extravagant carvings of reindeer, tigers, lions, ostriches, and giraffes. The detail of Dentzel’s work along with jewels and the custom painting of the entire carousel boggles the mind.

Today, there are only 14 remaining Dentzel Carousels in the world, with half that many in the United States. To assure its existence for another century and beyond, the carousel was completely dismantled and restored by hand in 2000. The original colors were preserved so that the carousel appears much as it did one hundred years ago.

Little Puffer Miniature Steam Train

There’s more than animals, though they are clearly the main attraction, to capture the interest of visitors to the San Francisco Zoo. Take the Little Puffer Miniature Steam Train as an example, a rare attraction that was sadly put into storage and considered a relic back in the late 1970s. Come 1998, the train, the “Fleishhacker Playfield Limited”, nicknamed “Little Puffer” was back in operation to everyone’s delight. Over the years the train it also became known as “the little engine that could”.

Visitors to the zoo today are fortunate to see a fully operational miniature steam train that is more than a century old.

A World-class Zoo + Themed Gardens

In addition to offering residents and tourists a magnificent zoo to visit, the San Francisco Zoo offers visitors several themed gardens to enjoy at the same time.

Browse Gardens – As part of the zoo’s Animal Wellness Initiative, there is a daily collection of what is known as ‘browse materials’ that are eaten as part of their normal diet by Koalas, giraffes, rhinos, and other animals. These branches and leaves from the zoo’s plants is a healthy addition to their diet and is as close to a normal dietary addition as possible given the location is Northern California. In particular, these clippings come from eucalyptus, acacia, bamboo, and other plants that grow here. You are bound to see many animals eating these browse plants during your visit to the zoo.

Koalas are the animals most in need of browse materials as they are very fussy eaters. Their zoo provided diet includes three types of fresh eucalyptus each day, amounting to 120-160 branches that are three to five feet long on a daily basis. If you are interested, you can find the eucalyptus grove after passing Koala Crossing while headed to the Australian WalkAbout.

Native California Gardens – Located at the entrance to the Lurie Education Center building, at Greenie’s Conservation Corner, and across from the Lion Fountain, check out the California poppies, yarrow, ceanothus, and other plants native to the region. These plants thrive with a climate of dry summers and wet winters, which is exactly what the Bay Area provides.

African Plants – Many plants that flourish in Northern California come from similar climates in Africa. This is especially true within the African Savanna and Giraffe Lodge areas. Proteas grow to impressive sizes with bold colors here. You can’t miss the colorful cut flowers from Africa that grow at the zoo.

Prehistoric Garden – The zoo has a lovely area of ancient plants that date back literally millions of years. Mosses, gunnera, horsetails and ferns have amazingly survived from the times when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Look for these plants that have defied all odds across from the South American Tropical Building, at the edge of the adjacent lake.

Dune Garden – Way back when the Sunset District of San Francisco, where the zoo is located, was little more than sand dunes within sight of the blue Pacific Ocean. Small plants and shrubs helped prevent erosion so that the rolling sand dunes stayed in place. The zoo has created their own version of a dune garden by the Lion Fountain, with coyote brush, coast iris, beach strawberry, and other native plants.

Parking at the zoo:

It’s common knowledge that San Francisco isn’t the easiest city to drive in with plenty of traffic and expensive parking options. Still, if you are driving to the zoo which will take just under 30 minutes from downtown, there are two pay lots ($11 weekdays/$13 weekends) offered on a first come basis, as well as valet parking for those who don’t mind plunking down $25 for the service.

Ride mass transit to the zoo: Multiple Muni Metro Lines from downtown and the Embarcadero run to the West Portal Station where you can easily transfer to the L Taraval light rail line. Hop on the train for a few minutes and you will disembark just one short block from the zoo. The cost? Just $3 but it will take 45-50 minutes to get there. Visitors presenting their Muni ticket receipt at the ticket window receive a $1 per person discount on admission.

Uber or Lyft to the zoo: Rates vary depending on your pickup point, but you can figure close to $30 plus tip from most downtown hotels to the main gate.

Make a Day of It

Needless to say, the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens is just what the doctor ordered when you are seeking a day away from the hustle and bustle of downtown and Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s still within the city limits (barely) and offers the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing day.

If the weather cooperates, meaning a sunny day when the summer fog hasn’t rolled in yet, a spectacular sunset may be viewed just across the Great Highway on the west side of the zoo.

Or, for those who prefer to end the daylight hours in an iconic locale, consider stopping for a beverage or upscale snack on the way back to your hotel at the “Top of the Mark” sky lounge atop the Mark Hopkins Hotel on California Street. There’s no dress code and the 360-degree views are unmatched at this spectacular venue that opened in 1939. The kids are even welcome up until 9:30 p.m.