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Offering some of the best, unobstructed looks at the lives of every creature, Los Angeles live animal experiences are anything but limited. From furry critters with claws and paws to feathered friends who squawk, almost anyone can find their favorite member of the animal kingdom. The aquariums are fascinating places for young and old, featuring exciting exhibits designed to stimulate the mind as well as appeal to the eyes. Animal fans will find some of the best observing opportunities in the world at in the zoos around Los Angeles, which are varied enough to offer something for everyone. The world-renowned San Diego Zoo is massive and frequently packed with tourists, while the Los Angeles Zoo’s smaller animal population and quieter atmosphere makes it an ideal place to spend a relaxing afternoon with friends or family. The Orange County Zoo offers an incredibly affordable option for entertainment.
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802; Tel. 562.590.3100
Located south of L.A, in the seaside city of Long Beach, this sparkling aquarium is far less populated than the more famous fish tank up in Monterey. Nevertheless, it's one of the Los Angeles area's best bets for a great time. Its 17 major tanks and 30 smaller tanks can be taken in an afternoon, and along the way there are some amazing specimen to be found in an ocean of more than 12,000 species. There is an iridescent jellyfish exhibit, a rare dragonfish that has to be seen to believe, and an array of toothy mammals in the Shark Lagoon, where one can get up close and personal with the feared predators.
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Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
3720 Stephen M. White Dr., San Pedro, CA 90731; Tel. 310.548.7562
Focused on the marine life of Southern California, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium provides a unique opportunity to see and learn about the fascinating world under water. This Southern California aquarium features a main hall with a variety of exciting exhibits, as well as an aquatic nursery where visitors can see growing baby sea animals and meet the scientists who investigate and monitor their growth.
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Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027; Tel: 323.644.6400
This is not the greatest zoo in the world, but nice flowing grounds, far fewer crowds than at the more acclaimed San Diego Zoo and great weather make this a perfect mid-day getaway. They also have an Animal Encounters program that encourages interaction between visiting kids and the residents of this wild kingdom.
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Orange County Zoo
1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange, CA 92869; Tel. 714.973.6847
The affordable Orange County Zoo is like a dream come true in a world of overpriced attractions. Tucked into a 477-acre wilderness park, the Orange County Zoo is a beautiful destination animal lovers of all ages can enjoy for $2 a person. The OC Zoo shines the spotlight on animals and plants native to the southwestern United States. This LA area zoo is home to mountain lion, ocelots, red-tailed hawks, coyotes, coatis, turkey vultures, black bears, island foxes and more. There is also a barnyard with domestic goats, sheep, pigs, pheasants and doves.
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Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93103; Tel. 805.962.5339
The Santa Barbara Zoo features 600 animals representing over 180 species. With more than 16 acres of animal habitats, visitors can view everything from traditional zoo favorites like lions, monkeys and bears to more rare and endangered animals like the Red Panda, the Amur Leopard, the Channel Island Fox, white-handed gibbons and more. Exciting exhibits give visitors a chance to learn the details of many animals. If you’re a fan of all things creepy and crawly, make sure to check out the EEEWW! Hair Raising Helpers from Around the World exhibit to see critters like pink toe tarantulas, the emperor scorpions, pythons and hissing cockroaches and to learn how they play a role in improving the quality of human life.
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San Diego Wild Animal Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd., Escondido, CA 92027; Tel. 1.800.407.9534
With 1800 acres of wildlife preserve, the San Diego Wild Animal Park impresses with over 3500 animals from 260 species. At this Southern California zoo, visitors can do more than just look at the animals, they can get up close and personal with many of them with creative exhibits like the Journey into Africa Tour. Lovers of big cats will be sure to enjoy Lion Camp and the Heart of Africa exhibits, while aviaries, safari walks, elephant exhibits and a tropical greenhouse also provide unique brands of entertainment. Partnered with the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park offers more expansive conditions for the animals. Animals are regularly transferred back and fourth between the two.
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San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Dr., San Diego, CA 92101; Tel. 619.231.1515
Considered by many to be the best zoo on the west coast and among the best zoos in the world, the San Diego Zoo is heaven for animal enthusiasts both young and old. Over 4,000 animals from more than 800 species call this massive zoo home, and fascinating exhibits are sure to captivate audiences. Though pedestrian friendly, some of the zoo’s most unique features are the overhead gondola lift, which coasts high over the park and provides an outstanding aerial view of many enclosures, and the bus tour of zoo that traverses 75% of the park. These easy methods of transport also make it easy for parents with tired tots to see almost the entire park relatively quickly and to get from one end to the other in a hurry.
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Santa Ana Zoo
1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92701; Tel. 714.835.7484
Since 1952, the Santa Ana Zoo in Prentice Park has been a proud provider of recreation and education. The zoo receives over 270,000 visitors annually who come to see unique exhibit areas like Australian Yard, Monkey Row, Treetops Exhibit, the Colors of the Amazon Aviary and Elephant Pavilion. One highlight of the zoo is the Crean Family Farm Children’s Zoo, a fun and interactive farmyard exhibit, which houses cows, pot-bellied pigs, ponies, parrots, rabbits, sheep, goats, owls and more.
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Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401; Tel. 310.393.6149
Located beach-level, just below the carousel, at the Santa Monica Pier, the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is a fun destination for fans of marine science. Single visitors, families and school groups can all enjoy a unique look at the ocean world in this aquarium, which features interactive displays, touch tanks and programs focusing on animals in and around the Santa Monica Bay. Open to the public, this aquarium in Santa Monica draws over 85,000 visitors each year.
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