About the Zoo
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens has been a cherished part of the city for nearly a century. Learn more about who we are, what we stand for, and where we’re headed.
Mission & vision
At San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, our mission is to connect all people with wildlife, inspire caring for nature, and advance conservation action. That mission has guided us for nearly a century and it informs everything we do today, from how we design our habitats to how we engage with our community.
We believe that when people encounter animals in a thoughtful, respectful setting, something shifts. Curiosity becomes care. Care becomes action. That belief is the foundation of the Zoo’s approach to everything.
Who we are
Nestled against the Pacific Ocean in the southwestern corner of San Francisco, the Zoo is home to over 1,500 exotic, endangered, and rescued animals representing more than 250 species, set within gardens full of native and non-native plants.
The non-profit San Francisco Zoological Society has managed and operated the Zoo since 1993, in a unique city-zoo partnership, overseeing significant investment in new habitats, renovated exhibits, and expanded programming. The Society’s highest priorities are quality animal care, wildlife conservation, and connecting visitors with the natural world in ways that inspire lasting change.
The Zoo is proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supported by the generosity of its members, donors, and the broader San Francisco community.
By the numbers
A few of the facts and figures that tell the story of the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens.
250+
Species in our care, including many that are endangered or threatened in the wild
1929
The year the Zoo opened at its current home
100
Acres of oceanfront grounds at the southernmost part of San Francisco, open 365 days a year
1,500+
Animals in our collection, representing hundreds of species from around the world
Our story
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens has been cherished part of the city for nearly a century, guided always by a mission to connect people and wildlife.
From its roots in the 1930s era Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures that still stand on our grounds today, to the landmark 1997 bond measure that funded a new era of naturalistic habitats, the Zoo has continually evolved while staying true to its core purpose: to care for animals, inspire people, and advance conservation in the wild and at home.
Explore the full history of the Zoo on our History page.
A look into the past
Alligator pit, WPA-era near Lion House, 1940.
Full size locomotive at playground, circa 1965
Monkey Island, WPA era exhibit that housed spider moneys, 1950s
Monkey Island, WPA era exhibit that housed spider moneys, 1950s
Thelma and Henry Doelger Primate Discovery Center, atrium, circa 1985
Playground, circa 1940s with Mother’s Building in the background
Aviary Building exterior, 1938
Our future…
Today’s SF Zoo reflects the past and the future. Heritage buildings dot the landscape, where the founders laid the groundwork of our present zoo over hilly sand dunes, and where new habitats incorporate the many old growth trees.
Established nearly 100 years ago, many changes have taken place while ensuring the integrity of the past. With the progressive change in animal care standards came the creation of naturalistic habitats that allow ease of animal management, emphasis on safety and animal care. Animal health and welfare, featuring dedicated animal nutritionists, behavioral enrichment programs and training for voluntary medical treatment has become the norm.
A focus on biodiversity hotspots allows us to tell the stories of wildlife in turmoil and how our actions affect them, resulting in how we plan our zoo for the future.
Keeping the Zoo relevant for future generations
Our planet is undergoing a biodiversity crisis. Zoos today matter, as they serve as a hedge against extinction, playing an important role in the ultimate survival of many species.
For the thousands of animal and plant species whose populations have dwindled or disappeared in their native regions due to human activities—such as habitat loss, fragmentation, agricultural development, illegal wildlife poaching, the bushmeat trade, and climate change—existence is precarious. Zoos do crucial work and serve as a powerful platform to spread the word that anyone and everyone can make a difference.