Rides & attractions
The best way to experience the Zoo’s animals is to be in the right place at the right time. Keeper talks, feedings, and animal encounters happen throughout the day, every day. Here’s what’s on and when to find it.
Creating memories
event calendar
More to explore
The daily schedule is just the start. From seasonal celebrations and member exclusives to pop-up animal encounters and special programs, there’s always something new happening at the Zoo. Check the calendar to see what’s coming up.
Rides & more
Our historic, restored 1921 Eugene Friend Dentzel Carousel is located near the Exploration Zone. This unique merry-go-round delights kids of all ages as they choose to ride a horse, a cat, a rabbit, or even a giraffe.
Tickets are $4 per person
Adults may ride free when standing by a paid child.
We are launching a new program shortly with a fun, take-home souvenir that is customized just for you! Introducing Goofy Faces, our new on-site vendor creating caricature art on the spot! Artists will set up in front of the Leaping Lemur Café starting on March 29 and will be open on weekends until summer.
Caricatures will be available in black-and-white and color, face or face and body.
Caricature prices
- Black & white face only $15 per face
- Black & white face & body $20 per face
- Color face only $25 per face
- Color face & body $30 per face
- 16 x 20 in. black mats $12 each
- Protector tubes $5 each
Face painting prices
- Simple $16
- Classic $21
- Deluxe $25
Located near the Exploration Zone entrance, this virtual reality experience will literally change the way you view animal conservation! The Wild Explorer Virtual Reality (VR) Theater is a ground-breaking, new interactive experience that transports guests from San Francisco Zoo’s VR Zone to the high-elevation forests of Rwanda, the Tickets will be available at the experience and are separate from Zoo admission tickets. Check out our two newest shows Polar Odyssey and Dinosaur: Evolution. Find out more about these 360-degree film experiences by clicking the Learn More link below.
Add a ride on the historic Little Puffer miniature steam train to your visit to the San Francisco Zoo. Like generations before you, you’ll make wonderful childhood memories for your kids. Little Puffer does not run in wet weather due to slippery tracks, and is periodically closed for maintenance. Call the Zoo before your visit.
- Tickets are $9 per person
- Children under 3 may ride free (ticket required) when accompanied by a paid adult.
- Train Hours of Operation: 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A special passenger car on the Little Puffer miniature steam train is designed to hold a wheelchair.
Free with Zoo admission
The Elinor Friend Playground ignites the imagination of children of all ages. This unique space is modeled after three distinct bio-regions, which take their themes from specific ecosystems and appeal to distinct age groups:
- River Play Area for toddlers (6 months – 2 years);
- Polar Zone exploration space for pre-schoolers (2-5 years), and
- Banyan Tree climbing structure for pre-teens (5-12 years).
Along with striking natural forms, the architecture integrates a wide range of materials and textures in glorious detail that mimic those found in nature and encourage curiosity among young explorers.
The ever-popular, interactive Storybooks have returned to the Zoo, activated by the beloved, plastic animal keys that have become nostalgic icons to visitors from years past. At Storybook sites around the Zoo, visitors can listen to multilingual recordings of stories and fun facts about the animals. You can purchase your Zoo Key onsite at the Ticketing Windows, the Denzel Carousel, or The Little Puffer Steam Train, Keys can also be purchased on our website, and picked up at any of the fore mentioned places. If you have any older keys, most recent versions will continue to work in our new boxes. If you have any of the original style keys, you can continue to treasure it as a collector’s item as it will not work with the new boxes.
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