Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90027
Home to more than 1,100 animals, including 29 endangered species, the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens offers the chance to get up close with jaguars, tigers, snow leopards, and more. The zoo’s appeal is not just of the furred variety: it is also home to many birds and reptiles, and it’s a horticultural paradise with more than 7,500 plants.
The basics
The zoo is organized by habitat, offering the chance to travel around the world’s biomes without leaving Los Angeles. Visitors can explore tropical habitats at the Rainforest of the Americas section, home to monkeys, jaguars, and giant otters; see more than 60 amphibian, invertebrate, and reptile species in the LAIR, and observe roaming elephants at the Elephants of Asia section.
The Safari Shuttle tram is an easy way to get around the zoo. You can get on and off at six different stops as often as you like during your visit. Discount admission is available with sightseeing passes such as the Go City Card.
Things to know before you go
- Reservations are recommended.
- Visitors should expect to spend around 3-4 hours seeing all the highlights.
- The Los Angeles Zoo is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available to rent.
- Food and beverages are sold on-site. Visitors are also permitted to bring their own but are requested to refrain from bringing glass, plastic straws, or alcohol.
How to get there
Los Angeles Zoo is in the northeastern corner of Griffith Park, at the junction of the I-5 (Golden State) and the 134 (Ventura) freeways. Free parking is available onsite. Public transportation is also an option. The zoo is located along the LA Metro bus line 96 route: get off at the LA Zoo stop.
When to get there
The zoo is open every day from mid-morning to early evening, but it closes on Thanksgiving Day and on Christmas—note that the animals typically start to go in for the night (and out of view) at around 4pm. Animal feedings and other special experiences occur daily: check the online schedule for updated times. If visiting during the winter holidays, stick around to see Zoo Lights, the elaborate lights that illuminate the zoo after dark.
Griffith Park
While in Griffith Park, don’t miss the chance to enjoy one of the United States’ largest city parks. Covering 4,310 acres (1,744 hectares), this green oasis has vast swaths of landscaped gardens and picnic areas that provide a respite from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. It is also home to some of the city’s top attractions, including the Griffith Observatory and the iconic Hollywood sign.
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