The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens sits in the northeast corner of Griffith Park, where the 5 and 134 freeways meet. It opened on November 28, 1966, covers 133 acres and, according to the zoo, is home to more than 1,700 animals from more than 270 species. It is hilly and spread out, so a little planning helps, especially with small kids. This guide covers hours, tickets, getting there, the exhibits worth building your visit around and the holiday Zoo Lights event, using what the zoo’s site said in October 2026.
In this guide
It is part of our family vacation in Los Angeles guide. For more ideas, see our list of things to do in Los Angeles with kids.
Los Angeles Zoo at a glance
- Address 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
- Hours 10am to 5pm daily; last entry 3:45pm
- Animals go in Starting at 4pm
- Tickets Date-specific tickets bought ahead are strongly encouraged
- Under 2 Free, but still need a ticket
- Parking Free until further notice
Hours and timing
The zoo is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and the last entry is at 3:45pm. The zoo says animals start to go in for the night at 4pm, so the late afternoon is a poor time to arrive. For the best visit, get there at opening, when the air is cooler and many animals are more active. Summer afternoons in this part of the city can be hot, and there is a lot of uphill walking.
Re-entry is allowed during the day with a valid hand stamp, which helps if you want to have lunch at the car. There is no re-entry for nighttime events.
Tickets
The zoo strongly encourages buying date-specific general admission tickets in advance on its website. You can show the barcode on your phone or print it. Children under 2 get in free but still need a ticket; choose “Infant (0-23 months)” when you buy.
Ticket prices are on the zoo’s site. We do not list them here because they change, so check before you book. A few other points from the zoo’s FAQ:
- Online orders are limited to 14 tickets. Groups of 15 or more can buy at a group rate at the box office: $21 for children ages 2 to 12 and $24 for ages 13 and up.
- The zoo does not give refunds, but a ticket is good for one year from the date of purchase.
- There is a military discount for active and retired service members with valid ID, for up to six people. Buy those tickets at the zoo.
- Members of some other zoos and aquariums may get a reciprocal discount at the box office.
Getting there
By car, take the 5 or the 134 to the zoo exit; the zoo is at their junction. Parking is free until further notice. Weekends and school holidays are the busiest times, so arrive near opening.
By bus, Metro Bus 296 runs between downtown Burbank and the Lincoln Heights/Cypress station and serves the zoo. Use Metro’s trip planner to find the best route from where you are staying. See our LA Metro guide for fares; kids under 6 ride free.
Exhibits to plan around
Campo Gorilla Reserve
A multilevel habitat with greenery and waterfalls, home to the zoo’s gorillas.
Chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains
A large habitat built around how chimpanzees live in the wild.
The LAIR
More than 60 species of reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Good on a hot day.
Rainforest of the Americas
A 2.2-acre Amazon-themed area with monkeys, jaguars and giant otters.
Red Ape Rain Forest
Climbing platforms, hammocks and bridges for the orangutans.
The zoo groups its animals by region, from the New World tropics to African grasslands and the Australian outback. Pick up a map at the entrance or download it from the zoo’s site, and plan a loop so you do not end up walking the same hill twice.
Getting around inside
The zoo is hilly. A shuttle runs around the grounds for an extra fee: per the zoo’s FAQ, $9 for adults, $5 for children, $2 for seniors and guests with disabilities, and free under 2. Rentals are first come, first served and need a credit card: strollers are $15, double strollers $20, wheelchairs $15 and electric scooters $40.
Food and the carousel
You can bring your own food, but no glass, disposable straws or alcohol. Food and drinks are also sold around the zoo, and card payment is preferred. Water fountains and vending machines are available.
The carousel runs daily from 10:30am to 4pm, weather permitting, for a small fee. Children under 42 inches must ride with an adult.
How long to spend
Plan on at least three to four hours to see most of the zoo at a relaxed pace, longer with toddlers who want to stop at every window. Because the last entry is at 3:45pm and animals start going in at 4pm, a morning start gives you the most time. If you only have a couple of hours, pick one side of the map, such as the gorillas, chimpanzees and Rainforest of the Americas, and save the rest for another day.
When to go
Weekday mornings during the school year are usually the calmest. Cool, overcast days in spring and fall are pleasant for walking the hills, and animals tend to be more active when it is not hot.
L.A. Zoo Lights
In winter, the zoo turns into an evening light walk. L.A. Zoo Lights runs on select nights from November 20 through December 31, 2026, and from January 1 to 10, 2027. It is closed on several dates, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, so check the calendar. Zoo Lights needs its own ticket; daytime admission does not cover it. Read more in our Christmas lights in Los Angeles guide.
Pair it with the rest of Griffith Park
The zoo shares a parking area with the Autry Museum of the American West. Travel Town, the free outdoor train museum, is a short drive west and is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Griffith Observatory is on the other side of the park. See our Griffith Park guide and Griffith Observatory guide.
Tips for families
Zoo tips
- Arrive at 10am, see the busiest exhibits first and leave before the 4pm wind-down.
- Wear comfortable shoes; there are steep paths.
- Bring sunscreen, hats and refillable water bottles.
- Pack lunch to save money, and use the hand stamp if you leave it in the car.
- Use the shuttle if small kids get tired on the hills.
- Plan a loop on the map before you start.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Los Angeles Zoo hours?
The zoo is open from 10am to 5pm daily. The last entry is at 3:45pm, and animals start going in at 4pm.
Is parking free at the LA Zoo?
Yes. The zoo says all parking is free until further notice.
Do babies need a ticket at the LA Zoo?
Children under 2 get in free but still need a ticket.
Can you bring food into the Los Angeles Zoo?
Yes, but no glass, disposable straws or alcohol.
When is L.A. Zoo Lights 2026?
Select nights from November 20 through December 31, 2026, and January 1 to 10, 2027, with some closed dates.
Official sources: Los Angeles Zoo FAQs; About the Los Angeles Zoo; Exhibits; Getting here; L.A. Zoo Lights; LA Metro trip planner.
Photo credits
Featured image: John Salatas / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0