Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
163
Tips
Z oo Events
The zoo has special events throughout the year and daily activities for visitors.
Most days you can meet the zookeepers during animal feedings. Its resident griz-
zly bears are fed at 10:30am daily, penguins at 2:30pm, and giraffes at 4pm. Also,
daily in the summer and on weekends the rest of the year you can attend “Meet
the Keeper” talks at these times: “Meerkats and Prairie Dogs” at 2pm; “Incredible
Insects in Action” at 2:45pm; and “Native American Animals” at 3:15 and 3:45pm.
For dates of events such as Family Overnights, phone or check the website.
wallabies; a South American Tropical Forest Building, with a 15-foot-long anaconda; and
the Lion House, with its rare breed tigers. (Rest assured that following a tragic accident
in late 2007, the big cat exhibit has been redesigned for additional safety. The public big
cat feedings are on hold.)
The zoo has r einstated its classic “S torybooks:” kids can take plastic animal-shaped
keys (purchased at the entrance for $3) and place them in various sites around the zoo to
hear stories and fun animal facts, in many languages. Also, for $7 a GPS Zoofinder takes
visitors on a so-called “behind the scenes” tour.
The Children's Zoo is a destination in itself . Kids can crawl thr ough tunnels under-
neath the exhibit of meer kats and prairie dogs, which pop up out of their o wn tunnels.
At the F amily Farm, kids may feed v arious rar e and endanger ed br eeds of goats and
sheep, and visit horses and ponies. In the Hatchery, your children can observe incubated
chick eggs in v arious stages of dev elopment and help feed ne wly born chicks. And the
Insect House will fascinate them with giant walking sticks, tarantulas, and even a massive
cockroach display. (Yech.)
Little ones will also enjo y the playgr ound str ucture, the D entzel carousel ($2/ride),
and the cute little steam train (which requires a $4 ticket). The best place to lunch in the
zoo is the Leaping Lemur cafe, which serves a mix of healthy and greasy choices including
pizza, burgers, California rolls, salads, and sweets. The zoo is free the first Wednesday of
the month; in summer, first Wednesdays are so crowded that you're better off paying the
entrance fee and coming on any other day.
1 Zoo Rd., at the Gr eat Highway.
&
415/753-7080.
www.sfzoo.org. Admission $15 adults, $12 seniors
65-plus and youths 12-17, $9 children 4-14, free for children 3 and under. Disabled visitors receive 50%
discount. Discounts for San Francisco residents. Free the first Wed of the month. Stroller rentals are avail-
able; k ids' “jeeps and wagons ” each sit 2 childr en for $9/each. Daily 10am-5pm. ( Children's Zoo until
4:30pm). Muni: L-Taraval streetcar. Show your transfer for $1 discount on admission.
Yerba Buena G ardens and C enter for the A rts
All ages.
Since 1993,
this 22-acr e complex has ser ved as an oasis of cultur e, fun, and gr eenery amidst an
extremely urban slice of to wn. The center 's two buildings, which include a 775-seat
theater and three galleries, feature theatre, dance, and contemporar y arts, often by local
and emerging artists. Dance troupes, including ODC/San Francisco and Smuin Ballets/
SF, call this space home. They perform periodic children's events as well.
Older kids will appr eciate the ar t/technology center
Zeum,
which is detailed belo w.
Younger kids will lo ve the 1906 car ousel; the playgr ound with its two r eally, really tall
slides; and the
Yerba B uena I ce-Skating Rink and B owling Center.
P ublic skating
times at the city's only year-round facility vary daily, so phone before making the trip over
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