How Much Is Los Angeles Zoo Tickets
The Los Angeles Zoo is one of America’s top attractions with over 20 million annual visitors! It is also one of the most expensive zoos in the country, averaging $30+ per person for an adult ticket.
That makes it very difficult to be able to afford tickets if you are not a rich tourist. Luckily, the zoo offers several different ways to experience all it has to offer without breaking the bank!
Here we will discuss some easy ways to enjoy the zoo for less than $20 a person. These will include special tour experiences like Behind-the-Scenes Tours, VIP Tour Packages, and more. We will talk about free things to do at the LA Zoo as well.
We will also tell you how to get discount zoo tickets from the zoo itself and outside sources.
History of zoos
Zoos have been around for centuries, going back to ancient times. Many people associate the term “zoo” with big cats like lions or tigers, but that is only one type of animal in many different zoos. There are several hundred different species of animals in every zoo across the globe!
Most early civilizations had some sort of natural history museum where they would keep their belongings (like rocks) and learn about their origins by studying them. These museums also featured live animals which served as educational tools to show how nature works.
In Europe, Asia, and Africa, it was very common for royalty to enjoy spending time at these natural history museums so they could better understand the world we live in. Some even built personal collections and gathered plants and wildlife to add to their own private zoological gardens!
Since then, most countries have continued to maintain this tradition by opening their own natural history museums. Some remain closed to the public while others may offer tour packages or entry level tickets.
How much are LA zoo tickets?
The prices for general admission at the LA Zoological Society vary seasonally and depending upon the number of days you want to visit. They increase during major events such as our annual California Wildlife Festival in February or The Great Backyard Bird Hunt in March.
These festivals feature bird watching activities, education talks, and possibly special tours or exhibits.
Types of zoos
The term “zoo” can be confusing, especially since there are so many types of wildlife facilities around the world! There are three main categories for zoological parks: terrestrial (or land) zoo, aquatic (water-based) zoo, and marine (aquatic or coast-landy).
The London Zoological Society is an excellent example of a terrestrial zoo. They have several exhibits that focus on different species, including elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, tigers, lions, koalas, lemurs, marmosets, and more!
Some of these animals live in large enclosures where they can roam free and interact with visitors, while others remain in their habitat to show off their natural behaviors.
Aquatic zoos contain water features such as dolphin pools, wave tanks, and penguin colonies, just like at the San Diego Aquarium we mentioned earlier. These habitats give the animals a space to thrive and learn normal swimming habits.
Marine aquariums feature coastal environments and seahorses, starfish, and other fish. Because dolphins are mammals, they require similar conditions to survive. However, most marine animals do not need as much attention due to their higher intelligence levels.
Like land zoos, each of these styles of zoo has its own cost depending on how popular the attraction is. For instance, attending an aquarium costs less than a trip to the jungle or desert.
How to pay for zoo tickets
The best way to find cheap zoos in America is by using ticketing sites that offer discounts. Most have you create an account through their site, where they can track your purchases and get discount coupons!
Most sites also allow you to purchase either individual entrance passes or annual membership packages. This helps save you money because you only pay for what you use and there are never additional fees.
Overall, most sites do not charge extra sales tax which is very helpful as some may be located in a different state than yours.
The best times to visit
Another good time to visit is in winter! Many people enjoy visiting the zoo during the winter months because it is not as hot. Also, there are fewer crowds since it is slower season.
Winter at the LA Zoo is very different than spring or fall. There are no live animal exhibits so you will have to make do with some interactive displays and experiences instead.
However, there are still plenty of things you can see and do at the zoo. You can spend hours looking through all of the entrances and exits and exploring every part of the park.
There are also organized tours that take place throughout the day which give you more detail about certain parts of the zoo. These typically cost around $20-30 per person.
Zoo admission for winter is usually cheaper too if you are attending at an off-peak time like early morning or late evening.
Location of the zoo
The LA Zoo is located in Griffith Park, just west of Hollywood. There are many ways to get here, but the easiest way may be by using public transportation. The closest Metro station is Roosevelt or Zoo Station.
There is also an easy-to-access freeway that takes you directly to the zoo. This is Highway 101. It connects with the 5 Freeway (the Pacific Coast Highway) at Sepulveda Boulevard, making it very accessible.
The best time to visit the zoo during spring and summer is when there are lots of animals outside. You can watch them play, feed them, or even interact with some of them!
Winter is another great time to come see the zoo because most of the exhibits are covered up so people can enjoy the scenery and learn about winter survival. Some of these experiences include watching penguins dive for food, tracking snow leopards as they move around their natural habitat, and observing otters frolic in water.
Zoo tickets are always expensive, but if you use the right resources, you will find much cheaper alternatives.
Things to do at the zoo
The best way to spend your time at the LA Zoo is by exploring all of the features, either physically or through interactive exhibits. There are several different ways to explore the zoo.
You can take bus tours that have audio guides with them. These are great because you do not need to know how to read to enjoy them, as they tell you everything you want to know!
There are also self-guided tour apps for smartphones and tablets, which are just as good if not better than an organized guided tour due to the ease in finding things.
Another way to spend time at the zoo is by going during feeding times. Many animals will require human interaction for food, so it’s a nice chance to get close to these majestic creatures.
And lastly, spending some time outside is always a good thing.
Animal exhibits
The LA Zoo is famous for its large open-air enclosures where visitors can get close to many different animals. These include polar bear pools, tiger rearing areas, rhino habitats, monkey islands, and penguin lots!
The zoo’s elephant enclosure was one of our most popular attractions in 2018. Here you can see several Asian elephants frolic around an outdoor stream or take a bath under a water fountain.
These majestic creatures are very intelligent so it’s great to watch them play together. Elephants are known as being social beings which makes this behavior even more impressive.
Another favorite at the zoo is the dolphin show. You will learn about dolphins’ behaviors while watching these beautiful mammals swim through their pool.
Overall, the zookeeper team at the LA Zoo does a wonderful job interacting with all types of wildlife. They create incredible experiences that inspire awe and respect.
Animal houses
The zoo in general is divided into three major sections, or called animal houses. These are the Asian Forest, Sakhalin Island Tropical Rainforest, and African Plains. There are also several small exhibits within each of these larger rooms, such as pools with koalas or rhinoceroses.
The Asian Forest has large open spaces surrounded by lush greenery. This area contains animals such as tigers, leopards, bears, monkeys, and many others.
The Sakhalin Island Tropical Rainforest boasts an incredible amount of biodiversity. Animals found here include otters, penguins, macaques, kangaroos, and more!
In the African Plains section, you will find lions, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and other plains-themed mammals. A popular attraction here is the cheetahs, which are some of the fastest creatures alive!
There are always new things to see at the LA Zoo, especially since it opened its doors in 1922! Check out our article about all of the best attractions and activities for kids at the zoo.