Alice
Visited · with my 3.5 yr old and 2 yr old
Oakland Zoo is genuinely massive — I’ve never been able to cover the entire park in 1 visit. The gondola offers breathtaking views, and a separate rides area featuring a merry-go-round, train ride, car ride, and more is cleverly accessible directly from the parking lot without entering the zoo — a brilliant setup for members wanting a quick visit.
Animal habitats are spacious, varied, and impressively well-maintained throughout. Scattered toddler play zones with animal statues, climbing webs, and sandpits keep little ones engaged between exhibits, and the petting zoo is an absolute highlight for younger children.
A word of strategy: skip weekend crowds by arriving early and starting at the California Trail where the gondola drops off, working your way back down. Crowds and long lines congregate near the entrance and petting zoo.