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Zoo Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I rent a wheelchair or a stroller at the Zoo? Is the Zoo handicap accessible?
- Is smoking allowed at the Zoo?
- Is outside food allowed in the Zoo?
- Can I bring alcohol into the Zoo?
- Are pets allowed in the Zoo?
- Can I donate my pet iguana to the Zoo? Can I donate any other animal to the Zoo?
- I’m doing a report on a zoo animal; could you give me information on that animal?
- Can I have a birthday party at the Zoo?
- When will the construction be finished on the Elephant Exhibit (or any other exhibit in construction)?
- Does the Zoo offer guided tours?
- What time does the bird show start?
- Can I touch / hold / feed / take home any of the animals at the Zoo?
- Are there any penguins or pandas at the LA Zoo? What animals are at the Zoo?
- How do I get to the Zoo?
- How do I get to the Zoo on the bus?
- Is there a fee for parking at the LA Zoo?
- What is the cost of admission to the Zoo?
- How do I become a Zoo member?
- Can I “adopt” or “sponsor” an animal at the Zoo?
- It’s raining or extremely hot outside; where are the animals?
- My question is not addressed; what do I do?
Q: Can I rent a wheelchair or a stroller at the Zoo? Can I bring my own stroller to the Zoo? Is the Los Angeles Zoo handicapped accessible?
A: The Zoo rents standard and electric (scooter) wheelchairs, and they are available inside the Zoo at the International Marketplace. Standard wheelchair rentals are $6 per day; electric wheelchairs are rented for $25 per day.
There are a limited number of electric wheelchairs (weight limit: 350 pounds) available, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Because of this, we recommend that you arrive as close as possible to the Zoo’s opening time (10:00 a.m.) to secure an electric wheelchair rental. Wheelchair rentals can be requested at the front Admissions area and a staff member will bring the wheelchair down to you.
Strollers are also available for rent for $7 per day for a single and $11 per day for a double. Double strollers accommodate two children and a backpack or diaper bag. The strollers are not recommended for children weighing more than 60 pounds. Parents are welcome to bring their own strollers or wagons.
The Zoo is handicapped accessible in all areas except the aviary. If you are in need of special assistance, please email us at lazoo.reservations@lacity.org or call 323/644-4211 before your visit.
Q: Is smoking allowed at the Zoo?
A: Smoking is not permitted on Zoo grounds. The designated smoking area for visitors is in the Main Zoo parking lot.
Q: Is outside food allowed in the Zoo?
A: The Zoo welcomes guests who wish to bring their own picnics into the Zoo with them, and there are picnic areas scattered throughout the premises available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Zoo requests that you do not bring aluminum cans, glassware or any other breakable materials and to refrain from using any small plastics items such as straws and cup lids that might accidentally find their way into an animal's exhibit. Coolers and picnic baskets are welcome at the Zoo, but the Zoo does not have storage lockers available for rent.
There are also several options for visitors who wish to dine at the Zoo. The Los Angeles Zoo has cafes located throughout the Zoo (listed below), which feature a wide variety of meals suitable for almost everyone. There are vegetarian and vegan options available at the Zoo, and the Zoo also offers many Kosher items available throughout the park. (Please see Zoo map for locations.)
- Safari Cafe (at the Zoo entrance) offers gourmet coffee, fresh-baked cookies, muffins, bagels, ice cream, and daily specials. Hours: Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Indoor seating.
- The Grill at Winnick Family Children's Zoo serves charbroiled hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, soft-serve ice cream, ICEES, and cold beer. This facility offers ample outdoor seating as well as indoor, air-conditioned dining. Hours: Monday - Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Gorilla Grill is the spot for grilled favorites, kids meals, refreshments,and ice cream. Hours: Monday - Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Outdoor seating.
- La Casita serves a variety of Mexican food, refreshments. Hours: Monday -Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- South America serves pizza, snacks, refreshments, cold beer, ICEES, sopes, and kids’ meals. Outdoor seating. Hours: Monday - Friday, seasonal; Saturday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Silverback's Cafe offers ice cream, treats, pretzels, and popcorn. The menu changes seasonally.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Covered, outdoor seating. - Mahale Cafe serves chicken sald, kids’ meals, French fries, charbroiled burgers, snacks, and other refreshments.Hours: Monday - Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Saturday- Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Q: Can I bring alcohol into the Zoo?
A: For the safety of our animals, the Zoo requests that visitors do not bring outside alcohol with them to the Zoo. In addition to alcohol the following items are not allowed on Zoo grounds: Glass bottles, aluminum cans, pets, laser pointers, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, rollerskates, inline skates, glass or otherwise breakable plates, bowls or cups. Also for the safety of the animals, no plastic lids or straws are allowed within the Zoo.
However, beer is served at the Grill at Winnick Family Children’s Zoo, La Casita, Mahale Café, South America, and various cart locations throughout the Zoo.
Q: Are pets allowed in the Zoo?
A: The Los Angeles Zoo does not allow pets of any kind, regardless of size or breed, into the Zoo. Outside animals are not allowed in the Zoo at any time for the protection of the animal residents, and for the protection of your pet.
The Zoo does allow fully trained service animals to enter the Zoo. Service animals that are in training are not allowed into the Zoo under any circumstances. All persons traveling with service animals must complete and present an will be requested to 
complete an admittance release waiver (PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader). Upon entering the Zoo, persons traveling with service animals must obtain a map from Zoo Security that outlines areas that are strictly off-limits to service animals. For more information, or to make arrangements to visit the Zoo with a fully trained service animal, please call 323/644-4258.
Q: Can I donate my pet iguana to the Zoo? Can I donate any other animal to the Zoo?
A: Unfortunately, domesticated reptiles and other furrier pets do not always stay at their youthful, cute and cuddly size. This rapid growth and unanticipated amount of care catches many pet owners off-guard, and sometimes means that they are unable to care for their pet iguana/guinea pig/ball python/boa constrictor/rat/turtle/etc. While the Zoo encourages pet owners to learn as much as they can before adopting an unusual pet, we understand that sometimes these situations cannot be avoided. The Zoo refrains from accepting pets from pet owners primarily because the Zoo has limited facilities and cannot accommodate the large number of requests that are made each year.
For reptile owners, we recommend contacting the Southwestern Herpetologists Society (www.swhs.org) to see if they can be of any assistance in finding your reptile an adoptive home.
For iguana owners, we recommend contacting the Foundation for Iguana Rescue, Safety, and Training (www.iguanafirst.com) or Iguana RAIN (Rescue Adoption and Information Network) www.beachy-iguana.com/iguanarain.html) for assistance in locating a new home for your iguana.
Owners of other pets should contact the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - Los Angeles (www.spcala.com or 888/SPCA-LA1), the Burbank Animal Shelter (www.basv.org or 818/238-3340), or the Glendale Humane Society (www.glendalehumane.org or 818/242-1128).
Q: I’m doing a report on a zoo animal; could you give me information on that animal?
A: Learning about animals is fun and exciting, and a great way to get to know all the animals at the Zoo! First, check out our Animals & Plants section to see if your topic is listed there. This section includes Fact Sheets (many featuring video clips) on several Zoo species -- and new animal facts are regularly being added. In addition, we recommend you investigate other resources on the web (including www.google.com and www.aza.org).
While we would love to be able to provide everyone that asks with general information about the animals at the Zoo, we cannot answer general animal questions. If you have a specific question about an animal that lives at the Los Angeles Zoo (click here to view list), please e-mail us, and we’ll direct your question to the appropriate department.
Q: Can I have a birthday party at the Zoo?
A: Absolutely! The L.A. Zoo is a perfect place to celebrate birthdays for animal lovers of all ages. Click here for more information or contact the Zoo’s birthday specialist, Millie Merjil, at 323/644-6048, and she’ll make sure that your celebration gets the attention it deserves!
Q: When will the construction be finished on the elephant exhibit (or any other exhibit in construction)?
A: Construction on the Pachyderm Forest (the Zoo’s forthcoming elephant habitat) is on schedule for completion in 2009.
For more information on this, and other projects under construction at the zoo, click here. Please note that completion dates are subject to change, as staying on schedule is sometimes difficult in the rain-filled winter and spring weather of Southern California. While Zoo contractors do everything they can to ensure a timely completion, there are some delays that cannot be foreseen. Remember, the exhibits at the Zoo are carefully constructed habitats, which ensure that our animal residents feel at home and stay safe, happy, healthy, and comfortable. The amount of care that goes into the habitats built at the L.A. Zoo can seem time-consuming, but the animal residents make it well worth the time and effort.
Check back to the Zoo website periodically to learn about all of the exciting changes that are happening to make the Zoo an even better place!
Q: Does the Zoo offer guided tours?
A: Yes, the Zoo offers several different types of guided tours. If you are a member and would like a docent guided tour, please call our membership office at 323/644-4244 or RSVP online to our monthly tours, which take place on the first and third Saturday, and the second and third Sunday of every month. Member tours become full several weeks in advance. To register, please visit the calendar and click on the date and time that you wish to attend.
Guided tours are also available for schools year-round by calling 323/644-4211, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Advance reservations for all guided tours are required.
Group and family tours are also available 365 days a year through advance reservations. Please call 323/644-4253 for details and pricing information.
Q: What time does the bird show start?
A: World of Birds Show*
Weekdays 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. (closed Tuesdays)
Weekends 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
Other fun events at the Los Angeles Zoo:
Animals & You Program*
(These 15-minute long animal close-ups take place at stations in the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo; subject to availability)
Weekdays at 10:45 and 11:45 a.m.
Weekends at 10:45 and 11:45 a.m., and 12: 45 p.m.
*All times and events are subject to change or cancellation.
Q: Can I touch / hold / feed / take home any of the animals at the Zoo?
A:As exciting as it is to be in the presence of the beautiful animals at the Los Angeles Zoo, we do not allow visitors to interact with the majority of animal residents, for the safety of both the people and the animals. The Los Angeles Zoo does feature a special animal interaction area within the Winnick Family Foundation Children’s Zoo, with goats and other barnyard animals. You can also get up close with some of our smaller animals in our “Animals & You" presentations. These 15-minute long animal close-ups take place at stations in the Winnick Family Children's Zoo on weekdays at 10:45 and 11:45 a.m. and weekends at 10:45 and 11:45 a.m., and 12: 45 p.m.
Q: Are there any penguins or pandas at the LA Zoo? What animals are at the Zoo?
A: At the present time, the Los Angeles Zoo does not have the facilities to care for either penguins or pandas, but we do add new species to our collection regularly. Please check the animal residents page frequently for new additions!
Q: How do I get to the Zoo?
A: The Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive, at the junction of the 5 and 134 freeways.
For maps and driving directions, visit our Directions page, or www.mapquest.com or www.maps.yahoo.com.
Q: How do I get to the Zoo on the bus?
A: The Los Angeles Zoo is serviced by MTA line 96, which runs from Sherman Oaks to downtown’s Union Station. The bus makes frequent stops in both directions at the southwest corner of the Zoo’s main parking lot. A timetable can be found at www.mta.net.
Q: Is there a fee for parking at the LA Zoo?
A: Parking in any of the Zoo’s more than 2,600 general and handicapped spaces with our main and south lots is completely free. Please ensure that you vehicle is parked in a marked space, and legally, to avoid being ticketed.
Q: What is the cost of admission to the Zoo?
A: Prices are as follows:
Adults (ages 13 - up) - $10
Seniors (age 62 and up) - $7
Children (ages 2 to 12) - $5
Children (under 2) – Free
Group Rates: Discounts are available for parties of 15 or more people. With a group discount, adults are $7 per person, and children (ages 2-12) are $4 each.
Q: How do I become a Zoo member?
A: The Los Angeles Zoo offers several different memberships ranging from $45 to $1,000+.
Our most popular membership is the Family Membership, which is $75 per year and allows admission for two adults named on the membership and children/grandchildren. Membership benefits also include discounts at gift shops and restaurants within the Zoo and special Zoo event invitations throughout the year.
Memberships are great for families that love the Zoo, and as gifts for any occasion! For more information, please visit our Membership section.
Q: Can I “adopt” or “sponsor” an animal at the Zoo?
A: The Los Angeles Zoo offers a special program for animal lovers, ADOPT (Animals Depend On People, Too). Funds from the ADOPT program help the Zoo participate in more than 40 international conservation programs that help endangered species. Animal adoptions make great gifts for family and friends! Recipients receive a personalized adoption certificate and unique animal fact sheet with a photo of their animal ambassador. One-of-a-kind benefits are available at various levels, including a customized, docent-led Zoo cart tour.
Memberships vary in price by species and can make a memorable gift! Please see the ADOPT an Animal page for more information!
Q: It’s raining or extremely hot outside; where are the animals?
A: Humans and animals alike have to shelter themselves from extreme weather condition to stay healthy and happy. The Zoo’s residents use the natural instincts that serve them well in the wild to determine when it’s too hot or cold to be outside. On these occasions, they often take cover under trees and bushes, or return to their sleeping quarters. If take a closer look, you may be able to spot some animals that have camouflaged themselves so well that you wouldn’t see them at first glance.
Though the Zoo is not able to offer refunds or “rain-checks” for bad weather, there are some animals that love to be out during the rain, and the Los Angeles Zoo was recently voted the “Best Thing to do on a Rainy Day” by Los Angeles Magazine.
Q: My question is not on the Frequently Asked Questions page, how do I get an answer?
A: Although we try to address as many questions as possible on our website, there may be a few we have missed. For any questions that are not on the website, please visit the Contact Us page and we will try to answer it directly or put the answer on the FAQ page as soon as possible.
