Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens

The Santa Barbara zoo is a lot of fun for the family. There are a lot of animals at the zoo, especially since it is a zoo in a relatively small community. The thing that the kids love the most is that there is a little train that the kids and parents can take that goes around the zoo and shows you the animals. The train is always the big hit. Another thing that is good about this zoo is that it is so beautifully landscaped and there is a really beautiful little area designated for having a picnic. The only reason that I did not give the Santa Barbara Zoo 5 stars is because of the parking. They do not tell you that you have to pay for parking, so you park in the parking lot and then when you buy your tickets, they tag on a parking fee. more

I love this zoo. Its great because its not so exhaustingly huge like San Diego or Los Angeles. Its a nice size...perfect for kids. I like that this zoo is small, but still has fun animals like elephants...and wait, has anyone mentioned the giraffe with the bent neck???? Oh my gosh, at least go for this one...what a sight! Great price and easy parking. Nice, fun day. more

The Santa Barbara Zoo is beautifully arranged and a delight to tour. I am a person who really enjoys zoos, and this one was very nice. They had an extensive amount of tropical birds, and I was treated to the zookeepers giving the elephants a bath. Parking was easy and admission was reasonable. I would definitely go again. more

The Santa Barbara Zoo is a small, but well designed zoo that caters to children. The zoo contains a pretty wide variety of animals, ranging from flamingos to elephants to an exhibit full of bugs. The grounds are very manicured. Full of grass and plants, this zoo is a great place to have a picnic. This zoo would be great for children, but I would recommend the San Diego Zoo for a wonderful zoo that adults would find more interesting. more

The Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens isn't as big as some zoos in other cities, but it certainly makes up for its size by being one of the most gorgeous zoos in the country. The site is located atop a hill on the mesa, lending itself to gorgeous ocean views from the uppermeadow area (which is the site of numerous weddings and special occasions). There is a train ride for the kids as well as exhibits featuring some common zoo animals. They have some really great special events. Parking is ample. more

The Santa Barbara zoo is a nice place to spend part of your day in Santa Barbara if you’re tired of walking along the beach or shopping. They have some unique exhibits and if you can attend one of their early morning events, they are really interesting. Not too big but you get to see enough without tiring yourself out. more