PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

If you’re a fan of animals and are looking to spend some time outdoors, head on over to the Los Angeles Zoo for a fun filled day. Bordering Griffith Park and hosting over 1.4 million visitors each year, the Los Angeles Zoo is home to more than 1,200 species of animals from around the globe. You can never be too old to have a great time at the Zoo; it’s a perfect activity for the entire family, a group of friends, or on a date.

Parking & Tickets

There is plenty of parking at the Los Angeles Zoo and it is free. As you walk from your car to the ticket booth, you may be a little intimidated by the line…but don’t panic, it moves fairly quickly (expect to wait about 20-30 minutes). Unfortunately, there is no way around the wait since the Zoo doesn’t offer advance online ticket sales. If it’s warm outside, and it usually is in that part of the city, I suggest you wear light colored clothing; only a small portion of the line is covered and you’ll be standing under sun most of the time.

The price of admission at the Los Angeles Zoo is a reasonable $10 per adult, while children are admitted for $5. There are about a half dozen shows held throughout the day and the cost is included in your ticket price.

The Food

I can’t comment on the food since I didn’t have any…but you should expect to pay around $7-$10 for a meal. It’s probably just me, but I always felt a little uncomfortable eating a hamburger with a family of Zebra’s frolicking only a few yards away. They have plenty of stands around the zoo serving the usual over-priced goodies: Churros, Shaved Italian Ice, Frozen Lemonade, and Dipping Dots.

The Animals

If you’ve ever been to the San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, or any other major Zoo around the Country, you probably won’t be that impressed with the Los Angeles Zoo. But since it’s the only Zoo in Los Angeles, we can't really complain.

If you arrive around Noon and the animals haven’t been fed yet, be prepared to play “Where’s Waldo” at the exhibits. During my visit to the Los Angeles Zoo, some of the more interesting animals like the Snow Leopard, Tigers, Bears, and Wolves were nowhere to be found. I did get a spectacular close-up of the Tortoise…but the experience wasn’t that exhilarating.

If you decide to visit the Los Angeles Zoo, I would suggest that you arrive in the morning when the Zoo opens (at 10am). Alternatively, if you decide visit during the afternoon, swing by after 2pm. If you’re just casually strolling through and taking pictures, you should plan to spend anywhere from 2-3 hours at the Zoo; plan a little more time if you decide to take in a show.