Current Protocols for Visiting Oakland Zoo

General admission reservations required in advance.

Members can visit without a reservation.
Friends of the Wild do not need to make advanced reservations for daytime admission and can visit at any time during normal business hours.

For current Zoo Hours, including when the entrance closes and when the Zoo is cleared, please visit our Hours & Pricing page.

• Before you leave home, print your tickets and your parking pass (If you purchased General Admission parking). Oakland Zoo members do not need to reserve parking in advance. Be ready to present them at the Zoo entrance gate.

• If you are unable to print your ticket and parking pass, download the PDF on your phone before you leave home as cell service is spotty at the zoo.

Check out our guidelines for a great visit.

We want everyone's visit to Oakland Zoo to be an enjoyable experience. Please show courtesy and respect to fellow park guests as well as Zoo staff, volunteers, and animals. Aggressive or discriminatory behavior, vandalism, vulgarity, excessive rowdiness, throwing items in animal habitats, feeding and/or harassing our animals—and any other disrespectful behavior—will not be tolerated. This behavior will result in immediate ejection from the zoo without a refund on admission. Additionally:

• Report any disturbance of the animals or facilities to Zoo Staff.
  

• Items that may pose a health or safety threat to animal residents, disturb animal residents, or impact the guest experience for other visitors are not allowed inside the Zoo. Prohibited items include but are not limited to:
  * Single use plastic drinking straws
  * Toys with wheels, such as scooters, skateboards, bicycles, hoverboards, "wheelie" shoes, remote control cars
  * Objects that are thrown or fly, such as balloons, balls, frisbees, kites, or drones
  * Inflatables and sound systems
  

• No personal decorations (streamers, signs, balloons, etc.) may be installed on Zoo property unless pre-approved by the Zoo.
  

• No vendors, parties, or reserving spaces (including restaurant tables) allowed on-site unless pre-approved by the Zoo. Please note that, at this time, the Zoo is not hosting parties for the public.
  

• Outside food and drink is allowed inside the Zoo but must be enjoyed outside of Zoo restaurants/dining areas. Plastic lids and straws are not allowed inside the Zoo.

• Feeding wildlife including turkeys, squirrels, skunks and raccoons is prohibited.

• Keep safely behind barriers and only in designated public areas.

• No sitting or standing on railings or fences. No dangling items (or kids) over habitat barriers.

• No smoking or vaping allowed.

• Dogs or other pets are not allowed on Zoo grounds or in parking areas. Service dogs are allowed.