Founded in 1922 by naturalist Henry Snow, the Oakland Zoo is tucked neatly onto 100 hilly acres filled with nearly 1,000 animals and at least that many scenic views.
The legendary zoological park has a proud history of providing sanctuary for animals that have been abused or misused and helping care for wildlife injured or sickened, often by humankind’s misadventures.
Two of its tigers were liberated from an abandoned roadside attraction where they were once part of the cub-petting industry, a lucrative if unethical endeavor. As adults — no longer safe for tourists looking for a cute photo op — they were left on their own, trapped inside cages. Others, including the zoo’s Fennec foxes, Aldabra tortoises and Amazon macaws, were part of the illegal wild animal pet trade, living as someone’s pet until the creatures became too unwieldy for their owners.
The zoo offers ways to participate and appreciate its serious side, but there are more ways to appreciate its spectacular sights. Here are five must-see, must-do things to try on your next outing.
Soar aboard the gondolas
These perpetually moving aerial transports opened in 2018, providing a leisurely and effortless climb from the lower part of the zoo up to the California Trail. The free trip only takes about four minutes but offers views of six Bay Area counties and a bird’s-eye perspective on the zoo’s camels, elephants and bison.
The 24 Swiss-made cars, which hold up to eight passengers, travel on a continuous loop. The cabins are enclosed, but open windows let the Bay breeze blow in. Tip: Explore the lower part of the zoo first, visiting the sun bears, tigers, chimps and squirrel monkeys in the Tropical Rainforest, and save the gondola until later in the morning, when the lines are much shorter.
View the bison
The Dr. Joel Parrot Bison Overlook provides some excellent views of San Francisco and the Bay, too, and it gives viewers a look at the zoo’s bison, which have one of the most heart-warming, feel-good back stories at the zoo.
American bison once roamed the plains in the thousands, but overhunting and diseases from domesticated cattle sent populations spiraling downward. In 2014, the Northern Tribes Buffalo Treaty was signed, the first cross-border indigenous treaty, creating a partnership of 13 nations from eight reservations to restore wild bison.
Now, Oakland Zoo is working with the Iinnii Initiative in Montana to restore a wild herd of bison to their native territory. In 2018, 14 female bison were brought to the zoo to breed with two bulls from Yellowstone National Park. Their offspring are returned, when old enough, to Montana to be cared for by the Blackfeet Nation. The program provides genetic diversity to the herd, helping to ensure its health and survivability.
Marvel at the grizzly bears
Few people have seen grizzly bears up close and awesomely personal. Oakland Zoo has four, all born in 2017 and rescued by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. All four are grizzly bears, although brothers Rubicon and Kenai are identified as coastal brown bears, a distinction among grizzlies that takes into account their size and territory. The other set of brothers are Tulare and Truckee.
Watching these powerful youngsters playing in sprinklers or diving into the pool will take your breath away.
Lunch at the Landing
The zoo’s Landing Cafe offers an assortment of burgers, sandwiches, salads and drinks, but really, the main draw is the view. Platforms jut out over the landscape, exposing the vistas of the zoo, the Bay and surrounding areas in an almost 360-degree panorama.
That those views come with a side of bacon cheeseburger or Southwest black bean burger and fries is a bonus.
Ride the Express
If you want a good look at emus, wallabies and wallaroos, a great way — and the only way — to see them is with a ride ($5) on this miniature 65-passenger train. The charming little engine chugs right into the Wild Australia exhibit and at times, it’s hard to determine who is watching whom. The animals, unbothered by the noise and gawking riders, often sit and stare back at the tourists.
The train station is in the Adventure Landing amusement park. Tip: Have your camera ready.
Details: The zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 9777 Golf Links Road in
Oakland. Reserved tickets ($20-$24) required. Parking is $15 ($12 if paid in advance). www.oaklandzoo.org
