In case you’ve missed any of your favorite lions and tigers and bears – oh my, are you in for some good news! As Southern California opens its doors to restaurants and events, local zoos also update their safety and health codes to welcome guests. Many locations increase cleanliness while decreasing their maximum guest capacity to encourage social distancing inside the parks. So if you’re looking for a fun and safe way to meet your favorite animals, take a tour of these local zoos.

OC Zoo

The OC Zoo is open and ready to show off all its animals! You might want to see their eagles, snakes, and raccoons, but there’s so much more to see. Meet their bears, coyotes, mountain lions, and donkeys too. The OC Zoo is a small tour around the world, but many of its animals are there to live comfortably while sick or injured. Located in the Irvine Regional Park, this zoo is a great place to spend the day outdoors.

Visit the Orange Zoo online for more information.

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Santa Ana Zoo

The Santa Ana Zoo is officially open for all the little critters who want to see more animals. From Wednesday to Sunday, you can explore this adventurous outdoor experience. You might visit to see the primates, camels, fun farm animals – but they also have many fun activities to enjoy too. Visit the famous Exploration Maze, Colors of the Amazon Aviary, Zoofari Express Train, and Conservation Education Theatre to learn more about the animals and their environments.

Visit the Santa Ana Zoo online for more information.

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Los Angeles Zoo

Welcome back to the Los Angeles Zoo; just be sure to make an advanced reservation! Plan your visit to explore this local zoo that promises to be a world of adventure. With 270 different species that call the zoo home, you’ll be up close and personal with your favorite animals and exhibits that transport you to biomes around the world. With programs and activities planned online like their Zoo Virtual Learning & Fun or the Virtual Beastly Ball 2021, you can enjoy the zoo right from the comfort of your home.

Visit the Los Angeles Zoo online for more information.

Courtesy of Unsplash/ Justin Yause

Santa Barbara Zoo

The Santa Barbara Zoo is open and ready to welcome you back. You’ll need to visit their website for advanced tickets, and some animals have earlier bedtimes; otherwise, you’re all set to visit this oasis for animals. The Santa Barbara Zoo is home to 146 specifics of mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects – all of which can’t wait for you to come to say hi. With more than 500 individual animals open to see in their naturalistic habitats, it’ll feel like you’re right in their home. If you want to learn more about the animals online, check out the website for names, ages, and more details about the zoo’s favorite animal friends.

Visit the Santa Barbara Zoo online for more information.

Courtesy of Unsplash/ Lance Anderson

San Diego Zoo

Drive down south to Balboa Park to visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Welcome back to the zoo, right in time for the San Diego Zoo’s Mission: Spring Adventure – that brings you back for fun while exploring the world of wildlife, conservation, and family time! With a lowered capacity of guests, you can have a more exclusive experience touring the zoo in the Animals in Action Experience, Crazy About Cats, and Discovery Cart Tours. If you want to visit these furry friends from home, check out their wildlife cams for hippos, koalas, penguins, and more.

Visit the San Diego Zoo online for more information.