Santa Ana Zoo - Santa Ana (CA)

5 /5 Maika Rothfuss: This is a lovely little zoo. My friend and I decided to check it out since we were in the area. There is decent amount of parking with some overflow if none is available in the front. Its a decent size, we were there about 2 hours, leisurely walking through and looking at the animals. All the animals had an indoor area to hide, so some of them were sleeping while we were there, but we got to see over half of them out and about. There are lots of scenic spots to take pictures, and lots of seating to rest. The day we went had a pop up that was Mind in Motion, which had booths pertaining to community events and lots of child programs and wellness, which we thought was really neat and a positive addition to the community. It was a Saturday, so it was decently busy, some animals that were out would have a little crowd gathered to look at them, but we still got our turn to view as well. There were "fun facts" throughout the park, which we both found informative and interesting. There was also a butterfly exhibit but that requires reservations a head of time, which we didnt know, so the wait was too long for us. It was a lovely day out for walking around the zoo and enjoying the atmosphere and animals.

4 /5 J J: Fun fact! Volunteers are available early morning till around lunch to help educate zoo guests. Look for big flags to learn more about the animal friends. Check out the bird exhibit where they walk freely around you, the camels grazing towards the back, the farm animals towards the front, or go straight down the middle to find the cutest little monkeys youll ever see. The zoo is small enough to walk and not get tired and big enough to still have fun. It was hot during my visit but the trees provided adequate shade. If you feel you need a break theres seating throughout the park and near the dual play area which is located in front by the snack bar. Speaking of snack bar, I included updated photos in case you forgot to bring your own lunch. If you have a vegetarian child they have plenty of options from veggies and fruit to PBJ sandwiches and plant based nuggets arranged in fun designs.

4 /5 xuan vo: Small zoo but clean and has enough animals for toddlers and young children to see/entertained. Takes about 2 hours to see and enjoy everything. They do have a small cafe with pretty good food and drinks. There’s a big playground near the front.

4 /5 Christopher Rempel: Visiting from out-of-country (which the admin staff graciously recognized us for!), and we had a nice little exploration through the facility. There were many birds and primates visible, and interesting plants. Of course, as with many smaller zoos, much of the attractions were geared towards children, and so it was no surprise when our whole walk through (two adults) took just under an hour and a half. Unfortunately, a few of the exhibits/areas were closed for the season or construction, otherwise, Im sure we wouldve spent at least two hours. But the existing layout was nice, and the pathways were well-marked. The food from the restaurant was quick and delicious. If I had been able to come on the weekend, I 100% would have attempted to take the train ride through the "Childrens Zoo" area!

4 /5 Tawny V: This place was recommended by a friend who lives in the area. I happened to be nearby for a few days and decided to pay them a visit. It was a weekday, and the place was quite busy with school kids, but once we stepped inside, it didn’t feel overly crowded—just lively. There were kids everywhere but It didn’t bother us. In addition to the main attractions, they have some interesting animals and features, including a camel, goats, a variety of birds, an anteater, and a hawk that was being cared for by staff. There’s also a butterfly sanctuary on site, but unfortunately, it wasn’t open during our visit—probably because it’s not the season for butterflies. They also have a cafe that caters to both adults and children, which was reasonably priced and perfect for grabbing a snack or a drink during the visit. Overall, it was a really enjoyable experience with plenty to see and do, especially if you’re into animals and nature. It’s a unique spot that offers a little bit of everything for visitors of all ages.