Los Angeles Zoo

A 133-acre (54 hectares) zoo, the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, was established in 1966 and is situated in Los Angeles, California. The entire zoo, including its grounds, buildings, and animals, is owned by the city of Los Angeles. City employees work in administration, education, public relations, construction, groundskeeping, and animal care. Denise M. Verret, the first African American woman to lead an organization certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, has been the zoo's director since June 2019. Over the years, a number of remarkable creatures have escaped from the Los Angeles Zoo. At least 35 animals, including zebras, chimps, kangaroos, and antelopes, escaped the zoo for a half-decade in the late 1990s and early 2000s, during a specific escape wave.

The L.A. Zoo's best feature is its position in Griffith Park's remote hills. Despite being somewhat well-liked, the 80 acres of the zoo and its sizable parking lot prevent it from ever seeming overly crowded. If you plan to come, it's important to keep in mind that not all of the larger animals will be visible since they may seek shade on hot summer days to escape the intense heat. Despite the fact that the fauna is the main draw, don't overlook the flora. Although there isn't a dedicated botanical garden area here, you will still find over 800 different plant species, ranging from native succulents to extinct cycads, labeled and arranged throughout the zoo's habitats with a continental theme.

Google Rating: 4.4/5.0
Location: 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles
Contact: www.lazoo.org
Phone: 323-644-4200
Price: $22; $3-$5 discounts; free under-2s; parking free
Opening hours: 10am–5pm daily. Last entry 1hr before closing.