Santa Ana Zoo Prentice Park
The Santa Ana Zoo opened in 1952 on land donated by local citrus grower Joseph Prentice. He had two conditions for the city: the park would be named after him, and the other that at least fifty monkeys would always be on display.
Today, the Zoo still has its 50 monkeys, and thousands of visitors annually come to see them. There are over 90 different species in 35 exhibits, and it is a great place to introduce younger children to the wonders of the Zoo.
There are many things to do, including a fun miniature train ride. The Crean Family Farm offers a family farmyard adventure. Kids can pet some animals and learn about life on a farm.
The Zoo at Prentice Park covers 20 acres and is just the right size for younger children. Allow about three hours for a zoo visit. This will give you ample time to see the animals and ride the train.
Even though the Zoo is small, it offers a couple of excellent exhibits, Amazon’s Edge and the Rain Forest Adventure, that any significant zoo would be proud to display.
There is also a fun miniature train ride called the Zoofari Express. This train was initially stationed at Santa’s Village, a long-gone attraction in the San Bernardino mountains of Southern California. The Zoofari Express train ride is quite long and a fun treat for both adults and kids.
The colors of the Amazon walk-through aviary house various exotic birds native to South America. The birds are free to fly around in the sizeable 9,000-square-foot aviary and seem as interested in the visitors as they are in the birds.
Amazon’s Edge is the largest exhibit at the Santa Ana Zoo and features a waterfall that can be viewed from a wooden deck and is home to howler monkeys, mallards, black-necked swans, and crested screamers.
Elephant rides were once a highlight of a visit to the Santa Ana Zoo; however, they were discontinued at the end of 2011, after 25 years, due to safety concerns. The only other place left in California to ride an elephant in a theme park is the Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California.
If you work up an appetite while visiting the Santa Ana Zoo, Knowlwood Café serves award-winning hamburgers and other snacks.
If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly place for a day trip, the Santa Ana Zoo is worth checking out. Parking is free, and admission to the Zoo is very reasonably priced.
The Zoo is open daily, except for Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, the 4th Saturday of August, and Thanksgiving Day—hours of operation. The entrance opens daily from 10 a.m. to 4 pm, and the exit gate closes at 5 pm. On Resident Free Day, the second Tuesday of each month, residents of Santa Ana can visit for free.
Where is the Santa Ana Zoo
The Santa Ana Zoo is also famous for kids’ birthday parties. Ride the train and have a birthday party picnic at the Santa Ana Zoo. Address1801 East Chestnut Avenue Santa Ana, California. Zoo Website.
Santa Barbara Zoo
The Santa Barbara Zoo is by far the best mid-size zoo in California. There are some excellent displays thanks to the generous donations by the zoo’s membership. The Santa Barbara Zoo is in a lush botanic garden overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Los Angeles Zoo
This attraction is located in Griffith Park. You are in for a surprise if you have never visited this here. There is always something new here as it attempts to reinvent itself for the newer generation of zoo-goers and keep regulars coming back from more.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
No safari park or zoo in the country is as advanced in endangered research and development as the San Diego Zoo, and Safari Park is an extension of that commitment.
Living Desert Zoo
The Living Desert is located near Palm Springs. This 1,200-acre exotic learning center provides the perfect environment for adults and kids. Experience the majesty of wild animals and exquisite desert gardens in a stunning natural setting.
Santa Ana Zoo has always been a staple in our family especially when my kids were really really young. We could spend the whole day there all the kids love to look at all the animals play on the play sets and travel on the rights. Now my son is grown up and he actually works there.