Rating: A+ for the mini-carousel, train, playground, and a wide variety of animals.
Ages: Toddler to adult
Directions: Take 101 South; exit Milpas Street towards the ocean. After the railroad tracks, turn left on Punta Gorda to the Zoo.
Contact: 962-6310 or 962-5339
www.santabarbarazoo.org
Season: Try to avoid major holiday weekend
crowds. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The zoo first opened in 1963 with seven animals. There are now more than 500 animals living on 30 acres, including Western Lowland Gorillas, Baringo giraffes, elephants, lions (King of the Jungle gets the best ocean view!) and anteaters! Some locals go simply for the cool playground and carousel.
Give the little ones some time at the playground, and let them feed the animals nearby. Don’t miss the fish-eye view underground at the penguin exhibit. The cool thing about about this zoo is how close you
can get to the animals. Front gate closes at 4 p.m. but you can stay until 5 p.m. Don’t hesitate to go on a rainy day: the animals are out in the rain and they love it!