Oakland Zoo has welcomed visitors to the hills above Knowland Park since June 6, 1922, when naturalist Henry A. Snow established the collection. Today the nonprofit Conservation Society of California operates the zoo, which is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and draws close to a million visitors a year to see its mix of native and exotic wildlife.
The zoo’s biggest draw is the California Trail, a $70 million expansion that opened in 2018 and is reached by an aerial gondola offering sweeping views of the East Bay. The trail recreates the state’s historic wild habitats with black bears, grizzly bears, gray wolves, mountain lions, American bison, and California condors, tying the zoo’s exhibits directly to statewide conservation work.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Oakland, California (Knowland Park)
- Opened: June 6, 1922
- Size: 100 acres
- Species/Animal Count: Over 850 native and exotic animals
- Annual Visitors: About 975,000
- Famous For: California Trail aerial gondola and native species like grizzly bears and condors
The California Trail Experience
Visitors reach the California Trail by riding an aerial gondola up from the main zoo grounds, a ride that itself has become a signature Oakland Zoo attraction. The trail’s habitats focus on species once native to the state, including black and grizzly bears, gray wolves, mountain lions, jaguars, bison, and California condors, pairing the exhibits with the zoo’s real-world conservation partnerships.
Beyond the California Trail, the zoo’s African Savannah, completed in 1998, houses lions, elephants, giraffes, and meerkats, while the Tropical Rainforest section is home to chimpanzees, gibbons, and tigers. The Wayne and Gladys Valley Children’s Zoo adds a 3-acre area of interactive, family-focused exhibits.
Conservation and Community Role
Oakland Zoo is run by the nonprofit Conservation Society of California and partners with more than 25 wildlife organizations worldwide. The zoo has taken in rescued and rehabilitated animals, including mountain lions, California condors, and yellow-legged frogs, reflecting its stated mission of connecting visitors to wildlife protection efforts.
The zoo also hosts seasonal programming such as Glowfari, a winter lantern light festival that draws crowds along a mile-long illuminated path, extending its appeal well beyond typical daytime zoo visits.
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Oakland Zoo FAQs
When did Oakland Zoo open?
Oakland Zoo opened on June 6, 1922, founded by naturalist Henry A. Snow.
How do you get to the California Trail at Oakland Zoo?
Visitors ride an aerial gondola from the main zoo grounds up to the California Trail, which opened in 2018 as part of a $70 million expansion.
How many animals live at Oakland Zoo?
Oakland Zoo is home to more than 850 native and exotic animals across its roughly 100-acre grounds.
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Photo: Todd Dailey / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.