The Oakland Zoo is a zoo located in the Grass Valley neighborhood of Oakland, California , USA. It is operated by the Conservation Society of California, a local and global non-profit organization committed to the conservation of wildlife. The zoo is home to more than 700 native and exotic animals. It is recognized for its outstanding animal care , especially its elephant care program, and its Leed Certified, 17,000 square foot, state-of-the-art veterinary hospital — the largest wildlife veterinary facility in Northern California.

The Oakland Zoo was founded on 6 June 1922, when the Oakland institution, then known as the Snow Museum, was officially opened to the public. Since 1988, Oakland Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a national organization that sets the highest animal care requirements for zoos and aquariums.

July 2018 welcomed Oakland Zoo visitors to a whole new adventure, the California Trail, a monumental extension that furthers our dedication to animal health , education and conservation with an emphasis on this state 's magnificent native wildlife — both past and present.

A number of new exhibits have been developed, including those for hamadryas baboons and chimpanzees. A modern, spacious elephant show was installed in 1987. The new display of sun bears was completed in 1995 and featured in the Animal Planet Ultimate Zoos. The white-handed gibbons now live on a green island in the Rainforest. The African Savannah, with camels, lions, elephants, sea cats, hyenas and more, was completed in 1998.

The Education Center opened its new doors in 1999, followed by a new main entrance shortly after the summer of 2001. A new squirrel monkey show opened in the autumn of 2001, along with a bigger, newly renovated tiger exhibit. In the spring of 2007, the four dromedary camels were moved uphill from their old enclosure to a new, fenced enclosure.

California Trail represents $70 million out of $81 million in multi-phase zoo development. Guests can fly to the Trail via an aerial gondola from the current zoo. Along the trail, numerous animals are found, such as American bison, American black bears, California condors, eagles, gray wolves, grizzly bears, jaguars and mountain lions. Half-acre California Kids' Zone exposes young children and their families to California's wildlife and ecosystems by themed play structures. Inside an interpretive center with a wall-length window into a grizzly ecosystem, tourists discover California 's unique environments, move into the shoes of conservation researchers, and find their place as a part of a group of people acting for California 's wildlife. The project was designed by Noll & Tam Architects and designed by C. Overaa & Co.

The 3-acre (12,000 m2) Valley Children's Zoo opened in the summer of 2005 with spacious new animal exhibits and plenty of engaging children's play-structures. Ring-tailed lemurs, century-old Aldabra tortoises, interactive Goat and Sheep Touch Yard along with river otters can be found in the Children's Zoo. The famous American alligators, the bats, the pot-bellied pigs, the Old World rabbits along with the Bug Room, and the Reptile and Amphibian Discovery Room are also in the Children's Zoo. One of the most fascinating and common features of smaller children is the brass insects embedded in concrete walkways that have been built as a form of public art.

This amazing landmark is located in California’s Alameda County and is only a short distance away from:

• Jack London Square
• Lake Merritt
• Chabot Space & Science Center 
• USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum 
• Mission Peak
• Coyote Hills Regional Park 
• The University of California Botanical Garden
• Del Valle Regional Park

All of these wonderful landmarks are located just a short distance from our location, conveniently located just down the freeway at 1261 Locust St, Walnut Creek! Stop by for a visit anytime!