Entering the Zoo


My parents, Jeremiah, and I all leave the house around 10:00am to go to the San Francisco Zoo. First, we stop for coffee at Java Café, which is located across the street from the zoo. They have good coffee! My dad decides to stay behind at the coffee shop, while my mom, Jeremiah, and myself proceed with our original plans.

Exploration Zone


The first area we walk to is a farm animal exhibit. There are goats, mini donkeys, mini ponies, rabbits, a llama, and more that we can't really see. We aren't allowed to pet any of the animals, which is a bit sad. We've been to several other zoos where petting the farm animals is allowed, so we are kind of surprised at the lack of interaction.


Prairie Dogs are also a part of the Exploration Zone. I know we have them in Colorado, but I always think they are cute to see. Meerkats are also located here. It's kind of random, in my opinion, but whatever works for the zoo!

Alert prairie dog sitting upright on dirt ground in sunlight.
Prairie dog foraging among twigs and green vegetation on forest floor.
Ground squirrel perched on rocky surface in warm sunlight.
Two prairie dogs resting together on bare dirt ground.
Meerkat standing sentinel against blurred green background.
Small meerkat standing alert on reddish soil with scattered straw and grass.

The Path


We leave the Exploration Zone and head down the path towards the flamingos. We pass a tree where I take a photograph of a hummingbird. Can you find it in the photograph below? I also snap some pictures of California Poppies. They remind me of sunny-side-up eggs!


There is also a cute fairy garden.


The flamingos are kind of just off of the path, not really in an exhibit area, which is kind of odd.

Eucalyptus tree branches with long drooping leaves against bright blue sky.
Close-up of a white daisy flower with yellow center against blurred green background.
Three white poppies with yellow centers blooming in front of green foliage.
Whimsical red and blue fairy doors mounted on a tree trunk with tiny steps between them.
Beautiful pink flamingos standing in shallow water showing off their vibrant feathers.

Koala Crossing


We stop to see the koala, and they are sleeping in the tree. It's super cute!

Sunlit green leaves in a dense forest canopy creating a natural pattern.

Bear Country


We walk through the South America exhibit, and make our way to the Bear Country exhibit. Most of the animals must be sleeping or inside due to the heat, but the grizzly bear is taking a bath.

Bear swimming in blue water with wet fur glistening in sunlight.

Cat Kingdom


We stroll over toward the Cat Kingdom area, and right outside of it is an anteater who is also enjoying a bath. We also spot a snow leopard gazing at us from a hiding spot in the shade.


The Penguin Island is located within the Cat Kingdom, which is really funny to me. It's fun to watch them swim around their island.


We also get to see an Asian Rhino and a Bongo here before moving on to the next area.

Bear climbing on rocky terrain near shallow water.
Penguin with distinctive black and white markings stands on stone pavement.
An anteater forages through wood chips in its zoo habitat.
Wet penguin stands on a wooden ramp in its enclosure.
A snow leopard rests near a tree trunk in its enclosure, showing its distinctive spotted coat pattern.
Close-up of a rhinoceros face showing textured skin and wrinkles while eating grass.
Snow leopard with spotted fur showing its teeth while resting against a tree trunk.
Red river hog with distinctive orange fur walking through tall grass.
Bear splashing and playing in shallow muddy water.

Greenie's Conservation Corner


There's a cute little garden area next to Cat Kingdom with an adorable garden shed, and, unexpectedly, river otters. One little otter is all cozied up in a blanket and they are adorable as heck.

Fish with open mouth swimming in a rocky underwater cave environment.
Blue garden shed with white window trim surrounded by colorful flowers and greenery.

Great Ape Passage


The last exhibit we walk through is a Great Ape Passage. We see orangutans go down these ramps like they are kids going down slides at a playground - one is even wrapped up in a blanket!

Black wolf standing on rocky terrain amid green grass and vegetation.
White arched mesh walkway with colorful backpacks visible through the protective netting.

Gift Shop + Leaving the Zoo


We go to the gift shop at the end and find a blue monkey hat which we purchase for Zack, our nephew. We also get a penguin mood ring for Omer, a sloth mood ring for Penelope, and a purple and green giraffe figurine for us to take home. Jeremiah also purchases a gold souvenir coin.