Santa Barbara Zoo

The Santa Barbara Zoo opened in 1963 on 30 acres in Santa Barbara, CA. The zoo has 600 animals with 146 different species in numerous exhibits living in open, naturalistic habitats overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains. Some of the zoo's most popular residents include penguins, elephants, anteaters, gorillas, a pair of rare snow leopards, and a flock of native California condors. The Santa Barbara Zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan which is a cooperative conservation program that aims to maintain genetic diversity and helps guard endangered species from extinction. The zoo is consistently ranked as one of the nation's best and most beautiful small zoos.