News

Entry improvements start 12/1/2025

Posted on November 30, 2025

Main entry improvements The zoo ticket booth and main entry area will be under construction beginning December 1, 2025. While wooden beams are removed and the ticket booth roof is repaired, an alternate zoo entry will be available near the main entry. Please look for directional signage. We strongly recommend purchasing your tickets online during...

illustrated spooky animals and jack-o-lanterns

It’s Boo time at the Santa Ana Zoo! Join us for OC’s premier Halloween event for kids

Posted on October 3, 2025

Get your reservations, grab your costumes, and join us for our annual “merry not scary” Boo at the Zoo, OC’s Premier Halloween Event for Kids. The Friends of Santa Ana Zoo present the 35th Annual Boo at the Zoo, located at the Santa Ana Zoo. The event will take place from 5:30 PM to 7:30...

Santa Ana Zoo’s “Journey to Emerald City” Zoofari Gala raises nearly $300,000 – A record-breaking night of community and conservation

Posted on September 5, 2025

The Friends of Santa Ana Zoo (FOSAZ) consistently generates over half a million dollars in net revenue annually to support the Santa Ana Zoo. The Santa Ana Zoo’s 33rd annual Zoofari Gala was one for the record books. Held on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, and themed “Journey to Emerald City,” the sold-out black-tie fundraiser welcomed 355 guests and raised...

Zoo construction updates – August 7, 2025

Posted on August 7, 2025

The zoo is always working toward improvements for animals, visitors, and sustainability. River’s Edge View Deck & Primate Habitats The underwater viewing deck near the spider monkey habitat is nearing completion and interpretive graphics are being finalized. On the left side of the project site, construction is underway for two additional primate habitats, including associated...

“Journey to Emerald City” Zoofari 2025 Gala tickets now on sale; sponsorships available

Posted on August 1, 2025

33rd Annual Black-Tie Fundraiser August 16th at the Santa Ana Zoo The Friends of Santa Ana Zoo (FOSAZ), a non-profit organization, is pleased to announce its 33rd annual gala fundraising event, “Journey to Emerald City” Zoofari 2025, taking place Saturday, August 16, from 5:30 pm to 11 pm at the Santa Ana Zoo in...

alternate path during pathway construction

Pathway improvements & early closure for Zoofari

Posted on July 27, 2025

Dirt pathway renovations Pathways at the front of the zoo will be under construction through September. To improve accessibility, the pathways connecting zoo entry to the playground area, children's zoo, and zoo primate area are under construction to replace dirt with concrete. The improvements will also include more lighting and decorative elements. No animal habitats...

3rd Annual Santa Ana “Brew at the Zoo”

Posted on April 24, 2025

Try a stout staring at a spider monkey or an ale while in awe of an anteater Saturday, May 10th, 5-8 PM Get ready to cheers to conservation! The Santa Ana Zoo is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated 3rd Annual “Brew at the Zoo” event, returning on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to...

Sonic Coming to the Zoo

Posted on December 6, 2024

Join us on Sunday, December 15 at Santa Ana Zoo to meet the characters Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Shadow from SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3. They will be taking photos with guests from 11AM - 2PM and giving out complimentary coloring sheets to everyone, while supplies last. Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday...

December at the Zoo

Posted on December 1, 2024

Find out what's happening this month at the Zoo. Meet Santa Claus Donate ten dollars toward the zoo's animal conservation fund and take your picture with the Main Place Mall Santa Claus. First come, first served, during event only. General admission to zoo not included with donation. When Saturday, December 7, 2024 1:30 p.m. to...

box - labeled Donation - filled with folded blankets

November at the Zoo

Posted on November 17, 2024

Find out what's happening this month at the Zoo. Blanket donation drive Donate a new small blanket today and help make our community a warmer place. Our City Net partners will distribute your donations to persons experiencing homelessness. Receive one free child admission per donation. When November 17th through November 30th 10 a.m. to 4...

It’s Boo time at the Santa Ana Zoo! Join us for OC’s premier Halloween event for kids

Posted on September 13, 2024

Get your reservations, grab your costumes, and join us for our annual “merry not scary” Boo at the Zoo, OC’s Premier Halloween Event for Kids. The Friends of Santa Ana Zoo present the 34th Annual Boo at the Zoo. The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, Sunday...

Santa Ana Zoo’s 2024 Zoofari Gala breaks records with over $120K raised

Posted on September 12, 2024

The Friends of Santa Ana Zoo (FOSAZ) consistently generates over half a million dollars in net revenue annually to support the Santa Ana Zoo. The Friends of Santa Ana Zoo (FOSAZ) proudly celebrated its 32nd annual Zoofari Gala, "Port of Call," on Saturday, August 17, 2024. This year's event transported guests to a luxurious...

Welcome to our new website!

Posted on July 2, 2024

Welcome to our new website! We’ve launched the new website, so we can build openly, iteratively and collaboratively with the Santa Ana Zoo community. Give us your feedback As we improve the new website, we want your input. Please share your ideas. Done/doing What’s been done: Training and empowerment on new web tools Organize content...

River otter & primate habitat behind the scenes construction update

Posted on May 3, 2024

The Giant River Otter and Primate Trails Habit is well on its way through construction. Here are the latest updates from Ethan Fisher, Zoo Director. May 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYQ_YhT35cY

River’s Edge construction update April 2024

Posted on April 26, 2024

Are you keeping an eye on the River's Edge Construction? While there is not an opening date yet, construction is progressing, and the habitat is going vertical! This week a series of large, steel posts were lifted into place by a giant crane. Some of these posts have big rings on them.... for the future...

Come explore the new Goat Interaction Yard

Posted on November 17, 2023

The goats have moved into their renovated yard! Come visit our "kids" in their newly renovated interaction yard. Guests can meet the goats and watch them explore the new space, including the elevated goat trail! Interacting with farm animals is a long tradition in the farm area of the Santa Ana Zoo. Over the years...