Fun and Beautiful Santa Barbara Zoo Photos

Zoos have been type-casted as an activity for families and kids. Unless there’s a holiday theme or some drinking component, there’s no marketing for adults without kids. But as a photographer, I realized that zoos can be a pretty cool place to go and get photos of animals. Obviously, they’re not wild animals, but it’s still a pretty good experience.

While living in Santa Barbara, my partner and I spent the afternoon exploring the Santa Barbara Zoo. It was a weekday and during the winter, which meant this off-peak visit meant the entire place was empty! We tackled the entire area in a few hours, enjoying the animals and capturing some stunning Santa Barbara Zoo photos. I think you’re really going to like these!

Santa Barbara Zoo Photos

Enjoy these pictures of all sorts of animals, but many of the lions!

FAQ: Santa Barbara Zoo Photos

What is the cost of the Santa Barbara Zoo?

The Santa Barbara Zoo costs $15 for kids 2-12 and $25 for adults (13+).

How long should you spend at the zoo?

I would budget 2-4 hours for your trip to the zoo. If you aren’t a big reader or are going with little kids, you will probably move through it relatively quickly, as it’s not the biggest zoo. Still, there is plenty to see and lots of beautiful animals.

What hours are the Santa Barbara Zoo Open?

The zoo is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though they warn that some animals “go to bed” before 4:30 p.m. Their Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas times are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where is the Santa Barbara Zoo located?

The SB Zoo is located on the ocean side of Highway 101 off Milpas Street and Ninos Drive. Click here for the address.

What animals can you see here?

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the animals and how good my Santa Barbara zoo photos turned out. Here are some of my favorites:

  • Gorilla
  • Lion (male and female)
  • Giraffe
  • Kangaroo
  • Snow Leopard
  • Meerkat
  • Flamino
  • Penguin
  • Island Fox
  • Wallaby

Here’s the full list of animals.

Final Thoughts on the Santa Barbara Zoo Photos

I think adults should spend more time enjoying the zoo! Yes, there are tons of other things to do in life, but it’s fun to put on your “kid hat” and walk around being goofy and enjoying the animals. I know I loved the experience and have since sought out aquariums in Seattle and Monterey to see what fun things there are to see there!

Thanks for taking the time to browse these Santa Barbara Zoo photos!

Until next time, adventurers, take care and be safe.

Follow on social media: TikTok || Instagram || Facebook || Newsletter

Author: Alec Sills-Trausch

Title: Founder of Explore with Alec

Expertise: Hiking, Backpacking, Photography, and Road Trips

Alec Sills-Trausch is a hiker, backpacker, landscape photographer, and syndicated travel writer. He enjoys showing off the beauty of the world through his photos, videos, and written work on ExploreWithAlec.com. Alec is also a 2x cancer survivor and bone marrow transplant recipient, showing the world that there is a future from this terrible disease.

He lives in Washington, where he gets to enjoy the stunning PNW mountains in addition to all the other places he attempts to visit each year! You can see more work on IG at @AlecOutside