B00s at Zoos in California

Sometimes the orangutans, giraffes, elephants and owls need to break up their routines. California has many Boo at the Zoo events to help humans celebrate their traditions along with the animals. From bright orange pumpkins filled with special animal treats, to kids' trick or treat stations on special boo days and nights, be sure to check out your local zoo to see if they are celebrating.

ATASCADERO: Zoo Boo October 28, 2023, 5-8:30 p.m.
Charles Paddock Zoo
9100 Morro Road, Atascadero, California
Atascadero, CA 93422
$16, free under age 3, charlespaddockzoo.org

CALM Zoo no info 2023
10500 Alfred Harrell Hwy.
Bakersfield, CA
$15, calmzoo.org
AutumnNights by Lightasmic, is a family-friendly, Halloween themed, light show that takes place in the zoo grounds at CALM. Guests are invited to take a ride on the Candy Corn Express Train, explore a variety of illuminated fall themed lands, or get lost in the Craze Maze. Take your photos with the Pumpkin Mayor after making a journey through the Bayou.

SANTA BARBARA Boo at the Zoo  October 20-22 & October 27-29, 2023
Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos Drive
Santa Barbara, CA
2023 TICKET INFO TBD
$, $10 parking, sbzoo.org
Boo at the Zoo

OAKLAND Boo at the Zoo  October 22-31, 2022, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Road
Oakland, CA
$24 approx., oaklandzoo.org

Boo at the Zoo Calling all ghosts, goblins, and witches -  for Boo at the Zoo! Due to its popularity,  Boo at the Zoo has been extended to four weekends in October.
Costume Contest Themed Days
‍October 22-24, 2022 Twinning - Parents suit up! It's time to twin with your mini in your favorite Halloween costumes.
‍October 25-27, 2022 Monster Squad - Ghouls & monsters of the night, it's your time to shine for a Halloween fright. Dress up in your classic monster squad members.
October 28-30, 2022 Favorite Animal Friends - Furry or scaley, feathers or slimy, it's up to you! Pick your favorite animal to sport around the Zoo.
October 31, 2022 Wild Card - Your choice! Dress up as your favorite superhero, princess, pirate - the possibilities are endless!*

SANTA ANA Boo at the Zoo October 21, 21, 28  & 29, 2023,  5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Santa Ana, Prentice Park Zoo
1801 East Chestnut Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 647-6575
$35 adult, $30 child, santaanazoo.org/boo.htm
A FUN HALLOWEEN EXPERIENCE Follow a fun Halloween trail through the Zoo during extended admission hours. You'll discover our merry, not scary decorations along the way, making this an activity the whole family can enjoy together, wearing family-friendly costumes and collecting goody bags for each child on the way out. 

PALM DESERT The Living Desert HOWLOWEEN October 29 & 30, 2022, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Living Desert
47900 Portola Ave.
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760-346-5694
$, livingdesert.org
Come and safely celebrate Howl-O-Ween at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens! Children are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costumes and explore the Zoo for a socially-distant and family-friendly adventure. We’ve adapted the day’s activities to include a self-guided scavenger hunt, and be sure to grab a Scales, Claws, and Teeth, Oh My! program to see your favorite animal receive a special pumpkin enrichment experience during your visit. In place of trick-or-treating we will hand out pre-stuffed Boo in a Bag treat bags to children ages 12 and under, while supplies last. The event will take place on both Saturday & Sunday. Due to capacity limitations, advanced reservations are required through our online ticketing system.

SAN DIEGO: San Diego Zoo HalGLOWeen

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays (except Sun.Oct.30) Oct. 1 -Oct. 31, 2022 - 5-9 p.m.

San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park
2920 Zoo Drive
San Diego, CA
$Free with admission, sandiegozoo.org

SAN JOSE: Boo at the Zoo at Happy Hollow October 22, 2022, 4-6 p.m.

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
748 Story Road
San Jose, CA
$10-20, eventbrite.com

 

 

Past Events

BIG BEAR LAKE Boo at the Zoo October 26, 2019, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Big Bear Alpine Zoo
Clubview Drive
Big Bear Lake, CA
Tickets: bigbearzoo.org

Big Bear Alpine Zoo Boo at the Zoo  Halloween celebration encourages kids to come in costume, visit their favorite animals and trick-or-treat at stations throughout the Zoo.

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Zoo
sfzoo.org
Get spooky. You're invited to come dressed in Halloween costumes (and masks!) to celebrate. Enjoy a self-guided walk around the zoo to find five sloth-themed haunted houses, including Franken-sloth's Fort.On your visit, don't miss Nigel's Big Adventure! Follow the clues to meet the seven-year-old burrowing owl, friends and learn some fascinating facts along the way. When you get to the final clue, scan the QR code to get to Nigel's personal web page! *Advance reservations are required and guests must adhere to safety guidelines including face coverings for guests two years of age and over. San Francisco Zoo & Gardens is home to two sloths who reside in indoor habitats and will not be available to see. Due to COVID, all of our indoor habitats are closed.

EUREKA Boo at the Zoo  October 27, 2019, 12-4 p.m. 
Sequoia Park Zoo
3414 W Street
Eureka, CA 95503
(707) 441-4263
sequoiaparkzoo.net
Zoo admission $10 adult approx.; $7 senior; $6 age 3-12

Bring the whole family for a frighteningly good time. Learn about creatures that crawl and creep, slime and slither, and lurk in the shadows of the night, participate in games, crafts and activities.

FRESNO ZooBoo  October 18, 19, 25, 26, 2019, 5-8 p.m.
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
894 W. Belmont Ave.
Fresno, CA 93728
$18-20, fresnochaffeezoo.org
The Zoo closes early for this boo-tiful event. The entire Zoo is  decorated in Halloween themes for Trick-or-treat through the zoo at dusk, the hay maze, and time with Education Animal Ambassadors. Dance the night away to kid-friendly music at Dracula's Disco in Canopy Grove, play carnival games and win prizes at Game Lane - extra charges apply.

LOS ANGELES Zoo BOO October 1-27, 2019, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. |  Trick or Treat October 19-20 and 26-27, 2019
Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive
Los Angeles, CA
lazoo.org
(323) 644-4200
$22, $17 age 2 - 12 years

MERCED: Zoo Boo at Applegate Park Zoo October 25-26, 2019, 6-8:30 p.m.
Applegate Zoo
1045 W. 25th St.
Merced, CA
$3, mercedzoo.org
Trick or Treat in a haunted zoo! This event is fun for parents and little ones alike. Volunteers are invited to help with planning and decorating for this growing event. Zoo Boo is the Halloween funfest where kids of all ages get to trick or treat throughout the Applegate Zoo. In addition to the Zoo Boo, there will be a Kiddie Corral, where youngsters can meet and pet a wide range of animals including a giant tortoise, rabbits, hamsters, ducks, a calf and some special reptile guests. All money raised from the event is used to pay for operating the zoo.

MOORPARK: Boo at the Zoo  October 22, 23, 29 & 30, 2022
7075 Campus Road
Moorpark, CA
zoo.moorparkcollege.edu (not updated on website, but mentioned on facebook page)
Boo at the Zoo at America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College hosts annual Boo at the Zoo  event.
Entry fee is $8 for adults and $6 for children 3-12. Less than 2 years of age are free! Each child in costume will receive a Zoo BINGO card upon entry. When all squares are filled they head to the kids fun zone and receive a bag o' treats! There will also be animal shows, and usually a costume contest, a parade, face painting, games, and not-so-spooky decorations throughout the zoo.

ORANGE Halloween Zoo-tacular! Saturday, October 26, 2019, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Orange County Zoo
1 Irvine Park Road
Orange, CA 92869
ocparks.com
$2 admission, Park entry $5-7 per car
Orange County Zoo invites all ages to take part in some Halloween fun! Activities include trick-or-treating, spooky crafts, a scavenger hunt, and fun games. The first 100 children (ages 12 & under) in costume will receive a free gift! See the zoo animals receive treat-filled pumpkins throughout the day. Event is free with zoo admission

SACRAMENTO Boo at the Zoo
Canceled in 2020
Sacramento Zoo
3930 West Land Park Drive
Sacramento, CA
(916) 808-5888
$15-18, saczoo.org
Boo at the Zoo invites the family to the Zoo for a spook-tacular good time. Ghoulish games, creepy crafts and trick or treat around Lake Victoria at 15 candy stations at the Sacramento Zoo. 
 ALL DAY ACTIVITIES: Trick-or-treating stations | Face painting | Zoo crafts and games.  Shows  on the amphitheater stage |  Keeper Chats - all talks at the exhibits.

SAN FRANCISCO: Boo at the Zoo October 26-27, 2019 San Francisco Zoo
Sloat Blvd. at The Great Highway
San Francisco, CA
$17-23, sfzoo.org
Boo at the Zoo is a Halloween family festival during the Zoo's regular daylight hours where you can trick-or-treat around the Zoo and see the animals enjoy pumpkin treats. Take a trip through the Haunted Nature Trail - if you dare! Activities include: Trick-or-Treat at multiple stations throughout the Zoo | Have fun making Halloween crafts | Enjoy the Pumpkin Stomp & Chomp: Watch the animals enjoy tasty holiday | themed treats and wellness activities | All activities are free with paid San Francisco Zoo admission.

SAN JOSE: Happy Hollow Zoo Green Halloween October 26, 2019, 1 p.m. and October 31, 2019, 1 p.m.

$14.25,  hhpz.org
Animal story time
Something Ridiculous (show)
Creepy crawler animal presentation
Trick or Treating (until supplies last)
Something Ridiculous (show)
Costume parade
Other fun activities:
-Zooteen biofacts
-Spooky face paint
-Activity stations
-Festive zoo enrichment
Non-members will receive a discount for every person who arrives in costume. Members are invited to come and claim a Happy Hollow trick or treat tote bag.
These events are included with a regular admission ticket, or membership. For more information please contact hhguestservices@sanjoseca.gov or call (408)794-6400.

City of San Jose Classes, registration: happyhollow.org/learn/classes/
Haunt the Hollow  October 26, 2019, 7:30-9 p.m.
Howl-o-ween Family Sleepover  October 19, 2019, 6 p.m.

 

SANTA ROSA: Safari West
safariwest.com or (707) 566-3667
No Halloween event listed in 2019 that we could find. But... this is a great place to visit, anytime!

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.