Identifying each other

It can get extremely busy here at the Sacramento Zoo. The best way to reduce the chances of group members separating is to wear either:

• School attire
• Name tags with the school’s logo or name
• Shirts of the same color.

Any of these indicators will make it easy to identify others from crowds and stay together during your visit.

Keeping your chaperones informed

Supervising a field trip group is a team effort! Keeping your teachers and parent chaperones updated on all the information regarding the Field Trip will ensure a fast check-in process for your school group and a smooth Field Trip over all. Share information like:

• Meeting place(s)
• Time to meet/exit
• Checking-in instructions
• Policies
• Items to bring

Zoo animal fact sheets

Prepare your students by visiting the animal section of our website for fact sheets with information about everything from lifespan to conservation available for most of our zoo animals.

Sacramento Zoo map

Don’t forget to print copies of our Sacramento Zoo map, for everyone to have! Click the image below to download:

Visiting Reservations Policies

• We require 1 adult chaperone for every 8 minors under the age of 18.
• Children must ALWAYS be supervised.
• Attendance numbers must continue to meet the minimum ratio in order to continue to qualify for the discounted rate.
• All attendees represented by the number and payment amount noted on the Headcount Form are required to enter the zoo at the same time.

Parking

Parking through out William Land Park is free. Because this is shared parking, spaces may be limited.

Bus Loanding, Unloading, and parking

Buses can load, unload, and park on 15th Street or 16th Street, as seen on the picture below:

If traveling to the zoo by school/charter bus, please instruct your driver(s) accordingly.

Buses CANNOT load, unload, or park in front of the zoo or in city transit bus stops. Stopping in a city transit bus stop can result in a fine by the city.

Meeting Up and Checking Up

When you arrive, please assemble on the grassy area near the large Fairytale Town sign across the street from the zoo:The area directly in front of the zoo is often crowded and it is not an approved group drop off/gathering location. 

Once the entire group has arrived, you will be required to conduct a full head count and have the lead person/teacher fill out that information on the Headcount Form that was provided to you upon booking the reservation. The lead person/teacher will then check-in with a Field Trip Liaison and cross the street to the zoo’s main entrance to proceed with check-in. The group is to remain across the street till further instructions is provided from a Field Trip Liaison.

Please get 4 separate accurate head counts for the following: 1 for chaperones and teachers, 1 for students ages 2-17 years, 1 for children under the age of 2, and 1 for any Sacramento Zoo members (Named members MUST be present and have a photo ID in order to check in with their membership).

Can’t find the Headcount form? Click the form below to download the Headcount Form:

Payment

Payment will be due on the day of your visit. We require payment to be done in ONE transaction to encourage a much faster check-in process for your group. Provide ONE form of payment for the whole group, including teachers and chaperones. Chaperones are not permitted to pay individually at the gate for the discounted price.

Acceptable payment forms include:

• Cash
• Company/personal check for the exact amount (Please note: Change cannot be given from check transactions)
• All major credit cards.

Any individuals arriving separately will forfeit their discounted rate and be charged the full zoo admission rate.

Behavior

There is no running inside the Sacramento Zoo. Do not climb/stand on fences or place anything over animal barriers. Do not feed or tease the animals.

The following items that are prohibited from entering the zoo:

• Whistles
• Rollerskates
• Rollerblades
• Skateboards
• Scooters
• Bicycles
• Radios
• Speakers
• Balloons
• Glass containers
• Alcohol
• Pets

Attractions

All attractions inside the zoo cost an additional fee. Tickets can be purchased at the Member and Visitor Service Office on the day of your visit:

Carousel – $3 per ticket
Train – $4 per ticket
Kilimanjaro Rock Climb – $3 per ticket
Giraffe Encounter (Daily at 10:00am and 2:00pm) – $5 per ticket

PLEASE NOTE: Availability may vary.

Lunches

FIELD Trip and Title 1 Field trips only

Seating is limited inside the zoo, therefore, we require Field Trip groups to have lunch outside in William Land Park, across the street from the zoo. If you plan to re-enter the zoo after snack/lunch, please alert the Zoo’s Field Trip Liaison upon check-in to make arrangements.

Group Reservations Only

If you purchase lunch at Kampala Café, you are more than welcome to make TEMPORARY use of seating in that area while eating lunch. As a friendly reminder, this discounted admission agreement does NOT include a reserved location for your group to gather inside the zoo.

Lost Child

If a student/child becomes lost during your visit, please look for a zoo staff member; if none are around you, please proceed to the Member and Visitor Service Office to alert staff members.

Wearing school shirts, the same-colored shirts, or name tags with the school’s name and teacher’s cell number are wonderful ways to prevent a child from becoming lost while exploring the zoo, along with communicating to your group a meet up spot and time and ensuring that everyone has the coordinating teacher’s/person’s number in case of an emergency.