Los Angeles Zoo
Elephants, gorillas, reptiles, birds, hoofstock, and native-species recovery programs occupy a sloping campus near the Los Angeles River watershed.
Artwork inspired by Wayne Thiebaud
Elephants, gorillas, reptiles, birds, hoofstock, and native-species recovery programs occupy a sloping campus near the Los Angeles River watershed. The best interpretation connects charismatic animals to habitat and recovery beyond the enclosure. Los Angeles Zoo becomes easier to read when opened (1966), area (133 acres), and setting (Griffith Park) are held together rather than treated as disconnected labels.
Use the day’s activity schedule, then revisit one habitat at a different hour instead of treating the map as a checklist. The zoo is exposed and hilly, summer heat reduces animal activity, and evening light events use separate tickets and circulation.
- Opened
- 1966
- Area
- 133 acres
- Setting
- Griffith Park
Quick guide
- Anchor the visit
- Use the day’s activity schedule, then revisit one habitat at a different hour instead of treating the map as a checklist.
- Test that view
- Compare elephant habitat with California condor recovery, then use botanical grounds to test what the site is trying to communicate.
Know before you go
- Anchor the visit
- Use the day’s activity schedule, then revisit one habitat at a different hour instead of treating the map as a checklist.
- Test that view
- Compare elephant habitat with California condor recovery, then test that reading against botanical grounds.
- Place in context
- Opened: 1966; Area: 133 acres; Setting: Griffith Park
- Plan the arrival
- For Los Angeles Zoo, use the visitor entrance at 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Before visiting Los Angeles Zoo, review timed admission, parking or transit, scheduled.
Good to know
The zoo is exposed and hilly, summer heat reduces animal activity, and evening light events use separate tickets and circulation.
Notice these
- elephant habitat
- California condor recovery
- botanical grounds