Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Barbara Zoo Review

The grounds of this smallish zoo are so gorgeous people book their weddings here long in advance. The palm-studded lawns on a hilltop overlooking the beach are perfect spots for family picnics. The natural settings of the zoo shelter elephants, gorillas, exotic birds like the California condor, and big cats such as the rare snow leopard, a thick-furred, high-altitude dweller from Asia. For small children, there's a scenic railroad and barnyard petting zoo. Duncan, an amazingly lifelike dinosaur, stars in the live stage show How to Train Your Dinosaur (free with zoo admission, daily in summer, on weekends the rest of the year). Duncan, designed by one of Hollywood's top creature shops, demonstrates the special techniques trainers use to care for animals.