Santabarbara Hotel Blog

Colonial Beach Inn is the Southern romantic charm of Santa Barbara. Strategically, it is located near the county’s famous attractions such as the Santa Barbara Mission, Stearns Wharf, the oceanfront bike path, and world-class golf courses. Apart from these attractions that can be found nearby if you are staying at the Colonial Beach Inn, there is another must-see site that offers a different kind of attraction. For families, couples, and groups looking for an adventure into the wild, the Santa Barbara Zoo is the place to be.

The 30-acre Santa Barbara Zoo was first established in 1963 by a group of dedicated community volunteers. The zoo was then and up to now a private non-profit corporation that preserves, conserves, and enhances wildlife through research, education, and recreation. Today, the Zoo has more than 500 volunteers and is recognized as one of the most beautiful zoos in the world. The Santa Barbara Zoo is strategically placed along Niños Drive in Santa Barbara – just a short drive away from the Colonial Beach Inn. The Zoo’s beautiful location is overlooking the Pacific Ocean and provides scenic views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Andree Clark Bird Refugee.

At the Santa Barbara Zoo you can choose from the many attractions to go to. It is home to many animals and even insects which are exhibited everywhere inside. The exotic wildlife that you see in magazines and in TV is brought to real life at the Zoo through the African Veldt, California Nature Walk, Cats of Africa, Channel Island Fox, Crawford Family, Penguin House, Elephant Walk and many more.
If you are fond of birds like lories and lorikeets, then you will surely enjoy feeding them at Lorikeets Landing. On another hand, you may also want to feed the Baringo giraffes at the Zoo. If you are afraid of feeding the live animals, you can instead enjoy riding on one of the hand-carved exotic animals on the Zoo’s carousel. Kids will definitely enjoy their visit when they get a ride on the carousel. And not only that, but the Zoo also offers another ride to visitors of this time, all ages. When you are at the Santa Barbara Zoo, do not miss out on the Zoo Train ride, which will take you around the Zoo’s perimeter for a more relaxed and fun way to look around. As you go around the Zoo, you can bring with you grilled dishes, sandwhiches and other tasty delights from the Ridley Tree House Restaurant, or if you want, you can also stay there to eat before you decide to go into your wildlife adventure around the Zoo.
The Santa Barbara Zoo is open to the public from 10 AM to 5 PM, except on Christmas. For $11, adults can enjoy the attraction that the Zoo offers, $9 for seniors and children from 2-12 years old, and free for children under two.

Plants and animals that make up the wildlife are becoming more and more endangered each day. We will definitely appreciate their beauty and importance and more importantly, learn how to preserve wildlife if we have a better understanding of it. At the Santa Barbara Zoo, you will learn not only to appreciate the beauty of wildlife but also to recognize the importance of it. At the same time, you will be having the time of your life with family and friends.

December 15th, 2009 | Tags: into the wild book, parents busy zoo, santa barbara zoo, santa barbara zoo coupons, zoo animals, zoo gifts | Category: Santa Barbara Tourist Information | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL