activities · 6
what they do
direct service · 6
- Delivers educational programming Zoo-Based Environmental Education ProgramsOffers docent-led education and informational services throughout the zoo to enhance visitor learning and engagement.
- Operates public zoo and gardens Zoo Exhibit and Visitor Experience OperationsManages a 100-acre urban zoo and gardens on the Pacific Coast, open daily to the public, featuring over 2,000 exotic, endangered, and rescued animals as well as native and foreign plant species.
- Provides on-site visitor services and infrastructure Visitor Parking & Eco-Friendly Vehicle AccessOperates a public parking lot with two entrances and one exit, and offers five free electric vehicle charging stations (three Tesla, two universal) for visitors.
- Provides public access and admission programsOffers daily admission to the zoo with general hours from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and provides discounted or reduced admission through programs like Museums for All (EBT/SNAP), Muni rider discounts, and San Francisco resident partnerships.
- Runs species conservation and repopulation programsEngages in conservation efforts focused on repopulating native species such as the California bald eagle and rare amphibian and reptile species.
- Supports visitor navigation and accessibility Physical & Sensory Accessibility AccommodationsProvides multiple navigation tools for visitors, including downloadable PDF maps (including in Spanish), the “Snap-A-Map” photo-sign system, and digital access enhancements to replace paper maps and improve accessibility.
strategies · 10
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Collaborative Endangered Species Management collaborative species managementWorks with accredited zoological institutions and international partners to maintain genetically sustainable populations of endangered species and support broader conservation goals.
- Environmental Sustainability through Digital Transition environmental_sustainabilityReduces environmental impact by eliminating paper map distribution, aligning with broader sustainability goals to protect natural resources.
- Equitable Access through Discounted Pricing equitable access pricingIncreases accessibility for low-income individuals and families by offering reduced admission prices, ensuring broader socioeconomic inclusion in zoo visitation.
- Flexible Access Tourism Model flexible access tourism modelEnables visitors to dynamically choose and access partner attractions over a 9-day period, increasing convenience and visitation flexibility as part of a broader visitor engagement strategy.
- In Situ Conservation and Species Repopulation in situ conservationImplements conservation efforts focused on repopulating native species, protecting wild habitats, and preventing extinction through direct, on-the-ground (in situ) programs in partnership with global organizations.
- Incentivized Public Transit Use incentivized public transit useEncourages sustainable transportation by offering admission discounts to Muni riders, reducing traffic and environmental impact while increasing access.
- Integrated Visitor Experience via Bundled Packages integrated_visitor_experienceCombines hotel stays and zoo tickets into single packages to simplify trip planning and improve overall visitor convenience, enhancing satisfaction and visitation rates.
- Public Engagement as Conservation Strategy public engagement for conservationAdvances wildlife conservation by fostering emotional and educational connections between the public and animals, inspiring care and stewardship for nature.
- Technology-Enabled Multilingual Accessibility technology_enabled_accessibilityUses third-party translation tools to provide non-English speakers with access to zoo information, broadening inclusivity and visitor engagement across language barriers.
- Urban Oasis for Public Engagement urban_oasisProvides a large-scale urban zoo and garden space as a destination for recreation, education, and exploration, serving as a green oasis that connects city residents with nature.
named programs · 18
what they call their work
Bio-fact Carts
Carts staffed by docents and youth volunteers featuring animal fur, bones, and teeth for hands-on learning
Discover & Go program
Partnership with San Francisco Public Library and other local libraries to offer free passes to the Zoo.
Docent Program
Uniformed docents offer stories, information, and guided learning at exhibits
Docents
Uniformed volunteers who answer questions, tell stories, and share information about the Zoo's animals.
EBT/SNAP and Museums for All discounts
Provides discounted admission tickets ($5 each for up to four tickets) for named EBT/SNAP cardholders with matching photo ID.
Elinor Friend Playground
Play area for children to engage in physical activity during their visit
Eugene Friend Dentzel Carousel
Historic carousel attraction available for visitors
Family Farm Barnyard Experience
Interactive barnyard exhibit open weekdays 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and weekends 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Insect Zoo
Daily exhibit open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. showcasing live insects and arthropods
Interpretive Ambassador Program
Trained staff in purple shirts provide animal education and visitor support throughout the zoo
Interpretive Ambassadors
Staff members available throughout the Zoo to provide knowledge about animals and conservation to guests.
Little Puffer miniature steam train
Railway ride for children operating daily
Nature Trail
Guided trail experience open Wednesday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Neurodiversity Program
Provides downloadable sensory guide and complimentary sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones and fidget tools for neurodiverse visitors
Savanna Aviary
Daily exhibit open 10:45 a.m. – 4 p.m. with mixed-species bird habitats
School Field Trips and Group Visits
Offers educational field trips for schools and groups, with free admission for SFUSD students and discounted rates for others
Talking Storybooks
Interactive storybooks located throughout the Zoo, activated with a keepsake Zoo Key.
Tropical Aviary
Daily exhibit open 10:45 a.m. – 4 p.m. featuring tropical birds in a walk-through habitat
relationships · 14
who they work with
- Apple Partner — Recommends use of Apple’s Translate App for multilingual access to zoo information.
- Arestravel Partner — Provides online booking platform for hotel and ticket packages to the San Francisco Zoo.
- City and County of San Francisco Partner — Partnership to offer reduced admission prices for San Francisco residents.
- CityPASS Partner — Partners with CityPASS to offer bundled admission to the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens and other local attractions.
- Discover & Go Partner — Provides free Zoo passes to participants through a library-based access program.
- Go City Partner — Partnership enabling entry to the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens through the Go City digital pass program.
- Google Partner — Uses Google Translate to provide multilingual website content.
- San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Partner — Partnership enabling Muni riders to receive a discount on Zoo admission.
- San Francisco Public Library Partner — Collaborates through the Discover & Go program to distribute free Zoo passes to library patrons.
- Tesla Partner — Donated EV charging stations to the Zoo's public parking lot.
- accredited institutions Partner — Cooperates with accredited institutions to maintain healthy and sustainable populations of endangered species in North America.
- accredited institutions Partner — Cooperative partners in ensuring healthy and sustainable populations of endangered species in North America.
- global partners Partner — Collaborates on in situ conservation programs.
- global partners Partner — Collaborates with global partners on in situ conservation programs.