California
Plan Your California Animal Attraction Visits
Plan California animal outings by region: San Diego and La Jolla, the Central Coast, or the San Francisco Bay Area. My guides cover zoos, aquariums and places to watch marine mammals, with practical information to help you choose stops for your itinerary.
Choose Your California Region
- San Diego and La Jolla: Start with San Diego Zoo, read the San Diego Zoo panda guide, or plan a coastal stop using my La Jolla harbor seal guide.
- Monterey and the Central Coast: Explore Monterey Bay Aquarium and compare the visitor guidance for elephant seals at San Simeon and Año Nuevo.
- San Francisco Bay Area and nearby coast: Read about Pier 39 sea lions, the Marine Mammal Center and Point Reyes elephant seals.
How Should You Plan Your Route?
Choose your base first, then group nearby stops. California’s coastal destinations are spread out, so check driving time before combining them. Zoo and aquarium visits need different planning from outdoor wildlife watching: compare admission and reservations for the former, and seasonal access and viewing conditions for the latter.
Explore more U.S. animal attractions or browse all animal destinations.
