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Monterey Zoo

400 River Rd · Salinas, CA

Why you should go…

Monterey Zoo is a privately run exotic animal facility at 400 River Rd in Salinas, California, open daily from 10am to 3pm. It is home to more than 100 exotic animals, many rescued from entertainment or private ownership, and offers guided walking tours and close encounter experiences with trained handlers.

  • #zoo
  • #wildlife
  • #family
  • #animals
  • #tour

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Monterey Zoo, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Quirky Fun

    Monterey Touring Vehicles

    $50+

    Drive a classic or vintage car on a guided or self-guided tour of the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur.

    6.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Monterey Bay Equestrian Center

    $50+

    A beachfront stable in Marina offering guided horseback rides along the dunes and shoreline of Monterey Bay.

    12 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Date Night

    Refuge

    $50+

    Outdoor hydrotherapy spa in Carmel with saunas, steam rooms, cold plunges and hot pools.

    14 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Monterey Mirror Maze

    Under $25

    Walk-through mirror maze and laser challenge arcade on Monterey's Cannery Row.

    15 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    History Buff

    Carmel Mission Basilica

    Under $25

    Historic 1797 Spanish mission church founded by Junipero Serra, now a minor basilica with a museum and gardens.

    17 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Links Club

    $25–$50

    Indoor golf simulator lounge in Carmel-by-the-Sea with TrackMan bays, a full bar and live music.

    17 mi awayMore like this