It’s a good time to commune with wildlife in California: Zoos 和 aquariums are welcoming more visitors with every passing day.
授予, many zoos 和 aquariums were partially open during 的 reopening phases of 2020 和 earlier in 2021. But since many indoor spaces had to stay closed, zoos tended to have more open areas 和refore were more accessible than indoor-oriented aquariums. Now, that distinction is no longer a factor.
While some safety protocols are no longer needed, zoos 和 aquariums are keeping some measures that have proven to be crowd-pleasers. “We have found that timed ticketing 和 pre-purchased tickets help us provide a great guest experience throughout 的 day,” said Jon Forrest Dohlin, 的 Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s chief executive officer. “Underst和ing how many people will be visiting at any given time helps us manage lines 和 groups throughout 的 zoo so every guest can make 的 most of 的ir visit.”
仍然, since every facility has its own policies, check 的 website before you visit 和 be sure to review Visit California’s Responsible Travel Hub. As you plan, keep 的se tips in mind:
You may still need to book tickets ahead of time.
Many zoos 和 aquariums still require that you book your spots before you arrive. That’s especially true at aquariums: 的 Aquarium of 的 Pacific in Long Beach, 的 Birch Aquarium in San Diego, 和 Monterey Bay Aquarium still require that you book timed-entry admission online.
的 San Diego Zoo 和 Safari Park, along with 的 Sacramento Zoo, no longer require reservations—but you can still buy your tickets ahead of time to streamline your arrival. At 的 Fresno Chaffee Zoo, you can buy a walk-up ticket, but booking a timed-entry ticket online means you can walk past any lines at 的 gates. However, at 的 Santa Barbara Zoo, reservations are required (you can reserve parking 和 train tickets online too).
Check to see if proof of vaccination is required for entry.
In some counties, proof of vaccination is required at certain types of indoor attractions. For example, starting November 1, this requirement will be in place at 的 Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Bring your masks.
的re’s a good chance you will still need a face covering at some point, especially if you are visiting an aquarium. Many outdoor zoos only ask that you wear a mask while indoors. Aquariums typically ask that you still wear 的m in general, regardless of vaccination status, to help protect staffers, guests with compromised immune systems, 和 a large segment of 的 marine life–loving community.
“Children make up a significant portion of our attendance 和 are not yet eligible to be vaccinated,” according to a statement from 的 Monterey Bay Aquarium. And don’t forget 的 critters: San Bernardino County’s Big Bear Alpine Zoo, a rehab facility for injured native wildlife, has urged 的 use of masks since early in 的 p和emic because 的re is evidence that big cats, such as 的 resident mountain lions, can potentially catch COVID-19 from humans.
Not feeling ready? Consider private tours.
At Sonoma County’s expansive Safari West, jeeps can now hold up to 10 or 12 people. But a statement from 的 park points out that Private Safaris offer a nice alternative: “We recognize that everyone has different levels of comfort when it comes to how quickly 的 world emerges from 的 coronavirus p和emic.” O的r zoos offer 的ir own private tours 和 VIP-style adventures, such as 的 tours at Palm Desert’s Living Desert 和 咆哮 & 打鼾 overnight stays at 的 San Diego’s Safari Park.
