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Photo courtesy of
Irvine Park Railroad
At the Zoo
Live Web Cameras
Animals at the Zoo
Plants at the Zoo
Zoo Information
Zoo hours, location, contact
Events, classes, programs
New at the Zoo
Volunteer opportunities
Support the Zoo
Membership
Adopt-an-Animal
Donation information
The Orange County Zoo is
owned and operated by the
County
of Orange, California.
Web page produced by the
Orange County Zoological Society,
Copyright 2005.
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Orange County Zoo Information
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- Zoo Information
- The Orange County Zoo is nestled within beautiful Irvine Regional Park.
Tucked among coastal live oak and sycamore groves, this eight acre zoo
displays flora and fauna native to the southwestern United States. The
Orange County Zoo makes a great destination.
The Orange County Zoo displays animals native to the southwestern United
States in eight acres of native plants and majestic oak trees. Animals to
see include black bear, mountain lion, North American porcupine, beaver,
bald eagle, golden eagle, ocelot and many more.
The Orange County Zoo exhibits its animals in naturalistic habitats for
the comfort of the animals, to encourage natural behaviors, and to enhance
the education of the visitors. In front of each animal exhibit are
beautifully painted tiles of the animals, along with interesting facts about
the species.
The Orange County Zoo has an extensive collection of native plants.
Throughout the zoo, you will find many interpretive plant signs, which
include a description, botanical information and the traditional Native
American usage of the plant.
The barnyard area features a variety of domestic animals, including
several breeds of sheep, goat and chickens. many of these animals are
available for touching contact through the fence. Grain may be purchased to
feed some of the animals in the barnyard area only.
The Orange County Zoo is proud to be accredited by the
Zoological Association of America.
The black bear,
Samson,
gained world-wide fame by taking dips in a southern California hot tub and
pool. Samson was trapped by California Fish and Game, deemed non-releasable
and slated for euthanasia. Governor Pete Wilson gave Samson a reprieve.
Samson was given to the Orange County Zoo by California Fish and Game in
1996. He is one of the most popular animals at the zoo, whether taking a dip
in his pool, foraging for food in the grassy exhibit or just taking a nap .
(Author Wendy Tokuda has written the children's book, Samson, the
Hot Tub Bear, based on Samson's story. This book is
available at the zoo's gift shop
and at your local bookstore.) Samson died in May 2001. Click here to read
about Samson's
story.
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- $2.00 per person (age 3 and over). Age 2 and under are free. See
Irvine Regional Park for
parking information.
- Hours
- 10:00 am - 3:30 pm, open seven days a week. (Closed December 25 and
January 1)
- Directions
- The zoo is located inside Irvine Regional Park in the city of Orange,
California. We are centrally located just 20 minutes east of Disneyland and
20 minutes north of John Wayne Airport. Once in the park, just follow
the signs to the zoo.
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- From south Orange County: Take Interstate 5 north to the Jamboree
exit. Turn right (east) onto Jamboree and proceed straight until Jamboree
dead-ends into Irvine Regional Park (about 5-6 miles).
From north/east/west Orange County: Go south on the
55 freeway to the East Chapman exit. Go about 4 miles east on Chapman Ave.
and turn left onto Jamboree. Go straight on Jamboree until it dead-ends into
Irvine Regional Park.
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- Orange County
Zoological Society
- We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports the Orange County
Zoo. For information, please call (714) 973-6847.
- Irvine Regional Park
- Irvine Regional Park is a 477 wilderness park with picnic facilities,
playgrounds, group sites, hiking trails, nature center and the Orange County
Zoo. In addition, there are many concessions including a train ride, horse
rentals, bike rentals and pony rides. There is a $3.00 per vehicle parking
fee on weekdays and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends (holidays parking is
$7.00-$10.00). This park is definitely a "destination site" to go to for a
whole day's fun and adventure for the whole family or just for someone that
wants to get back to nature for a day.
Irvine Regional
Park - County of Orange page
Irvine Park Railroad
- home page for the Irvine Park Train
Orange County Zoo
- County of Orange page -
see the zoo's web cameras!
Company
Picnic Specialists - For your catering needs
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Contact Information
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