What started in the early 1900s as a makeshift dumping ground for unwanted pets, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo has since evolved into nearly 20 acres of beautiful landscaping, modern animal care and interactive wildlife preservation awareness efforts. Every member of the family will find something they love at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Parking and public transportation at Fresno Chaffee Zoo
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is located in Roeding Regional Park so there is a $5 per car fee charged by the city of Fresno to enter. Once inside there is ample paved parking available. If you prefer public transportation, catching the bus is a great option. The Fresno Area Express Route 33 runs 7 days a week and has a stop at the front entrance to the zoo.
Best and worst time to go to Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Although open year round, the hours vary by season so it's always a good idea to call ahead. There are various seasonal special events offered too, from Zoo Summer Camp to Ice Cream Zoofari, making the experience exciting and new to visitors each time they come. A favorite among locals is the Zoo Lights event offered in the winter. Although it has a separate admission fee, Zoo Lights offers visitors a chance to enjoy the nocturnal habits of the animals after dark, when the grounds have been transformed into a winter wonderland between exhibits. Lit by the twinkling glow of thousands of holiday lights, Christmas trees and holiday displays, guests are treated to cookies and hot coco as well as a visit from Santa Claus himself.
Admission to Fresno Chaffee Zoo
The admission fees (like the prices of just about everything at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo) are very reasonable. Adult tickets are only $7 and children ages 2-11 are $3.50 (under 2 are free). Discounts are offered for seniors, as well as special group rates. Be sure to bring extra funds for snacks, souvenirs and some of the fun interactive animal experiences too.
Must see/do at Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Aside from the traditional zoo activities like scheduled zookeeper animal feedings and a petting zoo (be sure to say hi to Buttercup, the calf) Fresno Chaffee Zoo also gives visitors unique opportunities to interact with some of the animals. You can hand-feed and take pictures with the giraffes at their feeding station, pet a stingray in Stingray Bay and come face-to-face with a Sea Lion in Sea Lion Cove. Some activities are free but the ones that have an additional charge are very affordably priced (usually around $2), making Fresno Chaffee Zoo a great destination for families.
Other places to visit near Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Back in the 1920's a Sicilian immigrant by the name of Baldassare Forestiere took it upon himself to excavate the property of his Fresno home to replicate the ancient underground catacombs he had admired as a boy. When he passed away in 1946, he left what is now the Forestiere Underground Gardens: 10 acres of subterranean rooms, courtyards and passageways with their own unique micro-climates and filled with incredible architectural details and fruit-bearing plants. The site has been deemed a California State Landmark, a Fresno City and County Historical Site, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was deemed one of "10 of the world's coolest underground wonders" by CNN and is featured in Life Magazine's book Seeing is Believing: Amazing People and Places From Around The World. It's definitely worth the detour if you're in the Fresno area.
Insider tip for visitors to Fresno Chaffee Zoo
If visiting during the month of October, get the kids into costume and swing into Fresno Chaffee Zoo for Zoo Boo. A favorite event among local families and travelers alike, Zoo Boo offers children a safe and fun environment to show off their Halloween costumes (there's even a contest!), get in a little extra trick-or-treating and still enjoy the educational opportunities offered by an outing to the zoo. Kids get to meet some of their favorite film and cartoon characters, take part in fun activities, and enjoy carnival games, live music and delicious food.
Author's bio: Ann Milligan is a wife, mom, author, artist and California native. She can often be found painting the local wildflowers, dancing with her kids, and nom-nom-noming.
Discovered in 1939, the Mystery Spot still eludes explanation of its defiance of the rules of physics and gravity. Be prepared for mind-numbing visual and physical effects on the guided 45-minute tour. Watch objects roll uphill and have your sense of depth skewed in the unique structures. A hot spot on the must-see list for locals and tourists alike. Check their website for details and entrance information, as it varies per day and season.
Since water conservation is always a challenge for California, this educational center was created to show children and adults how to best conserve this valuable resource. The center aims to engage the entire family in fun activities that will teach some basic environmental conservation that will affect the home and the community. One of the areas is a living garden where children will see and learn where food comes from. The center may also arrange special programs for groups and school children who may visit on an actual field trip. The actual structure, the Congdon House, is the oldest wooden structure in town since it was erected in 1887.
The YMCA Surf Camp is internationally known for its incredibly fun and well-organized youth programs. Children of 8 to 17 years from the local San Diego area and as far away as Japan and Germany, come to surf, camp, rockclimb, learn archery and practice team-building exercises from June through August. Located adjacent to an endangered wetland habitat, the location is excellent for the teaching of environmental science. Some programs allow fathers to attend the camp with their sons or daughters, and others are child-focused.
Wayne Foster Entertainment is one of the premiere providers of DJ's and music for high profile weddings and corporate events in Beverly Hills. It offers a wide array of music to choose from and works with its clients to make sure the playlist is exactly what they had in mind. It is located on the Garden Level of the 9601 building in Beverly Hills. Valet parking is available beneath the building.
California Spirit is a competitive cheerleading program that offers recreational and educational tools for cheerleaders. California Spirit offers a variety of programs to suit the needs of both parents and children. Its programs include cheer classes, gymnastics, tumbling and dance. During the summer, California Spirit offers camps and team training for school cheer programs. The skills learned through its events are showcased at regional and national competitions. In addition to its recreational classes, the company offers All Star competitive cheerleading and team training. California Spirit also hosts birthday parties for children.