The zoo in Griffith Park is KultureCity certified, with sensory bags (noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads) at the International Marketplace, a mobile sensory support room in Papiano Play Park, and a Sensory-Inclusive Zoo Lights night.
Daily 10 am to 5 pm; last entry 3:45 pm, and the animals start to go in for the night at 4 pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day (Thu Nov 26 2026) and December 25. L.A. Zoo Lights, a separate evening event with its own ticket, runs select nights from Fri Nov 20 2026 to Sun Jan 10 2027, 6 to 10 pm. Zoo Lights is closed Thu Nov 26 2026, Mon Nov 30 2026, Tue Dec 1 2026, Mon Dec 7 2026, Mon Dec 14 to Wed Dec 16 2026, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and Mon Jan 4 to Thu Jan 7 2027.
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (in the northeast corner of Griffith Park, across from the Autry Museum of the American West)
“The Los Angeles Zoo is a KultureCity-certified sensory-inclusive venue. The Zoo offers specialized sensory bags, provided by KultureCity, at the International Marketplace.”
“The bags are equipped with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads.”
“The new mobile sensory support room provides a quiet and comfortable space to recover from overstimulation and will make it possible for groups that include someone with sensory needs to attend the Zoo together.”
“Play Park is considered a headphone zone.”
The mobile sensory support room has manipulative touch panels, sensory bean bags, textured walls, air conditioning, heating and appropriate lighting. When it opened, the zoo set its hours at Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, subject to change due to weather and unforeseen circumstances, and the room can be moved for events or construction. Call (323) 644-4200 to check before you count on it.
The zoo map marks a Sensory Support Location, restrooms, first aid, security and hydration stations.
The zoo's staff were trained by industry professionals on varying sensory needs as part of the KultureCity certification.
Sensory bags from KultureCity at the International Marketplace, just inside the front entrance, with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads.
A mobile sensory support room in Neil Papiano Play Park, a quiet space to recover from overstimulation; Play Park itself is a headphone zone.
During the day you can leave and come back in with a valid hand stamp.
Neil Papiano Play Park (a headphone zone, an area where there is a lot of stimulation happening)not stated
Quieter, in the zoo's words
Mobile sensory support room, in Neil Papiano Play Parkquiet zone
The quiet room at the front of the zooquiet zone
Daytime tickets on the zoo's ticket store, priced by date: adults (13 to 61) $19.66 to $29, seniors (62+) $19.66 to $26, children (2 to 12) $19.66 to $24. Children under 2 are free but still need a ticket (choose Infant). Buying a date-specific ticket ahead is strongly encouraged; online orders take up to 14 tickets.
Discounts: active and retired U.S. military personnel and their immediate family (spouse and children) get $3 off regular adult and $2 off regular child (2 to 12) admission, only at the zoo's box office with a valid military ID, not combined with other offers; the zoo's FAQ says the discount covers up to 6 people per party, including the service member. Members of reciprocal institutions may get a discount at the box office with a photo ID and their membership card. A Discover & Go pass is good for free admission for up to four people: one pass per L.A. City Council district per day, first come, first served, not transferable; bring it to the admissions window. A Zoo plus Aquarium of the Pacific combo ticket is $70 adults (12+) and $53 children. A Family Fun Pack (2 adults and 2 children) is $84 on the zoo's ticket store, for a date you pick there. Groups of 15 or more pay $26 adults (13+) and $23 children (2 to 12), at the box office only. There's no EBT discount right now. Members get in with their card and photo ID.
Refunds: the zoo doesn't issue rain checks or refunds. Your ticket is good for one full year from the date you bought it. To exchange, email lazoo.tickets@lacity.org (allow three days).
Parking is free until further notice; accessible spaces need a valid Disabled Person (DP) placard. Cars in unmarked areas or blocking driveways are towed. The zoo is a stop on Metro Bus 296.
Bags and other items may be searched at entry and inside, and the zoo can refuse any bag. Not allowed, including: drones, remote control toys, flying discs, balls (balloons, beach balls and so on), kites, skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, inline skates, bicycles, shoes with built-in wheels, animals, laser pointers, weapons and toys that look like weapons, confetti, piñatas, silly string, glitter, streamers, noisemakers like whistles and air horns, and anything else the zoo decides could be harmful or disruptive. Shoes and shirts are required.
Rentals at the International Marketplace, first come, first served, no reservations, by credit card: stroller $15 a day, double stroller $20, manual wheelchair $15, electric scooter (ECV) $40 (renters 18 and up). Wheelchair rentals need a $25 cash deposit. The Safari Shuttle tram costs extra ($9 adults, $5 children, under 2 free, $2 seniors and people with physical disabilities), stops at five places, and is wheelchair accessible; staff can't lift anyone in or out of a wheelchair. The carousel runs 10:30 am to 4 pm, weather permitting, for a small fee; riders under 42 inches ride with an adult.
Service animals check in at Admissions Window 11 when you arrive. Some areas are off-limits to them, and the zoo has kennels so you can visit those areas; its Service Animals Guidelines and Map shows where. Pets, comfort animals and emotional support animals aren't allowed.
On request at no cost: a docent-led tour, a sign language interpreter, or an assistive listening device for meetings or lectures. Interpreters and listening devices need at least five business days' notice, and tours for guests who are blind or have low vision need 14 days. Send the zoo's ADA Accommodation Request Form to lazoo.admissions@lacity.org. A large print Accessibility Information Map is at the Admissions ticket window, or by email to the same address.
L.A. Zoo Lights (Fri Nov 20 2026 to Sun Jan 10 2027): Value Weekday nights $29 adults and $19 children, Value Weekend nights $32 and $22, Holiday Peak nights $35 and $25; members pay $24 and $14, $27 and $17, or $30 and $20. Children under 2 are free with no ticket. Only about half the zoo is open, no live animals are on view, and it takes 60 to 90 minutes. There's no re-entry, except on the Sensory-Inclusive night. The skating rink (6:30 to 9:30 pm) and Santa photos cost extra. No refunds; date changes cost $5 a ticket plus any price difference.
