Penguin Island image

Penguin Island

Zoo

👍👍 Penguins are very close, easy to see for children. The feeding time is an additional bonus. People often mention penguins, animals, time, cute, area, Francisco, great, exhibit, nice, Penguin,


Address

San Francisco, CA 94132

Website

www.sfzoo.org

Contact

(415) 753-7080

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (739 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Monday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: penguins (24) animals (16) time (10) cute (10) area (10) Francisco (8) great (8) exhibit (7) nice (6) Penguin (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Jacek P. 1 year ago on Google
    Penguins are very close, easy to see for children. The feeding time is an additional bonus.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Patrick F. 2 years ago on Google
    About half the enclosures are off limits due to covid but there's still plenty of animals to see to keep the kiddies entertained.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lisa H. 1 year ago on Google
    You can see the workers feed penguins whole fish! The penguins are really cute and they swim and waddle everywhere. They also make lots of noise.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lovelyone83A 5 years ago on Google
    This place is beautiful. It was my first time.Most of the animals was out and relaxed. Had so much fun. Employees are nice and kind. Went later in the day on a Saturday at around 2:30p.m. opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Cool day, nice weather. The Zoo was clean and peaceful.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Katie T. 5 years ago on Google
    I'm visiting Oakland/San Francisco from out of town, and while here, my sister-in-law and I decided to visit the San Francisco zoo. We really enjoyed seeing Penguin Island, and would definitely recommend the entire zoo to anyone.You can sit and watch the penguins swim and play, both in the water and on their island. One of my favorite parts was watching the penguin keeper feed all the penguins. They do feedings at 10:30am and 3:30pm, and the penguins are all so cute. According to the zoo's website, they "maintain the largest and most successful breeding colony of Magellanic penguins in captivity", and they continue to have successful breeding seasons each year. Would definitely visit again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 J D. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a neat part of the zoo... The penguins are active. This makes for a much better viewing experience... Unfortunately, a lot of the larger animals... Like Lions and tigers and bears oh my... They don't move much.. So, watching them sleep isn't very exciting!!! 😆

  • 5/5 Jan H. 4 years ago on Google
    Awesome watching them swim

  • 5/5 Jodi L. 2 years ago on Google
    Great way to see the penguins. They were very active waddling around and floating in their moat.

  • 5/5 Cherie A. 2 years ago on Google
    Was so nice to take a break in our busy day and sit on a bench watching these adorable penguins. Looked like they were having fun

  • 5/5 giani V. 2 years ago on Google
    Really cool place for the little ones.

  • 5/5 Jay J. 2 years ago on Google
    I absolutely love penguins! Must come and see them!

  • 5/5 Dawn D. 2 years ago on Google
    Great Zoo. A must if you visit San Francisco!

  • 4/5 Arthur C. 4 years ago on Google
    I went there last week to take some shots of the baby penguins and naming ceremonies. It was a confused day. There were many groups, crowds. I forgot to load my SD card. My second time ever. It was drainingly cloudy. Try to plan your day better with better goals.

  • 4/5 Ernesto Castillejo R. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A picturesque place but the animals are better in their habitat. (Original) Un lugar pintoresco pero los animales mejor están en su hábitat.

  • 2/5 Laquita P. 2 years ago on Google
    Didn't have a lot of animals and most of the attraction was closed no elephants need improvement of up up keep loved the rain forest wasn't worth 25 to get in

  • 5/5 Stephen S. 2 years ago on Google
    SF Zoo does a great job. From welcoming you at the front gates to a clean place to have fun and experience the animals and helpful staff. Thank you again San Francisco Zoo!

  • 4/5 Oviya S. 4 years ago on Google
    Pleasant environment

  • 5/5 Pranav G. 4 years ago on Google
    It feels new and energetic to watch them swim and play. Would 100% recommend watching

  • 5/5 Max L. 4 years ago on Google
    Best exhibit by far. They're like cute footballs.

  • 5/5 Chikis M. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing place

  • 4/5 Arlene N. 4 years ago on Google
    Excellent zoo.

  • 5/5 Nora B. 1 year ago on Google
    Zoo has many numerous wonderful animals to check out in person. Just wished the lions area was open to view. And bear area wating for open. But We all still enjoyed the SF zoo. Specially the kids. Do make sure have enough time. Such a large area. You wouldn't want to have to rush, Viewing the whole park. Loved seeing the 2 female and male peacocks roaming freely around the zoo.

  • 3/5 J. C. 2 years ago on Google
    Most not following the guidelines of distancing. Staff walking around not saying anything about the masks and main areas didn't have staff there to enforce rules- example: playground, insect center, rainforest center, or conservation area. Penguins were lovely and swimming freely. Took 2 stars off because lack of distance from people ruins the experience drastically, especially when trying to protect children.

  • 5/5 luigy r. 2 years ago on Google
    Well is a zoo and that's Kool zoo i will recommend it for families trip

  • 4/5 Subhi N. 1 year ago on Google
    I loved how they were free to roam. People were respectful, but there weren't many to actually know. I saw a kid plastic toy in the water. Hope they take it out soon.

  • 4/5 Ron H. 1 year ago on Google
    Very nice place unfortuately some exhibits were closed. I suggest going early to see feeding.

  • 5/5 Marta K. 1 year ago on Google
    Gotta love those penguins! Get there around 10:30, and you can watch them getting breakfast.

  • 5/5 Katie N. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely adorable. We got there at feeding time (approx. 3PM) and all the little penguins were lining up to get their fishies.

  • 5/5 David E. 1 year ago on Google
    The design concept works well, allowing the penguins to go about their business while providing good sight lines for prolonged and casual observation.

  • 5/5 Stefanie R. 1 year ago on Google
    Due to covid and avian flu, lots of the animals were not out due to the priority of their safety. Bears were also out for hibernation. So choose time of year wisely. Also at this time it is not recommended to spend a extra 5.00 on a key, alot of the boxes didn't work. We did get to explore and get to know the park with our daughter on birthday so that made it worth it.

  • 5/5 Jerri G. 1 year ago on Google
    The head male penguin makes extraordinary sounds. They are great swimmers and have little hovels they hide and hang out in. A great area to hang out for a while and observe.

  • 5/5 Alizabeth D. 11 months ago on Google
    The Penguin Island exhibit at the San Francisco Zoo is a must-visit for anyone who loves these adorable birds. As soon as you enter the exhibit, the strong smell of fish hits you, but it's worth it to get up close and personal with these feathered friends. The penguins themselves are absolutely charming and have a unique personality that's delightful to observe. You'll see them waddling around, diving into the water, and interacting with each other in amusing ways. While the exhibit can be a bit smelly and stinky due to the fish and penguin droppings, it's all part of the experience. Despite the odor, the exhibit is clean and well-maintained, and the staff are always on hand to answer any questions you may have. One interesting observation is that the exhibit seems to be particularly popular among middle-aged moms, who seem to enjoy watching the penguins and taking photos with them. It's a great activity for families, especially those with young children who will be fascinated by these cute and curious creatures. Overall, the Penguin Island exhibit is a great addition to the San Francisco Zoo, and it's a wonderful opportunity to get up close and personal with these amazing animals. If you're in the area, be sure to check it out!

  • 5/5 Kimberly C. 1 year ago on Google
    They were so fun to watch. Neat to hear the sounds they made and fun to watch them jump in and swim around.

  • 5/5 eritated 9 months ago on Google
    Penguin Island is the major highlight of the SF Zoo! It's amazing to have access to see the penguins from any angle around the perimeter. They are adorable and hilarious; I could've sat there for hours!

  • 5/5 Mary W. 11 months ago on Google
    The keepers doing the feeding today (4/26) were very nice and answered all our questions!! Mid week visit to the zoo was fantastic! No crowds and saw the baby prairie dogs & the baby mandrill also!!! Sooo cute! We are members and will return again mid week!

  • 5/5 CHARLES J. 7 months ago on Google
    My little nephew he's 4 years old his school had a field trip to the zoo I was his chaperone

  • 4/5 Tonya C. 5 years ago on Google
    This is a not so hidden gem in Griffith Park. It's a free historical site of the Penguin Island at The San Francisco Zoo. The cages are still there. It's a perfect picnic spot. It's an interesting place to explore. I love urban exploration so this is a great spot without too much of a hike to get there. Be aware there is wildlife in the area. Last time I was there I saw wild dogs/coyotes.

  • 4/5 Tam D. 4 years ago on Google
    So so.

  • 5/5 anasus M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Cute (Original) Lindos

  • 5/5 Steve H. 4 years ago on Google
    Once place

  • 5/5 Lotanna O. 4 years ago on Google
    Good vibes all around

  • 5/5 Jose C. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing. Nice place

  • 4/5 Jasica A. 4 years ago on Google
    This is a not so hidden gem in Griffith Park. It's a free historical site of the Penguin Island at The San Francisco Zoo. The cages are still there. It's a perfect picnic spot. It's an interesting place to explore. I love urban exploration so this is a great spot without too much of a hike to get there. Be aware there is wildlife in the area. Last time I was there I saw wild dogs/coyotes.

  • 5/5 James L C. 4 years ago on Google
    The animals are waiting for Doctor Doolittle. The Haggadah mentions that animals all have their songs. Doctor Doolittle and Johann Sebastian Bach could help them rediscover their musical talent.

  • 5/5 J B. 4 years ago on Google
    So much fun.

  • 5/5 Jose Garcia V. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) There is too much fun for the children and much for them to learn (Original) Ay demasiada diversión para los niños y mucho para q ellos aprendan

  • 5/5 javier sedano m. 5 years ago on Google
    My daughter loved it they're so cute

  • 5/5 Chelle H. 4 years ago on Google
    They were being fed so it made for great entertainment. So cute!!!!

  • 4/5 Angela C. 4 years ago on Google
    Parking is limited. Got there early and lots of the animals where on sleep mode. Closes a bit early. But not too bad worth the $23 admission.

  • 5/5 Tyler H. 4 years ago on Google
    I love penguins so when I saw this I was impressed. They seem more fun and having fun then the ones in Utah but the zoo all together was amazing

  • 5/5 Kerrie G. 4 years ago on Google
    Penguins are some fast little buggers

  • 4/5 romen r. 4 years ago on Google
    Wonderful place always changing, big playgrounds for kids.

  • 5/5 James S. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place to explore

  • 5/5 Park S. 5 years ago on Google
    It was nice to have a variety of animals.

  • 5/5 Birdwatching from B. 4 years ago on Google
    They're so cute! I could watch the penguins all day

  • 5/5 ויקטוריה �. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) They raged in the water :) (Original) השתוללו במים :)

  • 5/5 Ike H. 4 years ago on Google
    So cute!!!

  • 5/5 Trina A. 4 years ago on Google
    Daughter got to touch on she was so happy

  • 5/5 felipe c. 4 years ago on Google
    Love it.

  • 4/5 Reverand Dr Echoside C. 4 years ago on Google
    Because they're cute

  • 4/5 Diana T. 4 years ago on Google
    So many penguins!

  • 5/5 Rene D. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Wonderful (Original) Maravilloso

  • 5/5 L H. 4 years ago on Google
    Love the place!!

  • 5/5 maniraj N t. 4 years ago on Google
    Good place for family visit

  • 3/5 Lasse L. 4 years ago on Google
    The good the enclosures are small so you can see the animals....on the other hand the enclosures are small and there's very little room for the animals which is sad

  • 2/5 Heaven S. 4 years ago on Google
    It's a very sad depressing looking area as if they don't do anything, the only places that have more than one animal is the giraffe's and Penguins everybody else is 2 / area

  • 5/5 Warlock G. 4 years ago on Google
    Really cool to see the penguins and learn that penguins dont always need to be in areas that are frigid cold.

  • 4/5 Eva s. 4 years ago on Google
    The presenter during feeding time was excellent with the penguins.

  • 5/5 Shelly S. 4 years ago on Google
    Cute animals

  • 5/5 Grayson M. 4 years ago on Google
    They seem like they are having a lot of fun!

  • 5/5 Jennifer C. 4 years ago on Google
    It's penguins!

  • 5/5 jimmy y. 4 years ago on Google
    Soooo cool. Great atmosphere

  • 5/5 Virginia G. 7 months ago on Google • 33 reviews
    Beautiful 💜


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