San Francisco Zoo

Category: Arts, Science, Museum

The San Francisco Zoo has a long and glorious history, and has been a civic treasure since the City’s heyday during the first part of the 20th century. In this historical highlights section, you’ll learn how the Zoo got its start, and meet some of the people who created it, such as Herbert Fleishhacker, the man who built the Zoo, George Bistany, the Zoo’s first director, and Monarch, the grizzly bear who started it all. The new Zoo is becoming a reality. In Summer 2002, the new Lipman Family Lemur Forest opened along with a whole new main entrance experience for visitors. The lemur forest features five different species of these amazing primates from Madagascar in a large outdoor setting. And not only will you find the main entrance facing the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find all new services just for you! The Friend and Taube Family Entry Village offers a new gift shop, restrooms, and membership and information booths. It will be a central place for you to meet up with friends and family. You’ll also enjoy the new Leaping Lemur Café that offers an indoor dining experience with a wide variety of food choices and the intricate restoration of the famed Dentzel Carousel. All these exciting new additions join the recently expanded Children's Zoo, the new Connie and Bob Lurie Education Center and new Koret Animal Resource Center.