Birthday Parties at the Zoo

Birthday parties at the San Francisco Zoo support the Zoo community while offering enriching and memorable experiences for children and adults alike! Our Zoo provides an inspiring backdrop, which instills education and love for our planets animals - it's unlike any other child's party location in the Bay Area! We work to make your celebration easy for you and your group while the Zoo provides a delightful and unique environment for your child's celebration.

Birthday parties take place in our indoor Birthday Party Room in the Leaping Lemur Café, throughout the year, rain or shine. (Picture of the room to the left)

Party Size and Times

Your children's birthday party can include between 12- 50 people. We require one adult for every five children.

Parties may take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during one of the following time slots:

• 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Weekday Birthdays  - We will accomodate based on availability.

As a courtesy to staff and other birthday party guests, please be sure to vacate the Birthday Party Room on time, so that we can prepare for the arrival of the next birthday group.

Party Package Options

Option A – Birthday Party "Plus"

$430 (up to 12 people)
Additional guests - $14 per person (does not include parking)

(* Select only 1 of the main course options)

• Cheese pizza and drink *
  
• Hotdog, fries and drink *
• Chicken fingers, fries and drink *
  
• Birthday cake with child's name on it
• Ice cream
• "Goodie" bag and party mask for each child
• Special t-shirt for the birthday child
• Carousel or Little Puffer Train ride for everyone
• Full day Zoo admission for all guests
• Free parking for you and your guests

Option B – Birthday Party

$380 (up to 12 people)
Additional guests - $12 per person (does not include parking)

• Birthday cake with child's name on it
• Ice cream and drink
• "Goodie" bag and party mask for each child
• Special t-shirt for the birthday child
• Carousel or Little Puffer Train ride for everyone
• Full day Zoo admission for all guests
• Free parking for you and your guests

(Please - no substitutions for party packages. However, there are options to upgrade. Call (415) 753-7236 for questions regarding packages or special catered birthday parties.)

Ask about adding fun bucket-head "Animeal" Zoovenir animal heads to your birthday party!

Frequently Asked Questions for Birthday Parties 

Please read this guide to learn more about our party procedures. All Birthday inquires will be followed up in the order they were received. Please allow 1-2 days for responses.

Fun Activities at the Zoo

We encourage you to delve into the fun and educational activities that happen all day and year long here at the Zoo! Be sure to check our Web site to see if there are special events on the weekend of choice. Some regular activities to keep your group together and busy are listed below.

PLEASE NOTE: These activities are seasonal and do change, please read the white board on your way into the Zoo for daily schedule.

• The "Stampede" at the petting zoo at 10:30 a.m.
• Penguin Feeding at Penguin Island at 10:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Giraffe Feeding in the Giraffe Lodge at 4 p.m.
• The Insect Zoo 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Nature Trail 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - summer only.
• Childrens' Playground open all day. 

 Birthday Decor, Cake and T-Shirt

We try to keep our party program "green" by using compostable products where possible (plates, napkins, utensils). We dress up for our Birthday parties with safari/jungle themed tablecloths and multi-colored streamers (see photos above). The special birthday T-shirt is white and features party animals bearing balloons and presents (above right). The cake also has the (above right) animal photo on it unless other requests are made.

Special Animal Encounters and Keeper Talks

Labor Day through April, you can give your guests an experience they will never forget by adding a special animal experience to your party! (Limited Availability)

Additional Food

Ask  your party contact for adult menu options, or check out the full Taste of the Wild catering menu below.

We do not allow outside food into birthday parties.

Venue Menus

Party Policies

Payment

Restrictions

In order to provide the best possible care for our animals, we ask that you not to bring balloons, Styrofoam products, straws, glitter, confetti, or Mylar ribbon into the Zoo. These items can be blown into exhibits and can harm our animals, if ingested. Also, pets are not allowed on Zoo grounds. We do not allow silly string, piñatas or other messy crafts in the party room because of the quick turn over.  You are allowed to bring in some extra additions and decorations though they are not required as we provide a festive room and the Zoo provides great activities, if you do bring extra stuff in we ask you also help clean them up.

Party Gifts and Favors

Final Guest Count/Additional Adult Attendees

Your final guest count is expected by the Monday prior to your scheduled party. The final guest count must include all children and adults attending the party, the party room is located in the Zoo and admission tickets are needed for all (please see FAQ guide for more on this).  Any adults not included in your guest count can purchase an admission ticket to enter the Zoo. They are welcome to join you in the Birthday Party Room (if space permits). 

Guest Check-in and Parking

Parties start promptly and must end promptly so we advise you to ask your guests to arrive before the start time. Your birthday party packet pick-up is arranged in advance with your party planner so you can organize your group's day how best fits your group. All packets are picked up at the Membership Services office unless mailing it has been arranged (your reservation will be under your last name). You can meet as a group and gather in the front of the Zoo and enter as a group once everyone has arrived. Or you may also have your guests meet at the party room at the designated time if they have already been given tickets.  

Guests may enter the Zoo parking lot through the gate off the Great Highway North or at Sloat Blvd. and 47th Avenue. You may also park on Sloat Blvd and walk to the Main Entrance, parking is on a first come first serve basis for everyone.  Please make sure all parents understand that they CANNOT DROP OFF THEIR UNESCORTED CHILDREN BEFORE YOU ARRIVE! The San Francisco Zoo will not be responsible for childcare.

Child Drop-off and Pick-up

If you plan to have parents drop off children for the party, instruct them to do so at the Zoo's Main Entrance where you or your representative will be waiting for them. You must have an adult outside the Main Entrance to gather your guests. Because parents will enter the paid parking area to drop their children off, you or your representative can go to the Membership office in the Friend and Taube Family Entry Village to obtain a pass to allow those parents dropping off children to leave the parking lot free of charge. This same procedure can be followed for pickup.

Additional Adult Attendees

Any adults not included in your guest count can purchase an admission ticket to enter the Zoo. They are welcome to join you in the Birthday Party Room, however, they will not be served food or beverages.

Birthday Party Contact Information: (415) 753-7236
birthdayparties@sfzoo.org. Calls are usually returned within two days.

Thank you! We look forward to planning and celebrating with you at the San Francisco Zoo!