Fall Back this Weekend! New Winter Hours

Thu Oct 30 13:04:17 PDT 2025

Become a Member (https://www.sfzoo.org/membership/)   |   Donate (https://www.sfzoo.org/donate-today/)    |   Get Tickets (https://www.sfzoo.org/?keyword=General%20Admission)
NEWS TO KNOW
Winter Hours Start on November 3
Daylight Savings Time is upon us, and with the change in time, we are also transitioning to our winter hours. Starting Monday, November 3, our operating hours will change to 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

With the time change, please note that our scheduled Members' Morning on Wednesday, November 5 will be 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. You'll have access to the Zoo upon arrival at the Gatehouse to enjoy the Elinor Friend Playground, and see animals usually active in the a.m.

November 5th is also a San Francisco resident Free Day, when residents can enjoy the Zoo at no cost. Just show a valid I.D., such as a current driver's license or proof of residency and you will be allowed to come into the Zoo for free the entire day. Parking is not included, though free street parking is available.
Train is Back on Track!
Your favorite miniature train is back on track after a hiatus. Thank you for your patience as we made a significant change to both continue this favorite attraction and work to preserve our historical Little Puffer engine.

Our original Little Puffer miniature steam train was built in 1905, was installed here in 1925, and ran continuously until 1980. In 1998, the train was completely renovated by the Golden Gate Railroad Museum. Over time, Little Puffer has seen better days, and we wanted to bring in another train engine to rotate with Little Puffer on occasion, a way to give Puffer a "break" now and then.

Introducing "Cobby!" Our new diesel engine that was named after our beloved male chimpanzee, Cobby, who lived here since the mid-1960s, and who passed away at 63 in 2021 as the oldest male chimpanzee in the U.S. Cobby truly was a part of San Francisco. Last year, we worked to extend the track by more than 200 feet, and allow both train engines to share the same track.

Please be advised that currently the train will be operating on weekends only until further notice.
Learn More About Under the Canopy
By now you may have seen or experienced the unique art installation, called Under the Canopy, located near the Leaping Lemur Cafe.

In honor of International Day of Climate Action, we formally introduced this immersive, multi-sensory, walk-through experience by posting a video on social media, created by Under the Canopy's artist Henry Jackson. We also rolled out our new Under the Canopy web page (https://www.sfzoo.org/under-the-canopy/) that describes in detail the intention behind it.

The art installation sends a clear message about the urgency of climate change, as once pristine rainforests are clear cut and destroyed by human development. International Day of Climate Action is observed each year to raise awareness that climate emergencies exist, and that to build to a sustainable future, we must all take action.
Pumpkin Treats, Kids in Costume and More!
Thank you to those of you who joined us this past weekend for our annual Boo at the Zoo event! Our guests certainly know how to get into the Halloween spirit by dressing up in amazing costumes (many animal-themed!) and participating in our costume parade and contest and visiting the various animal areas on both Saturday and Sunday!

And it's not only our guests that love Halloween, our staff really enjoys giving our animals Halloween-themed treats
—especially pumpkins, which are an extra special treat! You can see some of the fun by checking out animals and their treats on Zoo social media all week long.

A big thank you and shout-out to Clancy's Pumpkin Patch (https://www.clancystrees.com/) , who generously donated all of the pumpkins enjoyed by our animals this year. Clancy's has two locations: 2101 Sloat Boulevard by the Zoo, and 1620 7th Avenue and Lawton. Visit their pumpkin patch for the best pumpkins around, plus activities for kids and more! Thanks too to our Docents and Volunteers for their generosity of time to make this another great Boo at the Zoo success.

(Photo of Cecil by Andrew Nesheiwat)
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dia De Los Muertos Nov. 1 & 2
Each year, November 1st marks the beginning of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, in Mexico. The holiday is a day of remembrance for deceased loved ones, such as family, friends and animals, including pets that have crossed the rainbow bridge.

At the Zoo, all guests are welcome to visit our ofrenda and take part in special arts and crafts at the Leaping Lemur Café. You can add your own photos, flowers, or art to the ofrenda, a decorated altar that serves as a symbolic portal designed to honor and welcome the spirits of departed loved ones back to the world of the living for a visit on November 1 & 2.

The ofrenda will be on display through November 2nd.
Register for Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes Walk
https://www2.breakthrought1d.org/site/TR?fr_id=10312&pg=entry
Join us at the largest global event for the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community with Breakthrough T1D Walk (https://www2.breakthrought1d.org/site/TR?fr_id=10312&pg=informational&type=fr_informational&sid=2452) , where every step drives research, advocacy, and support to improve lives until a cure is found. This family-friendly event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities to raise T1D awareness.

The event takes place on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Registration and general check-in start at 7:30 a.m., program begins at 8:30 a.m., and the 1.16-mile route starts at 9 a.m. All walkers are welcome to enjoy the Zoo from 11 a.m. until closing.

Find out how you can participate—walk, volunteer, or donate! (https://www2.breakthrought1d.org/site/TR?fr_id=10312&pg=entry)
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Volunteers Needed for Next Renew the Zoo!
Calling all green thumbs! We could use your enthusiasm and support on our next Renew the Zoo event, that will take place on Saturday, November 8th from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m.

This Renew the Zoo will focus on weeding and debris pick-up along Sloat Boulevard, and will help us to beautify the perimeter of the Zoo. We will provide gloves, buckets, and debris bags. Volunteers will also receive a complimentary ticket to visit the Zoo.

Thanks so much to the community for your support! We are all in this together! To sign up e-mail renewthezoo at sfzoo.org (mailto:renewthezoo at sfzoo.org) .
SF Zoo Out and About!
One of the many ways that we connect with the community is by hosting a booth at various city-wide events and festivals. Attendees are always so excited to see us and learn about the many programs we offer. These include our education programs, volunteer opportunities and upcoming events. Importantly, our volunteer staff that man our tables share what’s new and happening, including our conservation initiatives and animal updates.

In the last few weeks alone, we participated in such events as Sunset After Dark, a community festival bringing together food, culture and neighbors that showcased the Sunset’s culinary and cultural diversity and the 9th Annual Richmond District Autumn Moon Festival, celebrating gratitude, the harvest moon and the joy of togetherness.

And just this weekend, we had a great time at the 11th Annual Chinatown Halloween Festival, organized by the Community Youth Center and The 5th Annual Great Hauntway, a Halloween event presented by Friends of Sunset Dunes, just down the street!

As SF Zoo is a big part of the community, we are looking forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events and festivals throughout the year!
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San Francisco Zoo & Gardens connects all people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action.

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