Spring Events & More! ☀️

Thu Mar 19 13:03:05 PDT 2026

Become a Member (https://www.sfzoo.org/membership/)   |   Donate (https://www.sfzoo.org/donate-today/)    |   Get Tickets (https://www.sfzoo.org/?keyword=General%20Admission)
UPCOMING EVENTS
This Saturday: Neurodiversity Celebration Day
https://www.sfzoo.org/calendar/neurodiversity-celebration-week/

As part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, visit us this Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to learn from various organizations how they support the neurodiverse community. Among the organizations tabling will be: Children's Health Council (https://www.chconline.org/) , Spirited Play Labs (https://spiritedplaylabs.com/) , Independent Living Resource Center (https://www.ilrcsf.org/) , NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness (https://www.nami.org/) , Unique Pathways (https://www.uniquepathways.org/) , The Gifted Learning Lab (https://www.giftedlearninglab.com/) , Compass High School (https://www.compasshigh.org/) , and Disability Cultural Center (https://disabilityculturalcenter.org/) . You can meet them at the Madagascar Center courtyard, by the Leaping Lemur Café. Additionally, Brady Therapeutic Riding will host special horse chats and meet-and-greets for guests at the public-facing gate across from the Bactrian camel enclosure.

On Saturday, we are offering early admission for members of the neurodiverse community. New pre-visit resources are now available to download, with our new sensory guide to better navigate your Zoo visit. The guide offers helpful tips about different animal areas, and locations to take a breather away from crowds. We also offer a special complimentary sensory bag that can be checked out at the Membership Office, which includes headphones, a communication card, and a variety of fidgets. In addition, we are offering "quiet carousel" all day long.
Download the Sensory Guide (https://www.sfzoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Sensory-Guide.pdf)
Teddy Bear Clinic Returns!
https://www.sfzoo.org/special-programs/

Bring your Teddy, your Plushie, or your Lovie to the Zoo for a check-up at our Teddy Bear Clinic on Sunday, March 29! Come meet our amazing veterinary team along with their assistants that help keep all of the animals here healthy and happy.

You’ll first stop by our waiting room in the backstage area known as the "Service Yard," to see our Nutrition Center and learn how we keep everyone fed and on the right nutritional track. Our horticulture team will also be on hand to show you how we feed some of our herbivores. And because a healthy digestive tract has to end somewhere, our environmental services team will give you the scoop on poop. Afterwards, it’s time for your friend’s check-up by our veterinarians and veterinary technicians as they get their clean bill of health.

Only one Teddy/Plushie/Lovie per child, 9 –10 a.m. Members Only Hours, 10 – 12 p.m. Open to the general public.
Nature Trail Eggventure!
https://www.sfzoo.org/calendar/nature-trail-eggventure/
Come to Nature Trail Eggventure (https://www.sfzoo.org/calendar/nature-trail-eggventure/) on Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the Exploration Zone!

Kids ages 14 and under can hunt for eggs along the Nature Trail (limit 5) and redeem them for candy treats! All ages are welcome to visit animal stations along the Nature Trail, learn fun facts while seeing a variety of animals up close!

You also won't want to miss the Easter Bunny who will be on hand to meet guests. Nature Trail Eggventure is free with Zoo admission and does not require registration. Hippity Hop!

Questions? Contact Carolm at sfzoo.org (mailto:Carolm at sfzoo.org?subject=Nature%20Trail%20Egg-venture%20question) .
ANIMAL NEWS
World Bear Day

Our black bears and grizzly bears (like Kachina, pictured) are nearing the end of their torpor period, just in time for World Bear Day on March 23!

Over the past few years, our bears have followed their natural torpor cycle, when they expend less energy. During winter months, instead of going into a full hibernation, brown and black bears go into torpor, which is a time of lower activity and metabolic rates.

During torpor, our bears would choose whether they want to explore their habitat or sleep in their dens. You may have seen our black bears and grizzly bears out and about more often recently as they come out of torpor. Starting next week, grizzly sisters Kachina and Kiona will be given access to Grizzly Gulch and their big pool! Happy World Bear Day! (Photo by Steve Franks)
Farewell to Twiggy

We recently announced that our 41-year-old female chimpanzee, Twiggy, will be leaving us to join a new troop at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Over the past seven years, she has been a joyful addition to our troop, including our previous long-time females Minnie and Maggie, and male Cobby, before they passed away, and has become a favorite among staff and caretakers during her time here.

Please stop by and see her to say farewell before she leaves in just a short time. Thank you, Twiggy for being a remarkable ambassador. She will be missed.
NEWS TO KNOW
Buy One/Get One through the Month of March!
https://www.sfzoo.org/studentpromo/

High school and college students can visit SF Zoo during the month of March and bring a friend for free!

This BOGO is valid now through the end of March! This is a great time for a day trip with friends. Get some fun videos for social, see some of our amazing animals, and stretch your legs after a long week at school. You might even want to treat your date to a fun adventure!

You can purchase your BOGO ticket online (https://www.sfzoo.org/?keyword=MarchPromotional) or at the ticket window with your student ID.

When purchasing your ticket online (https://www.sfzoo.org/?keyword=MarchPromotional) , select a student admission ticket for any date in March, add it to your cart, and the additional ticket should automatically appear in your cart.

Please note that students 14 and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Learn More (https://www.sfzoo.org/studentpromo/)
New! Caricature Art!
https://www.sfzoo.org/rides-more/
We are launching a new program shortly with a fun, take-home souvenir that is customized just for you! Introducing Goofy Faces, our new on-site vendor creating caricature art on the spot! Artists will set up in front of the Leaping Lemur Café starting on March 29 and will be open on weekends until summer.

Caricatures will be available in black-and-white and color, face or face and body. Visit our website for pricing and additional information.
Learn More (https://www.sfzoo.org/rides-more/)
Parents Press Best of 2026!

https://parentspress.com/best-of-parents-press-san-francisco-marin-and-north-bay-counties/#//

Support SF Zoo by voting for us in Parents Press Best of 2026!

Parents Press is a long-time, go-to publication for parents and families in the San Francisco Bay Area. Each year they present their Best of Readers Choice Awards that are determined entirely by public nominations and votes across several regions.

Nominate SF Zoo now through early April! Click the button below and select the box for Fun & Attractions to write in the Zoo's name. You will have to register by adding your email address. In mid-April, the top nominees from this first round will be placed on an official ballot, at which time you can then vote for your favorites from this list of finalists.

Thanks to you, we have been honored to win a Best of over the last few years! Please vote for San Francisco Zoo & Gardens. We appreciate it!
Vote for SF Zoo! (https://parentspress.com/best-of-parents-press-san-francisco-marin-and-north-bay-counties/#//)
CAMPS & CLASSES
Register Now for Summer Zoo Camp!
https://www.sfzoo.org/conservation-camp/

Registration for Summer Zoo Camp (https://www.sfzoo.org/conservation-camp/)  is currently open! As our most popular camp program, you won't want to miss out on an exciting summer!

Each week-long session offers kids Pre-K through 6th grade unique wildlife-themed programs, featuring hands-on activities, learning opportunities, and outdoor fun to get your kids' creative juices flowing and open their eyes to the wonders of nature! We believe that by growing up connected with nature, children will likely continue to inquire, explore, and work to protect our natural world.

Camp families can sign up for one or two weeks of animal/habitat exploration and activities, learning about animals, their habitats and ecosystems, plus science and play! Campers are grouped by grade level and experience the Zoo in small groups.

See our website  (https://www.sfzoo.org/conservation-camp/) for regular Member Discounts and Codes.
SUPPORT
New Dine & Donate Program
https://www.gasparespizzeria.com/
We are excited to announce our new Dine & Donate program, where you can support SF Zoo just by patronizing local restaurants!

When you visit Gaspare's Pizza House & Italian Restaurant in San Francisco from Monday, March 23 through Friday, March 27, 20 percent of all sales will benefit the Zoo when you mention SF Zoo's Dine & Donate program. This program is valid only for dine-in and pick-up to-go orders, and not valid for delivery orders. You can order online at g (https://www.gasparespizzeria.com/) asparespizzeria.com (https://www.gasparespizzeria.com/) https://www.gasparespizzeria.com/for your to-go pick-up orders, valid only at their 5546 Geary Street location.

Gaspare's Pizza House & Italian Restaurant is a family-owned favorite since 1985, serving homestyle cooking in a romantic setting and ambiance! Have a pizza pie and support the Zoo!
https://san-francisco-zoo-gardens.app.attractions.io/
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens connects all people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action.

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