These Zoos, Aquariums and Nature Centers are the winners of Bay Area Parent’s 2025 Best of the Best reader poll. Read the full list of winners here.
East Bay
Gold: Oakland Zoo. With exotic animals such as giraffes and African lions, plus a gondola to an area featuring California native animals, a children’s zoo, rides and more, the zoo has been a family favorite for a century. Oakland. oaklandzoo.org.
Silver: Lindsay Wildlife Experience. Walnut Creek. lindsaywildlife.org.
Peninsula
Gold: CuriOdyssey. At this science museum and zoo for children and families, visitors see wild animals up close and play with kid-friendly science exhibits. San Mateo. curiodyssey.org.
San Francisco/Marin
Gold: California Academy of Sciences. Features an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest and natural history museum in the heart of Golden Gate Park with many educational exhibits and events. San Francisco. calacademy.org.
Silver: San Francisco Zoo & Gardens. San Francisco. sfzoo.org.
Silicon Valley
Gold: Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. Happy Hollow features family-friendly rides, up-close experiences with animals and entertainment. San Jose. happyhollow.org.
Silver: Monterey Bay Aquarium. Monterey. montereybayaquarium.org.