The SF Zoo is thriving. They’ve got an adorable Sumatran tiger cub, many of their exhibits have been refurbished, and life is only getting better for their animals. The good life comes at a price, though — a price that’s about to be passed on to visitors.
As the Ex reports, this Thursday SF Rec and Park are looking to pass a proposal that will increase admission fees by $2 across the board. If passed, the proposal would take effect by September 1, marking the first admission increases in five years.
Those potential increases are expected to help beautify the zoo as well as fund temporary exhibits and animal wellness initiatives. According to the SF Zoo website, adult SF residents currently pay $12 per ticket, and nonresident adult admission is currently $15. Adults, by the SF Zoo’s standards, are people between the ages of 15-64.
SF kids between 4-14 currently get in for $5.50 ($9 for non-SFians) and SF senior citizens currently get in for $7.50 ($12 for “outsiders”).
Rec and Park says they believe that such prices are on par with similar zoos in the state, placing it in the middle tier of affordability. SF residents will still have twelve free zoo days a year as well.
Still, ticket prices add up fast. SF resident Margi Young tells the Ex that “if a family has two or three children, this really starts to become unaffordable. Personally, I think the zoo should be free.”
