Sequoia Park Zoo
3414 W Street
Eureka, CA 95503
707-442-6552
Free Admission - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed Sundays (subject to
change)
Sequoia Park Zoo, the only
accredited zoological park on the Pacific Coast between San Francisco
and Portland, is slightly off the beaten path. You can find it by
driving through residential neighborhoods that sit on the perimeter of a
spectacular urban forest for which Sequoia Park Zoo is named. Because of
its size and setting, this is possibly one of the most pleasing,
kid-friendly zoos in the nation, providing shade, woodsy fragrances and
a lush, green setting, thanks to the over 40 inches of rain Eureka,
California enjoys annually.
Owned and operated by the City of
Eureka through general funds, it's easy to see why the residents love
their zoo and honor its oldest chimpanzee, a 62-year-old male named
Bill, who was fed daily around noon, until he passed away in June 2007. The community embraces the
memory of Bill and the zoo, itself, with
its special events, Junior Zookeeper classes, camps and rental
facilities that visitors can rent out, too. The setting is not elegant
but could provide a great alternative wedding site for those seeking
something simple and unique.
The zoo sits on just five
acres and is the only zoo in the world with a beautiful redwood forest
as its backdrop. Featured animal exhibits include a walk-through aviary
with
a variety of bird species in free-flight, a Barnyard with contact
corral, bears, flamingos, spider monkeys, the "Secrets of the Forest"
exhibit
showcasing native reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, and much
more! Sequoia Park is a 77-acre park that is filled with redwood trees,
a
picnic area, two playgrounds and a duck pond.
In operation since 1907, The
Sequoia Park Zoo is around 100 years new. It's new because as the
beloved animals get old and pass away, there's always a new bird or
creature being birthed into the scenic Sequoia woods park setting.
Serving more than 10 counties in Northern California and Shasta Cascade
regions, the zoo is the only municipal zoological gardens on the Pacific
Coast between San Francisco and Portland. Sequoia Park Zoo is one
of the smallest institutions that has been accredited by the Association
of American Zoos and Aquariums, yet the size is not daunting. There's
ample time to explore the zoo, then head next door to the Sequoia Park,
an incredible drive through an oasis of tall trees. You must take time
to explore the park when visiting the zoo. If you do not, you are
missing out on a great adventure that no other zoo affords. The entry to
the park is free and cars may be driven through narrow roads nearly
touching the base of huge trees.
Back at the Sequoia Park Zoo there's a walk-through aviary, The
Barnyard where kids can take a brush and comb the fur of the
animals that are willing to cooperate (goats usually love it). Watch
animal keepers prepare meals for the zoo animals at new kitchen viewing
window!
Entry Pavilion includes a
classroom, indoor animal exhibits featuring the Secrets of the Forest
plus a restroom, café and gift shop facilities.
The Zoo's goals include conservation, education and recreation. The
Sequoia Park Zoo is proud to be one of the smallest institutions that
has been accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
Location: Sequoia Park Zoo, 3414
"W" Street next to Sequoia Park in Eureka.
From the north on Highway 101: turn left at first stop light ("V" St.)
and continue straight through several intersections for a few miles
(your street will turn into "S" St.) until you reach Harris. Turn left
on Harris, travel four blocks and turn right on "W" St. The zoo is two
blocks ahead.
From the south on Highway 101: turn right on Harris (across from
Bayshore Mall). Travel ahead a few miles until you reach "W" St., turn
right onto "W". The zoo is two blocks ahead.
The remodeling and construction of
the new "Secrets of the Garden" exhibit and the Wells Fargo Kids Koop
and Barnyard at Eureka's Sequoia Park Zoo were completed recently.
Children can find out what it's like to milk a goat, drive a tractor and
more at the barnyard. The Secrets of the Garden exhibit educates
visitors about the wonders of the local forest ecosystems. In addition
to great information about the Humboldt Bay watershed, visitors can
learn about native snakes, salamanders, termites, turtles and even the
banana slug.
