San Francisco Zoo & Gardens

San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, on Great Hwy. between Skyline and Sloat blvds. at 1 Zoo Rd., is home to a variety of exotic animals. Orphaned grizzly bear sisters Kachina and Kiona (the names mean “sacred dancer” and “brown hills,” respectively) reside at Hearst Grizzly Gulch; the grizzly is the California state mammal and its image appears on the state flag. Observe marsupials like red kangaroos and wallaroos from an overlook at the Australian Walkabout, which features plants and animals native to the island continent.

Giraffes, zebras, ostriches, crowned cranes and other wildlife coexist peacefully at the 3-acre Leanne B. Roberts African Savanna, an open-landscaped setting where you can watch animals interact from up-close vantage points. Gorillas call the Jones Family Gorilla Reserve home, while lemurs leap from tree to tree at the Lipman Family Lemur Forest. Other highlights include an antique Dentzel carousel and a miniature steam train.