Merced's Applegate Park Zoo - Merced, California

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Merced’s Applegate Park Zoo: A Charming Family Destination

For families and animal enthusiasts in the Merced area, Merced’s Applegate Park Zoo offers a delightful and accessible experience. Located at 1045 W 25th St, Merced, CA 95340, United States, this unique attraction provides a close encounter with a variety of animals in a welcoming environment. The zoo operates as a non-profit organization and is managed by the City of Merced’s Parks and Community Services department. Visitors can easily reach the zoo by phone at 2093887000 or through their comprehensive website: cityofmerced.org. The zoo serves as both a zoo and a versatile event venue, attracting a diverse range of guests.

Zoo Features and Attractions

Applegate Park Zoo is renowned for its engaging exhibits and dedicated focus on animal welfare. The zoo boasts a collection of animals that are actively encouraged to roam and interact with visitors, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere. It’s a particularly popular spot for children – consistently praised as good for kids and ideal for kids birthday celebrations. The zoo offers a petting zoo where guests can safely interact with a selection of friendly animals. Furthermore, a well-maintained playground provides additional entertainment for younger visitors.

Accessibility and Amenities

The zoo is committed to inclusivity and accessibility. It features a wheelchair-accessible entrance and wheelchair-accessible parking lot, ensuring that individuals with mobility challenges can fully enjoy the experience. Onsite services are available, enhancing the convenience for visitors. A gift shop offers a selection of souvenirs and animal-themed items. Visitors should be aware that while the zoo strives for convenient payment options, they currently accept only cash. Admission fees are generally affordable, with costs ranging from $4 per adult, $3 for children aged 3-12, and free for children under 3. An additional $1 is charged for animal feed.

Visitor Feedback and Reputation

The zoo consistently receives positive feedback, evidenced by its impressive 1475 reviews on Google My Business. The average opinion is 4.2/5, reflecting a high level of visitor satisfaction. Guests frequently comment on the variety of animals, the engaging atmosphere, and the affordability of the admission. Many appreciate the opportunity to observe animals in a naturalistic setting, with notable mentions of animals actively moving and interacting.

Overall, Merced’s Applegate Park Zoo presents a fantastic opportunity for families to learn about and appreciate wildlife. We encourage interested individuals to visit the official website at cityofmerced.org for the most up-to-date information on hours, events, and admission prices. Don't hesitate to contact the zoo directly via phone to plan your visit

👍 Reviews of Merced's Applegate Park Zoo

The V. V.

4/5

They brought back a bunch of the animals we didn't see before. They also decorated and made it really fun to visit. The animals were out and hopping or running around 11. They also have a lot of goats ready to eat food. I tried to gobble at a turkey and the turkey responded as well as the parrot close by. At the time, the cost was $4 per adult, $3 for 3 to 12 year old and free for 0 to 3 year old plus $1 for feed. Pretty good pricing for us. The only downside is they require money only, no cards. Which is understandable for the low cost.

Tony G.

4/5

Over my 50 years, I've seen the Zoo go through lots of changes. When I was a kid, the hay day was amazing. Lots of animals and the train that would give rides along with playground equipment that didn't have warning signs .... The best.
Today the animals seem fine but the grounds could use more love. Overall worth a stroll 👍🐵🐻🐺🐱🦎🦌🦚🐦

Gluten-free G.

5/5

Very quiet. Only one young family there. It was hot so the animals were quiet too. This is a quaint hometown zoo. Look at the animals, then go home, learn more about them, then visit again. A nice variety. Staff were friendly and helpful. The landscaping was suffering from the heat but still VERY NICE. There were some very interesting plants I had not seen before. Not interested in animals, the plants were great too! Seniors $2

Emily W.

5/5

I came here on a Saturday and it was very enjoyable. There is an entry fee for the zoo but it's very cheap. ($3 for adults) The zoo is kind of small but still nice. The animals seem well taken care of and the walkways are clean. This is a good place to visit for people with children or anyone who likes animals.

maria F.

5/5

This is such a great little place to visit. My 2 yr and 4yr grandsons get excited to visit. There are several different animals. They enjoyed watching the animals up close. It's not crowded to enjoy a walk in the shade.

N T.

5/5

It's a small zoo with just the right amount of animals. It was very clean and a good price. It's next to kiddyland and Applegate park with a playground. A great combo to pack a picnic and spend a relaxing afternoon at with the family.

Samantha H.

3/5

This is a tiny zoo. It’s mostly filled with domestic animals. There isn’t much to do or see. It’s hard to see the animals with the type of fencing they used. The zoo is mostly a petting zoo but there were no open petting areas. The gift shop wasn’t opened. The staff were grumpy. Though this is the first zoo I’ve seen bears at and they acknowledge their resident kitty cats.

Parrisha S.

1/5

The Merced Applegate Zoo is unsuitable for housing animals. The lack of space is heartbreaking to witness. The black bear, in particular, appears to be in distress—she barely moved at all during the entire time I was there, which speaks volumes about her mental and physical state. This isn’t just an issue for one animal; every creature in that zoo is confined to inadequate enclosures that don’t meet their basic needs. It’s beyond frustrating and, frankly, unacceptable. The zoo either needs significant funding to make the necessary improvements or, if that’s not possible, it should be shut down as soon as possible to prevent further harm to these animals.