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The 5 Best Zoos in the Inland Empire

With life as we know it back in full swing, these five zoos in the Inland Empire are open for the public to enjoy! The animals were cared for throughout 2020 and are anxious for visitors to come back to see them. Below are five zoos and wildlife sanctuaries in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties where you can meet new species and visit old friends you missed across the area!

With life as we know it back in full swing, these five zoos in the Inland Empire are open for the public to enjoy! The animals were cared for throughout 2020 and are anxious for visitors to come back to see them. Below are five zoos and wildlife sanctuaries in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties where you can meet new species and visit old friends you missed across the area!

The Alpaca Hacienda, Temecula

The Alpaca Hacienda is a a magical place in the heart of Temecula where they celebrate all things alpaca! They are are passionate about alpacas and love every aspect of raising these gentle creatures. The alpaca owners have been enamored with alpacas, from their luxurious fleece to their inquisitive nature and beautiful faces, since they were first brought to the Temecula farm in 2005.

The Alpaca Hacienda offers groups tours for school groups, homeschoolers, scout troops and more.

The Alpaca Hacienda in Temecula is one of the best zoos in the Inland Empire.

Big Bear Alpine Zoo, Big Bear

Big Bear Alpine Zoo, located in the San Bernardino National Forest, is a rehabilitation facility offering injured, orphaned and imprinted wild animals a safe haven; temporarily while they heal or permanently as they are unable to survive on their own. The good news is that the vast majority of animals brought to the zoo for rehabilitation are successfully released back into their native environment. Those that remain at the zoo and on exhibit are either injured or have been imprinted by humans and cannot be released back into the wild to care for themselves. The zoo is currently home to animals and birds representing over 85 species.

Big Bear Alpine Zoo is one of the best zoos in the Inland Empire
credit: BigBearLake.net

The Hesperia Zoo, Hesperia

Open since 2001, The Hesperia Zoo is home to native, rare and endangered species from six continents. Our goal is to provide a fun, unique and exciting experience for the whole family. With an overall mission to bring people and wildlife together, to promote the welfare of animals, to strengthen the human-animal bond and safeguard the rights of responsible animal professionals through public information and education.

In a world that is amplified and dominated by technology, instant communication and gratification, The Hesperia Zoo is a place where the speed of life is regulated not by deadlines, but by the animals that share our world.

Tucked away on 10 acres in the heart of California’s high desert, The Hesperia Zoo is the home of exotic mammals and birds. A charming zoo that is dedicated to educating the whole family about nature’s most beautiful creatures.

They are open by reservation only.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a non-profit zoo and desert botanical garden located in Palm Desert. The Living Desert is home to over 500 animals representing over 150 species and welcomes over 500,000 visitors annually. 

As a part of their activities, they offer a rhino encounter, this is how we zoo it tour, giraffe feeding, rhino savannah, Australian adventures, private tours, nature and hiking trails, a discovery center, endangered species carousel, petting kraal, different animal encounters, g-scale model train and a gecko gulch.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens offers school field trips and group tours year round.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert is one of the best zoos in the inland empire.
credit: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

Wildhaven Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, Cedar Glen

Wildhaven Ranch is a wildlife sanctuary, education and visitation center for endangered and indigenous wild animals. It is operated by the San Bernardino Mountains Wildlife Society, a 501(c)(3) non profit organization.

Wildhaven’s mission is to preserve the wildlife indigenous to the San Bernardino Mountains and to leave a valuable heritage to our future generations. The sanctuary’s purpose is to provide a protective environment where non-releasable wild animals can live out their lives in safety and peace.

Weather permitting, The Ranch is open to the public year round on Saturdays for Wings ‘N Things and Paws N’ Claws programs and Fridays for Bear Watch sometimes starting in the Spring and continuing to the Fall. Advance reservations are required to visit.

Wildhaven Ranch is one of the best zoos in the inland empire

Happy Field Tripping,

Jilleen