Swing by the L.A. Zoo for memories old or new

Memories of school field trips and family excursions waft up in my mind as I pass through the turnstiles onto the sun-drenched L.A. Zoo entry plaza.

The L.A. Zoo is one of those destinations that almost every So-Cal resident has visited as a kid. I remember coming with my family in elementary school and marveling at the size of the long-necked giraffes and chuckling at the at the shenanigans and behinds of the chimpanzees on an field trip.

And although much remains the same—Reggie the Alligator still basks in his little grotto near the entrance—new additions and renovations offer new environments and animals for repeat visitors. I visited the zoo on a lazy Monday afternoon, so neither parking lot nor park were as packed as they tend to be on weekends and holidays; I recommend visiting on a staff development day or our spring break to avoid the pedestrian crush. Pack a lunch, not only to evoke some field-trip nostalgia, but also because the zoo restaurants are way overpriced.

Closer to the entrance features the desert trail and kid’s petting zoo. You’re never too old to get some petting zoo action. As for the animal attractions, I’d have to say, make an effort to get to the primates. They’re in the back section of the park, and the capuchins, chimps, and all of the other varieties are entertaining and lively where other animals just kind of sit there and placidly stare.

As for new additions, The LAIR exhibit is housed in an eco-turfed reptile house that is overly warm, humid and crowded. If you want to take a break from the crowds, the aviary is a nice location to relax. Its winding pathways and lush flora create a calm atmosphere. An underlooked gem of the zoo, and my personal favorite, is the giant otter enclosure. Imagine the cutest otter you’ve seen and triple its size (and cuteness).

Despite being advertised as open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the zoo starts to kennel its bigger animals around 4 p.m., so make an effort to see your most anticipated animals earlier. Also, expect some empty enclosures, and some sort of construction or renovation. Admission for 12 to 65 year olds is $18.