Oakland Zoo
Oakland Zoo is an AZA-accredited nonprofit zoological park and conservation organization founded in 1922, operating in Oakland, California. It delivers wildlife rescue, education, and conservation programs to Bay Area families, schools, donors, and eco-travelers through ticketing, memberships, donations, and safaris.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1922
- HeadquartersOakland, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Oakland Zoo does
Oakland Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit zoological park and conservation organization, founded in 1922 and operated by the Conservation Society of California at 9777 Golf Links Road in Oakland, California. The organization operates a single-site animal park featuring the California Trail, African Savanna, and a state-of-the-art Veterinary Hospital, serving Bay Area families, TK-12 schools, conservation donors, and a smaller cohort of domestic and international eco-travelers. It runs an AZA-accredited portfolio of animal rescue and rehabilitation programs — most notably for California mountain lions (30 rescued since 2017) and Alaskan grizzly bears — alongside international conservation partnerships with Glacier National Park and the Somali Giraffe Project.
Revenue is generated through six streams: dynamic 'plan-ahead' admission ticketing, tiered membership subscriptions, charitable donations (via a Classy/GoFundMe portal), fee-based education programs (ZooCamp, school field trips, ZooMobile, guided and Veterinary Hospital tours), private event venue rentals, and a high-margin eco-travel product (Wings Over Kenya safaris at $10,200-$12,925 per person). Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer through the zoo's website, with reciprocal 50% admission discounts at affiliated AZA institutions, and a global digital layer including live animal webcams and the Cocktails & Conservation virtual series. Discounted access programs (Bay to Zoo for EBT/WIC recipients, Measure Y Oakland Resident pricing, teacher and military/veteran discounts) broaden reach into price-elastic segments, while donor recognition through the Friends of the Wild tiered membership anchors a fundraising vertical. The current cost structure, headcount (101-250), and product breadth imply operations of mid-sized regional zoo scale, though exact financial figures are not publicly disclosed.
Oakland Zoo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Oakland Zoo
- Legal name
- The Conservation Society of California, Oakland Zoo
- Website
- https://oaklandzoo.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1922
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Oakland Zoo is an AZA-accredited nonprofit zoological park and conservation organization founded in 1922, operating in Oakland, California. It delivers wildlife rescue, education, and conservation programs to Bay Area families, schools, donors, and eco-travelers through ticketing, memberships, donations, and safaris.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Oakland Zoo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation
- NAICS
- Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wildlife Sanctuaries & Rescue Centers (Visitor Operations) (THAAAFAA), Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG)
Keywords
Where Oakland Zoo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oakland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Oakland Zoo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Admission Tickets: Single-day admission tickets with dynamic 'Plan Ahead' pricing where earlier booking results in lower prices. General admission requires advance reservations with limited daily capacity.
- Membership Program: Friends of the Wild donor-level membership with multiple tiers offering progressive admissions benefits, with digital cards distributed 2-4 weeks after purchase.
- Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations to the Conservation Society of California supporting animal care, conservation, and education programs year-round.
- ZooCamp and Education Programs: School field trips, ZooCamp, ZooSchool, Wildlife Assemblies, ZooMobile outreach, and community group programs with educational focus.
- Event Venue Rental: Private event venue rentals for parties and gatherings, with dining and mobile ordering services available.
- Eco-Travel Safaris: Guided safari trips to Kenya hosted by Oakland Zoo Animal Care staff, visiting multiple national parks with pricing ranging from $10,200-$12,925 per person.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bay to Zoo Discounted Tickets for EBT/WIC recipients |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Oakland Resident Discount (Measure Y) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Teacher Discount |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Military/Veteran Discount |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | AZA Reciprocal Membership Discount |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Group Reservations (12+) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Wings Over Kenya Safari Trip |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Oakland Zoo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Oakland Zoo operates a zoological park and wildlife conservation organization in Oakland, California, under the Conservation Society of California. It sells admission tickets, memberships, educational programs (ZooCamp, school field trips), conservation donation packages, eco-travel safaris (Wings Over Kenya), and live animal webcam access to Bay Area families, schools, and conservation supporters. Its mission is to deepen connections with animals, save wildlife through rescue and rehabilitation, and inspire conservation champions.
Product overview
Oakland Zoo operates as a zoo and conservation organization offering a unified portfolio of visitor experience and wildlife protection services. The core offerings include an online ticketing and reservation system with dynamic pricing, live animal webcams for remote viewing, membership programs, and an online donation platform powered by Classy. Supporting these are educational programs (ZooCamp, School Programs, Guided Tours, Veterinary Hospital Tours), conservation initiatives (Mountain Lion Rescue, Grizzly Bear Conservation, Reticulated Giraffe Conservation), and engagement events (Cocktails & Conservation, Eco-Travel safaris). The Bay to Zoo Tickets program provides income-based discount admission. All offerings work together to advance the zoo's mission of deepening connections with animals, saving wildlife, and inspiring champions for the natural world.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Friends of the Wild: Oakland Zoo's donor level membership program offering generous admissions benefits while supporting wildlife conservation.
- Cocktails & Conservation
- Bay to Zoo Tickets
Products and services
- Online Ticketing and Reservation System Advanced ticketing platform requiring advance reservations for general admission with dynamic Plan Ahead pricing that varies by date and time of visit; used by Bay Area visitors to book zoo entry.
- Membership Program Tiered membership program (including Friends of the Wild donor level) offering unlimited admission, member-only benefits, discounts on events and programs, and AZA reciprocal privileges.
- Online Donation Platform Classy (GoFundMe)-powered donation platform enabling one-time or recurring tax-deductible contributions to support animal care, conservation, and education programs.
- Animal Webcams Live streaming webcam feeds of black bear, condor, giraffe, grizzly bear, mountain lion cub, and sun bear habitats allowing global audiences to observe animals remotely for free.
- ZooCamp Summer and seasonal camp programs for children offering wildlife education, animal encounters, and zoo exploration experiences during school breaks.
- School Programs Educational programs for TK-12 students including field trips, classroom resources, and curriculum-aligned wildlife and conservation education.
- Guided Tours Docent-led tours of the zoo including behind-the-scenes experiences and specialized themed tours for visitors.
- Veterinary Hospital Tours Behind-the-scenes tours of the state-of-the-art veterinary hospital facility, available select Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Eco-Travel Program (Wings Over Kenya Safari) International wildlife travel experiences led by Oakland Zoo Animal Care staff, including the Wings Over Kenya safari visiting three national parks and conservation partners at $10,200-$12,925 per person.
- Friends of the Wild (Donor Membership) Donor-level membership offering the most generous admissions benefits while directly supporting wildlife conservation efforts.
- Bay to Zoo Tickets Deeply discounted admission program for low-income Bay Area residents receiving EBT or WIC benefits, offering $5 adult and $3 child tickets.
- Cocktails & Conservation Virtual happy hour series featuring conservationists discussing wildlife preservation, broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube.
- Event Venue Rentals Private event venue rentals for parties and gatherings at the zoo, with dining and mobile ordering services available.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30 mountain lions rescued and rehabilitated since 2017
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Oakland Zoo
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Oakland Zoo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Oakland Zoo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW)coreCDFW brings orphaned, injured, and sick wild animals to Oakland Zoo for veterinary care and rehabilitation. The zoo has cared for 30 mountain lions since 2017. CDFW makes final decisions on animal release or placement in permanent homes.
- Glacier National ParkcoreZoo-Park Partnership for America's Keystone Wildlife Project involving restoration of sustainable habitats and wildlife populations. Oakland Zoo supports the Passage Project for wildlife corridor infrastructure including underpasses, fencing, and educational signage.
- Glacier National Park ConservancycoreNonprofit partner dedicated to grizzly bear conservation through scientific research and action, working to protect wildlife corridors and reduce human-wildlife conflict in Glacier National Park.
- Zoo-Park Partnerships (ZPP)coreNational initiative helping recover wildlife legacy lost during Westward Expansion. Strengthens relationships between national parks and zoos to benefit bison and shared habitat species.
- People and CarnivoresmajorMontana-based organization focused on human-wildlife coexistence. Oakland Zoo sponsors their work and shares their conservation messaging. Dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring predators and their habitats.
- Somali Giraffe ProjectcoreTrans-boundary community-based conservation project focused on reticulated giraffe recovery through research, education, and community involvement in northeastern Kenya. Oakland Zoo provides annual partnership grants.
- AZA SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction)majorAssociation of Zoo's & Aquariums program focusing collective expertise and audience reach to save species from extinction, with Oakland Zoo actively participating in giraffe conservation efforts.
- AZA Reciprocal Partner ZoosminorPartnership with San Francisco Zoo, Happy Hollow Zoo, CuriOdyssey, Lindsay Wildlife Experience, and Association of Zoo and Aquarium Docents & Volunteers providing 50% reciprocal admission discounts.
- Conservation Society of CaliforniacoreParent nonprofit organization operating Oakland Zoo, providing charitable status, governance, and mission alignment for wildlife conservation and education programs.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Oakland Zoo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Smithsonian's National Zoo: Larger institutional AZA-accredited zoo with global conservation and research reach, operating as a broader incumbent in the same zoo/conservation category. Useful as an upper-bound benchmark for programming and partnership scale.
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Far larger, multi-site AZA-accredited zoo operator with much greater scale, conservancies, and global conservation footprint. Functions as the broad incumbent reference for category leadership and premium pricing benchmarks.
Direct peers
- San Francisco Zoo: The closest geographic AZA-accredited peer in the Bay Area, operating a similar urban zoo with comparable animal collection, education, and membership programs. Oakland Zoo and SF Zoo have an explicit reciprocal 50% admission partnership through AZA, underscoring direct comparability on offerings and overlapping customer base.
- Happy Hollow Zoo & Park: San Jose-based AZA-accredited zoo with a comparable family/education focus and a reciprocal admissions partnership with Oakland Zoo. Comparable scale, demographic, and use-case mix (children's zoo, education, school programs).
- CuriOdyssey: San Mateo wildlife and science center operating under AZA reciprocal partnerships with Oakland Zoo. Comparable mission, Bay Area family demographic, and combination of live animals plus STEM education programming.
- Lindsay Wildlife Experience: Walnut Creek-based wildlife hospital and museum with an AZA reciprocal partnership with Oakland Zoo. Comparable Bay Area audience, wildlife rehabilitation focus, and education programming including live animal encounters.
- Sacramento Zoo: Regional Northern California AZA-accredited zoo with a comparable mid-size operating footprint, education programming, and conservation mission. Closely comparable scale, accreditation profile, and audience composition to Oakland Zoo.
- Woodland Park Zoo: Seattle-based AZA-accredited zoo of similar scale and mission scope, with strong conservation, education, and membership programs. Comparable nonprofit zoo operating model and programmatic mix to Oakland Zoo.
- Oregon Zoo: Portland-based AZA-accredited regional zoo with comparable conservation, education, and family-attraction programming. Similar tier of operations and public-facing model to Oakland Zoo.
- Denver Zoo: Mid-sized AZA-accredited nonprofit zoo with comparable conservation and education focus, though operating in a different regional market. Comparable programmatic breadth and accreditation profile.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Oakland Zoo social profiles
Digital presenceOakland Zoo compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Oakland Zoo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Oakland Zoo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Oakland Zoo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Oakland Zoo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Oakland Zoo
What does Oakland Zoo do?
Oakland Zoo operates a zoological park and wildlife conservation organization in Oakland, California, under the Conservation Society of California. It sells admission tickets, memberships, educational programs (ZooCamp, school field trips), conservation donation packages, eco-travel safaris (Wings Over Kenya), and live animal webcam access to Bay Area families, schools, and conservation supporters. Its mission is to deepen connections with animals, save wildlife through rescue and rehabilitation, and inspire conservation champions.
Is Oakland Zoo a public or private company?
Oakland Zoo is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Oakland Zoo founded?
Oakland Zoo was founded in 1922. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Oakland Zoo based?
Oakland Zoo is headquartered in Oakland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Oakland Zoo make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Admission Tickets are the primary driver. The others are membership Program, donations, zooCamp and Education Programs, event Venue Rental and eco-Travel Safaris.
Who are Oakland Zoo's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Smithsonian's National Zoo and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Direct peers are San Francisco Zoo, Happy Hollow Zoo & Park, CuriOdyssey, Lindsay Wildlife Experience, Sacramento Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo, Oregon Zoo and Denver Zoo.
Does Oakland Zoo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Oakland Zoo.
What industry is Oakland Zoo in?
Oakland Zoo's product category is Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJADAL, Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections), with a secondary code of THAAAFAA, Wildlife Sanctuaries & Rescue Centers (Visitor Operations). Its NAICS code is 71213 and its SIC code is 7900.