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Folsom Zoo Sanctuary
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
44 reviews for Folsom Zoo Sanctuary
44 reviews in English
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Review from Crystal R.
Hurst, TX
11/22/2011
I practically grew up at this zoo, spent MANY summer days running through the zoo & park while my mom played softball...but I since moved to Texas and haven't been back in over 15 years. We're getting ready to visit next month when I bring my husband "home", but I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if the stone wishing well is still there??
Thank you in advance! -
Review from Scott V.
Sacramento, CA
1/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best in the sac area.
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Review from Brittany R.
Antelope, CA
8/1/2011 2 photos
Folsom Zoo Sanctuary is focused on rescuing animals that would otherwise be killed, put down or further abused with many of these stories displayed by that particular animal.
Very affordable, bring your own snacks and it is a perfect activity for our area. It is not as sad as some other zoos, especially knowing all they do to help these animals!
Edited to add that the Christmas event is a really neat event! On a weekend it's definitely busier but whether busy or not it's a lot of fun. Christmas lights, "Santa Paws" and Santa, and the added bonus of several of the animals being more active because it's night time. http://www.folsom.ca.u... -
Review from jesus c.
Fort Wainwright, AK
12/20/2010
It's cheap, easy and the kids love it. What more needs to be said?
We are regulars there... You get to see the animals up close, and know that they are there as they have been rescued. The docents offer exhibits that both kids and adults will appreciate.
Pack your picnic lunch for the park, let the little ones chase the chickens, hit the zoo and end the outing with a ride on the train. Also, but the family membership to the zoo and make it a reguar thing. -
Review from Molly B.
5/30/2011 8 photos
Before you get all freaked out and preachy about zoos and animals in captivity let me start by telling you that the animals in Folsom Zoo are hard luck cases. Many of them have been neglected, abused, injured and no longer able to care for themselves in the wild, illegally raised in captivity, etc etc and rescued by the Folsom Zoo, ya dig? So unless you donate to it or volunteer your time - just hush up.
The zoo has been around since the early 1960's, I believe, and started out so very small, but thanks to donations and volunteers has really blossomed into something wonderful. It is in a constant state of evolution, making larger and healthier habitats for the animals. You'll see tigers, mountain lions, coyotes, bears, and many other critters each with a little plaque on the enclosure explaining where the animal came from and why they live at the zoo. Peafowl run around freely and if you come in spring you'll get to see the peacocks showing off for the peahens and spreading their beautiful tails wide (or if they are still just young guys they'll spread their sad little, no frills tails anyway). My grandfather once told me that the peafowl originally came from his family waaaay back in the day. I don't know if that's true or not, but he was an honest man and I like to think so (and, no, his family didn't abuse their animals).
It's really inexpensive (under $5 for adults and less for kids, seniors, etc) and the grounds are really pretty. You can stroll through a woodsy park instead of a concrete one. I've loved Folsom Zoo since I was a little girl and as we both grow older I love it more and more.Listed in: Places to take a kid..., Where to Take Grandma, Wish You Were Here, Parks
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Review from Miki S.
Sacramento, CA
9/7/2011
Best Zoo around here. Small and real care shown for the animals.
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Review from Mom E.
Sacramento, CA
6/12/2011
We appreciate that the Folsom Zoo is a sanctuary for wild (and domesticated) animals. The FZS has many special events throughout the year. Our favorite event is the Christmas party for the animals. We love watching the bears open their wrapped gifts!
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Review from Dan M.
Sacramento, CA
11/22/2011
This is a quaint little zoo that takes in animals with health problems or that have been abandoned. You can get very close to the animals and it's usually not crowded. It's also cheap and the money goes to a good cause. If you have kids there's a nice playground next to the zoo. There's also a nice library next to the zoo, and the library has a cool little cafe with Gunther's ice cream and all kinds of snacks. There is also a short walk to one of the prettiest parts of the lower American River (take the dirt trail from the playground toward the river). Overall a great place to spend a sunny day.
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Review from Ashlee J.
6/27/2011
Great zoo for a small town! The tiger is friendly & likes to get up close & personal, the monkeys are active & the grounds are well maintained. This place has expanded over the years & has a great park located next door. Going to the zoo then the playground & the train is the perfect way to spend the morning with your kids. Beware of the peacocks as they can be aggressive.
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Review from Elizabeth B.
Rancho Cordova, CA
8/26/2011
Not a typical zoo, which is GREAT. Loved the animals, peacocks everywhere and even saw babies up close!! :) Lots of chickens running around too. Very laid back setting, animals seem a lot less stress than regular zoo animals that look miserable.. Animals are pretty chill and comfortable. Got to feed the deer some leaves and pet his ears :) Very small but I'm sure they will expand when they get the money. Great price as well and can bring in outside food and drink.
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Review from Jeff B.
Folsom, CA
8/20/2010
This is a gem in Folsom, don't miss it!
For great details and information visit:
Http://http://www.folsomzoofr... -
Review from Olivia L.
Sacramento, CA
10/30/2009
So, it's a little weird going to the zoo as a lone adult, but that's just what I did. Nothing to drive home your lack of cubs 'n' mate like a zoo, but I thought maybe I could recharge my batteries and be one with nature, even if that nature was behind a litany of fences and runny noses.
I usually have a major problem with most zoos as I tend to have this horse/dog/tiger whisperer thing going and I know the animals are despondent, going crazy, or missing their family. It started in a small zoo in Washington where this African Elephant was chained to a cement slab in a room that was literally only 5 feet bigger than he in any direction. So now you know, I'm one of those crazy animal lover people.
Anyway, the thing that's awesome about the Folsom zoo is they only take in the weak, injured, or endangered.
On display were lots of foxes -- some sleeping peacefully, other running about their cage (not really a good thing when they're just going in circles) and others just staring intently at you.
Actually, many of the larger animals including a mountain lion, a white coyote and a tiger were not bashful about getting up close and looking you straight in the eye.
Beautiful and serene.
The place was a little too smelly for my senses, but just about anything small can be overlooked as this place is run on love, volunteers and donations. -
Review from Jeremy M.
Folsom, CA
3/16/2011
Very cool place for kids and the staff are really nice and knowledgeable. The price is fair too.
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Review from Sachi T.
San Francisco, CA
10/8/2008 ROTD 11/20/2008
My dad (a Folsom resident since 1980) calls the Folsom Zoo the "Retard Zoo" because of all the animals missing eyes, wings, or legs (although that three-legged wolf was a legend growing up). Honestly, my four stars are going off of what this place means to me now, looking back on my memories.
There are no exotic animals, save for Macho, that mischievous baboon/macao? who likes to jerk off and throw his poo at the school children. That is unless, he died, which could very well have happened since I haven't been to the zoo since 1995. I do, however, have this incredibly strong notion that there used to be elephants in the back of the park, but this theory could either be due to a (sub)urban legend, or, that as a tiny 4 year old Asian girl, I could've easily mistaken llamas for elephants.
The peacocks roam around the entirety of the park, much to the enjoyment of all the 8 year olds risking getting their eyes pecked out, trying to yank their feathers.
To be fair, apparently The Folsom Zoo has a pretty reputable rehabilitary system for birds or something. It's like the Cirque Lodge or Betty Ford clinic of the Zoology world.
As for the train, that guy has been wearing those overalls and squishing himself into that cardboard box for the last 15 years! Forget the Folsom Zoo, Mr. Conductor is an establishment himself. -
Review from Lisa M.
Folsom, CA
8/12/2007
I LOVE the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary. They specialize in wild animals found in Northern California, although they do have a few "exotics" that were in need of a home. I really like that you can show a child a mountain lion or a bobcat and teach them what to do if they see one while hiking or camping nearby. I mean, what are the chances of running into an elephant while vacationing in Tahoe?
95% of the animals in the FCZS were either orphaned as young wild animals, injured as wild animals, or rescued from illegal/abusive wild-pet situations. Some were laboratory rescues, like the monkeys and the PMU foal.
Also, all the animals (except for the birds I think) are spayed and neutered (well, the monkeys and wolves had vasectomies, they need their testosterone). They have no intention of adding to the number of wild animals unable to actually live in the wild.
If you are a teacher or a club/scout leader, inquire about docent lead tours! FCZS offers volunteer-docent tours to groups of 20 or more. Preschool age is a bit young, but do-able. Kindergarten through 3rd graders seem to enjoy it the most.
The mini train ride is a big draw as well (not run by the zoo) and there is also a city park with a playground next door. In addition, the new Folsom City Library shares a parking lot with the library. So after your trip, you can go check out some animal books for further education! (I *think* you can return the book at any Sacramento County library, better make sure though)
Here's a tip, if parking is tight, go to the next light on Natoma Street, and park behind the City Hall. It's probably an even shorter walk than parking in the *real* parking lot, there are a few stairs though. -
Review from Pippi L.
Sacramento, CA
9/25/2006
This is a shockingly nice little zoo. I hadn't been since I was a little girl (back in the ages when Roseville had a zoo in Royer park!!) and I remembered the train.
I remember a much smaller zoo with sad animals like a fire-damaged bear and a bobcat litter.
This has evolved. It has a GREAT walkway; they have really nice cages and they take in exotic and illegal pets that people have raised in captivity and then couldn't handle. Like wolf hybrids and wolves and foxes and coyotes and raccoons. There are even ferrets! I don't consider those exotic. I love ferrets, but I know how fast my dog could kill one, so I don't bother. Still, they have an amazing ferret habitat.
They have a beautiful bear habitat and are working on an even better one for the wolves.
I really liked that they have pasture animals as well, like a premarin horse (these horses are kept prego and their urine is taken to make hormone therapy for menopausal women. After they get too old to make babies, they are slaughtered for dog food or horsemeat. True story. I feel like "lab" animals that survive serving the greater good should be protected. Shouldn't they retire to a nice pasture where no one is inserting semen into them and they can hang out with goats and graze on sweet grass?)
Anyway. The next time I go, we are riding the train.
Beanie loved toddling around the walkways even though I'm not sure she got the whole "zoo" idea. She called the wolves, foxes and bears "Dogs". That said, it's a great way to knock out a sturdy, busy toddler. She slept for hours afterwards. $4 for entry, kids under 5 are free. -
Review from Brandon L.
Grass Valley, CA
1/5/2010
This is WAY better than the Sacramento Zoo for little kids; it's better for your soul, too. We took our 2-yo there on a foggy Tuesday morning and had a blast. Not many "exotic" animals, but we liked that the animals are rescues and didn't get the usual creepy zoo feeling. They've got bobcats, tigers, monkeys, skunks, raccoons, bears, foxes, mule deer that stick their noses through the fence to lick you, miniature donkeys, coyotes, wolves, owls, and free-roaming peacocks and chickens. The enclosures are all close together, spread out along a hillside with a paved winding path between them.
I can't stress enough how much better-feeling this place is compared to the Sac Zoo. It's about half the price of the Sac Zoo as well. Great place to take little ones for a low-key zooey experience. Plus, you can ride the miniature train outside the gates when you're done!
P.S. Eat at Dos Coyotes off Folsom Blvd. on your way back out to 50! -
Review from Kristine D.
Mountain View, CA
2/26/2008 3 photos
While visiting Folsom for a triathlon my husband competed in, we stumbled across this delightful little zoo. The center piece of a nice city park, what makes it truly unique is that all of its residents are rescued animals. Our three-year-old son was pleased by all of the activity in the cages and pens. I must say this group of animals is the happiest and most active bunch I've ever seen in a zoo!
Take your Happy Hollow membership card with you ---- as a member of the only zoo on their reciprocation list, you'll get in free! Be sure to cap off your visit with a ride on the steam engine in the park outside. The engineer running it is a kick!
Check out the Folsom Zoo at:
http://www.folsom.ca.us
Sites featuring the train:
http://cencalrails.rai...
http://video.aol.com/v... -
Review from B G.
Sacramento, CA
2/11/2007
Really cool little zoo right in the heart of Folsom. Most of the animals at this zoo have been rescued due to injury and/or neglect from their previous owners.
The highlights (for me anyway) were the 5 black bears, 2 tigers and 3 mountain lions. The bears were surprisingly active as they playfully fought with each other and swam in the "pool".
It was rather scary to watch the mountain lions stare down the visitors -- they would just pace around the enclosure and you could almost feel their power from the other side of the fence.
There are a lot of other exhibits including wolf/dog hybrids, bobcats, coyotes, etc.... You really get a kick out of all the roosters and peacocks roaming free around the grounds.
All in all a great (and inexpensive) way to spend a few hours on a nice afternoon! -
Review from Michelle B.
Fair Oaks, CA
7/25/2008
Perfect place to tool around with kids in the mornings. At $3 a pop per kid under 13, it can't be beat. True, it's not the Sacramento Zoo, elaborate and wild, but the educational and entertainment value is still present. Gotta love the monkeys! Even as an adult I get a kick out of taking the ChooChoo Express for a spin. Bring your bike because there are tons of biking trails close by.
Worth the time, every time. -
Review from Tiffany P.
El Dorado Hills, CA
3/7/2010
I love this place. As others have stated, it doesn't have that awful "zoo" feeling. And I love the roaming peacocks! If you're really taking your time, it will take about 45 minutes to see everything. Small, but great for the kiddos.
In the area is also the train and a nice sized park with lots of picnic tables. -
Review from lily c.
Sacramento, CA
5/3/2010
OK this zoo itself isn't anything amazing - not very big, some impressive animals and some not so impressive animals (tigers! bears! wolves! rabbits? huh?) - but i LOVE the fact that they house only rescue animals. i love reading the stories of how each of the animals got to be there... and admission is only $4! you seriously can't go wrong there. so 3 stars for the actual zoo but FIVE stars for their noble mission! it really feels like they CARE about the animals they rescue. i'll definitely be back when their new canid habitat is complete.
i was sad though to find out that fisher the black bear had died recently. he's on a bunch of their ads, and actually the whole reason i wanted to go to the zoo. i saw his picture on a travel brochure for folsom zoo - him sitting there, one paw up, mouth open - as if to say "heeey...!" and i thought to myself, "OMG i must meet this bear." ... so sad that he died! -
Review from Caroline F.
Rancho Cordova, CA
8/12/2009
This is a great place to bring small kids, or big kids (like your husband) for a morning or afternoon. I used to be a nanny and it was a great place to bring the kid and my husband likes to sit here and stare at foxes on a Sunday afternoon (I have no idea why!) Yes, there aren't as many or as exotic animals as there are at the Sacramento Zoo, but this place rescues many of its animals and they for the most part, seem pretty happy and treated well. There are coyotes, foxes, tigers, mountain lions, bears, wolves, racoons, monkeys... quite a few different kinds of animals and some of them are fascinating to watch!
The admission is quite cheap, $4 for an adult, $3 for kids and seniors, and free under 2. They also have an annual membership that you can purchase.
The train ride is always fun, for $2 a person, and the conductor is very friendly - if you ask him to take a picture, he'll tell you how he's a semi-professional photographer (I think), and give you good tips on how to take pictures. He also used to drive the train at Disneyland. -
Review from greg m.
Folsom, CA
3/25/2011
Wonderful place to spend an hour or two with kids! We've been members for 5 years and visit at least half a dozen times per year. The zoo specializes in rescue animals and the exhibits show a lot of personalized attention and care. Visit the the train ride and park/playground right next door. Only reason it doesn't get 5 stars from me is the change in snack bar operator last year, which was definitely not an improvement - they seem understaffed and have a much smaller selection of treats.
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Review from F K.
Sacramento, CA
8/12/2009
This is the little zoo that could. And it has a good social agenda as well.
I was impressed by the quality of the zoo and animals they were able to keep in this little place.
The only thing that I thought could be better was the tiger exhibit. I thought they deserved as awesome an exhibit as the bears. -
Review from Liberty G.
Sacramento, CA
4/5/2008 5 photos
My sweetheart had never been to the zoo before, so in 2002 we decided to check out the Sacramento City Zoo. He was grinning like a silly little school girl in the queue to get inside, that's how excited he was. Unfortunately, 2.5 hours later, we walked out feeling depressed, distressed and dejected. He vowed to never set foot in a zoo ever again. I wanted to create a pleasant lifetime memory for him to cherish and all that was left was the disturbing image of a lonely jaguar, spinning around in circles.
HOWEVER the light at the end of the tunnel is Folsom Zoo Sanctuary! I had to drag him over here after I had heard so many good things about the place! We love the FZS!!!! Knowing that most of these animals were rescued and are now living a peaceful and fun life really warmed our hearts. We got to see an abused raccoon go through cognitive conditioning training, we watched and listened as the wolves howled away, we played peekaboo with the parrots and stared in awe at the big cats! I love how there are chickens and peacocks and other fowl roaming around all over the place. I have some great pictures and one I will upload here is the chicken lounging in the mens restroom. Also, we had a great conversation with a helpful and very informative volunteer who told us all about the place and some of the exhibits we had to see.
My honey is happy now and we will be making a return trip again this spring =) -
Review from Jen W.
Folsom, CA
7/22/2011
What a great, great little zoo/sanctuary we have here in Folsom. Nothing like being close with the animals. And everything is so well kept. Can't believe that the zoo doesn't have annual memberships with email reminders to renew each year. Seems that would be a great way to help fund. Doesn't matter if you are young or old---visit the zoo and the park. You'll love it!
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Review from Victoria N.
Livermore, CA
4/26/2010
We went during nap time for the animals (I didn't know there was such a thing till we got there). It's a very cute little zoo with basic animals. Our son LOVED it even though it wasn't a full blown zoo like the San Francisco or Oakland one. There are still plenty of animals to see throughout a very wide spread piece of land. It's small but offers a lot.
To the side of the zoo is a little steam train that the adults and children can ride on. Our son was very excited to ride on it and loved that as well. The conductor was very friendly. The ride only lasted two or three minutes, if that, but it was still so much fun.
I would definitely recommend this zoo to anyone willing to try something small and fun! -
Review from Silviu N.
Houston, TX
7/13/2008
Wait, we're talking about the Folsom Zoo here right? It's just a tiger and a peacock shy of a big ole' farm. Cows and chickens don't count as animals towards a Zoo. If you walk too fast, you won't even notice you walked right past it.
Don't get me wrong folks; I'm not against what it's there for, just that it's not much of a Zoo, that's all. -
Review from Queen S.
El Dorado Hills, CA
8/19/2008
This is a godsend to any of us with little kids. It's close, cheap and will eat up time as they tire themselves in awe and interest. Plus, my kids love that the peacocks and chickens roam all over the place.
Oh... the kids also must ride the little train at the zoo. -
Review from Suzanne T.
Orangevale, CA
6/29/2009
I love to go here on Thanksgiving morning when they give all the animals a special treat of pumpkin and such. I could sit and watch the tigers all day -- my heart hurts that they are captured though.
The kids love to run up and down the asphalt hills and make funny faces at all the smells.
It's perfect for school field trips. -
Review from Andrew W.
Fair Oaks, CA
9/11/2010
4 stars might be a little generous, but this place is a really affordable way to kill an hour in a pleasant little setting. Adults are currently $5, and kids are $4, which seems like a pretty good deal to me.
The animals are mostly rescued native Californians unable to live in the wild for one reason or another, but there are also a few rescued exotics - mainly tigers, monkeys, and wolves. As for the natives, there are brown bears, coyotes, red foxes, mountain lions (cougars/pumas), red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, and several others.
For some reason, the wolves weren't on display for our visit, although we could see them in the back. And if the mountain lions were on display, they weren't coming out. One of the tigers was sleeping next to the edge of the pen, so we got a good close look, and a couple brown bears were pretty active sniffing around their pen, too.
So we're not talking about the San Diego Zoo here, but we're also not talking about San Diego Zoo prices. Overall, I think this is a great little place. -
Review from Leopard S.
Sacramento, CA
8/31/2010
First time to the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary. It is small, yes, but there is a large factor involved. They are very much into taking good care of their animals, and I noticed several signs for expanding some of the exhibits. I thought it was interesting they had a feral cat exhibit. Nothing wrong with this, but I've never seen feral cats being taken care of at a zoo-thought this was neat. Some of the animals were tricky to see in their exhibits, some I couldn't see at all. The Folsom Zoo Sanctuary is great for kids as well as adults.
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Review from Lydia K.
Rocklin, CA
6/17/2008 3 photos
Gotta LOVE this zoo. They rescue animals and give them life! I hate the thought of animals being locked up for humans to stare at, but these animals would die unless Folsom took them in and cared for them. And care they do! The employees and volunteers at the zoo are there for the animals. Nice place to visit again and again for kids and adults alike.
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Review from Robin T.
Sacramento, CA
8/11/2007
The Folsom Zoo was a very pleasant surprise. I took my 2 kids (2 year old and 1 month old) on a weekday, expecting a ho-hum zoo experience. It was great! First of all, it was cheap - $4 for adults, free for kids under 5. Second, it was clean. There were lots of zoo employees and volunteers spraying down the cages and the walkways. Third, there were great fenced walkways throughout the zoo that kept my toddler from running into the bushes etc. I didn't have to constantly keep my eye on him, as I have to at the Sacramento Zoo. But best of all was the access to the animals. They are much closer to the patrons than at the Sac Zoo. I had a much better appreciation of the size and power of the bears and tigers, as did my toddler. We also happened to arrive right at feeding time (around 10:30 am) and it was amazing to see the animals chow down. I also liked the fact that the zoo is more of a rehabilitation and rescue center - it houses animals that were injured/abused in the past. Therefore, there aren't as many exotic animals but I'm no fan of caging animals that could survive in the wild anyway.
The zoo is not too large and thus very manageable for a mom and her little kids. An extra treat was discovering that a wonderful steam train runs along a track in the park adjacent to the zoo. A 7 minute ride on the train cost $1.50 per person and my son (and I ) had a blast. What a perfect day trip for my family! -
Review from a z.
Granite Bay, CA
1/15/2010
was skeptical after reading this was the zoo for "retarded animals" on another review.. But, was very impressed. Excellent variety of animals. You can get up very close and personal. Just the right size for young kids, easy to walk around and see everything. Also have a fun playground adjacent with picnic tables and a great little steam engine train ride.
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Review from Tricia K.
Sacramento, CA
6/17/2008
The Folsom Zoo is fun to visit. The peacocks, while loud, are fun to look at. There are also some interactive things for kids too.
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Review from Jeff M.
Sacramento, CA
8/24/2008
Small and kid freindly, we're Folsom Zoo fans. It's easy to get around and plenty close to the City Park and Library for a multi-destination afternoon. Don't forget to take the kids on the train! the conductor is a hoot - ask him to take your family photo!
Listed in: Folsom and El Dorado Hills…
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Review from randy g.
Folsom, CA
8/17/2010
I love taking my 2 year old son here. It has a variety of different rescued animals such as bobcats, bears, mountain lions, and even a tiger. It is pretty small but big enough to keep my son interested. We enjoy going to the zoo and then playing on the playground which is also located in the park. It is an awsome way to spend the afternoon before his nap.
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Review from Aslan B.
Fair Oaks, CA
9/17/2006
This is a very small zoo which is perfect for those children who do not have very long attention spans. It is $4.00 ages 13 and up $3.00 for ages 5-12 and free for anyone under 4. They do not have the selection of animals most zoo's have but they do have bears, tigers, mountain lions, monkeys, birds and lots of prairie animals. The zoo it located in a very large park where you can often catch a baseball game going on, a great place to have a picnic however they do have a snack bar. But the best thing is that they have a miniature train that goes around the park it it only $1.50 to ride the train and the children get the biggest kick out of the horn. It is a fun way to spend the morning or afternoon.
Listed in: Where do the Children Play?
