Lions and tigers and bears…and lemurs and meerkats and penguins, oh my! Located farther out in the Sunset “avenues,” the San Francisco Zoo (Sloat Blvd. and 47th Ave. or the Great Highway, daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m., adults $11, youth/seniors $8, children $5) has them all and more, making it a favorite excursion for locals and visitors all year long.

Over the last several years, the zoo has undergone a transformation, becoming an example of naturalized habitats and conservatory zoo practices. Today animal-lovers can enjoy the native plants and funny faces in the lemur habitat, the families of meerkats, and the bird sanctuary.

Families come to check out the wealth of interactive childrens’ exhibits as well as the various exotic animals. However, it’s wise to bring your own picnic as the food offerings at the zoo have not improved as much as the animal habitats. And watch for seagulls! They love to steal snacks, and they fly low.