Located 39 miles southeast of Apple Valley, Big Bear Alpine Zoo at Moonridge is the closest zoo. It’s part of the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District and set in the San Bernardino National Forest. Open year-round, the zoo is also a rehabilitation center that offers feeding tours and educational presentations. On Sundays zookeepers invite visitors to participate in behavioral enrichment exercises that keep the animals entertained. Keepers will give the animal a new toy, treats or other gifts, depending on the species. On Saturday evenings in October and November, weather permitting, guests are welcome to join the Flash Light Safari. This night tour allows you to observe animals that are usually more active after dark, such as raccoons and owls. Dress warm; it gets cold at night. Don’t forget your flashlight.
Yucaipa, 73 miles southeast of Apple Valley, is home to the Parrish Pioneer Ranch, founded in 1866. In addition to the Apple Dumplin’s restaurant and shops that sell apples in almost every form you can imagine, the property has a petting zoo. Children get a kick out of the pygmy goats, Miss Covergirl the miniature donkey, Georgia the miniature cow and Apples, a mild-tempered miniature horse. Chickens, goats, sheep and an emu round out the entertainment. It's open Thursday through Monday. Visit the animals, then pop into the restaurant for a meal and fresh apple pie. Baked goods, chocolates, apple cider and apple butter are just a few of the available take-home treats.
The next-closest zoo is the Orange County Zoo, about 83 miles southwest of Apple Valley. Located in Irvine Regional Park in the city of Orange, the zoo is open daily except Christmas and New Year's Day. Inside the Children’s Zoo is a petting area with goats, sheep, chickens and rabbits that aren’t shy about seeking for treats. The main zoo area includes coyotes, cat species, birds of prey and chatty raccoons. A story time area in one corner offers hands-on animal experience for the littlest zoo-goers.
Santa Ana Zoo, about six miles farther down the road in the city of Santa Ana, is another option. Prentice Park is known for always having 50 monkeys on property, a stipulation of founder Joseph Prentice. Other attractions include the Colors of the Amazon Aviary housing tropical birds, the Tierra de las Pampas, filled with anteaters and rheas, and the Zoofari Express Train. Ride on the Conservation Carrousel and take home your own trading card representing an endangered species. Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's days.
Montebello Barnyard Zoo is the closest zoo in Los Angeles County, located in the suburb of Montebello. It’s about 85 miles from Apple Valley and is geared toward kids. Visit the petting zoo, ride one of the ponies or celebrate a birthday party in a reserved area. Montebello Barnyard Zoo also takes its petting zoo on the road throughout many parts of the Los Angeles Area. The Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Garden is 93 miles from Apple Valley. It’s mostly freeway driving, so if you avoid rush hour you can make it in about 90 minutes. Housing more than 1,100 animals, some on the endangered list, the zoo is also a hub for animal husbandry and conservation studies. Visit the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo, ride LA Choo Choo or work off even more energy at the Neil Papiano Play Park. Ride one of the 64 animals on the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel, near the center of the park. Funds go toward animal conservation efforts. Open daily except Christmas Day.
