Applegate Park Zoo

I was surprise of how awesome the zoo was, I was expecting a much less exciting experience since its so small. For $ 3 an entrance to the zoo, this must be the cheapest zoo entrance in the California– its definitely a mini zoo, but its worth a visit if your in Merced and plus your supporting a great initiative to care for the animals.
The zoo is very well managed and the animals are cared properly, exhibits are also really nicely finished and sizable for the animals to roam — all the animals have such cute names like mocha and latte; the zoo itself has quite a collection of animals, nothing huge like a giraffe or elephant, but they do house a giant tortoise, monkeys, baby llama, raccoons, deer, goats, exotic birds, black swan and more. Parking is free here and there is plenty of spaces to park. The zoo is open 10am to 5 pm Monday to Sunday, however may close if its too hot, so call ahead to make sure they are open.
My favorite exhibit is the baby llama, it was so cute and friendly– and so cuddly, best of all its a super model– pose for photo professionally. I believe this zoo even offers guest experience feeding food to its animals, which would be an awesome experience for both adults and kids.
Plan to vist 10 – 30 minutes, also bring a bottled water if your visiting in summer, and also wear a hat just incase the sun is beaming down. The zoo is relatively shaded so you don’t have to worry. My suggestion is to complete a few visit if your in merced, there is the historic old courthouse museum, the new ultra modern UC merced campus to visit and also visit the gouges Yosemite lake, right next to UC merced.

Yes a most stop in if you are in the area and love animals. The baby lama loved me. My son and my wife had a good time. It’s not one of the big zoo’s but the price is cheep and its well worth the money. Makes for a nice 1 or 2 hours. Enjoy!
PS if you get there early you can get food to feed the animals.
but if you come late they run out about 1pm.

Most depressing Zoo ever, this place should honestly be shut down. I remember that even as a kid I did not enjoy coming ti this zoo on field trips. I felt so bad for the animals.
I recently saw some posted pictures of Applegate zoo, and the animals had the same sad expressions since I was a Child, very depressing. If i had a child, I would rather show them a documentary and talk to them about animals, rather than take them to this sad zoo.
The animals are kept in small habitats. Little effort goes into the habitat, some basic branches, trees, rocks and most are just pilled up on concrete.
Very sad place, caged depressed animal is no way to educate children about wildlife.

So much fun for the kids to see real lions and elephants in there own local zoo. Petting and feeding is available for all and its just really cool experience for the kids to get closer with wildlife and nature.

Small zoo, but lovely people and lovely animals. It’s a great date idea I took my girl friends on a girls day out and she absolutely loved it!

had great trip with my son on his birthday day he got feed goats and pet the rabbit’s.

Such a great little zoo! When the weather is nice, and you’ve got a free afternoon, Applegate Park Zoo is an inexpensive and delightful way to relax and enjoy nature. Well worth the drive, as Merced is a charming little town as well.

Dude there’s a llama you can feed. AWESOME.

Like they say: «you get what you paid for.» For $ 3, its not going to be the best Zoo in the world, but for that price, its one of the best low budget Zoos I have been to. The goats are friendly and so are the staff. Its also right next to the park so if you’re a family person, definitely check out Applegate Zoo. Its worth it.

My husband and I took our 2 year old here today, we had a lot of fun! We loved the cougar, it was amazing to see it up so close (4 – 5 feet away)… much closer than a larger zoo! The monkeys were adorable and showing off! My son loved feeding the goats and bears, we were amazed at the types of exotic animals for such a little zoo! Good little gift shop too, we got our son two little snakes, stickers and a grow-​in-​water dolphin all for under $ 3.00 total. We will definitely be returning!

If you ever find yourself driving down Highway 99 through the California «Central Valley» and you have young ones, you may want to take a detour in Merced and stop by the Applegate Park Zoo. Admission is minimal, only $ 1.25 for ages 3 to 10 and $ 1.75 for those above to age 59. Though the zoo is small, it is «big» enough for children to run off any excess energy. The most impressive displays were the mountain lion and the black bear. Both were really active though it was in the middle of the day. The zoo also has a feeding area with lots of little billy goats — you will have to watch your children as the goats are a little aggressive. Taking a twirl in the zoo won’t last longer than 20 to 30 minutes at most, but will allow your children to expend that pent up energy from sitting in the car!

Applegate Park Zoo is a good place to bring the kids. They have little goat that you could pet and feed them. It does not take long to tour the place because it is very small and they do not have a lot of animals to see.
Located next to the zoo is also the Merced’s City Park which has walking trail side by side next to the creek. This park has a huge field to play sport or to have a picnic.

Cute little zoo. Neat place to stop at when visiting Merced even if you’re not a kid. If you’re an adult, you most likely will get through the zoo within 20 minutes even if you’re taking your time, but it’s only $ 1.75 per person to get in. I really liked the bear, raccoons, monkeys, cougar, and goats the best. I also liked that they have a parking lot with an adequate amount of spaces for visitors.

Excellent little Zoo inside the Merced’s City Park. Perfect for a little toddler to run around and see the animals. Tiny billy goat petting zoo that you can buy goat food to feed. Beautiful California Black Bear and a smaller brown bear share the area perfectly. Small gift shop with inexpensive zoo type souvenirs.
Since 1962, Applegate Park Zoo has been home to many wild animals in need of a safe place to live. Currently, the zoo population numbers approximately 75 Native California mammals, birds, and reptiles, most of which came from wildlife rescue centers.
HOURS OF OPERATION (Monday-​Sunday, weather permitting)
Winter Hours: 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.
Spring-​Fall Hours: 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day
ADMISSION PRICES
Under 3 FREE
Ages 3 — 10 $ 1.25
Ages 11 — 59 $ 1.75
Ages 60± $ 0.75
FREE ENTRY TO ALL MERCED ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY MEMBERS