ZooLights

After living in Oakland my whole life I can’t believe I had never been to zoo lights. Although the last time I had been to the Oakland Zoo was probably with my school class in 2^nd grade.
Lights at night are always a magical experience and it was great to have some animal exhibits open, like the huge sleeping hundred year old turtles, the bug exhibit and the cutest small frogs and baby turtles I have ever seen in my life! The best part of the whole night was riding the train (extra $ 3). We sipped on some hot coco while gazing at the stars and amazing bay area skyline and then shocked to find real life kangaroos and emo just chillin right by the tracks. I seriously thought it was a fake cut out of a kangaroo until it the head started to turn lol.
I was a little disappointed by their choreographed light show, with all the talent we have in the bay area they could have been way better.

It was a super chilly night, but my heart was warm and full of wonder.
The displays here are so nice that it was hard to tear my eyes asunder.
I went here last night with my family and dad.
(I forget that I’m a dad myself sometimes because of how incredibly young and cool I am. o_​O)
Note: Click on the link I provide as part of the listing if you want more info.
The Oakland Zoo (I’m old enough to remember it as the Knowland Zoo):
ZooLights has been a holiday event for years now (this year, it runs from Nov. 30-​Dec. 31).
I remember the first one. A company provided cheap 3D glasses. They made the displays look cool, but kind of blurry.
ZooLights is open daily (from 5:30−9 p.m.), but closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas.
It’s «a separate event and is not included in regular Zoo Admission.
Member Tickets: $ 5 per child /​$ 7 per adult.
Non-​Member Tickets: $ 6 per child /​$ 8 per adult.
Parking Fee: FREE.»
It didn’t pertain to my dad for some reason (sorry, old man), but there should be a Senior price ($ 5).
Really young children are totally free (my son Joshua is less than 10 months old– my wife had discount coupons, but couldn’t use them).
Some of the best displays are at the main entrance.
I couldn’t take any pictures unless I hopped out of the car, and that wasn’t happening. Sorry.
Drive slowly when you enter.
Like a good mystery novel, there are some twists and turns.
There are also some speed bumps.
My dad drove through one and made us all jump.
It’s good to arrive early (allow yourself over an hour to go through the zoo).
If you arrive later, though, you’ll encounter fewer people (if that’s something you care about).
There are 2 areas.
The displays are mainly at the center of the zoo.
If you need help figuring out where to go (we did), just ask an employee.
We were here from about 7:40 — 8:50.
Santa makes appearances, but he wasn’t here yesterday at all.
To hell with him (I have no delusions– I know that I’ve been a bad boy all year).
The Outback Express Train:
It takes you all around the zoo (I remember from the past that the ride lasts a few minutes and is pretty pleasant).
Adult tickets are $ 3.
There’s not really room for strollers (my dad thought that we didn’t go on the train because it was «too cold,» but we really didn’t because my wife didn’t want to leave the stroller behind). There’s an area in front of the «station» for them.
There are a few rides for kids as well.
You can also buy food from 2 places.
We were briefly lost.
My dad led us to some dark area.
Just follow the established paths and don’t try to create your own.
Christmas songs emanate from the center of the zoo.
They’re nice, but there are only a few.
For example, «Happy Xmas (War Is Over).»
There are light shows every night, but I can’t really comment on them.
I do know that some displays randomly turn on and off.
That’s how I ended up taking a photo of a hippo instead of a gorilla (I thought that my camera suddenly had magic abilities– I pointed it at my face, but it remained the same).
At least 2 animal buildings are open to the public. Both seem to close at 8:30 (we missed out).
One of the buildings houses reptiles.
I took a photo of 2 tortoises (
).
The other big bastards were sleeping too.
This one area smelled like Bigfoot taking a giant dump in the woods (I don’t know how else to describe it).
In other words, it was pleasant.
My dad thought that a small cheetah display was of E.T.
I’m not going to call him senile, but you’re free to think that if you want.
The restroom I used was big and as clean as the board of health. o_​O
A female employee was kind of taken aback by me. She looked at me as if she expected to see someone human.
The employees were nice overall.
«Have a good night.»
I was a bit miffed when the woman said that, but only because we were just entering the main area (she didn’t know that).
Make sure you get your hand stamped so that you can freely move between the 2 areas.
There’s a gift shop (it’s big, clean, and nicely organized– there are also a lot of cool items to buy).
The 2 female cashiers were goofing around last night (at the time, we were the only ones inside).
My dad joined in on the fun.
«Thank you for letting me into your home.»
The young women giggled like schoolgirls.
My dad also scored with this joke:
«What do you get when there’s no more pollution in L.A.
U.C.L.A.»
There are plenty of parking spaces.
This is a great event for couples and families. Come see for yourself.