Central Coast Zoo

Central Coast Zoo AZA accredited zoo and wildlife conservation organization connecting people and animals in California’s beautiful Central Coast! We hope to see you soon!
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The Central Coast Zoo (formerly Charles Paddock Zoo) is home to about a hundred species of animals found around the world, where they live in our beautiful, wooded Lake Park in Atascadero, California. We are the only zoo in the Central Coast accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for zoos ensuring the highest level of animal welfare. As part of AZA, our animal

s are part of globally managed conservation programs to preserve species and their wild habitats. We hope you will come and relax, learn, and enjoy our animals in a safe and respectful environment, and have fun in our beautiful Atascadero Lake Park with play equipment, lawns, walking pathways, and seasonal paddleboat rentals.

05/27/2026

We recently started filming Guapo the Giant anteater at night after we leave to see how he utilizes what enrichment he is given, and now we know why he's so sleepy in the mornings!

We are open today! This week also kicks off our summer hours - we are open every day from 10-4 all summer long. These b...
05/25/2026

We are open today! This week also kicks off our summer hours - we are open every day from 10-4 all summer long. These beautiful Prevost's or Asian tri-coloured squirrels are native to forests in the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and nearby smaller islands and are fun to watch in person!

It's World Turtle Day! We'd love to share our incredible Radiated tortoises big and small with you this weekend!
05/23/2026

It's World Turtle Day! We'd love to share our incredible Radiated tortoises big and small with you this weekend!

It's International Biodiversity Day! Biodiversity refers to the variety of life found on Earth, and our zoo focuses in ...
05/22/2026

It's International Biodiversity Day! Biodiversity refers to the variety of life found on Earth, and our zoo focuses in on special "hotspots" of biodiversity - areas where biodiversity is especially high and not found elsewhere. Did you know the Central Coast Zoo is actually in a Biodiversity Hotspot called the California Floristic Province?!

It's World Bee Day! Bees are among the most important pollinators on Earth. Their work directly supports food productio...
05/21/2026

It's World Bee Day! Bees are among the most important pollinators on Earth. Their work directly supports food production and healthy ecosystems. Pollination happens when bees transfer pollen between flowers, helping plants reproduce and produce fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. You can help bees and other pollinators by planting native flowering plants and not spraying with insecticides.

Still looking for summer plans? There’s room left in Jr. Zookeeper Camp! Don’t miss your chance to spend a week learning...
05/18/2026

Still looking for summer plans? There’s room left in Jr. Zookeeper Camp! Don’t miss your chance to spend a week learning how our amazing keepers care for the animals you love. Ages 13-15. Register at www.atascadero.org/recreation.

05/16/2026

Lemurs and tenrecs and tortoises, oh my! SLO County zoo opens Madagascar exhibit

It is Endangered Species Day which times perfectly with the arrival of our beautiful new critically endangered Red ruffe...
05/16/2026

It is Endangered Species Day which times perfectly with the arrival of our beautiful new critically endangered Red ruffed lemurs, Lisy and Borealis. They have big personalities, including hanging upside down by their feet like a bat! Come to the zoo this weekend to discover what you can do to help them survive on the island of Madagascar, the only place they are found.

Two ribbon cuttings for two Madagascar habitats! We have opened our renovated lemur and radiated tortoise habitats than...
05/15/2026

Two ribbon cuttings for two Madagascar habitats! We have opened our renovated lemur and radiated tortoise habitats thanks to City of Atascadero support, the hard work of contractors, staff and volunteers, and financial support from the Central Coast Zoo Foundation, Ludwick Foundation and loved ones of Bradyn Bronkowski. The lemur habitat is dedicated to the memory of Bradyn, a very special Zoo Volunteer.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day! We hope all the moms (including moms to animals!) have as good a day as our wonderful Mongoose lemur mom Camilla, having the rose all to herself while dad and son "share" theirs.

Address

9100 Morro Road
Atascadero, CA
93422

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(805) 461-5080

Website

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