If you’re looking for somewhere to see crocodiles and alligators in California then you’re in the right place.
There’s plenty of places to see crocodiles and alligators all over California.
This post will tell you all of the best places to see crocodiles and alligators in California and includes all the information you’ll need for a fun day out.
Are There Crocodiles In California?
There are no wild crocodiles in California. This is because wild crocodiles are not native to California.
There are not many zoos in California where you can see crocodiles today (but there are a few).
I spent hours researching which zoos in California have crocodiles and have included them all below. This list also includes other crocodilian species such as tomistomas and gharials.
Does California Have Alligators?
No, California does not have wild alligators as they are not native to the state.
Although you won’t find wild ones, there are plenty of zoos across California where you can see alligators (both American alligators and Chinese alligators).
Wild alligators can be found in other US states with the largest amount being found in Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Best Places To See Crocodiles & Alligators In California
Below I’ve listed all the best locations in California where you can see alligators, crocodiles and other crocodilian species.
1. San Diego Zoo
One of the best places to see both crocodiles and alligators in California is at San Diego Zoo.
San Diego Zoo currently has a group of Chinese alligators that live in the Discovery Outpost area of the zoo. You’ll see them along the zoo’s Reptile Walk.
Chinese alligators are currently a critically endangered species and so San Diego Zoo is planning on becoming a breeding facility for them to help the species recover.
San Diego Zoo also has a range of crocodiles too including African dwarf crocodiles, Johnston’s crocodiles and slender-snouted crocodiles.
You’ll find the crocodiles in the Lost Forest area of the zoo. San Diego Zoo is the best place to see crocodiles in California (and one of the only places too).
To get the most out of your trip to San Diego, you can purchase a San Diego City Pass which gives you admission to all of San Diego’s top attractions including San Diego Zoo.
Address: 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday (9am-6pm), Friday to Sunday (9am-9pm)
2. Los Angeles Zoo
Los Angeles Zoo is another great place to see alligators in California.
Los Angeles Zoo currently has more than 270 different species of animals including American alligators.
They also have a few other crocodilians at Los Angeles Zoo including Indian gharials and tomistomas. These crocodilians can be found in ‘The Lair’ area of the zoo.
The Indian gharial is actually the largest of the crocodilians and is native to India and Nepal. They have characteristic long snouts.
Tomistomas are another member of the crocodilian family that are native to Southeast Asia.
To get the most out of your trip to Los Angeles, you can purchase a Los Angeles City Pass which gives you admission to all of Los Angeles’s top attractions including Los Angeles Zoo.
Address: 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm
3. Oakland Zoo
Oakland Zoo is another great place to see alligators in California.
Oakland Zoo, just a 20 minute drive from San Francisco, is home to over 850 native and exotic animals.
Oakland Zoo currently has American alligators. You’ll find them in the Wayne & Gladys Valley Children’s Zoo area which is located near the lower entrance of the zoo.
At certain times of the year, you can also catch the Alligator Animal Feeding Show where you’ll watch the zookeepers feeding the alligators.
This show runs from April to September and starts at 2.45pm every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Address: 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm
If you like crocodiles, you may also be interested in knowing where to see elephants in California.
4. Santa Barbara Zoo
Another place where you can see alligators in California is at Santa Barbara Zoo.
Santa Barbara Zoo is home to more than 500 animals, representing 146 species.
You can see a Chinese alligator named Xiao at Santa Barbara Zoo. Xiao likes spending time in the pool so you’ll likely spot her there.
These types of alligators are actually the most endangered of all the crocodilian species with less than 100 alligators remaining in the wild!
Address: 500 Ninos Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9.30am to 5pm
5. Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Another place where you can see alligators in California is at Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Fresno Chaffee Zoo, located in Fresno in central California, is home to over 200 species of animals including American alligators.
The American alligators are located on the Tropical Rainforest path close to the aviary.
At the time of writing, Fresno Chaffee Zoo is currently building a brand-new exhibit called Kingdoms of Asia which will have more crocodilian species including the tomistoma, a large long-snouted crocodilian species.
The Kingdoms of Asia project is due to open in 2022.
Address: 894 W Belmont Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm
6. Sacramento Zoo
Another great place where you can see alligators in California is at Sacramento Zoo, located in William Land Park in Sacramento.
At Sacramento Zoo you can see American alligators. If you want to learn more about the alligators then you can join the Alligator Behind The Scenes Tour.
The tour is seasonal and usually starts in the spring. You’ll learn all about the alligators and get the chance to walk along the alligator deck and take part in a feeding session.
You can also see another crocodilian species at Sacramento Zoo – the smooth-fronted caiman. This small, crocodile-like species is native to South America.
Address: 3930 W Land Park Dr, Sacramento, CA 95822
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm
7. Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
Another place in California where you can see alligators is at the Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, located in San Jose.
This 16-acre zoo and amusement park features a range of animals including American alligators.
You can find the American alligators located in the Zoo in the Hollow exhibit. This exhibit is located at the end of the crooked bamboo pathway.
The exhibits at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo are designed to give the animals as much space as possible.
Address: 748 Story Rd, San Jose, CA 95112
Opening Hours: Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm
8. Charles Paddock Zoo
You can also see alligators at the Charles Paddock Zoo, located in Atascadero, California. Atascadero sits in between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
It is actually the only zoo on California’s central coast.
The Charles Paddock Zoo is home to a wide range of different animal species including American alligators.
Address: 9100 Morro Rd, Atascadero, CA 93422
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm (closes at 4pm November – March)
9. Monterey Zoo
Monterey Zoo is another place where you can see alligators in California. It is located 2 hours south of San Francisco.
You’ll find a group of American alligators at Monterey Zoo.
Interestingly, all of the alligators at Monterey Zoo are actually confiscated pets.
They were confiscated from illegal pet owners in California who all thought an alligator would make a good pet.
Address: 400 River Rd, Salinas, CA 93908
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 3pm
Crocodile & Alligator Facts
Below are some quick fun facts about crocodiles and alligators:
- Crocodiles and alligators are one of the oldest groups of predators on Earth and have existed for at least 200 million years.
- They have vertical shaped pupils.
- They can eat prey underwater as well as on land.
- There are 23 living species of crocodilians.
The main difference between crocodiles and alligators is in their appearance. Crocodiles have longer, pointier snouts whereas alligators have shorter, more rounded snouts.
Another difference is that when their mouths are closed, you won’t see any of an alligator’s teeth. In contrast, a crocodile’s back teeth will always stick out over the top lip.
Finally, crocodiles tend to be light in color, such as tan or brown. Alligators, however, tend to be darker in color, often black or gray.
Did you know you can actually see wild alligators in Mississippi & Louisiana?
Thanks for reading this post on where to see alligators and crocodiles in California.
Although there are no crocodiles in California in the wild, there are still a few zoos where you can see them.
Wherever you are in California, there’s plenty of options here to see alligators and crocodiles in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento and more.
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