Orange County Zoo

Orange County Zoo is a small, regionally focused zoo set within Irvine Regional Park, where its exhibits emphasize animals and plants native to the southwestern United States. Many of the animals were injured, orphaned, confiscated, or otherwise deemed unable to return to the wild. The wooded park setting reinforces the zoo's connection to the landscapes and wildlife of Southern California rather than presenting a broad collection from around the world.

The collection includes black bears, mountain lions, jaguars, bald eagles, kit foxes, ocelots, beavers, great horned owls, porcupines, coyotes, and turkey vultures, along with a barnyard featuring domestic goats and sheep. A dedicated large mammal habitat provides space for mountain lions and a jaguar, while smaller exhibits cover native reptiles and birds. Educational programs include guided tours, hands-on discovery activities, and opportunities to meet selected zoo animals. The combination of regional wildlife, natural surroundings, and educational programming makes the zoo particularly suited to travelers interested in Southern California species and a more compact wildlife visit.