The Happy Hollow Park and Zoo
The Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose, California is one of the state’s most fascinating zoos. Located on a sprawling 16-acres of land, Happy Hollow strives to provide ample activities for both humans and animals. The park engages its guests through interactive displays and a variety of animal exhibits. Since the zoo opened its doors in the early 1960s, it has grown into the exciting place that it is known as today.
Animal Exhibits
One of the obvious attractions to the park and zoo is the animals. Happy Hollow prides itself on actively ensuring its animals are well taken of. They achieve this through education and training programs for its staff, close observation of the animals, and having engaging environments for the animals. All the animals have an abundance of space to explore that is well suited for the efforts behind conserving their species. Guests to Happy Hollow can really see the level of dedication that goes into the animal exhibits.
The park and zoo feature two separate animal exhibit areas. One is located on the hill behind the carousel and the other section is located in what is referred to as the hollow which is lined by a bamboo path. The zoo on the hill has a variety of animals, including domesticated species. Alternatively, the zoo in the hollow has animals that are a bit wilder. Below is a list of the animals to see while at Happy Hollow in each section!
Zoo On The Hill Animal Exhibits
- Guinea pigs
- Chickens
- Snakes
- Zebu
- Parrots
- Anteaters
- Goats and Sheep
- Lemur
Zoo In The Hollow Animal Exhibits
- Turtles
- Alligators
- Capuchin Monkies
- Capybara
- Peccary
- Foxes
- Meerkats
- Fossa
- Jaguars
- Red Panadas
- Wallabies
These are just some of the most popular exhibits in each area. There are a few other animal exhibits too but the bottom line is that Happy Hollow is brimming with animal adventures! In addition to the two zoo areas, the park and zoo also feature an educational, hands-on experience for guests that includes animals that guests can interact with. These animals include a variety of reptiles, rabbits, hedgehogs, and so much more. This is the perfect opportunity for visitors to get an up-close look at some remarkable species!
Nature Play And Kelley Park
Happy Hollow and the 16-acres it sits on is located on the northern end of Kelley Park. Visitors can see so much more than just the animals. There is also a variety of trees to see such as redwood, oak, and pine trees. Additionally, the park keeps a well-maintained landscaped area with displays of different plants that encourage pollination which is critical to the plant environment.
While the park is a stunning display, guests are also welcome to check out Happy Hollow’s “Nature Play”. This section of the park and zoo gives guests the opportunity to physically interact with their surroundings. “Nature Play” has multiple features that support muscle development in children as well as promoting an active lifestyle. Moreover, this section serves as an educational center for school children to learn more about certain animals, their needs, and their habitats.
Other Activities At The Park And Zoo
For some people, the Nature Play and educational area along with the animal exhibits is plenty of entertainment. However, that isn’t all that Happy Hollow has for its guests. There is also an area with a puppet theater, a performance stage, children’s rides, and mini bumper cars, and so much more. Happy Hollow even has a mascot, Danny the Dragon who is known to walk around greeting guests.
The park and zoo also have day classes and day camps for children ages 5 to 13. These classes and camps are designed to showcase the zoo’s conversation efforts, provide a safe learning environment, and generally include crafts and entertainment. Between the animals, educational classes and camps, and other entertainment this park and zoo offers, it truly is loaded with experiences that will create great memories.
San Jose, California has a lot to see for its visitors but the Happy Hollow Park and Zoo is a must-see for families. It is an excellent way to engage children in nature and provide an educational point of view while they have fun as well! Happy Hollow proves to be an affordable way to give children this type of experience.