We Heard it Through The Grapevine

The zoo comprises approximately five acres and can be zipped through (on foot, that is) in about an hour if you’re a power walker or enjoyed leisurely over the course of an entire morning or afternoon. With over 200 animals and some 45 unique species, Charles Paddock Zoo features several attractions that make it stand out among zoos of comparable size, including lemurs, meerkats, red pandas, a Malayan tiger, and some furry fossa (don’t worry, we had to look up that last one too). The zoo also prides itself on providing a comfortable experience for both its animals and its many human guests, which includes strollers for your little ones and an array of refreshments and commemorative merchandise available for purchase. Fun for the whole family, the Charles Paddock Zoo is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon connecting with delightful creatures both familiar and exotic.

Address: 9100 Morro Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

Containing the highest concentration of threatened and endangered wildlife in California, the Carrizo Plain stretches for 250,000 acres along the base of the Temblor Mountains, 60 miles east of San Luis Obispo. Its vast grasslands, woodland habitats, and vernal pools sustain 15 of California’s threatened and endangered plants and animals. Here may rest the future of such species as the California jewelflower, San Joaquin kit fox, mountain plover, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, pronghorn antelope and giant kangaroo rat. The Carrizo Plain is also the largest protected habitat along the Pacific Flyway, making it a birder's paradise in winter months. In the spring, Carrizo’s rolling grasslands thrill wildflower enthusiasts with a breathtaking assortment of colorful blooms. The Carrizo Plain National Monument makes for an unforgettable day trip and is a must-see for anyone visiting us in Atascadero, during any time of the year!