Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
8.0Friend Score / 10#3 of 7 Attractions in San Jose
Known forzooamusement parkkids ridescarousel
A small, genuinely charming city-run zoo and vintage amusement park for the under-10 crowd, beloved by San Jose families since 1961. Admission is $18 (under 2 free), which is a bargain by Bay Area standards. Rides are gentle and lines are real on summer weekends — go at opening on a weekday if you can.
Key facts
| Hours | Daily 10:00–16:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | VTA bus 73 along Senter Rd; easiest by car — parking lot at 748 Story Rd ($10) |
| Time needed | Half a day (3-4 hours) |
| Best time to go | Weekday mornings right at opening; spring and fall for cooler walking weather |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.0/10- Value8.5
- iconic7.0
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level5.5
- Authenticity8.5
- Accessibility7.5
Frequently asked questions
- Are rides included in Happy Hollow admission?
- Yes — the $18 covers the zoo, all rides, playgrounds, and the puppet theater. No ride tickets or wristband upsells, which is a big part of why local parents love it.
- What ages is Happy Hollow best for?
- Sweet spot is roughly 2 to 8 years old. The rides are gentle carnival-scale, the zoo animals are small-kid-friendly, and the playgrounds are excellent. Teens will be bored; toddlers will be in heaven.
- How much does Happy Hollow Park & Zoo cost?
- Admission is $18 for everyone age 2 and up; babies under 2 are free. Parking is $10 per car. Families on EBT/WIC/Medi-Cal can get steeply discounted tickets, and a Summer Pass runs $43 for the whole season.
- How crowded does Happy Hollow get?
- Summer and holiday weekends get genuinely packed — expect ride lines and a full parking lot by late morning. Weekday mornings during the school year are gloriously empty. Arrive at opening either way.
- What are Happy Hollow's hours?
- Typically 10am to 4pm, but hours shift seasonally and by day, and ticket sales stop 30 minutes before close. Check the 'Today's Hours' page on happyhollow.org before you drive over — they're closed some weekdays in the off-season.
- Can I bring food into Happy Hollow?
- Outside food is generally allowed in the picnic areas, and Kelley Park around it has plenty of picnic tables. There are food stands inside, but packing lunch is what most local families do.
- Does Happy Hollow have real zoo animals?
- Yes, it's an accredited zoo with capybaras, red pandas, lemurs, a fossa, meerkats, and a good petting-zoo area. It's compact — think 90 minutes of animals, not a full safari day — which is exactly right for little legs.
- What else is at Kelley Park besides Happy Hollow?
- The Japanese Friendship Garden and History Park are both a short walk away in the same park, and both are cheap or free. You can make a full family day of Kelley Park on one $10 parking fee.
Nearby in Ask San Jose
- History Park at Kelley ParkMuseum0.31 km · 4 min walk
- Bun Bo Hue An NamRestaurant0.34 km · 4 min walk
- Japanese Friendship GardenPark0.48 km · 6 min walk
- Kelley ParkPark0.48 km · 6 min walk
- Little Saigon (Story Road)Neighborhood0.6 km · 8 min walk
Where to stay near Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
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