Combo Ticket to Visit L.A. Zoo and Aquarium of the Pacific This Winter Includes Holiday Celebrations

November 12, 2015

November 12, 2015, Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles, CA—A special combo ticket for the Los Angeles Zoo and Aquarium of the Pacific in Southern California this winter includes holiday celebrations at both destinations along with opportunities to see the Zoo’s jaguars in their new Rainforest of the Americas home and the Aquarium’s new Jellies exhibits. REINDEER ROMP from late November through early January at the Zoo and AQUARIUM HOLIDAYS throughout the month of December and HOLIDAY TREATS FOR THE ANIMALS in early December at the Aquarium are among special winter activities enjoyed by visitors via the discounted combo ticket, which can be used on one day or separate days. It can be purchased online or at either for $39 per adult (12+), $26 per child, and $38 per senior (ages 62+).

During the holiday season, the AQUARIUM hosts HOLIDAY TREATS FOR THE ANIMALS (DECEMBER 5-6) as “Santa Diver” delivers an ocean of gifts to Aquarium penguins, sea otters, seals, sea lions, lorikeet birds, and fish while guests watch. Also featured are holiday music, crafts, special presentations, unique photo opportunities, shopping, a snow play area, and festive seasonal decorations. During AQUARIUM HOLIDAYS (DECEMBER 5-24), snow will fall daily in the Great Hall, the Aquarium will be decked with festive décor, and the Aquarium’s costumed characters will appear in their holiday outfits. On weekends in December choirs will perform carols and a snow play area will be set up on the front lawn.

Meanwhile, L.A. ZOO visitors are bound to appreciate the only opportunity to see live reindeer in Los Angeles at REINDEER ROMP (daily November 27, 2015, through January 3, 2016, except Christmas Day). Guests are invited to make the most of the season with a full day of fun and adventure at a great value highlighted by a visit with Noel, Belle, Velvet, and Jingle in their wintry Reindeer Village home. A flurry of other activities on weekends include holiday crafts for youngsters, ice carving demonstrations (Saturdays), Swazzle Holiday Extravaganza puppet shows (Sunday mornings), entertainment by the Satin Dollz, Los Angeles’ popular retro musical troupe (Sunday afternoons), docent talks, and a rotating schedule of animals unwrapping gifts all their own. Visits with Santa Claus in an all-new whimsical Santa Village and photo ops (for a nominal fee) take place every weekend through December 20 plus December 21, 22, and 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

At both the Los Angeles Zoo and Aquarium of the Pacific, ongoing exhibits offer insight into the importance of environmental conservation on land and in the ocean. Visitors to each institution can explore exhibits and attend presentations to find out ways to help protect the planet for the benefit of humans and animals. Earlier this year, L.A. ZOO jaguars moved into a brand new home built on a hillside and landscaped with tall grass and shrubs, deadwood trees, and a waterfall. This habitat is set within the Zoo’s newest exhibit, Rainforest of the Americas, an extraordinary collection of endangered and exotic mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians living in spaces that exemplify their natural habitat in the rainforest biosphere and replicate their natural homes in Mexico and Central and South America. New Jellies exhibits are now open at the AQUARIUM, inviting guests to delve into the mysterious world of sea jellies while learning about their importance. Often referred to as jellyfish, sea jellies are are actually invertebrates, animals with no backbones, hearts, or brains. These sea creatures have existed on this planet since before the time of the dinosaurs, and some species can indicate if ocean water is clean while others indicate if it is polluted. Jellies features the opportunity to explore the amazing life of these gelatinous animals through new exhibits, educational programs, films, a fall art exhibit, and more. Ever wondered what a jelly feels like? You can even safely touch them at the Aquarium, too.

The landmark LOS ANGELES ZOO AND BOTANICAL GARDENS, drawing 1.6 million visitors each year, is home to a diverse collection of 1,100 animals representing 250 different species, many of which are rare or endangered. Its lush grounds on 113 acres feature the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles); Elephants of Asia; Campo Gorilla Reserve; Rainforest of the Americas, an extraordinary collection of endangered and exotic mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians living in spaces that exemplify their natural habitat in the rainforest biosphere; Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel; an Indian Rhino Encounter direct-contact opportunity; Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains, home to one of the largest troops of chimpanzees in the United States; Red Ape Rain Forest where visitors can walk among orangutans; the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo; one of the largest flocks of flamingos in any zoo in the world; a botanical collection comprising over 800 different plant species with approximately 7,000 individual plants; and much more. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), whose members meet rigorous professional standards for animal welfare, the Zoo has achieved renown as an international leader in the preservation of endangered species and a conservation center for the care and study of wildlife. The Zoo, open daily except Christmas Day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., is located in Griffith Park. For more information call (323) 644-4200 or visit www.lazoo.org.

The AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC, a nonprofit AZA-accredited institution, is dedicated to conserving nature and its resources by building relationships among people. Home to over 11,000 animals and visited by 1.5 million people annually, the Aquarium invites visitors to explore the waters of Southern California and Baja and the Northern and Tropical Pacific. The Aquarium features its interactive Shark Lagoon and Lorikeet Forest aviary, June Keyes Penguin Habitat, hands-on discovery labs, the Molina Animal Care Center, Ocean Science Center, Wonders of the Deep gallery, and new Jellies exhibits. Beyond its exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, from hands-on activities to lectures by leading scientists. It is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and important topics facing our planet and our ocean are explored by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in the search for sustainable solutions. A world of discovery awaits. The Aquarium is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is closed on December 25 and during the Grand Prix for three days in April. For more information, visit aquariumofpacific.org or call (562) 590-3100.