Where To See Sloths In California – 2024 Guide

If you’re looking for somewhere to see sloths in California then you’re in the right place.

Whether you just want to see a sloth or you’d like to meet one up close, you can do all of that in California in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and more.

If you’re wondering what zoos in California have sloths then keep on reading as I’ve covered all the zoos in California with sloths.

Some of them even have sloth encounters where you can meet and feed a sloth one-on-one.

Best Places To See Sloths In California

Here are all of the exact locations where you can see sloths in California…

1. SeaWorld San Diego

One of the best places to see sloths in California is at SeaWorld San Diego. 

SeaWorld is an exciting theme park and marine zoo. As well as roller coasters and rides, they have lots of animals at the park including sloths.

The sloths here are two-toed sloths and can be found right in the center of the park near the Dolphin Days area. 

I visited SeaWorld San Diego recently for the first time and really loved it. This was actually my first ever time seeing sloths in real life and it was pretty cool!

You can get up close and personal with the sloths at SeaWorld San Diego by booking a sloth encounter. You can even take a selfie with them.

Check out the sloth encounter with Tess the two-toed sloth at SeaWorld San Diego in the video below:

2. San Francisco Zoo

San Francisco Zoo is home to over 2,000 exotic, endangered and rescued animals including Southern two-toed sloths.

You can find the sloths in the South American Tropical Rainforest and Aviary which can be found in the South America section of the zoo.

They can usually be observed here hanging from a canopy where they spend the majority of their time. 

When I visited, the sloths appeared to be sleeping but it was still great to see them in real life. They were super cute.

To get the most out of your trip to San Francisco, you can purchase a San Francisco City Pass which gives you admission to all of San Francisco’s top attractions including San Francisco Zoo.

You can see a sloth at San Francisco Zoo in the video below:

3. Los Angeles Zoo

Los Angeles Zoo currently has more than 270 different species of animals including two-toed sloths.

You will have the chance to meet Charlie, who is the zoo’s resident Linné’s two-toed sloth. He can usually be seen hanging from a tree.

To get the most out of your trip to Los Angeles, you can purchase a Los Angeles City Pass which gives you admission to all of Los Angeles’s top attractions including Los Angeles Zoo.

You can see Charlie, LA Zoo’s resident sloth, in the video below:

Did you know that you can also see wild dolphins in Los Angeles? Yep, it’s actually pretty easy if you know where to go (hint: I list the exact locations in my post).

4. San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo currently has two-toed sloths which occasionally make special appearances. They are not consistently on display at the zoo so it’s best to call and check ahead.

Sloths can regularly be seen as part of the zoo’s ‘Animals in Action Experience’. This experience gives visitors the chance to go behind the scenes and meet the zoo’s animals up-close.

To get the most out of your trip to San Diego, you can purchase a San Diego City Pass which gives you admission to all of San Diego’s top attractions including San Diego Zoo.

Check out the video below which shows a baby sloth at San Diego Zoo:

5. Wildlife Learning Center 

The Wildlife Learning Center is a zoo located in San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.

It looks after over 100 animals that have either been displaced, rescued or born in a zoo. 

They have several two-toed sloths at the zoo. 

For an extra special experience, you can book onto the Sloth Social Animal Experience where you get to enter the sloth enclosure and meet them up close. You’re even able to snap a selfie with them.

Whilst general admission is only available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, you can book tours of the zoo any day of the week. 

These interactive tours give you the chance to meet and feed some of the zoo’s many animals.

Meet Pauley & Sid the sloths in the video below:

6. Sacramento Zoo

Covering over 14-acres of land, Sacramento Zoo currently cares for over 500 animals including two-toed sloths.

At Sacramento Zoo you can see the zoo’s resident Linné’s two-toed sloth, Edwina. 

Edwina came to the zoo in 1992 and has been ‘hanging’ around ever since. Her favorite snack is sweet potato.

If it’s a rainy day, then don’t worry because Edwina is one of the zoo’s only animals that loves playing outside in the rain!

7. SeaQuest Folsom

Another zoo in California that has sloths is SeaQuest Folsom, a hands-on zoo aquarium in Folsom just a 30 minute drive from Sacramento. 

At SeaQuest you get the chance to touch, feed and interact with animals from all over the world including sloths. 

Book onto the Sloth Interaction to be able to hang with a two-toed sloth named Flash. 

During the sloth encounter you will be able to feed the sloth, take photos with it and learn more about them from the zookeepers.

This activity at SeaQuest Folsom is one of the best sloth encounters in California. 

Check out the Sloth Interaction at SeaQuest Folsom in the video below:

8. Santa Ana Zoo

The Santa Ana Zoo is a 20-acre zoo, located in Santa Ana, focuses on caring for animals that are native to Central and South America. The zoo is just a short 30 minute drive from Los Angeles. 

Santa Ana Zoo has over 120 different species and 350 individual animals including two-toed sloths.

The sloths can be found on Monkey Row along with the zoo’s monkeys and lemurs. 

Check out the sloths at Santa Ana Zoo in the video below:

9. Monterey Zoo

Monterey Zoo is located 2 hours south of San Francisco. 

Monterey Zoo allows you to get up-close and personal with lots of fun wild animals including sloths. 

At Monterey Zoo you can sometimes meet Chloe, the zoo’s resident sloth. Chloe is known to be extremely needy and she loves to hang on tightly to her keepers. 

The sloth at Monterey Zoo is only used in some educational programs and tours so she may not always be on display at the zoo. 

If you really want to see Chloe, I’d recommend calling ahead of time to check. 

And that’s it!

Thanks for reading this post on where to see sloths in California.

I hope you’ve discovered some new spots to catch a glimpse of these adorable creatures in action and maybe even had a chance to see one up close and personal.

Until next time, keep exploring and discovering the wonders of the animal kingdom!

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