A visit to the Los Angeles Zoo will soon cost more. The City Council has voted to raise ticket prices by $5, starting next month. This decision was made during a meeting on Friday, where council members unanimously approved the increase.
The new prices will take effect on July 1. For children aged 2 to 12, tickets will now be $22. Adults aged 13 and older will pay $27, while seniors aged 62 and older will be charged $24.
This price hike comes as part of a broader effort to address a significant budget crisis in Los Angeles. The city recently approved a $14 billion spending plan aimed at managing its financial challenges for the upcoming fiscal year.
The Los Angeles Zoo has faced financial difficulties in recent years, and this is not the first time ticket prices have increased. In 2012, adult tickets rose by $2, which was a smaller jump compared to the current increase. At that time, the price for an adult ticket was $16, while tickets to the San Diego Zoo were $40. Today, a single-day ticket to the San Diego Zoo costs $76.
Zoo officials have expressed that the increases are necessary to maintain operations and improve visitor experiences. The zoo’s funding model has relied heavily on ticket sales, and with rising costs, they have little choice but to raise prices.
Zoo Director Denise Verret noted that budget cuts proposed earlier could lead to reduced staffing and a lower quality experience for visitors. The city’s approved budget, which goes into effect on July 1, includes measures to restore some positions to help alleviate the burden on staff.
As the zoo prepares for the upcoming changes, it remains a popular destination for families and animal lovers in Los Angeles. The increased ticket prices, while disappointing for some, are seen as essential for the zoo’s sustainability and continued operation.