The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

The Living Desert is one of our favorite places to send guests. It’s a zoo and botanical garden all about the world’s deserts, with more than 500 animals spread across 1,200 acres.

Don’t miss the giraffe feeding. It’s the highlight for kids and grown ups alike. You’ll also find rhinos, cheetahs, Mexican wolves, a walk through Australia and a big carousel. The gardens are beautiful in spring when everything blooms.

Good to know

• Drive from our stays: about 10 minutes
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October through May. Summer hours are early morning only, so the animals and visitors beat the heat.
• Plan on 3 to 4 hours. Wear good walking shoes and bring water.
• Holidays: WildLights turns the park into a glowing light show most evenings from late November through December.
• Dogs: pets stay home, so plan a walk before you go.

Our tip: buy tickets online and arrive right at opening. The animals are most active in the cool morning.

Stay nearby: Our midcentury house and retro condos are dog friendly, and booking direct skips the Airbnb fees.