You Can Ride a Panda on the Carousel at the Sacramento Zoo in Land Park

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! And throw into the mix a praying mantis, giant panda, dung beetle, wart hog and anteater. The Sacramento Zoo in Land Park opened Wednesday the long-awaited Conservation Carousel, financed by a loan through U.S. Bank and private donations.

If you've always wanted to ride a baby giraffe or poison dart frog, now is your chance. The ride features 32 different animals. Each animal is hand-carved from wood and imported from Ohio. What? We have no artists in Land Park who can carve a pink flamingo out of redwood?

Rides cost $2.00. The Sacramento Zoo is open every day from 9 AM to 4 PM. During June and July, extended hours keep the Zoo open on Tuesdays to 7 PM. Proceeds from the ride go to take care of the 140 real animals at the Zoo.

General admission is $9 for adults and $6.50 for children 3 to 12 during the week. On the weekends and holidays, adult general admission is $9.50 and $7.00 for children 3 to 12. Children under 2 get in free.

The Sacramento Zoo is located in William Land Park; the entrance is at the corner of Land Park Drive and 16th Avenue.

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Photo: Big Stock Photo

Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, columnist for The New York Times'-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout Sacramento. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you.