Great Escape: The Oakland Zoo

For this week's great escape, consider the Oakland Zoo.

Though Oakland Zoo is often considered the lesser of two Bay Area zooparks, it rivals the more stately San Francisco Zoo for its exotics (flying foxes! sun bears!) and pleasantness of weather. The persistently overcast SF Zoo does get points for exhibit design, simply because Oakland's animals are too frequently lost  behind tangles of unkempt native shrubbery.

But don't be discouraged if you can't see the tiger for all that greenery—simply hop a ride on the zoo's  gondola, which offers unparalleled views of the park's lions, elephants, camels and buffalo, among others, as well as panoramic vistas of the East Bay.

While are a real lot of children here — perhaps zillions—that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the zoo without them. We humbly suggest you forgo the popcorn and ICEE and opt for a more adult meal outside the park.