When it comes to meeting furry and feathered friends, there’s nothing like getting up close and personal with primates, pups, pigs and more. Luckily, LA (and the surrounding area) offers plenty of exciting, educational animal encounter opportunities—you could even spend the night at these California farm stays. Whether it’s you that loves to love on llamas or your animal-obsessed kid, here are the best places—from sanctuaries and rescue centers to farms—to interact with animals in the Los Angeles area.

Best Place to Hug Alpacas: Canzelle Alpacas

Have you ever hugged or kissed an alpaca? This might be your best chance! Southeast of Santa Barbara, this easy day trip (1.5 hours from DTLA) is worth the drive once you see all the alpacas (plus llamas, horses, sheep, buffalo and now chickens!) on this farm. Advance reservations required for the 1-hour tour.  

PS: Carpinteria is known for the annual avocado festival that takes place annually in Oct.

Hours: Fri.-Sun. 
Rates: $30 for adults; $25 for kids, under 2 are free

4036 Foothill Rd.
Carpinteria
Online: canzelle.com

RELATED: Plan an Epic Roadtrip to Santa Barbara with Kids

Best Place to Milk a Goat & Try Archery: Gilchrist Farm

Your little farmer can milk a goat, ride a pony, tour the farm by wagon or barrel train, or try their hand at archery and axe-throwing at Gilchrist family farm tucked into the hills of Santa Clarita. The menagerie of friendly critters includes goats, ducks, chickens, peacocks, geese, pigs, sheep, cows, bunnies and an African tortoise—and all of them are available for visits. 

Hours: Sat. & Sun. from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Goat milking takes place at 10 a.m. & noon Jun.-Dec.
Cost: $5 and includes meet-and-greets with the farm's menagerie of animals (including the petting zoo). All other activities must be booked separately, and prices vary. Archery and axe throwing are $15 each;  Wagon & train rides are $5 each; Pony and horse rides are $7-25 (ponies and horses are not available if it's too hot out).

30116 Bougquet Canyon Rd.
Santa Clarita 
Online: gilchristfarm.com

Best Place to Cuddle a Critter: Wallis Annenberg PetSpace

best animal encounters around LA
Wallis Annenberg PetSpace

Calling all Fido and feline fans! Wallis Annenberg PetSpace is filled with animal fun. There's an education center, kids can observe training demonstrations, visit the Health Center, meet adoptable pets Wed.-Sun. as well as read to furry friends Sat. & Sun. at noon. 

Don't miss Critter Corner—a special spot that highlights animal friends like rabbits, hamsters and birds that also need forever homes.

Hours: Wed.-Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free admission although some programs may have a fee and require advance reservations.

12005 Bluff Creek Dr.
Playa Vista
Online: annenbergpetspace.org

Best Place to Peep a Porcupine: Wildlife Learning Center

If feeding a giraffe or getting up-close with a porcupine is on your bucket list, now's the time to check off those boxes. The sanctuary houses more than 50 different species of zoo-born and rescued animals, from a Bermese python and an American alligator to a bald eagle and two-toed sloth.

Want something more personal? Book the "Zoofari Tour" which includes a 45-minute guided walk around the grounds plus the chance to have at least one special encounter with an animal (you get to choose between touching an armadillo or feeding a giraffe or porcupine). The pricier 90-minute "Adventure Tour" offers a guided walk plus the chance to do all of the above experiences and more (sloths are involved!). Both tours are led by one of the center's biologists. 

Good to Know: The Wildlife Learning Center recently re-opened to visitors Tues. & Thurs. Advanced reservations recommended but not required.

Hours: Tues. & Thurs. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Adults $15; Children $13; kids under 3 are free

16027 Yarnell St.
Sylmar
Online: wildlifelearningcenter.org

Best Place for a Playdate with Ponies: Peter Weber Equestrian Center

If you're in the South Bay and you've got a little one who loves horses (or goats, pigs, alpacas, tortoises, bunnies, and sheep!), a visit to Peter Weber Equestrian Center makes the perfect playdate.

You can hang with a menagerie for $50 for up to three kids. For that, you'll have the entire petting zoo area all to yourselves for 30 minutes, which means your little animal-lovers can pet the goats and sheep, feed the bunnies, touch the tortoise—then play in the enclosed play area that includes a small slide perched on bales of hay, two giant rocking-horses, and a make-believe Wild West jail facade that's perfect for Instagram (#Jailbirds). 

Hours: Open by appointment only, seven days a week
Cost:
$50 for three kids to mingle with the farm animals in the petting zoo for 30 minutes; $50 for a pony ride for up to three children

6401 Crenshaw Blvd.
Rolling Hills Estates
Online: pwecent.com

Best Place to Whisper with Wolves: Shadowland Foundation

best places to see animals near LA
Shadowland Foundation

Shadowland Foundation, a sanctuary dedicated to preserving and honoring wolves and their contribution to the environment, and what one of our editor's called, "life-changing"—includes a personalized tour and an opportunity to meet, pet and take pictures of (and with!) one or more of Shadowland's nine Alaskan Timber wolves.

Hours: Advance reservations for private sessions, which take place at 10 a.m. on Tues., Wed. and Thurs.
Cost:
$300 for five people (additional guests, $60 each). Recommended for children 8 and up due to the length of the tour/talk.  

18832 Pine Canyon Rd.
Lake Hughes
Online: shadowlandfoundation.org

Best Place to Linger with Lorikeets: Aquarium of the Pacific

At the Aquarium of the Pacific, kids can explore exhibits like the Shark & Ray Lagoon, Seals & Sea Lion habitat, the Lorikeet Forest and the June Keyes Penguin Habitat. Kids will love the close encounters and you'll love watching the joy on your child's face when, for example, a colorful (and hungry!) Lorikeet lands on their arm, making it all worth it. 

Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri.-Sun. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: $37 (adults), kids (3-11) $27; parking is $8

100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach
Online: aquariumofpacific.org

RELATED: 48 Hours in Long Beach with Kids

Best Place to Lounge with Lions: Moorpark Teaching Zoo

Calling itself "the living, breathing classroom for the Exotic Animal Training and Management program," the zoo (a part of Moorpark College) exists to educate its students on animal husbandry, training and care. Purchase advance reservations to be able to see more than 200 animals live at the 5-acre zoo, including alligators, geckos, monkeys, tigers, camels, snakes,  lions and more. 

Hours: Sat. & Sun. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. with special live presentations at noon, 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $9 for adults, $7 for kids, under 2 are free

7075 Campus Rd.
Moorpark
Online: zoo.moorparkcollege.edu

Best Place to Cuddle with Cows: The Gentle Barn

The Gentle Barn offers private tours along with cow hug therapy in addition to their virtual tours. The two-hour private tours will give you and your household a close-up look at all the animals that live at the Barn (as well as sharing their stories of rescue and recovery). Visitors will also learn about the history of the organization and its goals of teaching kindness and compassion to animals. 

Hours: Open to the public on Sun.; Tickets much be reserved in advance
Cost: Adults $22; Kids $12; children under 2 are free

15825 Sierra Hwy.
Santa Clarita
Online: gentlebarn.org

Best Place to Sit with Sea Lions: Marine Mammal Care Center

The Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro is a hospital with a very different kind of patient: Inhabitants here are mostly baby seals who have lost their moms and cannot feed themselves, along with other sick or injured sea mammals. Your little animal lovers can see (from behind the fence line) a plethora of adorable harbor seals and California sea lions, learn how they are cared for and how helpers here prepare to return them to the wild. A docent leads a 15-minute tour of the center, tell you about the animals, and answers any questions that come up. Advance reservations, face coverings and social distancing will be required during your entire visit and there is a maximum of 8 people in each party per 15 minute tour.

Hours: Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free but $5+ per person donations are encouraged 

3601 S. Gaffey St.
San Pedro
Online: marinemammalcare.org

Best Place to Giggle with Gibbons: Gibbon Conservation Center

The Gibbon Conservation Center is a nonprofit center dedicated to the study and conservation of gibbons, small apes from the forests of Asia. More than 40 gibbons live here in family groups, which allows kids to see up close how these animals live and take care of their young. Please note there is no physical contact with the animals allowed. 

Hours: Guided tours are available on Sat. & Sun. at 10 a.m.
Cost: Adults, $18; students & teens, $15; kids 3-12, $7; Children under 3 are not allowed at this time. 

19100 Esguerra Rd.
Santa Clarita, CA
Online: gibboncenter.org

Best Place to Embrace a Pig: Farm Sanctuary

Visit the 26-acre Farm Sanctuary to meet rescued cows, pigs, turkeys, and other farm animals. Tour reservations are currently required, and visitors can expect to learn about the importance of humane treatment for farm animals and the effects of animal farming to the world's ecosystem during the hour-long tour. 

Hours: Fri.-Sun.; 11 a.m-2 p.m.
Cost: Adults, $15; kids $8; kids under 3 are free

5200 Escondido Canyon Rd.
Acton
Online: farmsanctuary.org

Best Place to Pal around with Pythons: STAR Eco Station

Meet parrots and pythons and piranhas—oh my! Kids, from babies to teens, can tour Eco Station to see a host of exotic rescued wildlife. Tours are required for admission, and each is led by an expert Eco Station staff member who explains the habits and history of hundreds of rescued exotic animals. The tour also features exhibits on the current challenges facing the environment and offers tips on how to help save the planet through small changes at home and at school.

Hours: Tours start every hour on Sat. & Sun. from 10 a.m. with the last tour starting at 3 p.m.
Cost: Adults, $12; Kids, $10

10101 Jefferson Blvd.
Culver City
Online: ecostation.org

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With spring just around the corner, it’s a perfect time to rediscover all the wonders of nature and its creatures. Whether its a visit to a local farm or petting zoo, or from the safety of your own home, we’ve got ideas on where to go to get your critter fix. Safari West just welcomed a new baby giraffe and we can’t wait to visit! Check out all our favorite spots below.

San Francisco

Fisher Family Children’s Zoo, San Francisco

Inside the San Francisco Zoo, you will find the Fisher Family Children’s Zoo full of farm animals just waiting to be fed and petted. The area also includes nature trails, insect zoos and a barnyard. Advance reservations required.

Sloat Blvd. at the Great Highway
San Francisco, CA
Online: sfzoo.org

Insect Discovery Lab, San Francisco

Save Nature, a San Francisco-based organization that protects endangered species, will teach your kids about awe-inspiring insects through its Insect Discovery Lab. With both in-person and Zoom classes led by an “insect educator,” kids learn how to identify and classify certain bugs—and even hold them!

San Francisco, CA

Online: savenature.org

Penguin Cam at the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco

California Academy of Sciences

Delight in the antics of the Academy’s South African penguin colony as they swim, flirt and nest on three live webcams 24/7. For even more action, tune in for daily penguin feeding at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. PT. Each Valentine’s Day, things get sweeter as the penguins “exchange” paper cutout hearts, which they use to line their nests—this year you can watch the action live.

San Francisco, CA

Online: calacademy.org

East Bay

Tilden Little Farm, Berkeley

This sweet little farm is home to a variety of farm animals including cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens and pigs. Several heritage breeds are preserved here, including Milking Shorthorn Cattle. The farm has been closed to the public during the pandemic, but is scheduled to reopen in late February 2021, just in time to see the newest and littlest members of the farm arrive. Advance reservations are required for all visitors.

Berkeley, CA
Online: ebparks.org

Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont

Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont houses sheep, pigs, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, goats and cows. While the farm is reopening with limited hours on February 18, 2021, it is currently putting petting and feeding activities on hold. Pre-visit online registration required, although reservations can usually be made on the same day as your visit.

34600 Ardenwood Blvd.
Fremont, CA
Online: ebparks.org

Broken Road Farm, Brentwood

This small farm in Brentwood just started offering private and holiday events on their farm where kids can meet pigs, chickens and other animals. Follow them on IG for their current offerings. 

Brentwood, CA
Online: brokenroadfarm.com

Peninsula

Harley Farms Goat Dairy, Pescadero

Kate Loweth

This working goat farm is a great place to visit when you head to the coast. They offer tours that you can book in advance (Fri.-Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.) or visit the farm on our own during working hours. Stop by the farm shop before you leave to purchase products to take home.

205 North St.
Pescadero, CA
Online: harleyfarms.com

Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills

Kate Loweth

This farm offers year-round programs to provide individuals and families with opportunities to learn about the environment and enjoy all that Hidden Villa has to offer. You can milk a cow or join a bird hike or bake breads from around the world. Spring is a great time to take the barnyard babies tour. Parking is $10 unless you are there for a paid activity. They are closed on Mondays and during the summer for camps. You currently need to make a reservation before your visit

26870 Moody Rd.
Los Altos Hills, CA
Online: hiddenvilla.org

Lemos Farm, Half Moon Bay

Lemos Farm

Just over the hill into Half Moon Bay will get you to Lemos Farm. In addition to being one of the hot spots for pumpkins in the Fall, Lemos offers farm animals that you can see up close. Ride a pony in the ring or meet goats, pigs, sheep and more in the petting zoo. You can even milk Maggie, a life-sized milking cow machine! Note that Lemos is requiring all adults and kids 15 months and older to have a pass, which can be purchased on its site. The farm is open weekends only in Spring.  

12320 San Mateo Rd.
Half Moon Bay, CA
Online: lemosfarm.com

 

South Bay

McClellan Ranch, Cupertino

Kate Loweth

The Rolling Hills 4-H group houses many of its animals at this ranch in Cupertino. Ranch tours are offered on the second Saturday of the month (currently on hold due to COVID). Meet the 4-H members and learn how they take care of their animals. Here you can meet chickens, goats and sometimes pigs and steer.

22221 McClellan Road
Cupertino, CA
Online: facebook.com

Emma Prusch Farm Park, San Jose

Emma Prusch Farm Park is a 43.5 acre park in East San Jose and home to what many say is the largest wooden barn in California. Local 4-H youth use the barn to raise their market and breeding animals. The barn serves as a residence to steers, goats, sheep and pigs, and is open to the public during certain park hours. However the park prohibits touching and feeding of the animals by visitors.

647 S King Rd.
San Jose, CA
Online: pruschfarmpark.org

Gilroy Ostrich Farm, Gilroy

Gilroy Ostrich Farm

Ostriches are the largest birds on Earth, and you can see their quirky behavior firsthand at this farm. Other animals inhabit the place, such as goats, chickens, pot-bellied pigs and Alpacas. You can even take a piece of the farm home with you by adopting one of the cute little bunnies through the farm’s adopt-a-pet program.

5560 Pacheco Pass Highway
Gilroy, CA
Online: gilroyostrichfarm.com

Alma Bonita Animal Rescue, Morgan Hill

Nestled in the rugged foothills of Morgan Hill California, Alma Bonita Animal Rescue (ABAR) was founded out of love and respect for animals who have been put in neglected and vulnerable situations. Today there are 50+ animals living at Alma Bonita Animal Rescue in Morgan Hill.  Volunteers help with the tasks of building shelters as new animals arrive and other support tasks like running the website, keeping up on social media, and keeping track of the finances. The farm offers private school group and family visits by appointment only. 

5070 Fallen Oak Drive
Morgan Hill, CA
Online: almabonitaanimalrescue.org

Marin/Sonoma Counties

Safari West, Santa Rosa

Will Bucquoy/Safari West

On February 13th, Safari West welcomed a brand new baby giraffe born here on the Sonoma Serengeti. This 6-foot newborn tips the scales at 130 pounds and is ready to meet his fans! Safari tours and overnights are back open at Safari West so book your fun today! 

3115 Porter Creek Road

Santa Rosa, CA
Online: safariwest.com

Slide Ranch, Muir Beach

Slide Ranch

For 50 years, the mission of Slide Ranch has been to connect children to nature. Even though some of the programs at this Muir Beach ranch are temporarily shuttered, there are still plenty of coastal hiking trails to explore, places to picnic and pastures available for farm animal interaction. They have recently introduced an outdoor classroom program for school and community groups that includes a goat milking demonstration and animal feeding sessions.

2025 Shoreline Hwy,
Muir Beach, CA
Online: slideranch.org

Ramini Mozzarella, Tomales

For a visit with a totally different animal, head to Tomales to meet the buffalo of Ramini Mozzarella. Tours and tastings are offered on Saturdays.

175 Gericke Rd.
Tomales, CA
Online: raminimozzarella.com

American Made Miniatures Farm Sanctuary, Petaluma

This small, family owned farm sanctuary offers farm tours by appointment only. Come and meet, pet and feed the farm's beloved miniature horses, plus its other array of horse breeds including Clydesdales and Appaloosas. Many of the farm’s animals have been rescued or adopted. Not open on Sundays.

1 Sonoma Mountain Rd,
Petaluma, CA
Online: americanmademiniatures.com

Menagerie Hill Ranch, Vacaville

This small family run ranch is known primarily for breeding and raising alpacas. They offer both visits with the alpacas as well as farm tours, all by appointment. The farm also raises free range chickens, and sells farm fresh eggs in its ranch store, along with alpaca fiber, yarn and other alpaca items.

4071 Norman Court
Vacaville, CA
Online: menageriehillranch.com

Tara Firma Farms, Petaluma

This farm raises animals and grows veggies to support their CSA business. They typically host farm tours on the weekends (currently cancelled due to COVID) where you can learn about the farm and CSA, what "pasture raised" means and how farms like Tara Firma Farms are on the front lines to fight climate change, reduce water usage and build better soil through the latest methods in carbon farming

3796 I St.
Petaluma, CA
Onlinetarafirmafarms.com

—Donna Glass & Kate Loweth

 

As the nation’s zoos and aquariums begin to reopen, you and the kids can still enjoy all your fave animals! From underwater creatures like sharks, sea jellies and puffins to majestic lions, giraffes and elephants, there are plenty of live cams streaming at this very moment. Keep scrolling to find easy ways to find out what your furry (and slippery) friends are up to!

Aquariums

Nur Taufik Zamari via Unsplash

Aquarium of the Pacific: Penguin Cam, Shark Cam, Sea Jellies Cam, Tropical Reef

Beluga Bits Citizen Science Project: Beluga Whale Cam

Explore.org & Polar Bears International: Beluga Whale Cam

Georgia Aquarium: Beluga Cam, California Sea Lion Cam, African Penguin Cam, Piranha Cam, Puffin Cam

Loggerhead Marine Life Center: Turtle Cam

Manatee Lagoon: Manatee Cam

Monterey Bay Aquarium: Jelly Cam, Penguin Cam, Shark Cam, Sea Otter Cam

OdySea Aquarium: Sea Lion, Deep Ocean, Shark Cams

Tennessee Aquarium: Secret Reef Cam, River Otter Falls Cam, Penguins Rock Cam

Vancouver Aquarium: Otter Cam, Jelly Cam, Penguin Cam

Zoos

Stephanie LeBlanc via Unsplash

Cincinnati Zoo: Daily Home Safaris with replays at 3 p.m. EST

Cleveland Zoo: Virtual Classroom at 11 a.m. and Virtual Exploring at 1 p.m. EST

Houston Zoo: Giraffe Cam, Gorilla Cam, Elephant Cam, Rhino Cam & Chimp Cam

Palm Beach Zoo: Daily videos and virtual activities

San Diego Zoo: Ape Cam, Baboon Cam, Elephant Cam, Koala Cam, Penguin Cam, Polar Bear Cam, Tiger Cam

San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Giraffe Cam, Burrowing Owls Cam, Elephant Cam, Tiger Cam, Condor Cam

Zoo Atlanta: Panda Cam

Zoos Victoria: Snow Leopard, Penguin, Giraffe, Lion & Zebra Cams

Sanctuaries

David Clode via Unsplash

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: 18 different Koala Cams

––Karly Wood

 

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Your kids know that Old MacDonald had one, but what else do they truly know about farms? To celebrate the impending spring (most of the below farms open March 1), wrangle your herd to one of these Los Angeles-area farms to teach the little chickadees what the eee-iii-ooo-ing is all about! Whether they want to get up close and personal with a pig or pick their own fruits and vegetables straight from the crops, kids will learn plenty about where their meals come from, and they may just decide to feast on foods they have previously turned up their noses at. Next time your little rooster crows at the crack of dawn, make hay while the sun shines and head for these fields.

Underwood Family Farms
Enjoy an educational tour with your kids at the Moorpark location of Underwood Family Farms, which officially opens for the season on March 1, 2012. Tour topics include strawberries, pumpkins, animals and vegetables, and a vintage tractor-drawn wagon ride is part of the farm experience. (Group tours are based on 20 participants, so rally your neighbors and friends and make this a grand summer outing!) Farm camp sessions are also offered through mid-August for children ages kindergarten to fourth grade. If you’re flying solo with the kids and not taking a tour, you can experience the fruits of the farm by picking produce and visiting the farm animal center to take a pony ride and view farm animals including cows, pigs, horses, rabbits, ducks, and more. And don’t miss the 30 minute Animal Show exhibiting farm residents from Buttercup the calf to Dora the rat.  

Forneris Farms
20 minutes north of Los Angeles, Forneris Farms is a quick jaunt from the city to the country. There are no animals at this farm, but a visit here from April to December will teach kids what a working farm looks like in terms of yielding plentiful crops. You may purchase a succulent array of seasonal produce in their open air farm market, which includes corn, tomatoes, strawberries, green beans, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe and much more. Be sure to visit the Forneris Farms Harvest Festival October 1-31 to go on a wild adventure through their four acre corn maze, weaving your way through 10 foot tall crops! The whole family may also enjoy a tractor pull train ride and grab a great pumpkin to carve.

Animal Acres
Animal loving children will delight in a visit to the Animal Acres farm sanctuary, which focuses on compassionately rescuing and protecting farm animals. Every Sunday at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, tours are offered wherein kids may “cuddle cows” and “talk to turkeys.” Tours cost $5, and kids 3 and under are free. Bonus: Beginning Sunday, March 4, 2012, the farm will be offering an additional guided tour beginning at 3:00 pm.

McGrath Family Farm
This organic farm has been in business for five generations. Located in Oxnard, 55 miles north of Los Angeles, and a great pitstop on the way to exploring Santa Barbara, the McGrath Family farm features a farm center where kids may feed and handle farm animals, and pick strawberries, vegetables and flowers. The farm offers tours for any age group (be sure to check their website for pricing and tour times), and officially opens for the 2012 season on March 1.

Big John’s Cherries
Cherry lovers take note! Plan ahead this season for a trip to Big John’s Cherries for some cherry picking’ from late May through early July. If you’re itching for a trip to Big John’s Cherries prior to late May (we think kicking off Memorial Day weekend with some cherry picking is a great idea) then you might want to check out the farm in late March for their lilac and lavender season.

We know the Los Angeles are is chock full of family-friendly farms. With Spring fast approaching, let us know in the comment section below where your family goes to get your farm fix.

— Beth Shea